
FSGt 



Class _ 



.A-isr 



^^^^S^UTED Hlsro^^ 




ACRAIENTO CoUNTy] 



CALIFORNIA. 



Containing a History of Sacramento County from the Earliest Period 

of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of 

its Prospective Future; with Profuse Illustrations of its 

Beautiful Scenery, Full-Page Portraits of Some of 

its most Eminent Men, and Biographical 

Mention of Many of its Pioneers and 

also of Prominent Citizens 

of To-dav. i ;,i. 



BY 



GENERAL CHAPTERS 

HON. Win. J. Dams. 



CHICAGO: 
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. 

18 9 0. 



lo^^% 



O-' 



^^ 



nj\ 



^■^ 




^-#-i-#-« 



CHAPTER I. 

Topography, Soil, Climate, Etc.— 

Derivation of name " Sacramento " 1 

Latitude and Longitude J 

Height above Sealevel | 

Surface of tlie Land 1 

Water and Soil ~ 

Productions and Olimale *> 

Mines and Minerals 5 

Indians ° 

CHAPTER IL 

John A. Sutter and nis Fort 7, 806 

CHAPTER in. 
The Califorkia Revolution and the Bear-Flag 

Party 13 

CHAPTER IV. 

Discovert of Gold— 

Discoveries Pr.or to 1818 15 

Marshall's Discovery H 

Sketch of Marshall 17 

CHAPTER V. 

P-UNDiNQ OF Sacramento City— 

The " Embarcadero " and Sutterville 18 

Hoboken 19 

George McDougal 19 

First Election 20 

Other •■ First " Things 20 

Prison Brig 31 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Squatter Riots— 

Dr. Morse's History '23 

Sutter's Notice lo the Squatters 33 

Claims of the Squatters 'id 

Squatters' Association 24 

Judge Willis' Adverse Decision 25 

Squatters Declare Resistance 2.") 

Riotous Meeting 2<) 

The Shooting 28 

Letter Found in Dr. Robinson's Tent 2i> 

Subsequent Events, and Peace Restored 30 

Sketches of McCulloch and Caulfield 34 

Gen. A M. Winn 800 



CHAPTER VII. 

County Government — 

First Attempt 3ft 

First Election 37 

Subsequent Elections, and List of Officers to 
Date 39-4S 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Sacramento County Legislators- 

Senators 43, 806 

Assemblymen 46, 806 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Bench and the Bar^ 

The Bench 52 

The Atfornevs of the Past 54, 806 

The Present' Bar 59 

CHAPTER X. 

Criminals— 

Early Ruffianism 61 

Lynching 61 

Sketches of Principal Cases .63-71,807 

CHAPTER XI. 

Political — 

Double-headed Convention at the Baptist Church. 72 

" Spittoon " Convention .... 74 

Sketch of H. S. Foote 75 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Military 76 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Sketch of all the Periodicals 80, 807 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Educational — 

City Schools 98 

Offlcersof the Board 99-104,807 

The High School 104 

The Country Schools 105 

CHAPTER XV. 

Navigation — 

First Sailing on the Sacramento 107 



First Steamboat lOS 

Steamboat Explosions 110 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Uailroads — 

The Sacramento Valley Kailroad 113, 119 

Central Pacific 113 

Western Pacific 118 

California Central 110 

Freeport Railroad 120 

Railroad Shops at Sacramento liO 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Business Associations — 

Agricultural Society 133 

A Successful Experiment 133 

Sacramento Board of Trade 133 

The Improvement Association 120 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
Chakitable Institutions — 

Distress During the Early G Id-Mining Period ... 127 

Cholera 139 

Early Hospitals 133 

The County Hospital 132 

Railroad Hospital 133 

Protestant Orphan Asylum 133 

Marguerite Home 134 

Water Cures .' . 135 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Sacramento City — 

Pioneer Business Men 138 

Flouring-Mills 1+2 

Other Enterprises 143 

Mills' Bank 807 

Museum and Art Gallery 146 

Business Colleges 147 

Public Libraries 159 

Municipal 151 

First Charter 152 



Consolidation with the County 154 

Present City Charter 1^4 

First Mayor Elected 154 

Mayors to Date 1 55 

Other Cily Officers • 156 

Fires and Fire Department .160 

Exempt Firemen's Association 1(>4 

Waterworks 164 

Gas Works 1«6 

Yolo Bridge .167 

Cemeteries 168 

Churches I'iS 

Societies 179 

CHAPTER XX. 

M ISCELLAN EOUS — 

Postoffices 200 

Other Points 300 

County Nomenclature 200 

Census 203 

Court-House 2U3 

State Capital 203 

Floods 204 

Levees 205 

CHAPTER XXI. 

The Townships — 

Alabama 207 

American 208 

Brighton 210 

Center 213 

Cosumnes 215 

Dry Creek 218 

Franklin 223 

Georgiana 235 

Granite 227 

Lee 234 

Mississippi 287 

Natoma 240 

San Joaquin 242 

Sutter 245 

Addenda 806 



BIOGRAPF^ICAL SKETCHES. 



Adams, C. E 4W3 

AddiDgton. A. M 487 

Aiken, E. F 579 

Alexander, D. E 798 

Alexander, John Kihg 799 

Allen, Robert 485 

Alltucker, Henry 488 

Al vord, Harvey 486 

Anderson, James 708 

Anderson, W. A 291 

Andrews, John N 526 

Armstrong, John W 274 

Armstrong, Mrs. Julia 537 

Aull, Challes 386 

Azevedo, M.J 769 

Bailey, J. D 461 

Bailey, Joseph 709 

Bailey, Joshua J . . .493 

Bainbridge, J C 269 

Barber, Manville 408 



Barnett, Robert 491 

Barry, John T 492 

Barton, H. E 770 

Bassett, L. F 755 

Bates, B. F 3!-3 

Bates, G. O 710 

Bauer, John J 312 

Bauquier, Joseph 313 

Baxter, M. A 735 

Beals, H.S 792 

Beans, B. F 458 

Beatty, H. 254 

Beatty, William H 571 

Beckley, Lucius R 422 

Beckley, P. R 422 

Bellmer, John 791 

Benedix, C. W. T. . . 309 

Bennett, Mrs. M 390 

Besagno, A 712 

Biewener, F 734 

Birch, Williiim A 493 



Hilcbell, James 538 

Black, John 510 

Blanch ard, George A 374 

Bloom, Andrew C 711 

Liohl, Peter 712 

Bonte, C. C 401 

Booth, Newion 287 

Bowers, VV. O 795 

Bowles, J. S 713 

Bradford, J. B 714 

Bradley, William H 714 

Branscombe, S. A 491 

Breeding. William 490 

Briggs, Alfred 716 

Briggs, William Ellery 367 

Brison, W. W 384 

Broder, Jacob 387 

Broder, Oswald 387 

Bronner, George F 768 

Brown, Alexander 488 

Brown, J. B 494 



Brundage. N. .1 410 [ 

Bruner, Eiwood 369 

Brusie, Jud. C 366 

Bivan, William E 5S0 | 

Bnaii, W. F 7l3 

liii.klHV. John J 294 

BiiHll, i)aniel 11 467 

Biillalo Brewing Company 773 

Buike, FT 773 

Buike, F. A 455 

Buruliam, James H 389 

Burns, A. B 691 

Burns, Peter 705 

Burr, A. E 413 

Butterfield, Kufus 708 

Caffaro, Louis 754 

Calderwood, J.F 7^8 

Calio, J. B 704 

Callahan, G.W 453 

Camp, J. E 584 

Campbell, Chas. M 765 

Campbell. Mrs. Polly 700 

Cantrell, D. H 800 

Caples, James 700 

Carle, Silas 702 

Carr, George T 529 

Carrington, S. E 83 

Carroll, Edgar B 144 

Carroll, H. W 80: 

Carroll, John H 801 

Carroll, William 719 

Caselli, Vincent 710 

Casey, Thomas G 391 

Caswell, W. A 3^5 

Castro, Manuel 306 

Callin, A. P 249 

Cave, J. B 316 

Chamberlain, W. E 4--'5 

Champlin, Nelson 406 

Chandler, L.C 361 

Chase, Hiram 718 

Cheslcy,G. W ■;33 

Chinnick, James T 484 

Chipman, H. C 353 

Chrislesen, Robert 601 

Church. W. S 376 

Clark, Howell 273 

Clark, J. Frank 367 

Clark, Palmer 548 

Clark, Robert C 799 

Clarke, George L 544 

Clarke, J. W 303 

Clayton, M. F, 135 

Clayton, Mrs. S. E 136 

Clow, G. B 576 

Cluness, W. R 475 

Coffraan, Alfred 469 

Cohn, Simon 690 

Colebaker, A 391 

Coleman, JO 464 

Coleman, W. P 569 

Colton, G.M 536 

Comslock, Elijah 687 

Corastock, W. D -'89 

Conner, George D 688 

Connor, F. E 468 

Cook, A, A 789 

Cook, Henry 690 

Cook, Thomas H 790 

Coons, David 392 

Core, A. F 474 

Cornelius, H. P 478 

Cosby, G. B 769 



Costello, J. H 718 

Cox, Frederick 575 

Cox, John H 699 

Coy, Zenas L 698 

Coy I e,James 696 

Crouch, H. R 697 

Crolev,E. J 703 

Cross; John F 696 

Cummings, C. H 255^ 

Cunningham, J. A 793" 

Cunningham, William 695" 

Curtis, William 424 

Dalton, DennJK 697 

Daly,Elisha 511 

Daniel, Bartiu 292 

Danis, Alexis J 728 

Darling. George W 694 

Dart, George 510 

Dart, Martin 693 

Davies, Owen T 694 

Davis. A. B 692 

Davis, D. L, 467 

Davis, L. R 420 

Davis, George G 553 

Davis, Win. J 95 

De Kay, Seely 630 

Denson, S. C 286 

Deterding, H. F. W 421 

Devin. A. R 6SH 

Dickey, Sanford 760 

Dickinson, Mrs. Mary 759 

Dickson, Charles 683 

Dierssen, D. & Co 726 

Dierssen, G. E. A 727 

Dingley, N 323 

Divine", J. B 785 

Dixon, G.M 405 

Dixon, William E 45s 

Dodgd, P. H 669 

Dolan, John.H- 315 

Dolson, John C 511 

Douglas, Philip 307 

Dray, F. R 254 

Drew, M. M 688 

Duden, George E 667 

Duffey, John 398 

Dunn, Chauncey H 290 

Dwyer, Thomas 663 

Eagle, Thomas B 699 

Eastman, W.E 509 

Eberhardt, William 337 

Ebner.F. X 744 

Eckhardt, Henry 340 

Ecklon,C. L 390 

Eckman, H. L 743 

Ehrhardt, Henry 412 

Ehrhaidt, John 419 

Eilers, D W 790 

Eldred, Sidney 331 

Ellis, William H 549 

Enos, James E 5-17 

Everson. Julius 674 

Ewing, G. V 494 

Ewing, Mjs. Elizabeth W 494 

Fassett,L.H 675 

Fay, Franklin G 258 

Fay, M 452 

Felch, W.C 407 

Feldhusen, C 308 

Fiel, Isaac 674 

Figg,E.P 363 



Fisher, George S 743 

Fisher, H. & Co 679 

Fitch, W.C 309 

Flaherty, Peter 347 

Fortman, Henry 729 

Foster, Albert 465 

Foster, E. W 673 

Fountain, Joshua 670 

Fountain, W. A 796 

Fraley, James M 513 

Frazer, Wm. F 681 

Freeman, Isaac F 637 

Frees, Jacob 748 

Freitas, John Soto 681 

Frey, Henry 6s0 

Fritsch, John 328 

Frost, A. L 545 

Frye, Wm. H 437 

Fuchs, Peter 325 

Gabrielli, P 748 

Galgaui, P. A 749 

Gardiner, P. H 523 

Gardner, Charles F 365 

Gardner, Zebulon 365 

Garfield, S. H 683 

Garrett, Samuel 682 

Gebert, Jacob 748 

Gehring, Fred 330 

Gerber, L 650 

Gerrish, Sam'l H 457 

Gett, W. A, Jr 609 

Gill, Noah B 540 

Gilmore. J. A 463 

Glann Family 653 

Glaun, Peter 655 

Glann, Daniel 655 

Glann, Vincent 655 

Goldberg, A • ■ • - 653 

Goodell, N. D 270 

Goodrich, O. 4--9 

Goslin.John 653 

Grace, Thos 6 9 

Graf, Markus 560 

Graf, Paul 7.59 

GiiitV. W. (' 758 

Gr;.li:ini .1 .\ 518 

Green.l l.ri. 664 

Green, E. H 756 

Green, MS 5s7 

Green, P. B 541 

Greene, Geo. B 617 

Greer, Erskin 480 

Gregory, A. () 771 

Gregory, Eugene J 433 

Gribble, Hiram 333 

Griesel, Jacob 337 

Griffltts, John T 580 

Grim, Otho Shaw 455 

Grimshaw, W. R 616 

Grimshaw, W. Robinson 616 

Grondona, Joseph 644 

Gruhler, Christian 793 

Gruhler, Elias 758 

Gruhler, Jacob 320 

Gruhler, John 567 

Gunler, A. M 643 

Gutenberger, Wm 415 

Haase, Peter 389 

Hack, Geo. W 376 

Hale Bros. & Co 781 

Hall, I. (T.- 651 



CONTENTS. 



.049 



Hull, H. B 

HamiUon, E. R 

Hamilton, J. H 

HamiltoD, W. B 

JlamiUon, W. II 

Hammer, L. K 

Hancock, Geo. W 

Hanlon, Joseph 

Hanson, Peter •■ 

Harkins, James 

Harlow, G. W 

Hart, A 

Hart,E.C 

i.arvey, C. W 

Harvey, Obed 

Harvie, N 

Hasman, Josepb 

HatcU, F. W 

Haub, John 

lIaytien,JohnH.... 

Hayion, George 

Healey, Edward 

Heard, John 

Heath, Geo. W 

Heath, John W 

Heinrich, Charles 

Henderson, J. M 

Henry, W. A 

Heringa, John 

Herrick, A. C 

Hertzel, A 

Herzos, Philip 

Hill, H. S 

Hinkson, Add. C 

Hite, J. G 

Hoev. Peter 

Hoiit, IiaU 

Holder, Thos 

Hollister, Dwight 

Holmes, Henry 

Hoover, S. M 

Hopkins, A. S 

Hopkins, E. C 

Hornlein Bros 

Howe, E. P ^30 

Hubbard.C.H 684 

Hubbard, I. M ^'|2 

Huber, Herman 4-» 

IIughson,W. A 2(,6 

Hull, C. A !.'80 

Hull, Joseph ■•1« 

Humbert, P. A «'J 

Hunt, D. K ■>^] 

Huntoon. J. L -bl 

Hyman, Jacob <>'» 



.623 



Irvine, W.J 

Jackson, H. J 

Jackson, M. C 

Jean, Adolph 

Jenkins, C. A. . . 

Johnson, A 

Johnson, (irove L. 
Johnson, G. A.... 

Johnston, I) 

Jolinston, Wm 

Jolly, C. H 

Jordan, James 

Joseph, Isaac. . . . 



Keefe, Michael 516 

Kellogg, f,\ 

Kelly, Edward ^•^4 

Kercheval. Reuben ■>'i 

Kerr, Geo. H ■^|; 

Kerr J H '''' 

Kertii, Wen'dalV.' 4U!) 

Kestler, Martin ^^» 

Kewen. Perrie 

Kilgore, J. W 

Kinross, W. H 

Klebitz, Edward 

Klenk, C 

Knauer, F. C 

Kreeger, S 

KruU, A. A 

Kunz, Frank 

Kunz, Peter 



...51- 



.841 



Lages, Christopher.. 

Lages, Herman 

Laliue, H. M . . • 

Laul kolter, J. A . . 

Lnuiipe, Uoudalph. 

iwson, Powell S. . 



.35!) 



Mclntyre, Mary E 493 

McKee, E. H ^^? 

McKinslry, J. K 

McKune. J. H 

McLanahan, D 

McLaughlin, Wm.. .. 
McManus, Altred G. 
McMitchell, Wyman 
McMulIen, Geo. C. 
McNamee, Frank... 
McNeal, A 

McNeill, John.... 

Mealand.Ciiarles .. 

Meckfessel, Frank . 

Meierdierks, C. H. . 

Meisler, A 

Meister, Jacob 

Meister, John 

Melvin, H. G 

Melvin,Wm 

Mend is, Anton 



.476 



.670 



.495 



Kane, J. O 6*5 

Kane, Newell ^H 

Karcher, Matt ^S'^ 



Lawson 

Lawlon, John 

Lea, Charles 

Lea, Isaac 

Lee, Jlrs. Mary 

Lee, Timothy 

Leimbacli, H 

Leitch, EM 

Lemay, Victor 

Lewis, L. L 

Light, W. W 

Lincoln, L. M 

Lindley, T. M 

Little, George 

Liltlefield, Thomas 

Loch, Louis 

Lockelt, R. S 

Logan, A !^^.' 

Lolhharamer, Fred ''-l 

Lovdal,0. 0..._ ^ 

Lowell, Amo 

Luce, Israel *; ' 

Luckett, E. M 413 

Lufkin, D. T ';ii 

Lufkin, H.T <•'• 

Luther, W. 11 f'Jb 

Lyman, F.T <^'« 

Mahin, Mrs. Jane :]«<> 

Mahon, John *'} 

Manlove, W. S 4.J3 

Manogue, Patrick -51 

Maringo,A *^y 

Martin. E. M 367 

Maslin, E. W l'° 

Maxfield, Mrs. M. E f, 

Mayhew, H.A "jS? 

Mazzini Bros -^;> 

McAnally, Thomas ]bO 

McCleery, James 497 

McConnell, Thaddeus C 684 

McConnell, Thos ... . - ••jS^ 

McClatchy, James, and hons. . . .8-;-J 

McCraken, W. F ^^i! 

McCreary,W. P '4o 

McCueBros •>»" 

McDonell, G. A 49" 

McFarland, John '>'>^ 

McFarland, Thaddeus J _;|' 

McGuire, James B •>^'l 



..766 
...659 
..50i 
. . .461 
...75!J 
...257 
. .618 
...664 
...364 
...2nl 
...733 
...335 
...836 
...598 
.. 789 
. . .735 
. . .734 
..599 



Menke, Anton 416 

Merwin, S. H 503 

Meyers. Frederick 500 

Middlemass, J. H 316 

Milgate, Wm 543 

Miller, A. D 618 

Miller, Jacob 5.4 

Miller, John ^40 

.'.■■.". '.;..' ."433 
617 



Miller, John S 

Miller, P. A 

Miller, W. A 

Millikin, John M 

I\User, Mrs. Isabella W.. 

Mitchell, Wm 

Montague, Alex 

Morgan, Henry O 

Morse, G. W 

Mor.-e, ST 

Morton, EG 

Molt, F. N 

Munger, Carl O-f 

Murphy, R. J 6"; 

Myers, Henry W bl'-" 

Nagele.J.J 635 

Neal, Charles A 623 

Neal, John 623 

Neary, Fred 348 

Need, George 381 

Neely, Wm. F 469 

Nelson, Clarence N 3o8 

Nesche, George 547 

Nicholas, John 6^4 

Nichols, H. L 4.' 

Nichols, Mrs. M 50b 

Nichols, Wm H 631 

Nicolaus, Louis ■"it% 

Nielsen, Chris ]5^ 

Nielsen, H.B 334 

Nielsen, J. M '^4 

Neubourg & Lages 35» 

Neumann, Geo |>1° 

Newman, Peter 3.vi 



.761 
.574 
.377 
.50 J 
.614 
..501 
615 
..500 



Oakley, A. D 

Ochsner, John 

Odell, M. F 

O'Meara, Michael 

O'Neil, James 

Oppenheim, R 

Orton, H. H 

Osbain, David . . . 
0'Toole,Thos 



462 

572 

787 

414 



Overmeyer, J. M 283 

Owen, Eben 541 

Painter, Levi 279 

Parker, Wm. F 325 

Parvin, E. R 456 

Patterson, A. D 486 

Pendery, B. P 406 

Perkins, T. C 438 

Peters, George 627 

Peterson, AV. F 751 

Petrie, W. M 253 

Pettit, K. H 737 

Phelps, P. F 378 

Pierson, J. C 358 

Pike, M. C 640 

Planalp, Peter 637 

Plummer, Oliver-. 435 

Pollock, Mrs. Priscilla 277 

Pond, J. H 785 

Popert, James 329 

Presbury, E. H 296 

Prouty, Simon 220 

Pugh, S. H 661 

Putnam, Geo. A 780 

Putney, H. S 379 

Pyburn, George 556 

Pyne, J. G . . . .,, 632 

Randolph, Alfred 631 

Rave, C. H 630 

Ray, Don 221 

Ray, Ephraim 632 

Raymond, A. F 536 

Reese, David 587 

Reese, U. M 442 

Reid, James 649 

Restaurant de France 772 

Rheil, Philip G ....573 

Rhoads,A.J 285 

Rhoads, J. P 641 

Rich, George T 439 

Richards, John 608 

Richmond, J. W 528 

Ritter, William 585 

Robinson, James 648 

Robinson, W. H 444 

Rodegerdts, August 754 

Roden, Daniel 649 

Rohr, John 531 

Rooney, John G45 

Ross, Andrew 584 

Ross, Mrs. Frances M 475 

Ross, H. C 722 

Routier, Joseph 705 

Roth, Simon 342 

Ruedy, John 747 

Ruhstaller, F 334 

Ruman, C. A 525 

Runyon, O. R 636 

Runyon, Solomon 437 

Russell, F. H 635 

Russell, Peyton 524 

Russell, R.'B 289 

Rutter, James .443 

Ryan, Frank D 321 

Ryan, John 783 

Sacramento Home School 475 

Sanders, Oliver ■. . . .278 

Sawyer, J. H 383 

Schaden, Arend 355 

Schaden, J. (' 741 

Schadt, N 355 

Schaper, Mrs. C. H 414 

Scheld, Phillip 350 



Schell, John 454 

ScUindler, C 740 

Schmitt, Charles 94 

Schmitt, Jacob 315 

Schneider, Josef 777 

Schreiner, Charles 610 

Schroth, George 568 

Schuch, Adolph 535 

Snbuler, Frank D 593 

Schultz, Jacob 534 

Schulze, William J 451 

Schwartz, Charles 319 

Scott, R.T 282 

Scott, William A 611 

Scroggs, A 763 

Senatz, A. J 351 

Sermonet, George 303 

Shaver, Nelson 397 

Shaw, IraG 407 

Sheldon, J. D 588 

Sheldon, W.C 588 

Sherwood„J. 398 

Shields, John 281 

Shirley, J. H 405 

Siebenthaler, P 747 

Siller, J. L. & L. G 787 

Silveisa, Manuel F 593 

Silva, Joe 591 

Simmons, G.L 268 

Simoni, August 329 

Simons, John A 531 

Sims, Joseph 601 

Skelton, John 349 

Slawson, S. S 599 

Slawson, W. H 600 

Slayback, C. M 388 

Small, H. J 460 

Smith, Brainard F 385 

Smith, Edwin F 611 

Smith, George." 731 

Smith, Halsey G 402 

Smith, L.E 782 

Smith, M. L 397 

Smith, A. P and Sidney 473 

Smith, S. Prentis 601 

Spooner, Alfred = .280 

Sprague, Moses 553 

Stafford, James 788 

Starr, Henry - 368 

Steffens Joseph 446 

Steinauer, Ben 330 

Stephens, R. D 557 

Stevens, Mrs. A. J 797 

Stevenson, A 448 

Stewart, J. H 459 

Stewart, Norman 1 458 

Still, J. F 606 

Stoddard, George A 551 

Stoll, JohnT 603 

Strong, W. R 564 

Stuart, A. W 762 

Studarus, John B 445 

Sturges, J. H 539 

Sullivan, J. H 554 

Suter, C 311 

Swanson, E. J 411 

Sweetser, A. C 566 

Tash, Joe 287 

Taverner, George 621 

Taverner, Thos. M 620 

Taylor, D.W 608 

Taylor, Ed. F 598 

Taylor, J. B 449 

Taylor, Leroy S 260 



Terry, W.E 345 

Thisby, George 480 

Thompson, T. J 613 

Tietjens, Peter 529 

Tomlinson, Joseph 597 

Tomlinson, Lewis 597 

Tooker, R. W 763 

Towle, Cyrus 479 

Townsend, E. B 388 

Trainor.H.C 482 

Trask, C. F 530 

Traver, Charles 720 

Treat, Sullivan 481 

Triechler, Henry 453 

Tryon, A. G 264 

Tryon, John 452 

Tryon,. Sylvester 263 

Upson, Lauren 304 

Upson, L. A 3'^5 

Uren, Stephen 307 

VanPleet, W. C 450 

Van Loben Sels, P. J 226 

VanMaren, N - 601 

Van Vorhies, A. A 767 

Vogel, Charles 732 

Von Herrlich, John F 545 

Von Tillow, Alma 418 

Wachhorst, H 775 

Wachtel, V 39.5 

Wackman, A. K •'593 

Wahl, Christ 733 

Wahl, Gustav 321 

Walsh, John 287 

Warnock, A. M '64 

Watermann, R. W 583 

Watson, Henry 504 

Watson, J. R 784 

Weber, F.H. L 594 

Weil, John 744 

Weinrich, Henry. 348 

Weinstock, Lubin & Co 581 

Weir, James 417 

Weisel, Chris "■''> 

Welch, James 595 

Welch, Benj 393 

Wells, Eli 595 

Welty, James B 507 

Werner, Fred 340 

West, C. M 295 

White, G. A 450 

White, Wm.W 7.^0 

Wickstrom, Chas. A 464 

Wilcox, Nelson 590 

Wild, John 591 

Wilke, Charles 725 

Williams, E. H 293 

Williams, John B 459 

Williamson, Geo. S 508 

Willis, E. B 84 

Wilson, George 50j 

Wise, Joseph 506 

Wise, M. L 55.) 

Withington, R. H 3o9 

Wolf, Philip 793 

Woodard, Abram 591 

Woodson, Joseph A 83 

Woodward, E. F 507 

Wright, Willis 380 

Wriston, S. E 377 

Young, J.D -95 



CONTENTS. 



Zeh, Chria. M 803 

Zimmermiin, Cliiislian 804 

Zimmerman, Clias 804 

Zimmeinuin, Clias. W 803 

Zoller, Leopold 803 

PORTRAITS. 

Catlin, A. P 24!) 

Clark, Howell 272 

Clark, Mrs. Howell 273 

Foster, Albert 4G5 



Qett, W. A. Jr GOO 

Hancock, G. W 77(i 

Hollister, Dwight 489 

llnnt, D. a 5;i 

Jolinsou. G. A 297 

Keweu, E.J. C 369 

La Hue, H. M 577 

Lincoln, L M 441 

Mayhew, H. A 65(i 

Majliew, Mrs. H. A 657 

Koutier, .Joseph 705 

Terry, W. E 345 

Von Herrlich, J. F 545 



Weiir, James 417 

Welch, Benj 393 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Mount Shasta 1 

Sutler's Fort 6 

Marguerite Home 134 

Slate Printing Offlce 13t 

E. B. Crocker Art Gallery 14:> 

Cathedral of the Holy Sacrament..l69 

Capitol 204 

Residence of Howell Clark 274 



HISTUHY UF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




^ ^ 



TOPOGRAPHY, SOIL, CLIMATE, ETC. 



^J^^^^^Ora^ fr^fn r'f S^C lfZ'd 



3pia f=ih=ir=JpiiJlli ^ 






CHAPTER I. 



fACRAMENTO COUNTY is named aiter 
the river upon which it is situated, and 
the latter was named by the Spanish 
Mexicans, Catholics, in honorof aChristian insti- 
tution. The word differs from its English cor- 
respondent only in the addition of one letter. 
It would have been a graceful compliment to 
General Sutter if his own name, or the name 
New Helvetia, which he had bestowed upon 
this locality, had been given to the city. Hel- 
vetia is the classic name of Switzerland, Sut- 
ter's native country. 

Sacramento City is 38° 35' north latitude and 
121° 30' west longitude from Greenwich. 

The depot at Sacramento is thirty-one feet 
above sea level. From the city the most promi- 
nent mountains and mountain ranges visible 
arc: 

1. The Sierra Nevada, snow-capped during 
lialt' the year or a little more. The most visi- 
ble portion of this range, to whose snow-line 
the distance is about seventy-live miles, east- 
ward, is the head of the American River. The 
most conspicuous peaks there are: Pyramid, 
10,052 feet high; Alpine, 10,426; Round Top, 
9,624; Tell, 9,042; Ralston, 9,140; Robb's, 6,746. 

2. To the southwest fifty-three miles, rises 
Mt. Diablo, 3,856 feet high. 



3. Toward tlie west thirty or forty miles 
arises an eastern spur of the Coast Range, while 
toward the northwest about ninety miles, in the 
same range, are Mt. John's, 8,000 feet high, 
Mt. Snow and Sheet Iron Mount, on the west- 
ern border of Colusa County. 

4. The Marysville Buttes, forty to fifty miles 
north, are about 2,000 feet liigh and cover an 
area of fifty-five square miles. 

THE SURFACE 

of the Sacramento Valley presents three dis- 
tinct features. As the mountains descend into 
the valley, they are fringed by a range of low 
foot-hills, which gradually disappear in a broad, 
level plain, which must have been at some time 
long past the bottom of a large body of water. 
Through the center of this plain runs the Sacra- 
mento River, fringed by the low bottom lands 
always found with such geological formations. 
Thus the foot-hills, the plain, and the bottoms 
present three distinct tracts of land, each with 
peculiarities fitting it for special use. It may 
be said in a general way, that on the foot-hills 
and the plain lands near them are the great 
fruit-raising districts, while the plain proper is 
most suitable for grains and grasses, and on the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



rich alluvial bottom lands any fruit or vegetable 
suitable for a temperate or semi-tropical climate 
will grow to full perfection. 

At the southern end of Sacramento Valley, in 
the very richest portion of the State, and very 
near its geographical center, lies Sacraniento 
County, with an area of 640,1)00 acres, 200,000 
of which are under the highest cultivation, 
while about 320,000 more are in use for stock- 
raising, pasturage, etc. It is watered its entire 
length from north to south by the Sacramento 
Rivtr, and by the American, Cosuinnes and 
Mokelumne from east to west. 

The surface of tlie county is generally level, 
a section along the eastern side rising into low 
hills and rolling prairies. Along the east side 
of the Sacramento Eiver extends a belt of tule 
land, which toward the southern boundary of the 
county expands to a width of fifteen miles. 
Parallel with the Cosumnes is Dry Creek, form- 
ing part of the county boundary. Sycamore 
and Cottonwood abound along the water-courses. 

JSear the center of Sacramento County, and 
on the east bank of the Sacramento River, at 
the point of its confluence with the American, 
is the city of Sacramento, the capital of the 
State, a thriving, wealthy and beautiful city. 
Here is the railroad center of the State. To 
the east, the Central Pacific stretches its iron 
arm across tlie continent. To the north, the 
California and Oregon reaches out to connect 
with the Northern Pacific, and so furnish 
another route to Eastern markets; to the west 
the California Pacific makes possible almost 
hourly communication with San Francisco and 
the commerce of the Pacific Ocean, while the 
Western Pacific connecting at Oakland with the 
Southern Pacific system opens up another roiite 
to seaports east and west. In addition numer- 
ous branch roads and feeders make this city the 
best connecting and distributing point fn the 
State. 

WATF.K. 

The average rain-fall has been 19.4 inches. 
This, with the moisture incident to the prox- 



imity of so many rivers and running streains, 
and the almost annual os'erflow of the bottom 
lands, renders the county so well watered that 
but little irrigation is necessary. Still there are 
some small sections lyings comparatively high, 
and away from the streams, where the natural 
water supply is insufllcient. They are, however, 
small, and in nearly all cases abundant water is 
obtained by sinking wells and raising the water 
by windmills or other power. A total failure 
of crops for want of water has never been known. 
Still, as an abundant supply of water renders 
many things possible which are not so without 
it, a company has been formed to offer an abun- 
dant supply of water to all who desire to irri- 
gate any of the plain lands, in raising crops 
that need more water than the usual rain-fall 
affords, or where the availability of water may 
insure against the danger of injury to valuable 
plants, which might be seriously affected by 
even an occasional year of unusual drought. An 
application has been made for 2,000 inches of 
water from the American River. 

All fruits do well without the aid of artificial 
watering, but in some of the high lying irriga- 
tion is said to increase the lusciousness of the 
fruit. Vegetables require irrigation, especially 
for the second and third crops. 



As stated, the soil of the county offers every 
variety requisite for a large and varied produc- 
tion. The foot-hills and their washings form a 
fringe, from five to eight miles wide, entirely 
around the Sacramento Valley. The soil here 
varies from a red, sandy loam to a cool, gravelly 
soil, all especially adapted to fruits. For many 
years the foot-hill lands were regarded as almost 
valueless, but experience has shown that their 
soil is perhaps better adapted to a full develop- 
ment of the best qualities of strength and flavor 
in fruit, especially in grapes, than the lower ly- 
ing lands, which are of more clay or alluvial 
character, and so warmer soils. And it is now 
claimed that the question of securing fine flavor 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



for California grapes and wines, as well as abun- 
dant quantity, will find its best solution among 
the cool, gravelly soils of the foot-hills. The 
soil of the plain lands varies from red loam and 
a rich clay, to a rich allnviuni mixed with sand. 
This varies in localities, but affords such a vari- 
ety that the productions of this portion of the 
county cover a range from those of the cereals 
of the middle temperate climate to the fruits of 
the serai-tropical. They afford, however, mostly 
soil for grains and grasses. Wheat, oats, hay, 
alfalfa, barley, corn, hops, besides grapes and 
fruits ilonrish when planted in suitable loca- 
tions. But the richest lands are the bottom 
lands, which fringe the rivers and larger streams 
for a distance of from one to three miles. These 
are covered with a deep, rich alluvium, upon 
which may be raised any kind of vegetables, and 
temperate and semi-tropical fruits are reaching 
tull perfection in size, quantity and q uality. 
These lands are almost aimually overflown, and 
the deposit left by the receding waters is said 
almost to equal guano in its fertilizing effects. 
Many of these lands are now protected, so that 
the rising waters may be controlled and utilized 
with judgment. Upon such lands, so watered, 
and in such a climate, almost anything will 
grow. 

Owing to the fact that the country is traversed 
by so many rivers, it contains an unusual amount 
of this exceedingly rich land, which is nearly 
all under the highest cultivation. 

I'KODUCTIONS. 

The productions of Sacramento County cora- 
priisc all the grains, vegetables, fruits, trees and 
flowers grown in the temperate and serai-tropi- 
cal climates. Everything in the way of grain, 
bread-stuffs, vegetables, and fruits needed for 
man's comfort and support may be successfully 
cultivated here. The soil is rich and varied, 
water is abundant, and the climate is propitious. 
Here is no winter, in the common acceptation 
of the word, nor any rainy season as it is under- 
stood in the tropics. The winter months are 
called the "rainy season," not that it then rains 



incessantly or severely, but because the rainfall 
comes almost exclusively in those months. In 
the summer it rarely rains. The grain is sel- 
dom housed when harvested, but is left in the 
fields until ready for the market, the husband- 
man feeling little fear of trouble from the ele- 
ments. 



Perhaps no feature of California has been 
more powerful in inducing immigration than its 
mild and equable climate. The north Atlantic 
States have their cold, damp east winds, which 
blow from the ocean at times for days in succes- 
sion, and whose power of penetration is such 
that neither woolen underwear nor rubber top- 
coats seem able to keep them from " searching 
the marrow of one's bones." The borders of 
the Great Lakes are visited with winds so cold 
and so charged with moisture, that they clothe 
all nature in coats of ice, and often jeopardize 
the lives of the domestic animals. On the 
northern shores of the lakes, the jingling sleigh- 
bells for fully Ave months in the year strive by 
their merry music to direct attention from the 
chill of death that lays over the land, and from 
these sections thousands longingly turn their 
faces from the cold and ice to the sunny land 
where each may sit in the shade of " his own 
vine and fig tree." 

In this regard Sacramento County ofi'ors 
temptations that are not exceeded in attractive- 
ness by those of any portion of the State. The 
following data, culled from the published re- 
ports of the United States Government observ- 
ers will give a fair idea of the charming climate, 
which has enabled the city of Sacramento to win 
for itself the delightfully suggestive sobriquet 
of the "City of Roses." 

During the ten years just passed, the highest 
temperature recorded is 105°, which was reached 
once, and the lowest is 21°, also reached but 
once. A better idea of the range of tempera- 
ture may be had from the fact that during the 
same period the average number of days in each 
year upon which the theraiometer reached 90°, 



HISTORY OF SACIiAMENTO COUNTY. 



was but thirty-six, wliile the average number 
upuii wliidi it sank below 32° w-as but eleven. 
W ith no severity in winter, the warmth of snin- 
iner is rendered enjoyable by the winds from the 
sea, which reach this region of the country 
modified and tempered, so that with scarcely an 
exception the warmth of a light blanket is de- 
sirable at niglil. Here the heat has never the 
offensive and enervating eflFect which renders 
summer so depressing in some sections. The 
atmosi)here is never over-charged with moisture, 
and never entirely dry, so the open air is always 
invigorating and the breezes refreshing. The 
lung, mild, summer day renders the cultivation 
of the lands easy and profitable, while the cool 
nights so refresh the workman that he is not 
enervated, but all mental and physical force is 
strengthened, and life is vigorous and enjoy- 
able. It is usual to compare such climates with 
that of Italy, so famous as the resort during 
past centuries for those seeking the relief and 
pleasure found beneath her skies. So it may 
not be out of place to simply state a comparison 
between Kome, the capital and center of Italy, 
and Sacramento, the capital and center of Cali- 
fornia. The statistics from official sources on 
either hand are stated below. Averages for 
past ten years: 

Spring. Suni'r 
72.3 



ulunin. 


Wiuter 


61..i 


48.3 


64.0 


48.9 



Year. 

f)it,.5 
60 7 



In the face of these facts, the claim must not 
longer be made for fair Italy alone, that it is a 
land where "perpetual summer exists, skies are 
blue, and the sun ever shines." 

As to the healthfulness of Sacramento, Judge 
J. W. Armstrong has ascertained that but one 
other city in the world shows a cleaner bill of 
health, and that is the capital of the Basque 
Province, in the northern part of Spain. 

How often such a remark is made as, This is 
the coldest, or warmest, month or season, we 

have had for years; or wettest or driest 

month or season we have ever had! etc. The 
following tables, kindly furnished us by Ser- 



geant James A. Barwick, Observer of the Sig- 
nal Corps of the United States Army and Mete- 
orologist to the State Board of Agriculture, will 
show how correct all such statements are. 
Although they are compiled from observations 
made at the Signal Station at Sacramento, they 
will practically serve as well for all other parts 
of the county, as the differences are too small 
to mention. 



Year. 


i 

g = 2 


'1 


i 


g|s 


J 

lit 


less 


62.6 
59.5 
59.5 
60.1 
60.7 
59.5 
58.7 
59.0 
60.1 
(i2.2 
60 3 
62.8 
61.0 
63.1 
59.9 
60.1 
60.4 
59.6 
59.6 
60.4 
60.7 
59.8 
62.5 
61.7 
61.2 
61.3 
60.3 
57.7 
59.3 
58.5 
5t..8 
58.8 
61.2 
58.8 
59.9 


58!3 
57.7 
59.9 
61.7 
59.6 
57.2 
56,5 
59.8 
57.6 
61.4 
62.2 
61.0 
59.7 
58.3 
59.8 
58.9 
57.0 
58.9 
(0.5 
61.6 
59.0 
63.3 
59.9 
61.2 
60.5 
59.3 
55.0 
60.4 
57.5 
58.5 
57.9 
61.8 
56.5 
59.7 


74 3 
72.4 
72.3 
71.9 
71.5 
70 3 
70.4 
70.8 
69.8 
72.5 
71.8 

73'. 1 
74.8 

7l'.5 

72.1 
71.2 
70.8 
71.6 
70.4 

a.3 

73.1 
74.6 
73.5 
72.9 
72.9 
69.1 
68.5 
71.1 
72.4 

70.1 
70.9 
69.5 


69.0 
60.0 
60.5 
60.4 
60."9 
60.9 
61.1 
U0.3 
60.4 
63.7 
61.5 
62.6 
62.9 
63.7 
62.1 
61.4 
62.3 
61.7 
59.9 
59.6 
6-.'.9 
62.1 
60.8 
62.3 
63.4 
62 5 
60.9 
59.9 
58 5 
58.8 
60.1 
60.0 
62.8 
58.5 
63.9 


'4V. 3 


1855 

1856 

18.«>7 


48.0 
48.9 
47.5 




48.2 


1859 


46.6 


1)>60 

1861 

1862 .... 


46.5 
49.5 
483 




47.1 




49.8 


1865 . . . . 


48.9 


1866 


51.4 

48.7 


1868 


48.1 


1869 


48.3 




48.7 




47.7 


1873 


50.2 




50.0 


1874 


47.6 




49.0 


1877 


49.9 


1880 

1881 


49.2 
44.5 
51.Q 


1882 


45.9 


1883 

1884 


45.4 
45.9 


1885 


50.0 




49.4 


1887 


47.4 


Year. 


Highest 
Temperature. 


Lowest 
Temperature. 


1877 


loa 

10( 
103 
98 
99 
100 
104 
100 
105 
105 
100 
108 


;,July.. 
', Angus 
°, Augus 
% July. 
°,July.. 
°, Augus 
\ July... 
°, Augus 
°, Augus 
\ July... 
°, June iS 
•, Augus 


K Sept 


3 

2 
2 
H 

2 
3 
2 
2 


1°, December. 




1°, December. 






1880 . . . 


)°, January. 
r, December. 


1881 


1883 , 


"', December. 


1883 


J°, Jan. & Feb. 


1884 


".February. 
1°, January. 
B°, January. 
i°, November. 




1886 


1887 . . . 


1888 


J°, January. 



HISTOBT OF SACBAMENrO COUNTY. 



1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1853. 
1853. 
185i. 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
185S. 
1859. 
ISOO. 
1861. 
1803. 
1863. 
1864. 
1865. 



1870. 
1871. 
1873. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 



1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
18S3. 
1884. 
1885. 
1886. 
18:57. 



Averages . 



6.40 
7.00 
3.35 
4.30 
140 
.68 
3.88 
1.64 
5.11 
3.33 



I 2.86 I 



.74 
.46 

2.25 
.01 
.27 
.65 
.27 
.76 
.28 

none 
.37 

sprin 



.76 
sprin 



sprin 
.07 

sprin 
.40 







none 


none 


none 


none 


none 


none 


spun 


spnn 


.31 


none 


.01 


none 


.03 


none 


.35 


none 


.10 


.01 


none 


none 


.02 


.63 


.14 


.55 


.01 


none 


none 


noae 


.09 


none 


none 


spnn 


.10 


.02 


none 


none 


spna 


none 


.01 


noae 


spnn 


spnn 


sprin 


none 




none 


sprin 


.U2 


spnn 


spnn 


1.10 


none 


none 


.21 


.01 


spnn 


none 


noae 


.13 


spnn 


none 


spnn 


.50 


sprin 


.10 


spnn 


none 


none 


1.45 


none 


.11 


sprin 


none 


none 


none 


none 


.08 


spnn 


.12 


.04 



spnn 
none 
none 
sprin 
sprin 
none 



none 
none 
sprin 



1.00 
sprin 
sprin 
sprin 
sprin 



spnn 

.02 

.06 

none 

none 

sprin 

sprin 

.08 

none 

.01 

none 

sprin 

none 

sprin 

sprin 



none 
none 
.30 
..57 
.90 
.60 



none i none 
sprin .03 
sprin .55 



1.50 

none 

.18 

none 

sprin 

l.Ol 

none 

.->0 

.66 

3.01 

none 

.91 

sprin 



.48 
sprin 



6.00 

1..50 

.65 

.75 

.65 

3.41 

.15 

6.48 

.18 

2.17 

sprin 

1.49 

6.72 

2.43 

2.43 

3.81 

.77 

.85 

.58 

1.23 

1.93 

1.21 

3.80 

6.20 



12.50 
sprin 

7.07 



1.96 

.97 

10.99 

5.39 

10.01 

.44 

5.53 
none 

1.43 
.47 

8.41 
11.81 

3.27 

1.13 

.44 

10.45 

5.76 

2.31 

2.09 
14.30 



4.58 



1849-'50i3ij.00 
1 -.-.I I'll 4.71 



18.63 
13.76 
10.46 
15.00 
16.03 



19.S3 


lv>4- 


'5.1 


18.56 


18.5.5- 


'56 


14.36 


1856- 


'57 


12.91 


18.57- 


'58 


16.80 


18.5H- 




16.86 


1859- 


'(to 


19.19 


ISfiO- 


'61 


2i:is 


ISCl- 




27 11 




■''.\ 



11.15 

30.'03 
19.50 
18.19 
10.21 
19.33 
la.17 
18.20 
17.92 
23.31 
18.12 
8.40 
28.45 
22.37 
31.99 
20.71 
18.0J 
18.48 
34.92 
20.73 
18.17 
13.43 
18.46 



18()5-'6ii 
18H6-'(i7 
18rt7-'6S 
1868-'69 
18(i9-'7il 
1870-'71 



■'73 



1873-'74 
1874-'75 
1875-'76 
1876-'77 
1877-'78 
1878-'79 
1879-'80 
1880-81 
1881-',S2 
1883-'83 
1883-'84 
l884-'85 
1885-'86 
1886-'87 
1887-'88 
1888-'39 



2i.09 
16.10 
3,5.56 
11.58 

7..87 
:.'2.51 
17.93 
25.30 
32.79 
16.64 
13.57 

^.47 
24.05 
14.21 
30.90 
17.70 
3653 

8.96 
24.86 
17.85 
26.47 
36.57 
16.51 
18.11 
34 78 
16.58 
83.30 
13 97 
11..56 
19.70 



MINES AND MINERALS. 

In the early days of mining a great deal of 
gold dust was taken from the placers in this 
county — Mormon Island, Michigan Ear and 
several other localities having afforded good 
diggings of this kind. In the low hills on the 
east a considerable extent of shallow placers have 
also been worked, some of these until quite re- 
cently. 

The most uf tlie gold now produced in Sacra- 
mento is taken out in the vicinity of Folsom, 
chiefly along Alder Gulch, by the Portuguese 
and Chinamen. The deep deposits are worked 
by shafts and drifting, the shallow by hutid 



sluicing in the dry season and ground sluicing 
in the wet, when there is free water. There are 
gold-bearing quartz veins in the east-lying hills, 
but they are mostly small, and have been but 
little worked. In these hills occurs a belt of 
serpentine containing chromic iron in small 
bunches and pockets. 

GRANITE. 

In the neighborhood of Folsom occurs an ex- 
tensive bed of excellent granite, which for many 
years has been largely worked. 

At the quarry of David Blower, two miles 
cast of Folsom, opened ten years ago, there is 
exposed a thirty-foot face, twenty feet above and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ten below the surface. About fifteen tons of 
roughly dressed stone are shipped from this 
quarry' weekly, the most of it being used for 
cemetery work and street curbs. Thirteen men 
are employed here at wages ranging from $2.50 
to $4 per day. 

In the quarry on the State Prison grounds at 
Folsom, a large force of convicts are employed 
getting out stone for the dam being built by the 
State on the American River. 

Most of the cobblestones used for paving the 
streets of San Francisco were taken from the 
banks of the American River, in the vicinity of 
Folsom. 

At Michigan Bar, on the Cosumnes River, 
occurs an extensive bed of potter's clay. Being 
a good article, and easily obtained, large quan- 
tities of this clay are taken out and shipped to 
the potteries at Sacramento, San Francisco, and 
elsewhere in the State. Great quantities of 
oricks are made from the more common clays 
found abundantly in this county. 



From Dr. M. F. Clayton we learn the follow- 
ing particulars concerning the Digger Indians 
of this region, in early day. 

They obtain their English name from the fact 
that they procured much of their food by dig- 
ging, in search of roots, reptiles, etc. Acorns, 
grasshoppers, fish and other animals were also 
comprised in their menu. Their habits were 
those of laziness and filth, and they scarcely had 
energy enough to steal. They were in stature 
low and stocky. The few attempts tiiat have 
been made to civilize (?) them have generally 
resulted in shortening their lives. They did not 



follow a tent life, but wandered about like tramps, 
occasionally, however, having SLrancheree, which 
was a rude hut constructed of bark, pieces of 
board, sticks and brush. After the discovery of 
gold they picked up a little of the shining metal 
occasionally, which they exchanged for a few 
articles luriiished by the whites only. Some- 
times, too, they would bring forth a few speci- 
mens of fnr and hides from wild animals, for 
barter with the whites. They were incessant 
and intolerable beggars. The squaws dia about 
all the menial labor. 

Their dances and funerals were often wit- 
nessed by the early immigrants. The former 
were performed within enclosures surrounded 
by a rude fence, made of bark, pieces of board, 
shakes, etc., where several tribes would gather, 
feast, dance, yell and make many hideous noises. 

They burned their dead. With bark or leath- 
ern thongs they would tie the arms and legs of 
the corpse up about the body so as to make as 
solid a ball as possible, tying also about it the 
blankets, clothing and other articles which the 
subject had possessed, and in a heap of dry bark, 
brush, etc., burn the corpse into a small charred 
mass. Meanwhile the men and women, bared 
to the waist, danced around the pile, yelling, 
moaning, sweating and violently exercising un- 
til nearly exhausted. Great drops of sweat, 
rolling down, made conspicuous streaks over 
the dirty surfaces of their bodies. The crema- 
tion completed, they would pulverize the charred 
mass upon a flat stone, mix gum or pitch with 
it and then daub the mixture upon their fore- 
heads, noses, chins, and in spots and streaks 
elsewhere upon their bodies. Whence they were 
often called "Tar-heads." 




SUTTER'S FORT IN 1849. 

THE HriLniNGS. 






SuiterJoTt ^ J 

— ) i Sfile in p 





SUTTER'S FORT IN 1849. 

THE GROUNDS. 

The above cuts are kiiuUy fnrnislieil this work by the proprietors of "Themi 



HlSrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



1^. JOHN A. SUTTER AND HIS FORT, jl 






-^ 



"irS-t* 






CllAl'TEU II. 



fllE first penn;ineut settler within the 
limits of what is now Sacramento County, 
who is known to history, and who initiated 
European civilization, was Captain John A. 
Sutter. The following sketch of his life we con- 
dense from a lecture delivered in New York, 
April 6, 1866, by General Dunbar in Sutter's 
presence, and published in the Sacramento Union 
of May 10 following: 



Sutter was born of Swiss 



paren 



ts, in the 



Grand Duchy of Baden, February 28, 1803. 
Reared and educated in Baden, young Sutter 
entered the military service of France as Cap- 
tain under Charles X., and remained there until 
he was thirty years of age. At this period, 
yielding to liis pioneer impulses, he embarked 
for New York, and arrived there in July, 1834. 
His object in coming to the New World was to 
select a place and prepare the way for a colony of 
his countrymen in the West. He first located at 
St. Charles, Missouri; but the vessel containing 
his effects was sunk, his property lost, and he 
abandoned the place of his first choice. 

After sojourning in St. Louis for a time, he 
made a journey of e.xploration to New Mexico, 
where he met hunters and trappers, who had 
traversed Upper California, and they described 
to him the beautiful sunJit valleys, the verdure- 
covered hills and the magnificent mountains of 
that remarkable land. These accounts resolved 



him to make California the field of his future 
operations. 

The only way of reaching the Pacific Coast at 
that time was to accompany trapping expe- 
ditions of the English and American fur com- 
panies. On the 1st of April, 1836, Sutter 
joined Captain Tripp, of the American Fur 
Company, and traveled with his party to their 
rendezvous in the Rocky Mountain region. 
Thence, witli six horsemen, he crossed the 
mountains, and after encountering many dangers, 
arrived at Fort Vancouver. Not finding it 
practicable to go south from Vancouver by land, 
he embarked on a vessel bound for the Sand- 
wich Islands, hoping to find an opportunity of 
sailing thence to the California coast. He sailed 
from the Islands in a vessel bound for Sitka, 
and from there down the coast. The vessel 
was driven by gales into the Bay of San Fran- 
cisco, on July 2, 1839. (The point at which 
San Francisco now stands was then called Yerba 
Buena.) The vessel was boarded by a Govern- 
mental officer, with an armed force, who ordered 
Sutter to leave, saying that Monterey, ninety 
miles southward, was the port of entry. Per- 
mission, however, was obtained to remain forty- 
eight hours for supplies. 

On reaching Monterey, Sutter told the Gov- 
ernor, General Alvarado, that he desired to 
occupy and colonize a section of country in 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Upper California, on the Sacramento River. 
Tlie Governor warmly approved liis plan, as he 
was desirous that the upper country should be 
subdued and settled. He informed Sutter that 
the Indians in that country were hostile, that 
they would not permit the whites to settle there, 
and that they had robbed the inhabitants of San 
Jose and the lower settlements of their cattle, 
etc; but he readily gave Sutter a passport with 
authority to explore and occupy any territory 
which he should consider profitable for his 
colony, and requested him to return in one year, 
when he should have his citizenshipacknowledged 
and receive a grant of such lands as he might 
desire. 

Sutter returned to Yerba Buena, then con- 
taining scai'cely fifty inhabitants, engaged a 
schooner and several small boats, and with a 
company of ten whites started to ascend the 
river with no guide, as no one could be found in 
Yerba Buena who had ever ascended the Sacra- 
mento River. After eight days' search he found 
the mouth of the Sacramento. Reaching a point 
about ten miles below the present site of Sacra- 
mento City, he encountered a party of 200 Indian 
warriors, who exibited evei-y indication of hos- 
tility. Fortunately, two or three of the Indians 
understood Spanish, and Sutter soon soothed 
them by an assurance that there were no Span- 
iards in his party, — against whom the Indians 
were particularly hostile, — and explained to them 
that he caineonly to be a peaceable citizen. 

Guided by two Indians, who could speak 
Spanish, Sutter made his way up the Sacra- 
mento to the Feather River, and ascended the 
latter stream some distance; but, on account of 
the alarm of some of his men, returned down 
the Sacramento River to the mouth of the 
American, and on August 16, 1839, landed his 
effects upon the south bank of that stream, a 
little above the mouth and near where the city 
of Sacramento is now located. Here he informed 
the disappointed whites that they might leave 
'him if they wished, but that the Kanakas were 
willing to remain. Three of the whites left, 
with the schooner, for Yei'ba Rneiia. 



Three weeks later Sutter removed to where he 
built the fort which has since become famotis. 
But little did he think then that he was to be 
the most important instrumentality in the found- 
ing of a magnificent empire. His companions 
were six wandering whites of various nativities 
and eight Kanakas, who were ever faithful to 
him, and who constituted his "colony " and his 
army. By their aid he was to hold his ground, 
subdue and colonize a district of country en- 
tirely unknown, and inhabited only by wild and 
roving tribes of hostile Indians. This portion 
of Upper California, though fair to look upon, 
was peculiarly solitary and uninviting. It was 
isolated and remote from civilization. The 
nearest white settlement was a small one at 
Martinez. The Indians were of that class known 
as " Diggers." 

Born and reared in the atmosphere of royalty 
and the refined society of Europe, with a liberal 
military education, gentle and polished in man- 
ners, and of unbounded generosity of heart, we 
find Sutter successfully planting his little colony 
in the midst of the wild Digger Indians of the 
Sacramento country. At length a few pioneers 
came stealingover the border, then the solid tramp 
of masses was heard, and then came a human 
deluge, that overwhelmed our bold Swiss pio- 
neer. 

The first tide of immigration was entirely 
from Oregon. In the fall of 1839 there was 
an accession of eight white men, and in August, 
1840, five of those who had crossed the Rocky 
Mountains with Sutter, and whom he had left 
in Oregon, joined him. During the fall of that 
year the Mokelumne Indians, with other tribes, 
became so troublesome that open war was made 
against them; and after a severe but short cam- 
paign they were sul)dued, and an enduring 
peace established. Other bands of Indians or- 
ganized secret expeditions to destroy the colony, 
but by force and strict vigilance their machi- 
nations were defeated, and Sutter conquered the 
entire Sacramento Valley, bringing ii.to willing 
subjection many of those wlio had been his 
fiercest enemies. In time he made them culti- 



BlJSTOHr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



vate the soil, build his fort, care for the stock, 
and make themselves generally useful. In the 
subsequent military history of California, Sutter 
and his Indians were a power. Traffic increased 
apace. He sent hides to San Francisco, furnished 
the trappers with supplies, and received in ex- 
change or by purchase their furs. The me- 
chanics and laborers who came he employed, or 
procured them work. 

In June, 1841, Sutter visited Montere}', then 
tiie capital of the country, was declared a Mexi- 
can citizen, and received froiri Governor Alva- 
rado a grant of the _land upon which he had 
located — eleven " leagues " — under the title of 
" New Helvetia." The Governor also gave him 
a commission. Returning to his colony, he was 
shortly afterward visited by Captain Ilinggold, 
of the United States Exploring Expedition, 
under Commodore Wilkes, with ofiicers and men. 
About the same time Alexander Kotchkoff, 
Governor of the Russian Possessions in Cali- 
fornia, visited Sutter and offered to sell him all 
the possessions of his Government known as 
Ross and Bodega. Accepting the bargain, Sut- 
ter came into possession of a vast extent of real 
estate, besides 2,000 cattle, 1,000 horses, fifty 
mules and 2,500 sheep, most of which were 
transferred to New Helvetia. 

In 1844 Sutter's improvements were exten- 
sive, and the amount of his stock was large. 
During that year he petitioned Governor Michel- 
torena for the grant or purchase of the surplus 
over the first eleven leagues of land within the 
bounds of the survey accompanying the Alva- 
rado grant, and this petition was granted Febru- 
ary 5, 1845, in consideration of Sutter's valuable 
services and his expenditure of $8,000 in the 
suppression of the Castro rebellion. 

About 1844 small bodies of emigrants began 
to find their way to California direct from the 
States, striking Sutter's Fort, the first settlement 
after crossing the mountains. Year by year 
these parties of immigrants increased in size, 
until after the gold discovery, when they could 
be counted by thousands and tens of thousands. 
It was then that the value of Sutter's settle- 



ment and the generous qualities of the man be- 
came strikingly apparent. No weary, destitute 
immigrant reached his fort who was not sup- 
plied with all that he needed and sent on his 
way rejoicing. Frequently he even sent sup- 
plies in advance to those coming through tlio 
Sierras. Year after year he did this, without 
thinking of any return. On one occasion a 
solitary immigrant was just able to reach the 
fort and reported that his companions were at 
some distance back dying of starvation. Sutter 
immediately caused seven mules to be packed 
with siipplies, and, attended by two Indian boys, 
started with the immigrant for the scene of dis- 
tress. On arriving, everything was seized by 
the crazed wretches and devoured. 

Other starving immigrants arriving, they 
killed the Sutter's seven mules and ate them. 
Then they killed the two Indian boys and ate 
them. Said Sutter, referring to the circumstance 
afterward with much feeling, " They ate my 
Indian boys all up." 

During the war between the United States 
and Mexico, Sutter was a Mexican citizen, and 
the representative of the Mexican Government 
on the frontier; but his sympathies were natu- 
rally with the United States. Whenever any 
party of American citizens, civil or military, 
visited him, his unbounded hospitalities were 
uniformly and cordially extended to them. 
When the country surrendered to the United 
States forces, with joy he raised the American 
flag, July 10, 1846, and fired a salute from the 
guns of his fort. In 1849 he was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention; at the first State 
election was a candidate for Governor, and was 
afterward a Brigadier-General in the State mi- 
litia. 

But the day on which gold was discovered 
was an evil one for him. His mechanics and 
laborers deserted him, even the Kanakas and 
Indians. He could not hire laborers to plant or 
harvest his crops. Neither could he run his 
mills. For a time after the immense flood of 
immigration poured in, his rights were re- 
spected; but it was not for long. When men 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



found that money could be made in other ways 
thau by mining, many forcibly entered upon his 
lands and cut his wood, under the plea that they 
were vacant and unappropriated lands of the 
United States. By the 1st of January, 1852, 
the settlers had occnpied his lands capable of 
settlement or appropriation, and others had 
stolen all his horses, mules, cattle, sheep and 
hogs, save a small portion used and sold by him- 
self. One party of five, during the high waters 
of 1849-'50, when his cattle were partly sur- 
rounded by water near the Sacramento lliver, 
killed and sold enough to amount to $60,000. 

Sutter, broken in purse, dislieartened, robbed 
and powerless to help himself, removed to Snt- 
ter County and took up his residence at Hock 
Farm, then a beautiful piece of property, but 
now a waste of sand and debris. For some 
years he led the quiet life of a farmer there, but 
afterward was a continual haunter of Congress 
at Washington, where he sought to obtain re- 
dress from the general Government for the bare- 
faced robberies that had been practiced upon 
him. In 1873 he removed to Litiz, Pennsylva- 
nia, and on the 18th day of June, 1880, died at 
Washington, District of Columbia. 

Sutter was a generous man. His manners 
were polished, and the impression he made on 
every one was favorable. In figure he was of 
medium height, rather stout but well made. 
His head was round, features regular, with 
smiling and agreeable expression, while his 
complexion was healthy and roseate. He wore 
his hair cut close, and his moustache trimmed 
short, a la miiitaire. He dressed very neatly 
in frock coat, pantaloons and cape of blue. 

Such was the man to whom California owes 
so much, and upon whom she bestowed so 
little. 

Captain John C. Fremont, the " Pathfinder," 
arrived in this country in March, 1844, and in 
his narrative thus describes the situation of Sut- 
ter and his fort: 

"Captain Sutter emigrated to this country 
from the western part of Missouri in 1838-'39, 
and formed the first settlement in the vallev, on 



a large grant of land which he obtained from 
the Mexican Government. He had at first some 
trouble with the Indians; but by the occasional 
exercise of well-timed authority, he has suc- 
ceeded in converting them into a peaceful and 
industrious people. The ditches around his ex- 
tensive wheat fields; the making of the sun- 
dried bricks of which his fort is constructed ; the 
plowing, harrowing and other agricultural oper- 
ations, are entirely the work of these Indians, 
for which they receive a very moderate com- 
pensation — principally in shirts, blankets and 
other articles of clothing. In the same manner, 
on application to the chief of a village, he read- 
ily obtains as many boys and girls as he has 
any use for. There were at this time a number 
of girls at the fort, in training for a future 
woolen factory; but they were now all busily 
engaged in constantly watering the gardens. 
Mr. Sutter was about making arrangements to 
irrigate his lands by means of the American 
River. He had this year sown, and altogether 
by Indian labor, 300 bushels of wheat. 

"A few years since, the neighboring Russian 
establishment of Ross, being about to withdraw 
from the country, sold to him a large number 
of stock, with agricultural and other stores, with 
a number of pieces of artillery and other muni- 
tions of war; for these, a regular yearly pay- 
ment is made in grain. 

" The fort is a quadrangular adobe structure, 
mounting twelve pieces of artillery (two of them 
brass), and capable of admitting a garrison of 
1,000 men; this at present consists of forty In- 
dians, in uniform — one of whom is always found 
on duty at the gate. As might be expected, 
the pieces are not in very good order. The 
whites in the employ of Captain Sutter, Ameri- 
can, French and German, number thirty men. 
The inner wall is formed into buildings com- 
prising the common quarters, with blacksmith 
and other work-shops, the dwelling-house with 
a large distillery house, and other buildings oc- 
cupying more the center of the area. 

" It is built upon a pond-like stream, at times 
a running creek, communicating with the 



niSTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



American River, which enters the Sacramento 
about two miles below. The latter is here a 
noble river, about 300 yards broad, deep and 
tranquil, with several fathoms of water in the 
channel, and its banks continuouslj timbered. 
There were two vessels belonging to Captain 
Sutter at anchor near the landing — one a large 
two-masted lighter, and the other a schooner, 
which was shortly to proceed on a voyage to 
Fort Vancouver for a cargo of goods." 



Nothing now remains of the fort excepting 
the main two-story building, which is still un- 
protected against the ravages of the elements 
and the vandalism of reckless boys. The south- 
ern end was many years ago replaced with fire- 
burned brick, and a new roof of shingles has 
supplanted the primitive Mexican tiling. The 
property is owned by a gentleman in the 
East. 




HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



^.||i The California I^evolution j^|;^ 



AND THE Bear Flag Party, 



CHAPTER III. 



T was evident in 1844-45 that hostilities could 
reasonably be expected between the United 
States and Mexico. Events which had oc- 
curred in Texas had aroused a feeling on the 
part of the Mexican people, and in the United 
States it was generally understood that the 
election of Polk in 1844 meant the annexation 
of Mexican territory. In California, about that 
time, feelings of animosity sprang up between 
the Mexican and American population. At first 
the settlement of Americans in this country had 
been encouraged by the local government; but 
in 1845 the American settlers apprehended that 
steps would be taken by the native population 
to drive them from the country, ^his was be- 
fore there had been any declaration of war be- 
tween the United States and Mexico. It was 
very evident, however, that both Governments 
were preparing for hostilities. Colonel Fremont 
reached California ostensibly on an exploring 
expedition. This was one of a series of expedi- 
tions led by him, for the exploration of the 
western portion of the continent. He had en- 
countered some little opposition from the exist- 
ing government in the lower portion of California, 
and proceeded on his way toward Oregon. 

In April or May, 1846, Lieutenant Gillespie, 
of the United States Army, arrived in California, 
and, after preparing himself for the journey, 
left Monterey in pursuit of Fremont's party, but 
he did not overtake them until the 9th of May. 
Fremont was then in Oregon. While the i)ur- 



port of Gillespie's dispatch to Fremont has 
never been made public, it has been reasonably 
surmised that it contained an intimation from 
the authorities at Washington that Fremont 
should return to California and be in readiness 
to assist in the conquest of this territory on the 
first intimation of the outbreak of war. Fre- 
mont immediately returned, and encamped at or 
near the site where Sacramento City is now lo- 
cated. At that time the population of Califor- 
nia was estimated at about 10,000, exclusive of 
Indians, and probably less than 2,000 of that 
number were foreigners. General Castro, the 
military conimandante of California, had issued 
several proclamations ordering the foreigners to 
leave the country, and the American settlers 
finally determined that the time had arrived 
that some decisive movement for defense 
should be made. The immediate occasion for 
this movement was an order from Castro to 
Lieutenant Francisco de Arce to proceed with 
fourteen men as a guard for some horses be- 
longing to the Government^ which were at the 
mission of San Eafael, and remove them to the 
mission of Santa (Jlara. The Lieutenant was 
under the necessity of passing up the Sacra- 
mento River as far as what was then called New 
Helvetia, — now the site of Sacramento City, — 
that being the first point at which the horses 
could swim across the river. The party of de 
Arce was observed by an Indian in their move- 
ment, who reported that he had seen two or three 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



hundred armed and mounted men advancing up 
the Sacramento River; and from his information 
the settlers believed that Castro, at the head of 
a large party, was marching to attack Fremont. 
The news traveled by couriers among the 
Americans, and they hastily gathered for the 
defense at Sutter's Fort. At the meeting there 
held it was proposed that a sufficient company 
should follow Lieutenant de Arce and seize the 
horses. This settlers' party overtook the Lieu- 
tenant and his command on the morning of 
June 10, 18-46, and surprised de Arce's party 
near the Cosunines River, where they were en- 
camped, and, without resistance, their horses 
and anus were seized, and the captured men 
were dismissed, each one being given a horse. 

This was the first overt act on the part of the 
foreigners which led .to the revolution; and it 
opened a breach which made it necessary that 
all should take ground on one or the other side. 

This act was immediately followed by the 
taking of the town and mission of Sonoma, 
which occurred on the morning of June 14. 
The party of Americans had been augmented to 
thirty-three, and were under the command of a 
man named Merritt. They were known as the 
iamous "Bear Flag party." It was composed 
mostly of hunters, and of men who could leave 
their homes at the shortest notice. They had 
not time to dress, even if they had good clothes; 
and as they entered the town they appeared 
about as rough looking as could well be imag- 
ined. The seizure of the town and mission was 
made without bloodshed, and General M. G. 
A^allejo, Lieutenant-Colonel Prudon, Don Sal- 
vador Vallejo and other gentlemen cf promi- 
nence were captured and carried to Sutter's Fort, 
where they were kept prisoners for sixty days 
or more. 

A garrison of about eighteen men, under the 
command of William B. Ide, was left at Sonoma. 
In a few days it was increased to about forty ; 
and on the 18th day of June, 1846, Ide issued 
a proclamation declaring that himself and com- 
panions had been invited to the country, and 
had been promised protection by the Govern- 



ment; but that they had been subjected to op- 
pression l)y the military despotism; that threats 
had been made, by proclamation, of extermina- 
tion if they did not depart from the country; 
that it simply meant that they had either to be 
compelled to abandon their property and be 
driven through deserts inhabited by hostile In- 
dians, or must defend themselves; and that they 
had been forced to inaugurate a revolution, with 
a view of establishing and perpetuating a re- 
publican government. 

The party adopted what has been called the 
"Bear Flag," and there was a partial organiza- 
tion under the name of the "Republic of Cali- 
fornia." The flag was made of a piece of cotton 
cloth, with one red strip on the bottom, and on 
the white portion the figure of a grizzly bear, 
with a single star in front of him. It was 
painted, or rather stained, with lamp-black and 
poke-berries. On the top were the words, " Re- 
public of California." 

Inasmuch as there has been considerable dis- 
pute regarding the causes which led to the rev- 
olution in California, the capture of Sonoma, 
the issuance of the Ide proclamation, and the 
raising of the " Bear Flag" and its design, we 
rely upon the accounts which were published in 
the Calif or nian newspaper in August and Sep- 
tember, 1846, a few months after the occurrence 
of the events, and which were written by Rob- 
ert Semple, the editor, who was an active par- 
ticipant in some of the scenes which he de- 
scribed. In his articles he distinctly stated that 
he wrote them as a matter of history and for the 
benefit of future historians. 

On the 7th of July, 1846, Commodore John 
D. Sloat arrived at Monterey with a United 
States frigate. Monterey was then the Mexican 
capita! of California. The Commodore took pos- 
session of the town, and hoisted over it the 
American flag From that day dates the pro- 
prietorship of the United States to California. 
Sloat's frigate had been lying at Mazatlan, under 
instructions to seize California on the first inti- 
mation of hostilities between his government 
and Mexico. The first American flag was hoisted 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



in the Sacramento Valley, where Sacramento 
City now stands. Colonel John C. Fremont was 
then encamped there, at the head of about 170 
men. On the evening of July 10, William 
Scott arrived in the camp with the news of the 
hoisting of tlie flag at Monterey by Commodore 
Sloat, and brought witli him an American flag 
sent by Captain John B. Montgomery, of the 
United States ship Portsmouth. Speaking of 
the receipt of the news at Sacramento, the Cali- 
fornian, the first newspaper published in Cali- 
fornia, said: 

" It (the news) was received with universal 
sliouts by the men, and our gallant leader, sur- 



rounded by a number of oflicers and soldiers, 
partook of a cup of good brandy and sang some 
national airs. The ' Star Spangled Banner' was 
responded to witli warmth." 

Of course the flag of the United States sup- 
planted the flag of the Bear. Several engage- 
ments occurred between the United States and 
Mexican forces in the southern portion of the 
territory, but early in 1847 the Mexicans capitu- 
lated, and hostilities ceased upon the soil of 
California. 

The above are all the events of importance 
that occurred in this section in connection with 
the confjuest of the country. 




HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



CHAPTER IV. 




fHE first mention of gold in California was 
made in Hakluyt's account of the voyage 
■Y- of Sir Francis Drake, who spent five or 
six weeks, in June and July, 1579, in a bay on 
the coast of California. It has always been a 
question and will remain a question, whether 
this bay was that of San Francisco or one further 
to the north. In the narrative of Hakluyt it is 
written: " There is no part of the earth here to 
be taken up wherein there is not a reasonable 
quantity of gold or silver." At this day we 
know that this statement must have been un- 
true, and was doubtless written for the purpose 
of attracting attention to the importance of the 
expedition of Sir I'^rancis Drake. California 
was then a comparatively unknown country. It 
had been visited only by early explorers, and its 
characteristics were merely conjectured. Wheti 
Hakluyt wrote there could hardly be a " hand- 
ful of soil taken up wherein there is not a rea- 
sonable quantity of gold or silver," in the light 
of the present the statement was absurd, for 
neither gold nor silver has ever been found in 
the vicinity of the point where Drake must 
have landed. 

Other early explorers stated that gold had 
been found long before the discovery by Mar- 
shall; and there is no doubt that a well-founded 
surmise prevailed that gold existed in California. 
The country had been explored at times since 
the sixteenth century, by Spanish, Russian and 
American parties. It was visited by Commo- 



dore Wilkes, who was in the service of the Uni- 
ted States on an extensive exploring expedition; 
and members of his party ascended the Sacra- 
mento River and visited Sutter at the fort, while 
others made explorations by land. 

James D. Dana, a celebrated author of several 
works on mineralogy, was the mineralogist of 
this expedition and passed by land through the 
upper portion of (California. In one of his 
works he says that gold rock and veins of quartz 
were observed by him in 1842 near the Umpqua 
River, in Southern Oregon; and again, that he 
found gold near the Sierra Nevada and on the 
Sacramento River; also, on the San Joaquin 
River and between those rivers. There is, in 
the reports of the Fremont exploring expedi- 
tion, an intitnation of the existence of gold. 

It has been said that in October and Novem- 
ber, 1845, a Mexican was shot at Yerba Buena 
(San Francisco) on account of having a bag of 
gold dust, and when dying pointed northward 
and said, " Legos! Legos!" (yonder), indicating 
where he had found the gold dust. 

It has been claimed, and with a considerable 
degree of probability, that the Mormons who 
arrived in San Francisco on the ship Brooklyn 
found gold before the famous discovery at Co- 
loma. The circumstances in connection with 
this discovery are somewhat romantic. The 
Mormon people had established themselves at 
Nauvoo, Illinois, a point where they believed 
themselves to be beyond the reach of perse- 



JIISTO/n- OF SAVUAMENTO COUNTY. 



cutioii. However, the coniitry there became 
populated by tliose not of tlieir faitl), and the 
antagonism against the Mormons resulted finally 
in bloodshed, and the founder of the church, 
Joseph Smith, was shot by a mob and killed. 
The Mormons then determined to remove farther 
west, and into a section of country beyond the 
reach of the Government of the United States. 
They selected California as tiieir future home. 
Their land expedition started across the plains, 
and a ship named the Brooklyn carried from the 
eastern side of the continent a number of the 
believers. Samuel Brannan, who was prominent 
in the early history of Sacramento, San Fran- 
cisco and the State, was one of their leading 
men who came with the sea voyagers. When 
the Brooklyn emigrants landed at Yerba Bueiia 
(San Francisco) they found that the United 
States forces had taken possession of California, 
and that they had landed upon soil possessed by 
the nation from which they were endeavoring 
to tloe. Couriers were sent overland to inter- 
cept the land party, and it is said that they 
found them at the place where Salt Lake City 
is now located. The overland party determined 
to locate at that place, although it was then 
sterile and unpromising. Those who came on 
the P>r()oklyn dispersed in California, and some 
of them located at Mormon Island, in Sacra- 
mento County; and it is claimed that they found 
gold long before the discovery at Coloma, but 
that tliey kept their discovery a secret. How- 
ever that may be, it is a fact that mining was 
prosecuted by them about the time of Marshall's 
discovery. 

At a banquet of the Associated Pioneei's of 
the territorial days of California, held in the 
city of New York, on January 18, 1878, Colonel 
T. B. Thorpe, a veteran of the Mexican War, 
who had been on the staii' of General Zachary 
Taylor, stated that while he had been employed 
as a journalist in New Orleans, several years 
before the discovery of gold at Coloma, a Swede, 
evidently far gone into consumption, called upon 
him and represented that he was what in his 
country was called a "kiiio;'.< orphan;" that he 



had been educated at a governmental institution, 
on condition that after he had received his edu- 
cation he should travel in foreign lands, observe 
and record what he had seen, and deposit his 
records with the Government. He stated that 
he had visited California, remained several days 
at Sutter's Fort, enjoying the hospitality of 
Sutter; that while there he closely examined the 
surrounding country and became convinced that 
it abounded richly in gold. Colonel Thorpe 
stated that the Swede gave him this opinion in 
writing. At that banquet General Sutter was 
present, and Colonel Thorpe called upon him to 
say whether he had any recollection concerning 
the Swedish visitor. Sutter replied that he 
did recollect the visit, which had occurred about 
thirty-four j'eats before; and he also remem- 
bered that the Swede expressed himself regard- 
ing the presence of mineral wealth in the neigh- 
boring hills; " but," added the Genera!, " I was 
too much occupied at the time with other con- 
cerns to devote any time or attention to it. My 
crops were ripe, and it was imperative that they 
should be gathered as quickly as possible, but I 
do recollect the scientific Swedish gentleman." 
The report of the remarks delivered at that 
banquet were published, and in it is contained 
a copy of the manuscript to which Colonel 
Thorpe referred, in which the "king's orphan " 
wrote: " The Califo.niias are rich in minerals. 
Gold, silver, lead, o.xide of iron, manganese and 



re are all met with throughout the 
netals being the most 



coppe 

country, the prei 

abundant." 

There is another account of an early gold dis- 
covery, which was published in the New Age, 
in San Francisco, the official organ of the Odd 
Fellows, in September, 1865. It purports to 
have been an extract written by the Paris cor- 
respondent of the London Star, who wrote that 
in the city of Paris he visited a private museum,, 
and that its owner exhibited to him a nugget of 
gold, and stated that twenty-eight years before 
a poor invalid had presented himself and took 
out of his tattered coat a block of quartz, and 
asked the proprietor of the museum if he would 



Jll.sruuy OF SAVllAMBNTO COUNTY. 



piu-cliase it, assuring iiiin that it w.as full of 
gold. Tlio sti-angLM- said: " I have come to you 
to apply to the Govei'iinient to give me a vessel 
and a crew of 100 men, and I will promise to 
return with a cargo of gold." The proprietor 
of the museum presumed that the man was mad,, 
and gave him a napoleon as a matter of charity, 
but retained a piece of the quartz. Afterward 
the quartz was analyzed, and it was proved to 
contain pure gold. Fifteen years elapsed, and 
a parcel and a letter were left at his door. The 
parcel was wrapped in a handkerchief, and was 
heavy. The letter was worn and almost illegi- 
ble. On deciphering it, it proved to be the 
dying statement of the poor traveler, which, 
through the neglect of the lodging-house keeper 
where he had died after the interview referred to, 
had never been delivered. The package contained 
a block of quartz, and the letter was thus worded: 

"You alone listened to me; vou alone stretched 
out a helping hand to me. Alas! it was too 
late! I am dying. I bequeath my secret to 
you. The country from whence I brought this 
gold is called California.'" 

The credit, however, for the practical discovery 
of gold in California isdue to James W.Marshall. 
It is true that a gold mine had been worked 
in 1841 in the lower part of the State, and that 
gold from that mine had been sent to the Phila- 
delphia mint for coinage as early as July, 1843. 
Tlie mine, however, proved unprofitable and was 
abandoned. The story of the discovery by Mar- 
shall at Coloma, in January, 1848, is confused, 
and the precise date upon which it was made 
cr.n perhaps never be settled. Marshall was em- 
ployed by Captain Sutter, and was in charge of 
a party of men erecting a saw-mill at the pres- 
ent site of Coloma, in El Dorado County. A 



raceway was dug and the water turned in. In 
examining the race afterward, Marshall's atten- 
tion was attracted by a shining object. He 
picked it up. It was gold. Other particles of 
the metal were collected, and Marsiiall came 
with them to Sutter's Fort and exhibited them 
to his employer, Sutter. They were tested in a 
crude way, and Sutter became convinced that 
the metal was gold. Afterward specimens were 
sent to Monterey, then the capital of the Terri- 
tory, and exhibited to General R. B. Mason, the 
military governor, and fo W. T. Sherman, at 
that time an obscure officer in the United States 
Army, but who has since risen to national noto- 
riety. The integrity of the metal was estab- 
lished, the news of the discovery sent forth, the 
world was electrilied, and immigration, poured 
in from every civilized country. 

James W. Marshall was born in Hope Town- 
ship, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, October 
8, 1810. On arriving at man's estate he re- 
moved to Indiana, afterward to Illinois and 
Missouri, and arrived in California in 1844. In 
1845 he came to Sutter's Fort, and was employed 
by Captain Sutter. He took an active part in 
the California revolution of 1846. After his 
discovery of gold the Legislature of the State 
pensioned him for a time. Subsequently he 
settled on a small piece of land at Coloma, near 
where he had discovered the gold, and made his 
living by farming. About 5 o'clock on the 
morning of August 10, 1885, he was found dead 
in his cabin, and was buried near the spot where 
gold was first found by him. He was never 
married. 

A tine statue of Marshall has roooutly been 
erected by the State at the point where he made 
his famous discovery. 



^.•^..t..rS>t s 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUJSTT. 




W. I FOUNDING OF SACRAMENTO CITY. I 




CHAPTER V. 



fllE city of Sacramento is located on the 
east bank of the Sacramento River, im- 
mediately below the month of the Ameri- 
can River. The first settlement was made by 
John A. Sutter, in 1839, and long before there 
was any thought of establishing a city. The 
news of the gold discovery attracted to Sutter's 
Fort a large immigration from all portions of 
the civilized world, and this point, being prac- 
tically the head of inland navigation, became 
the first nucleus of a settlement. ■ At first a 
town of canvas tents was established, and after- 
ward the city was regularly laid out, the survey 
being made in December, 1848, by Captain 
William II. AVarner, of the United States Army, 
assisted by W. T. Sherman, now (reneral. 

In 1844, however, an efl'ort was made, under 
the patronage of Sutter and others, to lay out 
and build a town at a point three miles below 
the site of Sacramento City. A survey was 
made and a village commenced. The first house 
was erected by Sutter, the second by one Hadel, 
and the third by George Zins. The last men- 
tioned was a brick building, and the first of the 
kind erected in California. Zins afterward man- 
ufactured the bricks, in Sacramento, which were 
used in the first brick buildings erected in this 
city. He stamped each brick with his initials, 
and one of them is now preserved in the Crocker 
Art Gallery Museum of the city, and one in the 
Museum of the Pioneer Association. For a 



time, " Sutterville," as it was called, in honor of 
its projector, flourished; but after the gold dis- 
covery the population centered at Sacramento, 
or the " Embarcadero," the Spanish name. 

At the time or shortly after the discovery of 
gold, quite a number of stores were established 
at the fort, and indeed that was the practical 
business center in this portion of the Territory. 
The first store, an adobe building, was that of 
C. C. Smith &, Co., Samuel Erannan being the 
"Co." This was started two moatlis prior to 
the opening of the mines, and across its coutit- 
ers were made the first exchanges of American 
goods for California gold. Brannan subsequently 
became the sole proprietor. Hensley & Read- 
ing had a store afterward in the fort, and one of 
the clerks was James King of William, later 
editor of the San Francisco Bulletin^ who was 
killed by James P. Casey in the " Vigilance 
Committee" days of 1856. 

When the city of Sacramento was established 
Sutter owned its site. After the discovery o 
gold and the laying out of the city, Sutter con- 
veyed his entire interest in the plat to his son 
and on December 30, 1849, Sutter, Jr., em 
ployed Peter H. Burnett — afterward Governor — 
as his lawyer to manage his newly acquired in 
terests. Conveyances were made by Sutter and 
his son, which resulted in a confusion of titles 
that were not adjusted until after many years of 
litigation. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



After the establishment of Sacramento there 
was a steady improvement of the town. From 
a village of canvas tents it grew to be one of 
wood and brick structures, and the town of Sut- 
terville soon had an existence only on paper. 
After the flood of 1861-62, an ettbrt was made 
to revive the town of SiitterviUe, but it again 
failed. 

During the time that Sacramento was flooded, 
in January, 1853, all communication with the 
raining counties was cut off", and some of the 
enterprising merchants sought higher ground 
for the city site, where freight could be landed 
from vessels without danger from floods. The 
site they selected was on the south bank of the 
Amei'ican River, nearly due north from the point 
now called Brighton, and they named the new 
town " Hoboken." At that day the American 
River was navigable to that point. A large 
town was laid out there, with wide streets and a 
steamboat landing. Within ten days a place 
sprang up which promised to be a rival to Sac- 
ramento. Three steamers made daily trips be- 
tween the two places. An express office was 
established at Hoboken, besides many other fa- 
cilities for commercial business. Trade there 
flourished. Many of the business Arms of Sac- 
ramento removed to the new town, and the 
newspapers of the city devoted a page to the 
interests of Hoboken. But Hoboken declined 
as rapidly as it had sprung up, and to-day its 
site constitutes a portion of a farm. 

The city of " Boston " was laid out at the con- 
fluence of the American and Sacramento rivers, 
north of Sacramento. It, however, never " ma- 
terialized," and existed only on maps. 

The population of Sacrimento, prior to Janu- 
ary, 1848, was comparatively insigniticant; but 
with the influx which followed the discovery of 
gold its augmentation had been perhaps unpre- 
cedented in the history of the world. Tlie first 
census taken in the State — in 1851 — during the 
administration of President Fillmore, was under 
the Buperintendency of J. Neely Johnson, as 
Census Agent of this district. He was after- 
ward Governor of the State. In that enumera- 



tion Sacramento was credited with 11,000 in- 
habitants. The population of the State as then 
returned was about 120,000. The Federal cen- 
sus of 1860 credits the city with 12,800; of 
1870, with 16,283; of 1880, with 21,420; and 
the present year, 1889, it has prohalily between 
30,000 and 40,000. 

George McDougal, brother of " I John," the 
second Governor, was a prominent character in 
the founding of Sacramento City. He came 
here from Indiana in 1848, joined Fremont's 
battalion, and was with it in the memorable 
campaign in Southern California. Returning 
to San Francisco, he became distinguished there; 
and when the mines were discovered joined the 
gold-seekers and had some exciting experiences 
in the mines. Shortly after the survey of Sac- 
ramento City was made, he procured a lease of 
a ferry privilege from Captain Sutter at a point 
below the entrance of Sutter Lake, and opened 
the tirst store in the place, bringing up a store 
ship and locating it near the foot of I street. 
His partner was Judge Blackburn, of Santa 
Cruz. The arrival of the son of Captain Sutter 
eflTected an important change in the destiny of 
the new city. He received the interest of his 
father in the city, and immediately a question 
arose between him and McDougal in respect to 
the prerogatives of his lease. The question be- 
ing decided in favor of Sutter, McDougal became 
so disaflPected with the place that he determined 
to "extinguish the prospects" of the new city, 
and move to Sutterville. Transporting all his 
goods to that point, and leaving his brother 
John in charge of them, he went East. Joini 
then issued immense placards, declaring that 
the firm over which he presided iiad determined 
to take the lead in competition, and accordingly 
would sell goods at "cost and freight," with a 
verbal assurance that if they could not obtain 
patronage at that rate they would sell at the 
primary cost of their merchandise. But the 
merchants at the fort combined and McDoucral 
& Co. soon had to break up. 

George wandered into Utali, New Mexico, 
and adjacent Territories, and meanwhile reports 



HISTORY OF SACllAMENrO COUNTY. 



of his death were received on the coast. An 
Eastern brother administered on his estate. 
Trace of him was lost for years. Finally Cap- 
tain Eruv\ n, of the ram Stonewall, was going to 
Japan through the Straits of Magellan, when 
some Patagonian chiefs came aboard, among 
whom was a "hirsute, squalid, weather-tanned 
and very tattooed man," none other than " Colo- 
nel George McDougal!" He had journeyed 
through Central Aineiica and various South 
American countries, and was then prospecting 
at Sandy Point, a savage and solitary station in 
the straits. He was the chief of an Indian tribe! 
He was a giant in size, and so princely and 
handsome that he had been called " Lord George 
McDougal." Captain Brown says that after he 
had had him shaved, cleaned up and dressed in 
good clotlies, he was the handsomest and most 
distinguished looking man he had ever seen. 
McDougal sobbed and cried when told of his 
family; but all entreaty to keep him on board 
and get him back home was unavailing, as he 
had a valuable mine which lie was developing 
by aid of these Indians. However, he promised 
that as soon as possible he would proceed farther 
north and then make for home. Some time 
afterward Brown chanced to meet McDougal in 
Valparaiso, and succeeded in sending him home. 

FIRST ELECTION. 

Among the musty old papers on tile in the 
othce of the county clerk in San Francisco, is the 
original polling list of an election for magis- 
trate held in Sacramento District, Se])tember 
28, 1846, and wiiich it is thought was the first 
election in the district. Following is the copy 
of the list of voters, furnished Themis by As- 
sistant Adjutant-General Perrie Kewen: 

Daniel Sill, William Potter, Ed. J. Minier, 
T. J. Shadden, David Dutton, Peter Cadel, 
William Johnson, I. Fuller, James Smith, Jas. 
Tylee, James McDowell, William Northgrave, 
James Gregson, Ben. Sena, Martin Murphy, 
Heling Downing, Jared Sheldon, Perry McCoon, 
Gardner T. Wyman, J. A. Sutter, Silas Hitch- 
cock, Edmund Bray, Tobias Cadel, John Kunye. 



The candidates and the number of votes were: 
John Sinclair, 15; Jared Sheldon, 8; J. A. Sut- 
ter, 1. 

The subscriliers certify that the above is a 
correct register and poll of votes for the election 
of a magistrate of the Sacramento District, held 
at Fort New Helvetia, on the 28th day of Sep- 
tember, A. D. 1846. 

J. A. Sdtter, Judge. 

G. T. Wyman, 

J. Tylee. 

first mail to SACRAMENTO. 

The schooner John Dunlap, owned jointly by 
Simmons, Hutchins & Co. and E. S. Marsh, left 
San Francisco on her first trip to Sacramento, 
May 18, 1849. The first mail was brought on 
her second trip, when she sailed June 25 and 
arrived here in forty-eight hours. 

the first directory 

of the city of Sacramento was published in 1851, 
by J. Horace Culver, and was printed by the 
Transcript press, then on K street, between 
Second and Third. It has ninety-six pages, 
with a vast amount of interesting information, 
the names of the citizens occupying not quite 
half the space. A copy of it is pieserved in the 
State Library. 

THE FIRST PUBLIC RECEPTION AND BANQUET IN 
SACRAMENTO. 

The following is an old-time reminiscence 
from the memory of AV. M. Siddons, of Sacra- 
mento: 

"In June, 1849, Hon. T. Butler King was 
sent out by the general Government to recon- 
noiter the Sacramento Valley, and report to 
Washington. He called on General P. F.Smith, 
who afterward was conspicuous in the army of 
the Rebellion, but who was then in command of 
the military of the Pacific; also upon Commo- 
dore Jones, in command of the navy, to whom 
he presented his credentials and orders, at Beni- 
cia. An expedition was made up at that point, 
consisting of two six-mule teams, one dingay 



UISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



cart, with supplies for the trip. A detachment 
of thirty dragoous was formed under command 
of Lieutenant Stonera an — afterward a famous war 
General, later Governor of California — to act as 
escort. 

" The expeditioTi started on the 4th day of 
July, 1849, the writer being one of the party. 
AVe reached a point at the mouth of the Feather 
River, called Fremont, crossed over to Yer- 
non, and set out for Sacramento, where we ar- 
rived on July 7. Lieutenant Stoneman was left 
iu charge of the camp about five miles from the 
city. General Smith, Commodore Jones, T. 
Butler King and myself came to the city, and 
were met by General Sutter, Sam Bran nan, E. 
F. Gillespie, J. G. Hyer, P. E. Cornwall, Colo- 
nel J. B. Starr, W. R. Grimshaw, and a large 
number of citizens. After congratulatory re- 
marks, a banquet was given the visitors by the 
citizens. General Sutter had a considerable 
quantity of English ale, which was the principal 
beverage for the occasion. Considering the 
scarcity of the commodities that usually appear 
at banquets, this early effort in that line was a 
success. It must be remembered that Sacra- 
mento City was composed then only of a few 
buildings and tents. 

" During the stay we visited Sutter's Fort; 
where we received additional courtesies from 
General Sutter. After making a tourof Marj's- 
ville, through the Yubas, we crossed the Ameri- 
can, Feather and Stanislaus Rivers, and stopped 
at Stockton, about August 1. We had a good 
reception and an improvised banquet at that 
place, which was comprised of but few houses. 
AVe moved on to the foot of Mount Diablo, 
wliere we found Dr. Marsh, who o\vned a large 
ranch, and who also entertained us handsomely. 
Our circuit was made in one month and eleven 
days." 

THE FIRST GE.^^ND BALL 

in Sacramento is so eloquently described by Dr. 
Morse that we must quote his language: 

"About the 4th of July [1849], a grand ball 
was given at the City Hotel, which building was 
not yut completed. An immense and vigorous 



effort was made to get up a ball upon a mag- 
nificent scale. To do this, it was essentially im- 
portant that every Caucasian descendant of Eve 
in this section of the State should be present. 
Accordingly a respectable number of gallant 
young gentlemen were commissioned to explore 
the country, with specific instructions to visit 
every ranch, tent or wagon bed where there was 
any indication of feminine divinity, and, irre- 
spective of age, cultivation or grace, to bring 
one and all to this ' aristocratic' festal occasion. 
These orders were admirably attended to, and 
at the o[)ening of the dance the hungry, rather 
voracious optics of about 200plain-lookinggen- 
tlemen were greeted with the absolute presence 
of some eigiiteen ladies, not Amazons all, but 
replete with all the adornments that belong to 
bold and enterprising pioneers of a new country. 
Such a sight in California at that time was almost 
a miraculous exhibition, and filled men with 
such an ebullition of sentiment as to make it 
impossible to breathe without inhaling the dying 
cadences of the most devoted and tenderly ex- 
pressed politeness. 

"Tickets of admission to this ball were $32. 
The supper was most sumptuously prepared, 
and champagne circulated so freely that identity 
became jeopardized, and the very illumination 
of the room converted into a grand magnifying 
medium for the revels of fancy and delights of 
illusion." 

PKISON BRIG. 

The first ship ever used in the State of Cali- 
fjrnia as a "prison brig" was the bark Straf- 
ford, which was moored in the Sacramento 
River opposite the foot of I street. It was 
brought here from New York in 1849. While 
lying at the foot of O street it was sold at auc- 
tion by J. B. Starr, and, though it had cost 
$50,000, it was knocked down to C. C. Hayden 
for $3,750! Immediately the latter sold three- 
quarters of his interest to Charles VIorrill, Cap- 
tain Isaac Derby and Mr. Wiiiting. In March, 
1850, they rented the vessel to the county for a 
" prison brig." May 25, 1850, the otiiers sold 
out their interests to Cliarles Morrill, who in- 



HISTOBT OF BAG BAM EN TO COUNTY. 



tended the bark for a trader between San Fran- 
cisco and Panama. It was loaded at the levee, 
bnt in so poor a manner that she nearly capsized 
on reaching the Uay of San Francisco. It was 
readjusted and taken on to the sea, but was 
never brought back. 

The county soon afterward purchased the La 
Grange, which had arrived in California from 
Salem, Massachusetts. It was moored about op- 
posite li street. When the first freshet of thehigh 
water of 1861-'62 came on, the vessel pulled 
heavily at its moorings, and the water came in 
through the open seams so rapidly tliat it was 
only by great exertions the prisoners were safely 



removed to the city jail. The bark filled and 
sank right there at the anchors. Sand and sedi- 
ment filled the hold and cabin and collected in 
great quantities all about it. Being sold at 
auction, it was purchased by T. Talbert, who, at 
considerable profit, disposed of it to a company 
of Chinese. The Celestials went actively to work 
pegging away at the carcass of the old bark, 
which had so many times braved storm and 
tempest; and if any of its remains were not 
carried ofi" by them, they are in the deep bosom 
of the sand-bank buried. 

Since then the Sacramento County jail has 
never been afloat. 




HISTOHT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTER VI, 



JN our sketch of tlie life of Sutter, in a pre 
vious chapter, allusion is made to the fact 
that some unprincipled immigrants entered 
upon his lands, cut timber, and stole his cattle, 
horses, etc. In 1849 others, more honorable 
in their intentions, questioned Sutter's title to 
certain tracts, including the site of the city of 
Sacramento. Their settling npou lands claimed 
by Sutter soon led to litigation and ultimately 
to riot and bloodshed. Our account of this very 
delicate affair is the one given by Dr. John F. 
Morse, who compiled a history of the city soon 
after that tragic period, from official and other 
sources. 

Dr. Morse says: 

In the Placer Times of May 5, 1849, we find 
the following: 

" NOTICE TO SQUATTERS. 

" All persons are hereby cautioned not to 
settle, without my permission, on any land of 
mine in this Territory. Said land is bounded 
as follows: Commencing on the north, in lati- 
tude thirty-nine degrees, thirty-three minutes 
and forty-tive seconds, at a point on the east 
bank of the Sacramento River, running thence 
east three leagues beyond Feather River; thence 
south to latitude thirty-eight degrees, forty -one 
minutes and thirty-two seconds; thence west to 
said Sacramento River; thence up and along the 
course of said Sacramento River to its inter- 



section with Feather River; thence in a westerly 
direction up and along the course of the said 
Sacramento River to the place of beginning, 
excepting a certain tract, included in the above, 
lying on the east side of the said Sacramento 
River, bounded on the north by latitude thirty- 
nine degrees one minute and forty-tive seconds, 
and on the south by the American Fork, granted 
by the Republic of Mexico to one Elias Grimes. 
"John A. Suttee, Jk." 
On the 7th of December, following, H. A. 
Schoolcraft petitioned the City Council to re- 
move a house built by Charles Robinson upon 
property which he represented. Robinson, whose 
sketch appears in the chapter on the Legislators 
of this county, was among the first to contest 
Sutter's title. He settled upon and claimed a 
lot on the levee near I street and regarded by 
him as public ground. The city authorized the 
removal. The next day a suit was entered 
against the city because of the removal of the 
building, and it resulted in favor of the city. 

The claim that Sutter's title was no good, and 
that his grant was public land and subject to 
pre-emption, had been promulgated in the early 
part of the fall of 1849, but it was treated by 
the speculators in town lots and the owners of 
property with indifference. This treatment, 
while it suppressed for a short time the bold- 
ness of the squatters, did not extinguish their 
K]iirit. They intimated that they would receive 



UISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



a reinforcement, when tlie immigration arrived, 
to secure them in their possession of the prop- 
erty upon wiiich they had settled. This as- 
sumption was based on the arrival of immigrants 
across the plains. Worn out by a long journey, 
and without money or homes, they did not listen 
with indifference to the assurance that by the 
mere locating of their tents upon a city lot it be- 
came their property. Thus, in a very few weeks, 
the timid and esteemed insignificant sqnatterism, 
became a distinct party organization. Lots were 
staked off in many parts of the city, and the 
squatter title was boldly presented as a superior 
claim to that based upon conveyances and sub 
conveyances from Sutter. 

The latter claimed the land now embraced 
within theliraitsof thecity, through agrant from 
the Mexican Government and the guarantees 
of the treaty of the United States with Mexico. 
His claim was sustained by an actual settle- 
ment, by immense and most useful improve- 
ments, by the occupation of the present site of 
the city, and survey made by a person whom he 
supposed to be a competent engineer, and an 
accompanying map, both of which located him 
upon the land he claimed. Upon this claim, he 
conveyed the property to his son, John A. 
Sutter, Jr., from whoiTi it had been purchased 
and sold, and passed through the hands of thou- 
sands of individuals. 

Against this claim tlie squatters urged that 
the natural boundaries of the land claimed were 
not in keeping with the imaginary lines, or the 
boundaries by latitude and longitude given by 
the engineer; that Sutter had not complied with 
the requisitions of his grant, and especially that 
the site of the city could not be embraced 
within the land granted, as by the stipulations 
it would not be subjected to annual inundations, 
and that by the improvement of Hock Farm 
and New Helvetia he had overstepped the 
boundaries of his possessions under the grant, 
either to the north, or south; and as the engi- 
neer had given the soutliern boundary by lati- 
tudinal lines, and as those lines, when correctly 
taken, placed his southern limit considerably 



above this point, therefore this: the site of 
Sacramento was public land and subject to pre- 
emption by occupation and improvement. The 
first civil suit against the squatters was insti- 
tuted in November, 1849, by John A. Sutter 
et al. vs. George Chapman. A writ of restitu- 
tion was issued by Judge Thomas and served 
by Presley Dunlap of the sheriff's office. 

These were the leading issues that were first 
developed in the fall of 1849 between the 
squatters and the anti-squatters. The removals 
alluded to gave great umbrage to the squatters, 
and were not forgotten by them, although the 
incoming rainy season and the terrible flood 
gave a temporary buietus to the subject. 

During the summer of 1850, a Squatters' 
Association was formed in the city. The first 
meeting was called by John H. Keyser, at the 
house of Mr. Kelly, who kept a place of enter- 
tainment on Front street, above J. At this 
place meetings were frequently held prior to the 
flood. Sometimes these meetings would be very 
largely attended. The speakers at first were not 
only entirely uneducated, but also so poorly sus- 
tained by native talent as to incur the ridicule 
of all but their immediate associates. But very 
soon men of talent and tact succeeded them, and 
infused into their proceedings a degree of 
strength and popular pleading that made the 
purchasers of Sutter titles watch their move- 
ments with anxiety. This anxiety was produced 
by an attention to the speaking Squatters; for 
as a general thing their speeches were freighted 
with denunciations against "Grasping and de- 
signing men," "Speculators in lots and land 
monopolists." In the month of May the asso- 
ciation was ably sii stained by a most talented 
engineer. Colonel John Plum be, who was the 
regular surveyor and recorder of the organiza- 
tion. After the floods of January and March, 
a more thorough and complete organization of 
the party took place, and a deep feeling of hos- 
tility sprung up between the Squatters and the 
purchasers of the Sutter titles. The members 
of the association began to demonstrate their 
views by squatting upon lots in dift'erent parts 



niSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNT F. 



of tbe city. Contests ensued and removals oc- 
casionally efiected. 

But on the lOth of May, the particular suit 
was commenced which resulted in the riots of 
August, 1850. John P. Rodgers and De Witt 
J. Burnett commenced action against John F. 
Madden, in the Recorder's Court, B. F. Wash- 
ington presiding, under the statute providing 
for "Unlawful entry and detainer.'" The lot 
settled upon and claimed by Madden was situ- 
ated on the southeast corner of N and Second 
streets. The case was sustained by E. J. C. 
Kewen and R. F. Morrison for the plaintiffs, 
and F. W. Thayer for the defendant. The lat- 
ter set forth the plea of no jurisdiction, and the 
plea was overruled. He then instituted the plea 
that the property was public land, the free hold 
of the Government, and therefore subject to a 
title by settlement and improvement; that about 
the 1st of March, 1850, he had peaceably en- 
tered upon the premises and made improve- 
ments thereon. A demurrer was interposed by 
plaintiffs upon the ground that the plea set 
Ibrth by defendant was insufficient in law. The 
plea was overruled. The defendant then filed 
an affidavit asking a change of venue upon the 
ground that the recorder was biased and that 
he could not have a fair trial in this city, the 
citizens also being prejudiced against him. The 
application was refused, and the case went to 
tiial. After argument, the recorder returned 
a judgment against defendant, fining him $300 
and costs, and ordered the issuance of a writ of 
restitution. 

The defendant appealed from this decision to 
the County Court, and on the 8th of August, 
1850, the case came up for hearing before Judge 
Willis, of that tribunal. At this trial the de- 
fendant was assisted by J. H. McKune, C. A 
Tweed and Lewis Aldrich. Defendants moved 
for a nonsuit, on the ground that the Recorder's 
Court had no jurisdiction, but finally by con- 
sent the ease was submitted upon its merits. 
The claim of title from Sutter being offered by 
plaintiffs, defendant objected, and the objection 
was overruled. The case was then argued, and 



the following day judgment was rendered sus- 
taining the decision of the Inferior Court. The 
defendant then asked to appeal to the Supreme 
Court, but there being no law to provide for 
such an appeal, the motion was overruled. Dur- 
ing the proceedings of this trial both parties 
became excited to the utmost degree, and the 
Squatters, as a body, declared against the resto- 
ration of the property pursuant to the judg- 
ments of the courts. Squatters and Anti-squat- 
ters held meetings almost every night, and the 
city was excited. 

Almost immediately after the decision of 
Judge Willis was pronounced, the Squatters 
issued the following poster: 

TO THE PEOPLE OF SACRAMENTO CITY. 

It is well known that a few individuals have 
seized upon nearly all the arable public lauds in 
this county, and the following are some of the 
means they have resorted to in order to retain 
the property thus taken: 

First, They have used brute force and torn 
down the buildings of the settlers and driven 
them from their homes by riotous mobs. 

Second, They have used threats of violence, 
even to the taking of life, if the occupant or 
settler persisted in defending his property, and 
thus extorted from the timid their rightful 
possessions. 

Third, they have passed or procured the pass- 
age of certain rules in the so-called Legislature 
of California, for the purpose, as their attorneys 
affirm, of protecting themselves and removing 
the settlers from the land they may occupy, 
whether right or wrong; thus settling the ques- 
tion of title in an assumed legislative body, 
which question can alone be settled by the Su- 
preme Government of the United States. 

Fourth, Under said legislative regulations, by 
them called laws, they have continually har- 
rassed the settler with suits, and in many in- 
stances" compelled him to abandon his home for 
want of the means to pay the costs of their 
courts. Many others have paid tiiese costs 
with the hope ol carrying their cause through 
these so-called courts to the proper tribunal for 
final decision, namely, the Supreme Court of 
the United States. 

But these hopes were vain; for Judge Willis, 
so-called, has decided that from bis decision 
there is no appeal. 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



And now, inasmuch as the so-called Legisla- 
ture is not recognized by Congress, and their 
rules and regulations not approved, and are 
therefore of no binding force upon the citizens 
of the United States, but simply advisory; and 
inasmuch as tiie co-called law of "Forcible 
Entry and Detainer," if passed for the purpose 
affirmed by their counsel, namely, to drive off 
settlers, with or without title, is unconstitu- 
tional, and would be in any State, the people 
in this community called settlers, and others who 
are friends of justice and humanity, in consid- 
eration of the above, have determined to disre- 
gard all decisions of our courts in land cases, 
and all summonses or executions by the sheriff, 
constable or other officer of the present county 
or city touching this matter. They will regard 
the said officers as private citizens, as in the 
eyes of the constitution they are, and hold 
them accountable accordingly. And, moreover, 
if there is no otiier appeal from Judge "Willis, 
the settlers and others, on the first show of 
violence to their persons or property, either by 
the sheriff or other person, under color of any 
execution or writ of restitution, based on any 
judgment or decree of any court in this county, 
in an action to recover possession of land, have 
deliherately resolved to appeal to arms and 
protect their sacred rights, if need be, with 
their lives. 

Should such be rendered necessary by the 
acts of the sheriff or others, the settlers will be 
governed by martial law. All property, and 
the persons of such as do not engage in the 
contest, will be sacredly regarded and protected 
by tbem, whether land-holders or otherwise, but 
the property and lives of those who take the 
field against them will share the fate of war. 

This card of the Squatters increased the ex- 
citement in the community to such an intensity 
as to make collision and blood-shed an inevita- 
ble result. It was pronounced to be a declara- 
tion of civil war, and enlisted many people 
against the Squatters who had previously favored 
them by a sort of passive approbation. 

August 11, the Squatters held a meeting 
upon the levee, which we find thus reported in 
the Transcript of the following day: 

"The meeting of the Squatters, at the foot of 
J street, on Saturday evening was largely at- 
tended. The proceedings were characterized by 
great excitement, with a mixture of mirth and 



sparkling wit, which made the meeting decid- 
edly 'rich and racy.' When we arrived Dr. 
Kobinson, chairman of the meeting, was read- 
ing a series of resolutions declarative of the 
sentiments of the Squatters. Among others 
was a resolution to resist decisions made by 
Judge Willis, of the County Court. 

"A motion was adopted that the resolutions 
be taken up separately. At this stage of the 
proceedings loud calls were made for different 
speakers — McKune, Kewen, Brannan, Barton 
Lee, McClatchy, etc. 

"Mr. McKune appeared on the stand, and 
had proceeded about three-quarters of an hour, 
in an exposition of the Sutter title and defenses 
of the Squatters, when he was interrupted by 
loud cries for 'a new speaker,' 'Brannan,' 
'Kewen,' etc. 

"The chairman at length succeeded in re- 
storing order, assuring the audience that Mr. 
Brannan should be heard when Mr. McKune 
closed. During his speech McKune made a 
statement in regard to Mr. Sutter's place of 
residence, that if he had one any more than 
another it was at Hock Farm and not at the 
fort, which was promptly pronounced as 'false', 
by Mr. Brannan. This renewed the commotion, 
and amidst a goodly sprinkling of 'noise and 
confusion' Mr. McKune retired. 

" The cries for different speakers were both 
'loud and long.' Mr. Brannan and Judge 
Wilson took the stand. The latter stated he 
had just returned to the city with a complete 
translation of the Mexican laws in relation to 
land titles, and proceeded to show that the 
Squatters were vastly mistaken in regard to one 
or two of the arguments they used in support 
of their rights and adverse to the validity of 
Captain Sutter's title. 

"Disorder again reigned supreme, until Mr. 
Brannan had gotten fully under headway. Mr. 
Brannan proceeded to show that he was justifi- 
able in pronouncing the statement made by Mr. 
McKune as being 'false, untrue.' Mr. Bran- 
nan also adverted to his agency in removing a 
Squatter from his land, ' Land that had been 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



paid for, with money lie had earned by hard 
work.' 

"Colonel E. J. C. Kewen was loudly called 
for. After considerable tumult, that gentleman 
took the stand, and was proceeding, when he 
was interrupted by cries of ' "Who's the speaker?' 
' Give us your name! ' ' My name,' said Colo- 
nel Kewen, ' is Ed Kewen, a man who is not 
afraid to face any populace, or give expression 
to the honest convictions of his heart, at any 
time, or under any circumstances.' 'Are you 
a land holder?' 'Yes, I have a few acres of 
land, which I have honestly acquired — land 
which I bought and paid for.' Colonel Kewen 
remarked that many of those who were now 
here claiming land had been deluded by de- 
signing persons — that at heart they were hon- 
est men; and alluded to the general integrity of 
the Anglo Saxon race. Whilst indulging in 
this strain, he was interrupted with cries of 
' soft soap.' ' Yes,' replied the speaker, ' I be- 
lieve there is a little too much lie in it, and I 
will forbear.' Colonel Kewen referred to the 
decision of Judge Willis, and controverted the 
position assumed by Mr. McKune. His re- 
marks were received with plaudits on one side 
and disapprobation on the other. 

" Dr. Robinson, the chairman, asked leave to 
address the meeting; at the same time James 
Queen applied for a similar favor. Mr. Queen 
was denied the privilege, whereupon he turned 
to the assemblage and put the question for per- 
mission for the chair, which was also refused. 
(Roars of laughter.) 

" Here there was a perfect ' war of words' and 
bandying of set phrases, between the Squatters 
and others. The reading of the resolutions was 
loudly called for, when Dr. Robinson proceeded 
to read the first, and then delivered a speech of 
considerable length in defense of the resolutions. 
Dr. Robinson closed with the remark, that, as 
for himself, he meant to defend the property he 
had settled upon, at all hazards." 

Madden retained possession of his premises 
for some time, being defended by members of 
the association. The house itself became a sort 



of garrison for the Squatters. In it they kept 
a variety of muskets, pistols and some very an- 
tiquated sabres and swords. The sheriff, Mc- 
Kinney, in his endeavors to execute the writ of 
restitution, discovered a number of individuals, 
whom he knew, among the party resisting his 
authority, and reported the names of James Mc- 
Clatchy, Charles Robinson and others, and war- 
rants for their arrest were issued by Justice 
Charles C. Sackett. The excitement continued 
to increase, and hasty and unwarrantable acts 
were committed on both sides for several days. 
McClatchy had in the meantime delivered him- 
self up, and was confined in jail during the sub- 
sequent conflicts. Madden was finally dispos- 
sessed of his house, but recovered it on the 14th 
of August. On the morning and through the 
day of the 14th, a crisis arrived, M'hich can be 
best appreciated by a re-poblication of the inci- 
dents as then recorded by the journals: 

From the Daily Tirnes of the 15th we quote: 
"At two o'clock a body of Squatters, number- 
ing about forty, proceeded to the foot of I street; 
on the levee, and undertook to regain possession 
of a lot of ground, which had been lately in the 
occupation of one of their party. They were 
fully armed, and a general understanding pre- 
vailed that their object included the liberation 
of the two men committed the day before to the 
prison ship, upon the charge of being concerned 
in a riotous assemblage on the morning of the 
12tl), for the purpose of forcibly resisting the 
process of law. After the displacement of some 
of the lumber upon the ground, the party of 
Squatters were deterred from proceeding further 
in their intent. The Mayor, Hardin Biglow, 
had meantime requested all good citizens to aid 
in suppressing the threatened riot, and very 
large numbers had gathered about the spot — 
several citizens armed, proceeded also to the 
prison ship — but no demonstration was made in 
that direction. 

" The Squatters retreated in martial order, and 
passed up I street to Third, thence to J and up 
to Fourth followed by a crowd of persons. They 
were here met by the mayor, who ordered them 



HISTORY OF HAOIiAMENTO COUNTY. 



tu deliver up their arras aud disperse. This 
they refused to do, and immediately several shots 
were lired at him, four of which took effect. He 
fell from his horse, and was carried to his resi- 
dence, dangerously if not mortally wounded. J. 
W. Woodland, who, unarmed, stood near the 
mayor at the time, received a shot in the groin 
which he survived but a few moments. A man, 
named Jesse Morgan, said to be from Millers- 
ville, Ohio, lately arrived, and who was seen to 
aim at the mayor, next fell dead, from the ef- 
fects of a ball which passed through his neck. 
James Harper was very severely but not danger- 
ously wounded, in supporting the sheriff. It 
is difhcult to give an exact detail of the terrible 
incidents which followed in such rapid succes- 
sion. It appeared, from an examination before 
the coroner, that the party of Squatters drew up 
in regular order, on arriving at the corner of 
Fourth street, and that the sheriff was several 
times fired upon before he displayed any weap- 
ons. Testimony was also given as to the per- 
son who was seen to fire upon Woodland. The 
mounted leader of the- Squatters, an Irishman 
by the name of Maloney, had his horse shot 
under him; he endeavored to escape, was pur- 
sued a short distance up an alley and shot 
througii the head, falling dead. Dr. Robinson, 
one of the armed party under his command, was 
wounded in the lower part of his body. Mr. 
Hale, of the firm of Crowell, Hale & Co., was 
slightly wounded in the leg, A young boy, 
son of Mr. Rogers, was also wounded. We 
have heard of several others, but are not assured 
of the correctness of the reports. Upon oath of 
several gentlemen, that they saw Dr. Robinson 
deliberately aim at the mayor, he was arrested 
and placed in confinement. An Irishman, named 
Henry A. Caulfield, accused of a similar act 
with regard to both the mayor and Woodland, 
was arrested late in the afternoon. [A sketch of 
Caulfield is given at the close of this chapter.] 
" After these terrible scenes, which occupied 
less time than we have employed to describe 
them, liad passed, a meeting of the council was 
held, the citizens gathered at the corner of 



Second and J streets, and other places through- 
out the city, and proceeded to organize in parties 
to prevent further outrage. A body of mounted 
men under the command of the sheriff, hearing 
the report that the Squatters were reinforcing 
at the fort, proceeded thither. The lawless mob 
was nowhere to be found; scouts were dispatched 
in all directions, but no trace of them could be 
discovered; meanwhile several other parties had 
formed into rank, and proceeded to different 
parts of the city, establishing rendezvous at 
various points. Brigadier-General A. M. Winn 
issued a proclamation, declaring the city under 
martial law, and ordering all law-abiding citizens 
to form themselves into volunteer companies, 
and report their organization at headquarters as 
soon as possible. At evening, quiet was fully 
restored throughout the city. Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor McDougal, who left upon the Senator, and 
expects to meet the Gold Hunter, will bring 
up this morning a detachment of troops from 
Benicia. An extraordinary police force of 500 
was summoned for duty during tlie night." 

By the minutes of the council, we find that 
B. F. Washington was appointed marshal, and 
Captain J. Sherwood, assistant, to whom all per- 
sons desirous of making arrests were requested 
to apply for authority and aid. 

From the Placer Times E.ttra of the loth of 
August, the following few paragraphs are taken, 
as also a copy of the letter found in Dr. Robin- 
son's te it: 

"The night passed without the least disturb- 
ance. The companies of Captain Sherwood and 
Major Snyder, and the artillery under Major 
Fowler, were constantly on duty; also a police 
force of about 200. The greatest vigilance was 
observed, but no farther arrests were made, and 
quiet seems to be fully restored throughout the 
city. The public mind is composed, but reso- 
lute and fairly determined that the work shall 
be well done now. The few persons who were 
heard to promulgate opinions opposed to the 
action which the authorities have pursued, have 
prudently desisted from their course, and but 
one sentiment is known at this time among the 



HI STORY OF SACHAMENTO COUNTT. 



entire community. The Squatters have success- 
fully concealed themselves or fled. A proposi- 
tion is very generally supported to give notice 
to all occupying city property as Squatters to 
leave forthwith, and that their tenements be de- 
molished, and all vestiges of their presence be 
removed. An early action in this direction will 
probably ensue. The most important develop- 
ment of the day is the letter found in the tent 
of Dr. liobinson, which is in his own hand 
■writing, as can be fnlly proved. It is a damn- 
ing evidence of the plans and purposes whicb 
governed the proceedings of tlie lawless mob of 
the 13tli. We have no expression for the 
enormity of guilt which is thus brought home 
to them and all that abetted their cause. 

" Lieutenant-Governor McDougal returned 
from Benica on the Gold Hunter this morning, 
bringing fifty stand of arms and 1,500 cartiidges. 

•' The arrangements for the funeral of J. W. 
Woodland are completed. 

" A general expression of admiration is awarded 
to the conduct of the sheriff, Joseph McKinney. 
Under the most critical circumstances, bravery 
and discretion have united to commend his every 
action. He has been placed in positions de- 
manding the exercise of the most exalted cour- 
age, and in the midst of the most intense excite- 
ment which surrounded him his perfect coolness 
and composure did not desert him. To these 
attributes, as well as the fortune which favors 
the brave, is the preservation of his life owing; 
and our community may rejoice that such a 
well-tried public officer continues to hold au- 
thority among them. He was, during the 7nelee 
the mark of many shots, but his vigilance and 
a kind Providence protected him. 

" AVe would allude in the same connection 
to the intrepid valor of Recorder Washington, 
upon whom the highest civic powers of com- 
mand have devolved by the action of the 
council, with the enthusiastic and \inanimous 
approbation of the entire community. 

" Sheriff McKinney, on returning from the 
fort yesterday, entered the house of the sur- 
veyor of the Settlers' Association, and took 



possession of all records, documents, etc., found 
therein." 

Following is a copy of the letter found in Dr. 
Robinson's tent: 

"August 12, 1850.— Although I have writ- 
ten one letter, yet, as I have been called upon 
by circumstances to remain in town, and as I 
have a little leisure, I will talk with you a little, 
my ever dear S. Since writing you, we have 
seen much and experienced much of a serious 
and important character, as well as much excite- 
ment. The county judge, before whom our cases 
were brought, decided against us, and on Satur- 
day morning declared that from his decisions 
there should be no appeal. The Squatters im 
mediately collected on the ground in dispute, and 
posted on large bills the following: ' Outrage! ! ! 
Shall Judge Willis be dictator? Squatters, and 
all other republicans, are invited to meet on 
the levee this evening, to hear the details.' It 
was responded to by both parties, and the 
speculators, as aforetime, attempted to talk 
against time, etc. On the passage of a series 
of resolutions presented by your humble servant, 
there w^ere about three ayes to one nay, although 
the Transcript said they were about equal. Sun- 
day morning I drew up a manifesto, carried it 
with me to thechurch, paid onedollarfor preach- 
ing, helped them sing, showed it to a lawyer, 
to see if my position was correct, legally, and pi'o- 
cured the printing of it in handbills and in the 
paper, after presenting it to a private meeting 
of citizens for their approval, which I addressed 
at some length. After a long talk for the pur- 
pose of consoling a gentleman just in from the 
plains, and who the day before had buried his 
wife whom he loved most tenderly, and a few days 
previous to that had lost his son, 1 threw my- 
self upon my blankets and ' seriously thought of 
the morrow.' 

" What will be the result? Shall I be borne 
out in my position? On whom can I depend? 
How many of those who are Squatters will come 
out if there is a prospect of a tight? Will 
the sheriff take possession, as he has jjromised, 
befoi-e 10 o'clock a. m? How many speculators 



IirsTOHY OF .SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



will fight? Have I distinctly detined our posi- 
tion in the bill? AVill the world, the universe 
!ind God say it is just? — etc., etc., etc., Will 
you call me rash if I tell you that I took these 
steps to this point when I could get hut twenty- 
five itien to pledge themselves on paper to sus- 
tain me, and many of them, I felt, were timid? 
Such was tiie case. 

" Tills morning I was early on my feet, silently 
and quietly visiting my friends, collecting arms, 
etc. Our manifesto appeared in the paper and 
in bills early, and the wiiole town is aroused. 
Nothing is thought or talked of but war. About 
200 men assembled on the disputed territory, 
and most of them sympathized with us. A 
few, however, were spies. We chose our com- 
mander, and enrolled such as were willing to lay 
down their lives, if need be, in the cause. About 
fifty names could be obtained. I managed by 
speeches, business, etc., to keep the spectators 
and fightt'rs mingled in the mass, all unarmed, 
so as to let no one know but all were men of 
valor, and ready to fight. While thus engaged, 
the mayor appeared and addressed us from his 
saddle — -not ordering us to disperse, but advis- 
ing us to do so. 1 replied, most respectfully, 
that we were assembled to injure no one, and to 
assail no one who left us alone. We were on 
our own property, with no hostile intentions 
while unmolested. After he left I, with others, 
was appointed a committee to wait upon him at 
his office, and state distinctly our position, etc., 
so that there could be no possibility of mistake. 
He said he should use iiis influence, as an indi- 
vidual, to keep anyone from destroying our 
property, and told us the sheriff" had just told 
him that the executions from the court had been 
postponed. We returned, and after reporting, 
and making some fyrtiier arrangements for an- 
other meeting, if necessary, we adjourned. I 
told the mayor we should remain together if no 
attempt was to be made to execute their war- 
rants, but I told iiim if in the meantime a sheriff' 
or any other jierson molested a Squatter, we 
should hold him responsible according to our 
proclamation. From this position we could not 



be driven, althougii we knew it was in violation 
of the regulations of the State. We were pre- 
pared to abide the result. 

"It is said tliat a writ is madi^ out for my ar- 
rest, as a rebel, etc. If so, it will not probably 
be served at present." 

From the IJaUy Times of the Kith, the fol- 
lowing paragraphs are taken: 

"Another day of gloom arrives in the dread 
succession which we are compelled to record. 
Scarcely had the funeral rites been rendered to 
one victim, ere a second is immolated upon the 
sacred altar of duty. The sherift'of this county, 
Joseph McKinney, was killed last evening. Ho 
had proceeded to Brighton in company with a 
party of about twenty, to make arrests of per- 
sons whom he had been advised w-ere concerned 
in the riotous outrages of the 14th. On reach- 
ing Pavilion, and being assured that the parlies 
sought for were at the hotel of one Allen in the 
neighborhood, it was arranged tiiat Mr. J\Ic- 
Dowell, of Mormon Island, well known at the 
house, should proceed there, make observations 
and return. They did not wait for him, how- 
ever, but soon after rode up to the door, when 
the sheriff" demanded of Allen that he and the 
others should surrender themselves. They re- 
fused to do this, and immediately several shots 
were fired, mortally wounding Mr. McKinney. 
lie expired in a few nioinents. Meanwhile, 
several of those with him liiid entered the bar- 
room, where about a dozen Squatters were as- 
sembled. Three of the latter were killed on the 
spot. Allen escaped, though wounded. Three 
prisoners were taken and brought into town. 
We have heard that a f"ourth and a negro Squat- 
ter were also taken. 

" At the time the first report of these pro- 
ceedings reached the city, the council was in 
session. Messrs. Tweed and Spaulding were ap- 
pointed to unite with Captain Sherwood in 
taking measures to meet the emergency. Num- 
bers of the citizens left immediately for the 
scene of disturbance. The greatest commotion 
pervaded the city, and the most contradictory 
and exaii'irerated I'umors were circulated. It was 



HI STOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



31 



feared that in the excitement tlie protection of 
the city would be neglected. In the course of 
a few hours the facts became known, and quiet 
was restored. Messengers continued to arrive 
throughout the night. A strict patrol was kept- 
in the vicinity of Brighton and of the city. A 
man was arrested by Captain Sherwood, being 
identified by two or three persons as implicated 
in the riot of the 14th. We are denied room 
for comment. But a few hours ago, we had the 
satisfaction to give a just tribute of appreciation 
to the gallant conduct of the otticer whose sac- 
rifice we now relate. Every member in our 
community feels in his own person the enormity 
of the crime which has been committed against 
all the social and political rights prized by our 
countrymen. A similar outrage is almost un- 
precedented in the history of the American peo- 
ple, and every interest of this community de- 
mands that the retribution should be summary 
and complete." 

The following is the dispatch sent to General 
A. M. "Winn, by Governor Burnett, when he 
heard of the troubles at Sacramento: 

San Jose, Aug. 15, 1850. 
To Brig. Gen. A. If. Wmn, Second Brigade, 
First Division, California Militia: 
Sir: It having been made to appear to me 
that there is a riotous and nnlawful assembly, 
with intent to commit a felony at Sacramento 
City, in Sacramento County, yo>i will forthwith 
order out the whole of your command, to appear 
at Sacramento City on the 16th day of August, 
1850, or as soon thereafter as practicable; and 
you will take command of the same, and give 
all the aid in your power lo the civil authorities, 
in suppressing violence and enforcing the laws. 
Should the force ordered out not be sufficient, 
you will forthwith iLform me accordingly. 
Your obedient servant, 

Peter II. Burnett, 
Governor of California and ComW-in-Chief. 

On the morning of the 16th, two military 
corapanies arrived by the steamer Senator, from 
San Francisco, under command of Captains 
Howard and McCormick, accompanied by Colo- 
nel J. W. Geary, Mayor of San Francisco, and 
afterward Governor of Pennsylvania, and they 



placed themselves under command of General 
Winn, who transmitted to the Common Council 
the following letter: 

Bku^ai.k Ili;,\iK,rAi;TEE9, Ang. 17,1850. 
To til, .\<-liinj Miii/nr ,ind CoriDiwib Council of 
Sarr.imintoCdy: 
I have the honor to inform you that the Sec- 
ond Brigade, First Division, California Militia, 
is now in readiness to give aid to the civil au- 
thorities in suppressing violence and enforcing 
law. Any orders emanating from your board 
shall be promptly attended to. 

With high respect, I subscribe myself your 
obedient servant, 

A. M. Winn, Bi'ig. Gen. 

By E. J. C. Kewen, 
Asst. Adj. Gen., Second Brig., First Div., 
Cat. Militia.. 

The Council then made the following I'cply : 
Council Chamukr, Sacramento City, 
August 17, 1850. 

Sir: Your communication of this ilaU^ is re- 
ceived, notifying me of the readiiirss i.if tlic Sec- 
ond Brigade, First Division, California Militia, 
under your command, to aid the civil authori- 
ties in suppressing violence and enforcing law, 
and stating that any orders emanating from this 
board shall be promptly attended to. In reply, 
I would state that immediately after the unex- 
pected riot of the 14th inst. a police force of 
500 men was authorized to be raised, and B. F. 
Washington, Es(j., appointed as marshal to take 
command, aided b}' Ca])tain J. Sherwood. Thus 
far this force has proven itself capable of sus- 
taining our laws and protecting the property of 
onr citizens without resort to military aid; and 
from all the information which we now possess 
there is no great probability of such aid being 
needed. Should any emergency arise requiring 
it, rest assured we shall avail ourselves of your 
kind offer. 

By order of the board, 

D. Strong, 
Pres. Common Council and Acting Mayor. 

Two days afterward the mayor issued the 
following proclamation: 

Fellow Citizens: Peace, order and (juiet- 
ness have re-assumed their sway. Scouts have 
returned, after scouring the neighborhood, and 
report the absence of any appearance of hostili- 
ties. A heavy guard is constantly maintained. 



HISTORY OF SAURAMENFO GOUNTT. 



and the city is safe from aii attack. Reliable 
information has been received from the mines, 
assuring us of the falsity of the rumors of as- 
semblages to resist the law. An observance of 
the ordinance against discharging fire-arms in 
the city is commanded. Especially is it neces- 
sary at this time, after nightfall. Officers on 
duty will attend to this. No farther disturb- 
ance is apprehended, but our vigilance must not 
be relaxed. 

D. Strong, 
Pres. Common Council and Aciing 31a yor. 
August 19, 1850. 

Under the heading " Restoring of quiet,'' the 
TTanscript of August 19 had the following: 

" AYe are happy to see at last the dawning of a 
calmer state of things in our midst. Under the 
circumstances, the excitement of the past few 
days was perhaps unavoidable. It is a terrible 
step for men to take, to rise in armed opposi- 
tion to the laws and constitution of the State 
in which they reside; but when such a step is 
taken, it must be promptly met. Our citizens 
have aroused with determination; they have 
rushed in multitudes to the side of law and 
authority. The blow has been struck. The 
armed opposition has been crushed. The riot- 
ers are scattered, and the authority of our Gov- 
ernment is still maintained. In addition two 
telling moral blows have been struck whose 
effect will last long in our community. We 
allude to the funerals of Mr. Woodland and of 
Mr. McKinney. It almost seemed as if the en- 
tire city rose to perform over them the last 
duties which were left to be performed. 

" At present all is quiet in our midst; and we 
trust that until there is need of further excite- 
ment, our fellow citizens will do what lies in 
their power to allay the turmoil which has jos- 
tled our city from its course of prosperity. The 
remote evils resulting from such an excitement 
as we have passed through are much to be de- 
plored, and should be avoided if it is within the 
range of possibility. The utter stagnation of all 
business, the cessation of works of public im- 
provement, the stop placed upon private works 
of enterprise, the forgetfulness of the thousand 
and one subjects which should demand the im- 



mediate attention of the public, — these all call 
upon us to allay the excitement no longer called 
for, and to resume our former condition of 
quiet." 

The death of Woodland was tlie result of an 
exposure that was prompted by one of the no- 
blest impulses of the human heart. He was 
walking up the street, and near the corner of 
Fourth and J, in company with a friend, when the 
Squatters ranged themselves diagonally across 
Fourth and J, with their guns presented toward 
the approaching mayor and his party. The 
moment he saw the menacing attitude of these 
men he exclaimed to his friend, "Oh! it's too 



bad for these men to take such a stand, for tl: 



•^y 



will certainly be shot down; I will go up and 
advise them." In an attempt to execute this 
intention he went forward a couple of steps when 
he received a ball that killed him almost in- 
stantly. 

After Mayor Biglow had been disabled by 
his wounds received on the 14th, Demas Strong, 
now of New York City, became tlie acting 
mayor for the balance of the term. 

After the riot, Squatterism seetueJ for a time 
totally dead so far as concerned city property. 

A prominent citizen who lived here at the 
time of the riot furnishes the following ac- 
count of the death of Sheriff McKinney: 

"At the conclusion of the funeral ceremonies 
of Woodland, the sun hung low and red in the 
haze of the western horizon, and as the people 
were returning in irregular masses to the city, 
a squad of about forty mounted men, led by 
Sheriff* McKinney, were observed to tile out 
upon the plain, at a leisurely pace, in a north- 
easterly direction toward Brighton. To those 
who had the curiosity to inquire, it was whis- 
pered that the sheriff had intelligence of a 
meeting, in secret conclave that evening, of the 
band of Squatters who had been engaged in the 
fight the day before, in which Woodland had 
cost his life. 

"As the sheriff hoped to surprise his enemy, 
he proceeded slowly so as to time his arrival at 
the scene of action after dark. He reached the 



HISTOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



< Pavilion,' a large house of public resort on the 
main road about a mile short of the house 
where he supposed the party he sought would 
be congregated, and there rested to consult 
upon a plan of action and gain further intelli- 
gence. The sequel shows that his information 
was of a very uncertain sort. About a mile 
beyond the Pavilion was a small roadside inn, 
kept by one who was familiarly known as 'old 
man Allen,' and who was supposed to be one of 
the armed band, and this place was thought to 
be the rendezvous of the scattered Squatter 
leaders. 

" Among the sheriff's party was David Mc- 
Dowell, who had a trading post at McDowell 
Hill, a short distance above Mormon Island, 
and who was a frequent traveler on the road, 
and knew Allen and his house. McDowell 
volunteered to go up the road, make an appar- 
ently casual call at Allen's, reconnoitre the po- 
sition, and return in as short a time as possible. 
It was so arranged, and- it was understood that 
the sheriff should not leave the Pavilion until 
McDowell returned. The latter, taking with 
him Country McCloskey — at that time a well- 
known e.K-hero of the prize ring, but yet little per- 
sonally known in Sacramento — proceeded upon 
what his nervous companions thought a perilous 
undertaking. McDowell, however, had no fears; 
and if the agreement upon which he relied — 
that the sheriff should await his return — had 
been observed, the catastrophe which followed 
would have been avoided. McDowell and his 
companion tied their horses at Allen's door and 
entered the little bar-room of the house. They 
found Allen and two or three strangers there, 
bnt saw nothing unusual. A few guns stood in 
a corner. The strangers appeared like innocent 
travelers. A friendly conversation ensued, as 
well as a couple of drinks at the bar. The sub- 
ject of the Sacramento riot was not touched by 
either party. McDowell learned that Allen's 
wife was lying very ill of typhoid fever in an 
adjoining room. AVishing not to appear in too 
much haste nor to e.xcite Allen's suspicion as 
to the object of their call, the visitors, after 



some delay, were on the point of departing 
when the alert ear of McDowell caught the 
sound of rapidly approaching horses, and di- 
vined the truth. The impetuous and impa- 
tient young sheriff was thundering up the 
road. The minutes of McDowell's absence had 
seemed like hours, and he feared for the safety 
of his friend. McDowell and his companion 
hastened to their horses; and as the former was 
swinging into his saddle, and before his seat 
was secured, the sheriff, with five or six of 
his party (the others remaining behind at 
the Pavilion), came upon him in the dark, and 
with a cloud of dust which rendered every- 
thing invisible, with such sudden force as to 
overthrow him and his steed. It was but the 
work of an instant for the sheriff to dismount, 
announce himself at the door, and demand en- 
trance. At the same moment the lights in the 
bar-room were e.xtinguished, and Allen opened 
the door and discharged the contents of a rifle 
full in the bosom of the sheriff. Allen and 
others in the house continued firing, and several 
of the sherift''s party rushed in and fought an 
unknown enemy in the dark. 

"The result was terrible. McKinney was 
instantly killed ; another of the party was shot 
through the arm and fainted from loss of blood. 
Two men were killed in the bar-room; Allen 
was severely wounded and escaped in the dark- 
ness; Mrs. Allen died before morning. It is 
quite certain this lady's death was not caused 
or hastened by the sad events with which her 
last hours were attended; but it could not fail, 
under such circumstances, to be counted in the 
catalogue of that night's fearful tragedy. Dr. 
Wake Brierly, one of the sheriff's party, saw 
the patient as soon as lights were restored, and 
found her wholly unconscious and in the last 
hopeless condition of typhoid fever. 

"Thus perished the first executive officer of 
Sacramento County, in attempting to execute 
warrants placed in his hands for the arrest of 
Allen and others, charged with the violation of 
the law. He was only twenty-one years of 
age, and of quite youthful appearance. His 



i/isrour OF saorambnto county. 



ardor to discharge promptly his duty led liiin 
into an erior of judgment — an error into which 
the same causes might have led a cooler and 
more experienced man, and which was the im- 
mediate cause of a iatal issue. Tlie town had 
been terrorized by tlie 0]ien defiance of the 
Squatters, und the young sheriff probably felt 
tliat any over-cautions conduct, or any apparent 
reluctance on liis part, might be taken by the 
public as an indication of a want of courage. 

"Allen made his way to • Ilangtown,' as 
Placerville was then known, and there, among 
the miners, related the story of his wrongs 
witli such effect that it was feared, both in Sac- 
ramento and San Francisco, that there was 
danger that he would appear at the head of a 
sufficient force and take vengeance upon the 
people of Sacramento. The Squatters were en- 
couraged, and it was thought they were secretly 
organizing and expecting aid from the miners, 
whom the excited Sacramentans imagined would 
be led by Allen against them. The wildest rumors 
prevailed. The people armed and formed a mil- 
itary guard. The city of San Francisco sent 
Mayor Geary with two military companies, one 
in command of Captain W. D. M. Howard, and 
the other in the command of Captain McCor- 
niick, to aid in the defense of the city." 

Ben McCuIloch, the successor to the murdered 
McKinney, in the office of the sheriffalty, after- 
ward became a man of considerable note. He 
was born in Eutherford County, Tennessee, in 
1814; as he grew to manhood he evinced a great 
fondness for hunting and adventure, and desired 
to accompany exploring and trapping expedi- 
tions to the mountainous regions of the West; 
but, failing to find such an opportunity, he went 
with David Crockett to Texas, to take part in the 
Revolution. Sickness prevented him from par- 
ticipation in the earlier engagements, but in 
1836 he joined the Texan Army under General 
Sam Houston, and was assigned to the artillery. 
He served gallantly at the battle of San Ja- 
cinto, and afterward was employed on the front- 
ier, surveying and locating lands in Texas. 
Upon the breaking out of the Mexican War, he 



raised a company of Texan " Rangers," which 
was accepted by General Taylor, won great honor 
at the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista, 
and rendered gallant service in the taking of 
the city of Mexico. He was appointed United 
States Marshal of Texas by President Pierce. 
In 1857 he was appointed, in conjunction witli 
ex-Governor Powell, a commissioner to Utah. 
At the time of the inauguration of President 
Lincoln, he was in Washington, it was believed, 
making arrangements, at the head of a body of 
secessionists, to take possession of the city; but, 
owing to the precautions of General Scott, the 
idea was abandoned. He was subsequently 
made Brigadier-General in the Confederate 
Army and assigned the command of the Arkan- 
sas forces. In June, 1861, he issued a procla- 
mation to the people of that State to assemble 
at Fayetteville to defend the State against inva- 
sion from Missouri. He commanded at the bat- 
tle of Wilson's Creek, where General Nathaniel 
Lyon was killed; and, it was said, having some 
misunderstanding with General Sterling Price, 
he surrendered the command to him. At the 
battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, he led a corps 
of troops from that State and from Louisiana 
and Texas, and fell on the second day of the en- 
gagement, March 7, 1862. 

Henry A. Caulfield was born in Ireland, in 
1827, and early in life came to the United 
States. In 1844: he was a member of the Em- 
met Guards at Albany, New York, and during 
the anti-rent troubles in that State his company 
was ordered to Columbia County to assist the 
authorities in suppressing the anti-renters, who 
had committed various outrages, killing an un- 
der-sheriff, tarring and feathering several other 
officers, etc. 

He arrived in California in 1849, via Cape 
Horn, and settled in Sacramento, where for a 
time he was a carpenter and joiner, and was act- 
ive in Democratic politics. Fleeing with others 
at the time of the riot just described, he was 
arrested by John G. Cleal somewhere between 
this city and Brighton and brought back to the 
city strapped on the back of a horse and lodged 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



on boarJ the prison brig. Tiie next Grand Jury 
indicted liini and several others for murder and 
conspiracy to murder. A nolle prosequi was 
subsequently entered, as Governor McDougal 
had declared that he would pardon them if con- 
victed. After his release Caulfield was active in 
the Squatter troubles that followed. 

About 1851 he settled on a farm on the mound 
north of the American River, about half a mile 
above its mouth, and lived there until the flood 
of 1852, when he sold the place to Patrick IJan- 
non, and removed to a ranch south of the II 
street levee, out of which arose most of his 
subsequent troubles. 

June 19, 1851, he had a disagreement with 
George Wilson, a justice of the peace and an 
associate judge of the Court of Sessions. Wil- 
son had made some oifensive remark about an 
attorney, and on the day mentioned the attorney 
came into the court-room and demanded that 
Wilson retract, which the latter declined to do. 
The attorney struck at him and the next instant 
received a stab from the sword which Wilson drew 
from his cane. Caulfield entjred the room at 
this juncture and with his revolver fired several 
sliots at Wilson, without hitting him. Wilson 
then seized Caulfield around the neck, with his 
head in front of him, presented a large revol- 
ver at his head, and was on the point of sending 
a bullet through his brain when R. P. Jacobs, 
a policeman, rushed in and saved Caulfield's lii'e. 

At another time Caulfield had a difiiculty 
with Thomas O. Shelby over land matters; and 
a? he was coming out of the hall of Reed's 
building at Third and J streets, Shelby shot 
him several times, wounding him dangerously; 
half of the bullets were not extracted. On that 
occasion Caulfield was unarmed, and the assault 



was unprovoked on his part. While he was 
lying at death's door a priest called to see him, 
saying, " I am told you have been a very bad 
man." "It's a doni lie, and you are no doi;tor; 
git out of here! " 

About 1856, Caulfield had a difficulty with a 
uuxn named Miller, about i)olitics and some 
mules. Being in Miller's house, on the second 
floor, at night he attempted to strike Miller 
with a flat-iron during a quarrel, when Miller 
seized a heavy cane and broke it in pieces by 
repeated blows upon Caulfield's head, Caul- 
field was forced partly out of the window, when 
Mrs. Miller interfered, and Miller let go, and 
Caulfield fell to the ground. Miller sent word 
to the coroner that he had killed Caulfield. The 
sherift" and coroner went out with the dead-wagon 
for the remains, which, however, they found 
had recovered sufficiently to walk to the county 
hospital. 

On another occasion, about 1856, he was 
stabbed severely by Frank Nolan on Front street. 
So severely was he hurt this time that for several 
days he breathed through the knife holes in his 
back! During the encounter, Caulfield caught 
the blade of the knife and wrenched the instru- 
ment from Nolan's grasp, which of course cut 
his hand fearfully. August 15, 1878, Caulfield 
shot William G. Englisli on a disputed lot south 
of R street, causing his death two days later. 
For this he was sent to State prison for six years. 

Besides the foregoing, Caulfield was involved 
in many other ugly scrapes, nearly killing some 
one or being killed himself; but finally, on July 
2, 1888, as the evening train from Folsom was 
approaching Fourth street, it struck him with a 
death blow. It seems that he did not notice 
the " familiar alarm " 'of the whistle. 



lllHTOItr OF SACJtAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTER VI T. 



fR. JOHN F. MORSE, in liis "History of 
Sacrainento," published in 1853, makes 
this allusion to what was probably the tirst 
election held in Sacramento District: "In the 
fall of 1848 an election was held at the fort 
(Sutter's) for first and second alcaldes, and re- 
sulted in tiie selection of Frank Bates and John 
S. Fowler. Fowler resigned in the spring fol- 
lowing, and II. A. Schoolcraft was elected to 
fill the vacancy. In the spring of 1849, Bran- 
nan, Snyder, Slater, Ilensley, Iving, Cheever, 
McCarver, McDoiigall, Barton Lee, Slater, Br. 
Carpenter, Southard and Fowler were elected a 
Board of Commissioners to frame a code of laws 
for the district. I'ursiiant to the wish of this 
legislating committee, the people convened to- 
gether under a broad-spreading oak at, the foot 
of I street. The report, which was then otK- 
cially submitted and which was duly accepted by 
the sovereigns assembled, provided tlie following 
officers of a jurisdiction extending from the 
Coast Range to the Sierra Nevada, and through- 
out the length of the Sacramento Valley, to-wit: 
One alcalde and a sheriif. II. A. Schoolcraft 
was then elected alcalde and A'. M. Turner, 
sheriff. This constituted the judiciary of North- 
ern California up to the time that those changes 
took place in very rapid succession after the 
immigration of 1849 began to concentrate at 
Sacramento." 



In 1S71 a history of Sacramento was pub- 
lished in Crocker's Directory, written by D. J. 
Thomas, and we make the following extract 
from it, which in part relates to the same event 
that Morse alluded to: 

"The first attempt to establish a civil govern- 
ment under American ideas of government was 
made on April 30, 1849, when a mass meeting 
of the then residents of Sacramento City and 
other portions of Sacramento District was held 
at the Embarcadero to devise a means for the 
government of the city and district. At this 
meeting Henry A. Schoolcraft presided, Peter 
Slater was Vice-President and James King of 
William and E. J. Brooks, Secretaries. Samuel 
Brannan explained the object of the meeting, 
and it was resolved that a Legislature of eleven 
members should be elected, 'with full powers to 
enact laws for the government of the city and 
district.' It was also determined to hold the 
election forthwith, and Henry Bates, M. D., 
M. T. McClellan, Mark Stewart, Ed. II. Von 
Plister and Eugene F. Gillespie were appointed 
judges. The vote resulted in the election of 
John McDougall, Peter Slater, Barton Lee, John 
S. Fowler, j'. S. Robb, Wm. Pettit, Wm. M. 
Carpenter, M. D., Chas. G. Southard, M. M. 
McCarver, James King of William and Samuel 
Brannan, but upon the announcement of the re- 
sult Robl) declined to accept, and Henry Cheever 



HISTORY OF SAGBAMENTO COUNTY. 



37 



was chosen to fill the vacancy. [Whether the 
list given by Morse or this one is correct we 
cannot decide.] The eleven were immediately 
sworn in, and some time afterward adopted a 
code that no laws were wanted and that all the 
officers necessary for ' the District of Sacra- 
mento, bounded on the north and west by the 
Sacramento River, on the east by the Sierra 
Nevadas, and on the south by the Cosiimnes 
Iliver, were one alcalde and one sheriff. They 
then submitted the code to the people for adop- 
tion or rejection, and asked them at the same 
time to vote for officers. The code was adopted. 

" Nothinu; further toward forming a local gov- 
ernment was attempted until after the proclama- 
tion of General Riley (the military Governor) 
was issued at Monterey on June 3. In fact 
nothing seemed nee 'ssary, if theft was, by com- 
mon consent, punished, as the Times says, ' by 
giving the offender thirty or forty rawhide lashes, 
and then ordering him ofl", not to return under 
penalty of death.' " 

General B. Riley, the military Governor of 
California, issued a proclamation for an election 
to be held August 1, 1849, to elect delegates to 
a general convention and for filling several nec- 
essary offices. On July 5, a meeting was held 
and a committee was appointed to organize the 
district into precincts, apportion the representa- 
tion, and nominate the candidates to be voted 
for. The committee consisted of P. B. Corn- 
wall, C. E. Pickett, Wm. M. Carpenter, Samuel 
Brannan, John McDougall, W. Blackburn, J. 
S. Robb, Samuel J. Hensley, Mark Stewart, M. 
M. McCarver, John S. Fowler and A. M. Winn. 
On the 14th the committee reported, recom- 
mending the places for polls, etc. At the elec- 
tion that followed the vote was as follows: For 
delegates to the Constitutional Convention: 
Jacob R. Snyder, 469; John A. Sutter, 468; 
John Bidwell, 462; W. E. Shannon, 458; L. 
W. Hastings, 450; W. S. Sherwood, 446; M. 
M. McCarver, 290; John S. B^owler, 289; John 
McDougall, 281; Chas. E. Pickett, 193; W. 
P,lackburn, 192; E. O. Crosby, 189; R. M. 
Jones, 179; W. Lacey, 123; James Queen, 130. 



For local offices — Wm. Stout, Henry E. Robin- 
son, P. B. Cornwall, Eugene F. Gillespie, T. L. 
Chapman, Berryman Jennings, John P. Rodg- 
ers, A. M. Winn and M. T. McClellan were 
elected a City Council without opposition, and 
by an average vote of 424. J as. S. Thomas was 
elected First Magistrate by 393 votes, against 
twenty-two for S. S. White, and live for J. S. 
Fowler. J. C. Zabriskie was elected Second 
Magistrate; H. A. Schoolcraft, Recorder; and 
D. B. Hanner, Sherifi". 

Under the call for the C-onstitutional Conven- 
tion, the district was entitled to but four dele- 
gates, and J. R. Snyder, W. E. Shannon, W. S. 
Sherwood and J. A. Sutter were the representa- 
tives, but afterward the representation was in- 
creased to fifteen, and in addition to the original 
four, the following were appointed: L. W. Hast- 
ings, John Bidwell, John 8. Fowler, M. M. Mc- 
Carver, John McDougall, E. O. Crosby, W. 
Blackburn, James Queen, R. M. Jones, W. Lacey 
and C. E. Pickett. 

In October the convention adjourned, and an 
election was called for Tuesday, November 18, 
1849, to vote on the constitution, for State offi- 
cers, and for representatives in the Legislature. 
At that election the vote of Sacramento District 
stood as follows: For the Constitution, 4,317; 
against it, 643. For Governor — P. II. Burnett, 
2,409; J. A. Sutter, 856; Thomas McDowell, 
87; W. S. Sherwood, 1,929; William M. Stew- 
art, 448. For State Senators — John Bidwell, 
3,474; Thomas J. Green, 2,516; Elisha O. 
Crosby, 2,610; Henry E. Robinson, 2,328; 
Murray Morrison, 2,171; Hardin Biglow, 1,407; 
Gilbert A. Grant, 1,687; Charles E. Pickett, 
905. The first four were elected. 

The county was formally organized when the 
Legislature passed " an act subdividing the State 
into counties and establishing the seats of jus- 
tice therein," February 18, 1850, and Section 
17 of it defined the boundaries of Sacramento 
County as follows: •' Beginning at a point ten 
miles due north of the mouth of the American 
River, and running thence in an easterly direc- 
tion to the junction of t!ie north and soutli forks 



HISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of said river; thence up the middle of the prin 
cipal channel of the south fork to a point one 
mile above the head of Alonnon Island, so as to 
include said island in Sacramento County; thence 
in a southerly direction to a point on the Co- 
sumnes River eight miles above the house of 
William .Daylor; thence due south to Dry Creek; 
thence down the middle of said creek to its 
entrance into the Moquelumne Eiver, or into a 
large slough in the tule marsh; thence down 
the middle of said slough to its junction with 
the San Joaquin lliver; thence down the mid- 
dle of said river to the mouth of the Sacra- 
mento River, at the head of Suisun Bay; thence 
up the middle of the Sacramento to the mouth 
of Merritt's Slough; thence up the middle of 
said slough to its head; tlience up the middle 
of the Sacramento River to a point due west of 
the place of beginning, and tlience east to the 
place of beginning. The seat of justice shall 
be at Sacramento City. 

The first election law appointed tlie first 
Monday in October the day for holding the 
election for State oiiicers, and denominated that 
the general election. The first Monday in April 
was designated as the day for the election of 
county officers and was called the county elec- 
tion. The Legislature of 1851 repealed the 
clause relating to the county election and pro- 
vided that it should be held the same time with 
the State election, and the time for holding 
the general election was changed from the first 
Monday in October to the firs-t Wednesday in 
September, and it has since remained that way. 
The terms of the county officers commenced 
originally on the first Monday in May, 1850, but 
the Legislature of 1851 changed it so that the 
term commenced on the first Monday in Oc- 
tober following the election. In 1863 the 
Legislature changed the law again so that the 
official terms comtnenced on the first Monday 
in March following the election, and it remains 
so now. 

These were the first county officers, and they 
were elected April 1, 1850, to serve from April, 
1850, to April, 1852; County Judge, E. J. 



"Willis; SheriflP, Joseph McKinney; Clerk, Pres- 
ley Dunlap; Recorder, L. A. Birdsall; District 
Attorney, William C. Wallace; County Attor- 
ney, John H. McKune; Treasurer, Wm. Glas- 
kin; Assessor, David AV. Thorpe; Surveyor, J. 
G. Cleal; Coroner, P. F. Ewer. J. S. Thomas 
was elected District Judge by the Legislature 
of 1849-'50, and he resigned January 1, 1851. 
Tod Robinson, lately deceased, was appointed 
January 2, 1851, and served till the first part 
of August, when Ferris Forman, who was Sec- 
retary of State during the administration of 
John P. Weller, succeeded him on the 14th of 
August, 1851, and presided one month. On 
the 15th of September, 1851, Lewis Aldrich 
becanie District Judge. The sheriff, Joseph 
McKinney, was killed near Brighton on tlie 
evening of August 15, 1850, the day after the 
Squatter riot, and at a special election held the 
first Monday. in September, Ben McCullough 
was elected to fill the vacancy. The Legislature 
of 1851 abolished the office of county attorney, 
and assigned the duties of the office to the 
district attorney. In the meantime Wallace 
resigned, and Milton S. Latham, afterward Gov- 
ernor, succeeded to the office of district attor- 
ney, October 18, 1850. Wm. Glaskin resigned 
the office of treasurer August 22, 1850, and 
John W. Peyton was appointed to fill the va- 
cancy. Peyton resigned November. 29, 1850, 
and Charles 11. Swift was appointed treasurer 
and collector by the Court of Sessions, of whicli 
he was a member, to fill the vacancy. 

The court of criminal jurisdiction was termed 
the Court of Sessions, and it was composed of 
the county judge and two associates. These as- 
sociates were elected by a convention of justices 
of the peace, held the first Monday in October, 
in each year, except the first convention, which 
was held May 20, 1850, and then C. C. Sackett 
and Charles II. Swift were elected associates. 
This court filled vacancies in office in the county 
and attended to the financial affairs of the county 
in early times. When Swift was elected county 
treasurer, James Brown was elected associate in 
his stead, and assumed the duties of his office 



IIISrORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



February 7, 1851. August 14, following, D. 
D. Bullock succeeded Brown. 

The following county officers were elected 
September 3, 1851, and served from October, 

1851, to October 5, 1853: County Judge, E. 
J. Willis; Sheriff, A. D. Patterson; Clerk, L. 
B. Harris; Recorder and Auditor, W. S. Long; 
District Attorney, Geo. H. Oartter; Treasurer, 
Cyrus Rowe; Assessor, "W. A. Selkirk; Sur- 
veyor, John G. Cleal; Coroner, S. J. May; Pub- 
lic Administrator, John Q. Brown; Associate 
Justices, George Wilson and James B. Gates. 

The Legislature of 1852 provided for a Board 
of Supervisors in the different counties to trans- 
act the financial business. On the 14th of June, 

1852, a special election was had, and John 
Noyes, Louis Z. Hagen, James S. Meredith, 
James Martin and E. M. Pitcher were elected. 
Meredith was elected chairman when the board 
organized. The last meeting of the Court of 
Sessions was held July 6, 1852. At the general 
election, held September, 1852, these members 
were elected : William McNulty, Luther Curtis, 
John A. Watson, H. H. Lewis and H. B. Wad- 
dilove. Watson was elected chairman, and the 
board did the county business till May 16, 1853, 
after which time the Court of Sessions assumed 
control of the civil affairs of the county. 

These county officers were elected September 
7, 1853, and served from October of that year 
to October, 1855: County Judge, John Heard; 
Sheriff, D. N. Hunt; Clerk, Abner C. Hunter; 
Recorder and Auditor, John L. Craig; District 
Attorney, James H. Hardy; Treasurer, G. Gris- 
wold; Assessor, H. J. Bidleman; Surveyor, W. 
L. DeWitt; Coroner, Ephriam Smith; Public 
Administrator, James B. Mitchel. 

In 1855 the Legislature passed another act 
relative to Boards of Supervisors, and as the Su- 
preme Court had decided that the constitution 
contemplated that the business concerns of the 
different counties should be managed by the 
boards, the Court of Sessions could not act, 
and the counties again elected Boards of Super- 
visors. The first election under the act of 
1885 was held A])ril 2, and the board then 



elected commenced its sessions early in May. 
J. L. Howard, L. P. Ormsby and F. S. Mum- 
ford constituted the board, and Howard was 
the chairman. In September, 1855, L. R. 
Beckley, Josiah Johnson and S. R. Caldwell 
were elected the hoard, and Joimsoii was chosen 
chairman. 

On the 5th of September, 1855, the following 
county officers were elected, and they served from 
October, 1855, to October 1, 1857 ; County Judge, 
John Heard; Sheriff, W. S.White; Clerk, C. H. 
Bradford ; Recorderand Auditor, John Q. Brown ; 
District Attorney, Frank Hereford; Treas- 
urer, David Maddux; Assessor, J. F. Turner; 
Surveyor,- E. A. Sherman; Coroner, R. Bell; 
Public Administrator, Gordon Backus; Super- 
intendent of Common Schools, F. W. Hatch. 
Hatch was the first school superintendent elected 
by the people. Previous to the time he went 
into office the county assessor performed the 
duties of that office. The Board of Supervisors 
of 1856 was composed of L. R. Beckley, A 
Spinks and Julius Wetzler, and Beckley was 
chairman. In 1857 the members were Jared 
Irwin, C. C. Harrington and Frank Hastings, 
and the latter was chairman. 

The following ounty officers were elected 
September 2, 1857, and served from October 
5, 1857, to October 5, 1859: County Judge, R. 
Robinson; Sheriff, W. S. Manlove; Clerk, J. B. 
Dayton; Recorder and Auditor, Jerome Madden; 
District Attorney, Robert F. Morrison; Treas- 
urer, Morgan Miller; Assessor, E. Black Ryan; 
Surveyor, John G. Cleal; Coroner, J. P. Counts; 
Public Administrator, L. R. Beckley; School 
Superintendent, N. Slater. The Legislature of 
1858 consolidated the government of the city and 
county and increased the Board of Supervisors 
five members, making the president of the board 
a separate office. In April a special election was 
held, when H. L. Nichols was elected Presi- 
dent, and Mark Hopkins, J. A. Carroll, S. C. 
Fogus, E. Stockton and W. K. Lindsey the new 
members. These, with the old members, met 
May 8, 1858. In September, 1858, at the general 
election, a board was elected consisting of the 



40 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



following: E. Granger, John Leavitt, Sylvester 
Marshall, H. T. Holmes, I. N. BaLcock, John 
B. Taylor, L. C. Goodman and W. K. Lindsey. 
The president was continued another year. Au- 
gust 4, 1859, B. H. Hereford was elected a mem- 
ber in place of Lindsey, resigned. These were 
the members of 1859: President, Wm. Shat- 
tuck; members, E. Granger, John Leavitt, K. 
L. Robertson, A. Henley, L N. Babcock, A. M. 
Green, L. C. Goodman and Larkin Lamb. S. 
Marshall served until October 11, when he was 
succeeded by Mr. Robertson. Thomas Letsoii 
was the Clerk, he being the first elected under 
the consolidation act. On the 12th of October, 
1859, Thomas Hunt was elected a nietnber, in 
place of Goodman, resigned. 

The following were the county officers that 
were elected September 7, 1859, and served from 
October, 1859, to October, 1861: County Judge, 
Robert Robinson; Sherilf, Sylvester Marshall; 
Clerk and Recorder, Jerome Madden; District 
Attorney, Cornelius Cole; Treasurer, C. L. Bird; 
Assessor, E. B. Ryan; Surveyor, J. G. Cleal; 
Coroner, D. Murray; Public Administrator, 
Jared Irwin; School Superintendent, F. W. 
Hatch; Clerk Board of Supervisors and Auditor, 
Thomas Letson. Len Harris was elected County 
Warden in 1861, but the office was abolished. 
The Board of Supervisors in 1860 was composed 
of E. Granger, Thomas Hausbrow, P. H. Russell, 

A. Henley, J. S. Woods, A. M. Green, S. 
Waterman and Larkin Lamb. The president, 
Shattuck, was continued. These were the mem- 
bers of the board in 1861: President, William 
Shattuck; E. Granger, Thomas Hansbrow, P. H. 
Russell, S. Hite, J. S. AVoods, Jacob Dickerson, 
S. Waterman, and John Hall. 

On the 4:th of September, 1861, an election 
was held for county officers, and the following 
were elected, who served from October 7, 1861, 
to March 7, 1864: County Judge, Robert C. 
Clark; Sheriff, Benjamin N. Bugbey; Clerk and 
Recorder, Jared Irwin; District Attorney, W. 
W. Upton; Treasurer, C. L. Bird; Assessor, E. 

B. Kyan ; Surveyor, G. W. Colby ; Coroner, J. W. 
Reeves; Public Administrator, F. McComber; 



School Superintendent, F. W. Hatch; Clerk 
Board of Supervisors and Auditor, Josiah 
Howell. Bird absconded and James C. McDon- 
ough was appointed Treasurer by the Board 
of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors in 
1862 was composed bi E. Granger, N. L. Drew, 
Thomas Ross, S. Hite, J. L. Graves, Jacob 
Dickerson, D. L. Williams and J. Hall. Shat- 
tuck continued to be President. In 1863 the 
Legislature divided the city and county govern- 
ments and reduced the Board of Supervisors for 
the county to five members. In the spring the 
new organization was effected, and the board 
was composed of the following: A. C. Bidwell, 
Thomas Ross, Joseph Hull, H. A. Thompson and 
Dwight Hollister — Ross, Chairman. 

At the same election (September 2, 1863), the 
following county officers were elected, and they 
served from March, 1864, to March, 1866: 
County Judge, R. C. Clark; Sherifl", James Mc- 
Clatchy; Clerk and Recorder, A. C. Bidwell; 
District Attorney, M. M. Estee; Treasurer, F. 
S. Lardner; Assessor, P. R. Beckley; Surveyor, 
G. W. Colby; Coroner, J. W. Reeves; Public 
Administrator, J. E. Miller; School Superin- 
tendent, Sparrow Smith; Clerk of Board of Su- 
pervisors and Auditor, Josiah Howell At the 
general election in September, 1863, the follow- 
ing were elected members of the Board of Su- 
pervisors: D. W. Clark, Thomas Ross, Joseph 
Hull, II. A. Thompson and Dwight Hollister. 
Thompson failed to serve, and on the 16th of 
November Jesse Couch was elected in his place. 
These were elected for a term of two years, and 
they took their seats the first Monday in Octo- 
ber, 1863. 

An election was held September 6, 1865. The 
following were elected to fill the various county 
offices, and they served from March 5, 1866, to 
March, 1868: County Judge, Robert C. Clark ; 
Sheriff, James Lansing; Clerk and Recorder, E. 
D. Shirland; District Attorney, James C. Goods; 
Treasurer, Ezra Woolson; Assessor, E. Black 
Ryan; Surveyor, A. G. Winn; Coroner, Joseph 
A. Conboie; Public Administrator, Findley R. 
Dray; School Superintendent, F. W. Hatch; 



UliiTOIiY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Clerk of Board of Supervisors and Auditor, "W. 
A. Anderson; members of the Board of Super- 
visors, D. W. Clark, M. McMaiius, Joseph 
Hull, Jesse Couch, William Beckman — Hull, 
Chairman. 

On the 4th of September, 1867, an election 
was held, and the following were elected to the 
county offices, and they served from March, 1868, 
to March, 1870: Sheriff, Edward F. White 
(contested by Hugh M. Larue); Clerk, W. B. C. 
Brown; District Attorney, James C. Goods; 
Treasurer, A. Spinks; Assessor, F. li. Dray; 
Surveyor, John Doherty; Coroner, J. P. Counts; 
Public Administrator, William Shattuck; School 
Superintendent, Augustus Trafton; Clerk Board 
of Supervisors and ex-officio Auditor, W. A. 
McWilliams; Board of Supervisors, John Do- 
raingos, C. H. Ross, Benjamin Bailey, James S. 
Meredith, William Beckman. Meredith was 
President. These members were elected for two 
years, and under the provisions of the statute 
in force at the time of their election their term 
of office would expire in October, 1869, but the 
Legislature of 1867-'68 extended the term of 
the members from the Third, Fourth and Fifth 
districts — Bailey, Meredith, Beckman — to 1871, 
making the term four years. 

An election was held September 1, 1869, and 
the following were elected to the county offices, 
and served from March, 1870, to March, 1872: 
Sheriff, J. S. Wood; Clerk, W. B. C. Brown; 
Treasurer, Alfred Spinks; Recorder and ex- 
officio Auditor, W. A. McWilliams; Assessor, 
F. R. Dray; District Attornej', John Iv. Alex- 
ander; Surveyor, A. C Winn; Coroner, J. P. 
Counts; School Superintendent, Augustus Traf- 
ton; Public Administrator, William Shattuck; 
Board of Supervisors, John Domingos, James 
H. Groth, J^eujamin Bailey, James S. Meredith 
and William Beckman. 

At the general election held September 6, 
1871, the following were elected to fill the 
Cuunty offices from March, 1872, till March, 
1874: Sheriff, Mike Bryte; Clerk, Lauren Up- 
son; Treasurer, John Bellmer; Recorder and 
Auditor, Jesse A. Stewart; .\ssessor, F. R. Dray; 



District Attorney, Henry Starr; Surveyor, John 
Prentice; Coronei-, J.. W. Wilson; School Su- 
perintendent, S. H. Jackman; Public Adminis- 
trator, N. G. Feldheim; Board of Supervisors, 
John Domingos, James H. Groth, James S. 
Meredith, S. B. Moore and J. V. Sims. Sep- 
tember 3, 1873, there were elected Daniel 
Brown, J. J. Bauer, L. Elkus and H. O. Sey- 
mour. 

At the same election the following were 
elected county officers: Sheriff", Hugh M. La 
Rue; Collector of Taxes, Joseph W. Houston; 
Clerk, Ham. C. Harrison; Treasurer, John Bell- 
mer; District Attorney, Charles T. Jones; Re- 
corder, Matthew darken; Auditor, Jesse A. 
Stewart; Public Administrator, H. S. Beals; 
Superintendent of Schools, G. R. Kelly; Sur- 
veyor, Ed. Murray; Coroner, J. P. Counts; Com- 
missioner of Highways, S. D. Johnson. The 
Supervisors serving in 1874-'75 were, James S. 
Meredith, S. B. Moore, Daniel Brown, J. V. 
Sims, H. O. Seymour, L. Elkus, J. A. Mason. 

The September election of 1875 resulted in 
the following list: Sheriff, M. M. Drew; Clerk, 
A. A. Wood; District Attorney, C. T. Jones; 
Assessor, James Lansing; Treasurer, D. E. 
Callahan; Auditor, R. C. Lowell; Public Ad- 
ministrator, G. F. Brenner; Surveyor, A. G. 
Winn; Coroner, R. K. Wick; Superintendent 
of Schools, F. L. Landes; Supervisors, S. B. 
Moore, Edward Christy, P. R. Beckley; those 
holding over were, L. Elkus, Daniel Brown, H. 
O. Seymour, J. A. Mason. A. S. Hopkins and 
F. R. Dray served to till the vacancies caused 
by the deaths of Seymour and Mason. 

In September, 1877, the officers elected were: 
Sheriff, M. M. Drew; Clerk, Thomas H. Berkey; 
Treasurer, D. E. Callahan; Auditor, William 
E. Gerber; District Attorney, George A. Blanch- 
ard; Superintendent of Schools, F. L. Landes; 
Public Administrator, Troy Dye; Surveyor, 
John Prentice; Coroner, A. J. Vermilya. The 
Supervisors serving during the year, October, 
1877, to October, 1878, were, S. B. Moore, J. 
W. Wilson, J. J. Bauer, P. R. Beckley, Samuel 
Blair, Daniel Brown, Edward Christy. In 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



1878-'79 Benjamin Bailey served in the place 
of Mr. Moore. 

The county officers elected in September, 1879, 
were: Sheriff, Adolph Heilbron; Clerk, Thomas 
II. Berkley; Assessor, Joseph W. Houston; 
Auditor, William E. Gerber; Treasurer, Ezra 
Woolson; Public Administrator, George F. 
Bronner; District Attorney, Henry L. Buckley; 
Superintendent of Schools, Charles E. Bishop; 
Coroner, A. J. Vermilya; Surveyor, James C. 
Pearson; Supervisors, 1879-'80, J. W. Wil- 
son, Benjamin Bailey, P. R. Beckley, Edward 
Christy, S. W. Butler, Samuel Blair and John 
F. D re man. 

By an act of the Legislature of 1882, the 
time of election was changed to November, 
making the day correspond with that for the 
election of President of the United States. In 
November of that year, the following were 
chosen as county officers: Sheriff, A. H. Estill; 
Clerk, C. M. Coglan; Assessor, John T.Grifiitts; 
Treasurer, A. S. Greenlaw; District Attorney, 
John T. Carey; Auditor and Recorder, W. E. 
Gerber; Public Administrator, George F. Bron- 
ner; Coroner, J. Frank Clark; Surveyor, J. C. 
Pierson; Supervisors, J. F. Dreraan, J. W. 
Wilson, Samuel Blair, S. W. Butler, Edward 
Christy, P. R. Beckley, Benjaman Bailey. 

At the election held November 4, 1884, the 



following county officers were elected: Sheriff, 
J. W. Wilson; Clerk, W. B. Hamilton; Audi- 
tor and Recorder, J. Henry Miller; District At- 
torney, Henry L. Buckley; Treasurer, George 
E. Kuchler; Public Administrator, F. H. Rus- 
sel; Coroner, J. Frank Clark; Surveyor, J. C. 
Pierson; Supervisors, B. U. Steinman, George 
O. Bates, George C. McMuUen, S. J. Jackson, 
L. H. Fassett. 

November 2, 1886, the following were elected : 
Clerk, W. B. Hamilton; Sheriff, M. M. Drew; 
Assessor, A. L. Frost; Treasurer, John L. Hun- 
toon; District Attorney, Elwood Bruner; Audi- 
tor and Recorder, J. H. Miller; Superintendent 
of Schools, B. F. Howard; Public Administra- 
tor, S. B. Smith; Coroner, J. Frank Clark; Sur- 
veyor, J. C. Pierson; Supervisors, H. C. Ross 
and F. F. Tebbets. During the year. Miller 
resigned as Auditor and Recorder, and Frank 
T. Johnson was elected to succeed him. 

At the election held November 6, 1888, the 
following were chosen: Sheriff, George C. Mc- 
MuUen; Clerk, W. B. Hamilton; Auditor and 
Recorder, Frank T. Johnson ; District Attorney, 
Elwood Bruner; Treasurer, John L. Huntoon; 
Public Administrator, G. W. Harlow; Coroner, 
J. Frank Clark; Surveyor, J. C. Boyd; Super- 
visors, Andrew Black, George O. Bates, Erskine 
Greer. Ross and Tebbets held over. 




UISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTER VIII. 



■E PRESENT below a list of the per- 
sons who have represented Sacramento 
County in the Legislature since the 
organization of the State Government, together 
with remarks as to their present residence, etc. 
At the first session the members represented 
Sacramento District, which included the entire 
northern portion of the State — there being at 
that time no county subdivisions. The consti- 
tution of 1849 provided tliat until the Legisla- 
ture should divide the State into counties, and 
into senatorial and assembly districts, the Dis- 
trict of Sacramento should be entitled to four 
senators and nine asseTublymen. It appears 
from the following list that the district had 
twelve assemblymen. This is accounted for by 
the fact that Cornwall resigned January 28, 
1850, and was succeeded on March 4 by Deal; 
White resigned February 9, 1850, and was suc- 
ceeded on March 15 by Henley, and Dicken- 
son's seat was declared vacant December 18, 
1849, and Bigler was seated in his place. The 
first Legislature, on April 4, 1850, made Sacra- 
mento County the Twelfth Senatorial District, 
and provided that it should be represented by 
one senator and three assemblymen. On May 
1, 1851, the county was constituted the Eleventh 
Senatorial District, to be represented by two 
senators and four assemblymen. On May 18, 
1861, in the reapportionment the county was 
made the Sixteenth Senatorial District, to be 
represented by two senators and five assembly- 



men. Tiiis apportionment was retained in the 
Political Code which was adopted March 2, 1872. 
On May 16, 1874, the county was made the 
Eighteenth Senatorial District, to be represented 
by two senators and three assemblymen. On 
March 8, 1883, in the present apportionment 
Sacramento County was constituted tiie Thir- 
teenth Senatorial District, to be represented by 
one senator; and by the act of March 13, 1883, 
the First and Third wards of the city were 
constituted the Eighteenth Assembly District; 
the Second 'and Fourth wards the Nineteenth 
District, and the balance of the county the 
Twentieth District, each of which is entitled to 
one assemblyman. The list is as follows: 



SENATORS. 



1849-'50— John Bidwell, Elisha O. Crosby, 
Thomas J. Green and Henry E. Robinson. Bid- 
well is one of the very earliest pioneers who 
came to this State, having arrived here in 1841. 
He came by the overland route, and the journey 
occupied six months. He had charge of Forts 
Bodega and Ross, and also of General Sutter's 
Feather River possessions. During the war 
with Mexico he entered the army and rose to 
the rank of Major. He was the first man to 
find gold on the Feather River, in 1848. He 
was elected from Sacramento District to the first 
Constitutional Convention, but did not serve; 
and was a delegate to the Charleston (Demo- 
cratic) National Convention in 1860. He was 



BISTORT OF SAGRAMBNTO COUNTY. 



elected to Congress from tlie old Third District 
JMovember 8, 1864. He ran in the Republican 
Convention for the nomination for Governor in 
1867, but was defeated bj George C. Gorham, 
who was beaten at the election by Henry H. 
Haight. In 1875 Bid well was nominated for 
Governor on the Independent ticket, but was 
defeated by William Irwin, the Democratic 
nominee. General Bidwell now lives at Chico, 
where he is extensively engaged in agriculture. 
Crosby arrived in California in December, 1848. 
He was a member of the first Constitutional 
Convention, and has lived at Alameda for many 
years, where he now serves as justice of the 
peace. Green was elected a Major-General by 
the Legislature April 11, 1850. He left here 
in early days, and died in Warren County, North 
Carolina, December 13, 1863. Robinson was a 
lawyer by education, but followed merchandis- 
ing. He arrived in San Francisco in March, 
1849, in the California, the first steamer that 
ever entered that port. In his will he left some 
$40,000 to be used by the Board of Supervisors 
of San Francisco for the benefit of the poor of 
that city. He was a member of the first coun- 
cil of this city, and an early postmaster. For 
many years he resided in Alameda County, where 
he amassed a large fortune. He died in Nor- 
walk, Connecticut, January 9, 1880. 

1851— Henry E. Robinson. 

1852 — Henry E. Robinson and James II. 
Ralston. Ralston was for many years a leading 
lawyer in tiiis city. Ho went to Washoe at the 
breaking out of the mining excitement there, 
and afterward settled at Austin. When ram- 
bling over the county in search of mineral ledges 
in May, 1864, he lost his way, and after wander- 
ing many days and nights, succumbed to starva- 
tion. His body was discovered and buried by 
Indians, but was afterward disinterred and buried 
at Austin. 

1853 — James H. Ralston and A. P. Catlin. 
A biography of Judge Catlin appears in another 
department of this work. 

1854— A. P. Catlin and Gilbert W. Colby. 
Colby was a pioneer, and in early days ran a 



ferry across the Upper Sacramento at Colby's 
Landing. He was county surveyor liere from 
1862 to 1866. He lived at Nord for many 
years, and then located at Martinez, and becaine 
interested in banking. He died at San Fran- 
cisco, August 20, 1881. 

1855— Gilbert W. Colby and A. S. Gove. 
The latter, a merchant, returned to Vermont, 
and died there many years ago. He was a 
member of the City Council when he was elected 
to the Senate. 

1856— A. S. Gove and W. I. Ferguson. Fer- 
guson, a native of Illinois, was shot in a duel 
with George Pen Johnston, and died September 
14, 1858, at San Francisco, from the effects of 
his wound. He was a lawyer of ability, and an 
effective and popular speaker. He was nick- 
named "Ipse Doodle." He was a man of 
unusual courage, and it is said that when he 
received the wound that caused his death, he 
exclaimed, "I am a gone community," and fell. 
His remains are interred in the State plat of our 
city cemetery. George Pen Johnston died at 
San Francisco, March 4, 1884. 

1857 — W. I. Ferguson and Josiah Johnson. 
Johnson was at one time a supervisor, and sub- 
sequently city trustee. He died in this city, 
December 10, 1888. 

1858 — W. I. Ferguson and Josiah Johnson. 

1859— J. M. McDonald and Dr. Johnson 
Price. McDonald removed to San Francisco 
years ago, and is now one of the prominent 
capitalists and mining men of that city. I'rice, 
who was elected at a special election to fill the 
Ferguson vacancy, was a Kentuckian. He had 
been a member of the convention to revise the 
constitution of his native State, and an officer 
during the Mexican war. He came to this 
State in 1849, and practiced medicine in this 
city. On January 10, 1860, he was appointed 
Secretary of State by Governor Latham, and 
held that office until the expiration of the terra 
of Governor Downey. He afterward was a 
stock-broker in San Francisco, and died there of 
consumption on February 8, 1868. 

1860— J. M. McDonald and Robert C. Clark. 



niSTOUY UF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



Judge Clark was a son of James Clark, an early 
Congressman, Snpre'ine Judge and Governor of 
Kentucky. He arrived in California in 1853, 
and settled here to practice law. lu 1861 he 
was elected count}' judge, and was continuously 
re-elected to that office until it was abolished by 
the new constitution. In 1879 he was elected 
a superior judge of the county, and filled that 
office until the time of his death — January 27, 
1883. 

1861— R. C. Clark and E. H. Heacock. The 
latter practiced law here for several years. He 
was city attorney from 1863 to 1867. He re- 
moved to Santa Cruz and was for many years 
county judge tiiere. He then located in Santa 
Barbara County, and on January 15, 1880, was 
appointed superior judge of that county by 
Governor Perkins, to succeed Eugene Faucett, 
deceased, who will be recollected as the judge 
who tried Sprague for the killing of More. 
Heacock at present represents the counties of 
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura in 
the State Senate. 

1862— E. H. Heacock and Dr. A. B. Nixon. 
The latter has practiced medicine in this city 
many years, and is now in charge of the Rail- 
road Hospital. He was among the first in this 
State who espoused the principles of the Re- 
publican party. Latterly the Doctor has been 
prominently identified with the Prohibition 
movement, and in the spring of 1884 ran 
against J. Q. Brown for mayor on the Prohibi- 
tion ticket. He also ran as a St. John elector 
in 1884. 

1863— Dr. A. B. Nixon and Newton Booth. 
A sketch of the latter will be found in the bio- 
graphical department of this volume. 

1863-'64— J. E. Benton and E. H. Heacock. 
Benton was at that time a minister at Folsom. 
It is related of him that on one occasion in 
Sacramento he was so shocked by some irrever- 
ent remark he overheard a young rough make, 
that he gave him a reprimand. The young 
man, after hearing the reproof, asked iiim 
rather pointedly who he was, when Benton re- 
plied, " 1 am a follower of the meuk and lowly 



Jesus." "Well," was the rejoinder, "if I was 
the meek and lowly, and a fellow looking like 
you was following me, I would hit him in the 
nose." Benton built the first church that was 
erected in Folsom. He was afterward post- 
master of Oakland, and died there, February 
18, 1888. 

1865-'66— J. E. Benton and E. II. Heacock. 

1867-'68— E. H. Heacock and N. Greene 
Curtis. Judge Curtis arrived in California in 
May, 1850, and was recorder or police judge of 
this city from 1853 to 1855. He has practiced 
law among us since the early days, and the 
reputation he has acquired as a criminal lawyer 
is second to that of no other practitioner in the 
State. Soon after his arrival in Sacramento he 
was appointed depnty postmaster, and shortly 
afterward his principal, Jonathan Tittle, went 
East on business, leaving Curtis in charge of 
the office. While Tittle was absent, Richard 
Eads came out with a notification that he had 
been appointed to that office. Curtis refused 
to give it up until Eads presented his commis- 
sion and filed his bond, and he retained the 
office until those necessary formalities were ar- 
ranged — some seven months. When Eads came 
in he retained Curtis until the latter was elected 
recorder. The Judge is a prominent Mason, 
and, although a Democrat, has been elected in 
this Republican county to the Legislature every 
time his party has been fortunate enough to in- 
duce him to run. 

1869-'70 — N. Greene Curtis and A. Comte, 
Jr. The latter is now a lawyer in Sau Fran- 
cisco, but graduated from the public schools of 
Sacramento and from Harvard College, and was 
admitted to the bar from our law offices. 

1871-'72 — A. Comte, Jr., and James A. 
Duffy. The latter resided in San Francisco for 
several years. For a long time he was chief 
clerk of the old California Steam Navigation 
Company here, and for a time was clerk in the 
office of the Secretary of State under Melone. 
He died in Lake County, in September, 1889. 

1873-'74— James A. Duffy and Henry Edger- 
ton. The latter is a native of Vermont, and a 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



distingiiislied lawyer. He served for several 
terms as district attorney of Napa County, and 
as such conducted the prosecution of Edward 
McGowan for his connection with the killing of 
James King of William, the editor of the San 
Francisco Bulletin, out of which grew the 
vigilance committee of 1856. He was Senator 
from Napa County in 1800 and 1861; ran un- 
successfully for Congress in 1861 and 1882; 
was a member of the late Constitutional Con- 
vention; was the only Republican presidential 
elector elected in 1880, and was re-elected to 
that office in 1884. He died in San Francisco, 
November 4, 1887. 

1875-'76 — Henry Edgerton and Creed liay- 
mond. The latter has a national reputation as 
a lawyer. He arrived in California from Vir- 
ginia in 1852, and practiced in Plumas County 
for many years, then removed to this city, and 
was appointed one of the commissioners to draft 
a code of laws for the State. He was a dele- 
gate to the last three National Republican Con- 
ventions. He now holds a prominent position 
in the law department of the Central Pacific 
Railroad Company at San Francisco. 

1877-'78 — Creed Haymond and N. Greene 
Curtis. 

1880 — Grove L. Johnson and William John- 
ston. Find Johnson's sketch elsewhere by the 
index. Johnston is a wealthy fruit-grower at 
Richland. He served for a time as a member 
of the State Board of Equalization, by appoint- 
ment from Governor Perkins, and was a dele- 
gate to the National Republican Convention of 
1880. In 1886 he was a prominent candidate 
for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant- 
Governor. 

1881 — Grove L. Johnson and William John- 
ston. 

1883 — Frederick Cox and Joseph Routier. 
Cox is one of the most prominent land-owners 
and stock-raisers in the State, and has been for 
years a bank director. A sketch of Routier ap- 
pears elsewhere in this volume. 

1885 — Frederick Cox and Joseph Routier. 

18S7— Findley R. Dray. A full biogi-apliy 



of this gentleman may be found elsewhere by 
the index. 

1889-Findley R. Dray. 



1849-'50— H. C. Cardwell, P. B. Cornwall, 
Rev. W. Grove Deal, W. B. Dickenson, T. J. 
Henley, E. W. McKinstry, John Bigler, George 
B. Tingley, Madison Walthal, Dr. Thomas J. 
White, John T. Hughes and John F. Williams. 
Cardwell died at Los Angeles, July 4, 1859. 
Cornwall arrived in Sacramento in August, 
1848, was a member of the first City Council, 
and has been for several years and is now a 
prominent business man in San Francisco. 
Cornwall, with Sam Brannan, foreseeing that a 
great city would very soon spring up at the 
head of navigation on the Sacramento River, 
came up from San Francisco to purchase a suit- 
able site. They perceived that Sntterville was 
the most eligible spot on which to locate the 
place, but were unable to effect satisfactory ar- 
rangements with L. W. Hastings, the owner of 
the land there. They had passed two launches 
loaded with supplies for the mines, on the way 
up the river, and after their failure to make 
terms with Hastings, returned and met them, 
and induced them to land their cargoes at the 
Sutter Embarcadero— Sacramento. From this 
little circumstance a trading post was estab- 
lished here, and before many months a city 
had grown up. They arranged with Sutter for 
an interest in the land, and had the city laid 
out. Had Hastings arranged with then:, there 
is no doubt that the city would have been 
located on his land. 

Henley, the father of Congressman Barclay 
Henley, was a native of Indiana, where he was 
born in 1807 In that State he served several 
terms in the Assembly, and was once speaker. 
He was a Congressman from Indiana for three 
terms, serving with President Lincoln. In 1840 
he arrived in California, and engaged in bank- 
ing at Sacramento. He was elected presidential 
elector in 1852; chosen postmaster of San Fran- 
cisco in 1853; appointed Superintendent of 



UHSTOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Indian Aftairs in 1854, and defeated for presi- 
dential elector in 1868. He died on his farm 
at Round Valley, Mendocino County, on May 
1, 1875. McKinstry is a native of Michigan, 
and arrived in California in March, 1819. He 
was elected judge of the Seventh District, No- 
vember 2, 1852; re-elected September 1, 1858; 
elected judge of the Twelfth District (San Fran- 
cisco) October 20, 1869, but resigned in the 
latter part of 1873, having been elected a jus- 
tice of the Supreme Court on October 15,1873. 
He was re-elected supreme justice on Septem- 
ber 3, 1879, and resigned October 1, 1888. 
Bigler was a Pennsylvanian, and a journalist 
and lawyer. He arrived in Sacramento in 

1849, and employed himself as an auctioneer 
and a wood-chopper. He was for a time speaker 
of the first Assembly; was elected Governor 
September 3, 1851; re-elected September 7, 
1853; defeated for that office in 1855; served 
as United States Minister to Chili from 1857 to 
1861; defeated for Congress in 1863; served as 
a delegate to the National Democratic Conven- 
tions of 1864 and 1868; appointed Assessor of 
Internal Revenue for this district in 1866, and 
edited the State Capital Reporter from January, 
1868, until his death, November 29, 1871. His 
remains repose in the city cemetery. Tingley 
was a native of Ohio. He was a brilliant law- 
yer. He removed to Indiana, and there served 
in the Legislature with Vice-President-elect T. 
A. Hendricks and T. J. Henley. He served as 
an officer in the Alexican war; came across the 
plains to California in 1849 with Henley; was 
an unsuccessful candidate for the United States 
Senate; was defeated for Congress in 1851. 
He died at San Francisco, August 3, 1862. His 
daughter, Mrs. Lawrence (Ridinghood), is the 
talented lady correspondent to newspapers. 
White was speaker until February 6, when he 
resigned the office, and was succeeded by Bigler 
"White was once a city councilman, and died at 
Los Angeles in December, 1861. Deal was a 
Methodist minister, and was elected to succeed 
Cornwall, who resigned, and qualified March 4, 

1850. He is now living in the East. 



1851— John Bigler, D. J. Lisle and Dr. Chas. 
Robinson. Lisle built the Twelfth street bridge 
across the American River, and died in San 
Francisco, I'ebruary 8, 1855. He was elected 
at a special election on December 21, 1850, to 
fill a vacancy caused by the death of L. Dun- 
lap, who had been elected, but who died of 
cholera before the meeting of the Legislature. 
Robinson came here from Massachusetts, and 
was prominently identified with the Squatter 
element in this city in 1850. He was second 
in command of the forces of that party in the 
riot which occurred in August of that year, was 
wounded in the fight, and was arrested upon the 
oath of several citizens that he had been seen 
to deliberately aim at the mayor, who was shot 
four times in the melee. He was in confine- 
ment on the prison brig when he was elected to 
the Assembly. On October 30, 1850, the Set- 
lers' and Miners'' Trihxme, a daily new'spaper, 
was stationed here as the organ of the Squatters, 
and Robinson was the editor. The paper lived 
but a month. In 1854 he, with S. C. Pomeroy, 
led one of the many parties of Free State im- 
migrants into Kansas to offset similar coloniza- 
tion of pro-slavery men, and was prominently 
connected with the Free State party in the sub- 
sequent slavery agitation in that then proposed 
State. He was elected Governor of the Terri- 
tory by the Free State men under the Topeka 
Constitution on January 15, 1856. The troubles 
which then followed are familiar to every one. 
On May 5 the Grand Jury indicted Robinson 
and the other officers who had been elected, for 
high treason. Several of the parties so charged 
fled the Territory, but Robinson was arrested 
and imprisoned for four months. While he 
was in jail his residence was burned in the sack- 
ing of Lawrence. After a State Constitution 
was formally adopted he was, on December 6, 
1859, elected the first Governor of the State. 
He is now a resident of and large real-estate 
owner of Leavenworth. 

1852— Gilbert W. Colby, Alpheus Kip, G. N. 
McConaha and Dr. Joseph C. Tucker. Colby was 
also Senator at one time. McConaha, a lawyer, 



JIISTOHY OF t^AGRAMENTO COUNTY. 



was drowned by the upsetting of a boat at Seat- 
tle, Washington Territory, May 4, 1854. Kip 
lived on the farm near Brighton, where Siieriff 
McKinney was killed by Allen, its then owner, 
in 1850. The place is now occupied by John 
liooney. Kip left here years ago. Tucker has 
resided in San Francisco for a long time. 

1853— J. W. Harrison, J. Neely Johnson, 
Robert Robinson and J. H. Estep. Robinson 
was afterward county judge, and was for many 
years connected with the law department of the 
Central Pacific Raiload Company. Estep re- 
moved hence and died at Lakeport on January 
11, 1876. Harrison left here years ago. John- 
son was elected Governor on the Know-Nothing 
ticket in 1855. He afterward removed to Ne- 
vada, where he served as a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention and as supreme justice. 
He died from the effects of a sunstroke at Salt 
Lake City, August 31, 1872. He was elected 
city attorney of Sacramento, April 1, 1850. 

1854— J. M. McBrayer, Dr. F. A. Park, T. 
R. Davidson and J. W. Park. F. A. Park was 
a dentist, and at one time deputy sherif}'. He 
died in San Francisco, November 13, 1870. 
McBrayer, Davidson and J. W. Park went away 
years ago. 

1855 — John G. Brewton, Philip L. Edwards, 
H. B. Meredith and James R. Vineyard. Ed- 
wards was a native of Kentucky. He visited 
San Francisco with a party of traders in July, 
1836, and afterward returned to the East. lie 
was then admitted to the bar, elected to the 
Missouri Legislature in 1843, chosen a delegate 
to the "Whig National Convention in 1844, re- 
moved to Sacramento in 1850, defeated as the 
Whig candidate for Congress in 1852, and ran 
unsuccessfully for United States Senator in 
1855. He died here May 1, 1869. Vineyard 
was a member of the City Council at the time 
of his election to the Assembly. He died at 
Los Angeles, August 30, 1863. Meredith is a 
brother of ex-Supervisor James H. Meredith, of 
Folsom. He left that town about 1864, and 
now lives in New York, where he is encracred 
as a broker. He practiced law while he lived 



at Folsom. Brewton now lives in San Fran- 
cisco. 

1850 — George H. Cartter, George Cone, Geo. 
W. Leiliy and Dr. J. W. Pugh. Cone was for 
many years justice of the peace in Center Town- 
ship, and a few years ago was the unsuccessful 
nominee for county treasurer on the Democratic 
ticket. He died at Red Bluff, November 12, 
1883. He was a brother of ex-Railroad Com- 
missioner Cone. Leihy was a farmer and miner. 
He was murdered byLidians in Arizona on No- 
vember 18, 1866. Cartter was district attorney 
in 1852 and 1853, and left this section of the 
country and located in Oregon many years ago, 
where he died. Pugh is living, but moved from 
the county years ago. 

1857— A. P. Catlin, Robert C. Clark, L. W. 
Ferris and John H. McKune. Catlin and Clark 
were also Senators. A sketch at length is given 
of Judge McKune elsewhere. Ferris has not 
lived here for a long time. He was in business 
here in early days. 

1858— R. D. Ferguson, Charles S. Howell, 
James E. Sheridan and Moses Stout. Ferguson 
for many years conducted a horse market in this 
city. He went to Nevada and was a member 
of the Legislature of that State in 1868. He 
then went to Arizona, and we believe died there 
a few years ago. Sheridan was a farmer near 
Georgetown, and died on his farm October 12, 
1872. Howell was a farmer, living this side of 
Walnut Grove, and was killed by the explosion 
of the steamboat J. A. McClelland near Knight's 
Landing, August 25, 1861. Stout died on his 
farm in this county December 20, 1879. 

1859— Dr. R. B. Ellis, A. R. Jackson, James 
E. Sheridan and Dr. Charles Duncombe. Jack- 
son was a prominent school teacher. He died 
at San Francisco, August 30, 1876. Ellis prac- 
ticed medicine here at that time. He removed 
to Nevada about 1861, and died at Carson about 
eleven years ago. His son, A. C. Ellis, who 
now resides at Carson, is second to no man in 
that State as a lawyer. He ran for Congress 
two times on the Democratic ticket, but was de- 
feated, the State being largely Republican. The 



IIISTOKY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



mother of the younger Ellis is a sister of At- 
torney-General Marshall. Duncoinbe was once 
a member of the City Couneil. His election 
gave rise to a novel contest in the Assembly, 
and one Mhich is often cited in the Legislature 
in election cases. The Doctor was born in Con- 
necticut, and about 1817 removed to Canada. A 
couple of months afterward he was elected to 
the Colonial Parliament, and took an oath of 
allegiance to the then English Kinj;. He was 
afterward denounced as a rebel and fled to the 
United States in 1837, but was never natural- 
ized here. His seat in the Assembly was con- 
tested on the ground that he was not a citizen, 
and on January 22, 1859, the House declared 
the seat vacant. A special election was called, 
and on February 19 Dunconibe was again 
elected by a large majority. On the 14th he 
had been admitted to citizenship under the act 
of 1795. His seat was again contested on the 
ground that he had not been a citizen for the 
constitutional period at the time of his election, 
and on March 8 the House again declared the 
seat vacant. Sacramento County, therefore, had 
but a partial representation during the session. 
Duncombe died at Hicksville, October 1, 1867. 

I860— Dr. K. B. Ellis, L. C. Goodman, Henry 
Starr and D. W". Welty. Goodman was once 
Supervisor and afterward removed from here. 
Starr is still a practicing attorney here. See 
sketch in full in the biographical department. 
Welty removed to Nevada, then returned and 
practiced law at Sacramento, and now resides in 
Oregon . 

1861 — Amos Adams, Charles Crocker, N. 
Greene Curtis and Dr. Joseph Powell. Adams, 
then a farmer, afterward became prominently 
connected with the Granger Society, and is now 
a resident of San Francisco. Crocker, then a 
dry-goods merchant, afterward acquired a na- 
tional reputation as one of the builders of the 
Central Pacitic Railroad. He was at one time 
a cit}' councilman. His death occurred at Mon- 
terey, Angust 14, 1888. Powell then practiced 
medicine at Folsom. He died at that place 
November 27, 1869. 



1862— "W. H. Barton, John E. Benton, James 
B. Saul, James H. Warwick and li. D. Fergu- 
son. Barton has been president of the New 
Liverpool Salt Company in San Francisco for 
many years. It is one of the largest enterprises 
on the coast. Benton was also a Senator. Saul 
removed to Yolo County, where he managed a 
large fruit ranch, and died at Davisville, Octo- 
ber 30, 1881. Warwick, an actor of ability, 
and a brilliant orator, has not l)eeti here for 
many years. 

1863 — Amos Adams, W". H. Barton, Morris 
M. Estee, James H. Warwick and Dr. Charles 
Duncombe. Estee served here as district attor- 
ney in 1864-'65. He ran for Governor on the 
Republican ticket in 1882, and was defeated by 
Stoneman. He was chairman of the late Na 
tional Republican Cimveiition. He resides in 
Napa, and is engaged in grape-growing and the 
practice of law. 

1863-'64— Alexander Badlam, William B. 
Hunt, John P. Rhodes, Francis Tukey and J. 
R. Watson. Badlam, in connection with John 
Simpson, M. M. Estee, H. C. Bidwell and others, 
published a newspaper called the Ei^ening Star 
for about three months, from May 25, 1864. 
He afterward removed to San Francisco, and 
was there elected assessor. He was defeated for 
reelection on a "cold day" in 1882. Hunt 
kept the French Hotel on Second street for many 
years, and was chief engineer of our Fire De- 
partment. Was an Assemblymen from San 
Francisco in 1885. When he represented this 
county he was known as " the Sacramento States- 
man." Rhodes was a farmer on the Cosumnes, 
and died on his farm December 20, 1866. Tukey 
was marshal of Boston at the time of the cele- 
brated Webster-Parkman murder. He was city 
school superintendent in 1853, and died on his 
farm near this city November 23, 1867. Watson 
was for many years purchasing agent of the 
Central Pacitic Railroad Company, and super- 
intendent of the Railroad Hospital, and lives 
here. 

1865-'66— Thomas Ilansbrow, Dwight IIol- 
lister, Peter J. Hopper, William B. Hunt and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



J. B. Maholinb. Hansbrow was in business here 
for years; was at one time a supervisor, and 
died on August 31, 1868. Hollister is a farmer 
and fruit-grower near Courtland. lie was once 
supervisor. Hopper was a newspaper publisher 
and lawyer at Folsom, then moved here, where 
he died July 22, 1883. Maholmb was then a 
farmer on the Cosumnes, but now lives in San 
Francisco. 

1867-'68— Marion Biggs, Pasclial Coggins, 
A. Conite, Jr., Bruce B. Lee and Charles Wol- 
leb. Biggs now lives in Butte County, at the 
town of Biggs, which was named after him. He 
was a member of the late Constitutional Con- 
vention, and is at present a member of Congress. 
Coggins was for many years local editor of the 
Union, and was a member of the City Board 
of Education, but drifted away from here, shot 
himself in the head in San Francisco, and died 
from the effects of the wound on November 18, 
1883. Comte was also a Senator. Lee is a son 
of Barton Lee, one of our prominent pioneer 
merchants. He was subsequently harbor com- 
missioner, and now lives in Tehama County, 
where he is engaged in the insurance business. 
Wolleb was secretary of the Germania Building 
and Loan Association for years. He died at 
Fruitvale, Alameda County, December 21, 1883. 
1869-'70— James A. Duffy, Isaac F. Free- 
man, M. S. Horan, John A. Odell and R. D. 
Stephens. Duffy was also a Senator. Freeman 
farms at Elk Grove. See his sketch elsewhere, 
found by the inde.x. Horan was afterward po- 
lice judge, and is now practicing law at San 
Francisco. Odell died at Folsom, May 29, 1881. 
Stephens is at present postmaster of this city, 
and was recently elected a trustee of the State 
Library by the Legislature. 

1871-'72— C. G. W. French, Dr. Obed Har- 
vey, Peter J. Hopper, "William Johnston and 
E. B. Mott, Jr. French practiced law at Folsom 
and here for many years. President Hayes ap- 
pointed him Chief Justice of Arizona, and he 
held that oifice until a short time ago. Harvey 
formerly lived in Kl Dorado, and at one time 
was a State Senator from that county. Ho has 



resided at Gait for many years. Johnston was 
also a Senator. Mott was for many years a 
member of the firm of Gillig, Mott & Co., doing 
business here and in Virginia City. Afterward 
he was connected with the Pticific Mutual Life 
Insurance Company, and died here April 4, 1882. 
1873-'74— James N. Barton, W. E. Bryan, 
Paschal Coggins, Reuben Kercheval and P. H. 
Russell. Barton removed to Humboldt County, 
and was a member of the last Constitutional Con- 
vention. Bryan is a farmer, still residing in 
this county. Kercheval owned a magnificent 
fruit ranch at the head of Grand Island, and 
there died on May 9, 1881. Russell for many 
years has been in the grocery business on J 
street, and at one time was a supervisor. 

1875-'76 — Marion Biggs, Jr., Thomas J. 
Clunie and A. D. Patterson. Biggs is a son of 
the former Assemblyman of the same iiame, and 
is now a prominent fanner in Butte County. 
Clunie is a member of Congress from San Fran- 
cisco. He also represented that city in the State 
Senate. He was a delegate to the Democratic 
National Convention of 1884. Patterson was 
sheriff in 1852 and 1853, aiid lived for many 
years at Patterson's Station, on the Sacramento 
Valley Railroad, where he died December 4, 
1884. 

1877-'78 — Grove L. Johnson, Renljen Ker- 
cheval and Joseph Routier. Johnson and Ron- 
tier were also Senators. 

1880 — Elwood Bruner, Seymour Carr and 
John N. Young. Bruner and Young have both 
been members of the Board of Education. Bru- 
ner has been the State Grand Master of Odd 
Fellows, and is at present district attorney. 
Young is practicing law in San Francisco. Carr 
is a farmer near Clay Station. He has been a 
justice ot the peace. 

1881— Joiin E. Baker, W. C. Van Fleet and 

J. N. Young. Baker served as a soldier during 

the war, was a farmer down the river, and died 

in this city May 2, 1881. See sketch of Judge 

I Van Fleet elsewhere. 

I 1883— Gillis Doty, Hugh M. La Rue and 
i Frank D. Ryan. Doty is a farmer near Elk 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Grove. La Rue came here in 1850, ran for 
sheriff in 1867 and was defeated; was elected to 
that office in 1873; was a member of the last 
Constitutional Convention; was speaker of the 
Tvventy-lifth A-Ssemblj'; was a delegate to the 
National Democratic Convention of 1884, and 
has been for years a director of the State Agri- 
cultural Society. He is engaged in farming, 
but lives in the city. Ryan's sketch appears 
elsewhere. 

1885— Wintield J. Davis, Charles T. Jones 
and Dwight Hollister. Davis has been the 
official reporter of the courts of this county since 



1874. See the biographical department of this 
work for further particulars concerning his life. 
Jones served several terms as district attorney; 
was elected an alternate elector in 1888; and is 
now in law practice here. 

1887— H. AV. Carroll, L. S. Taylor, and Sey- 
mour Carr. Find Carroll's and Taylor's sketches 
by the index. 

1889— W. M. Petrie, E. C. Hart and L. H. 
Fassett. A biography of Petrie appears else- 
where. Hart has been city attorney; and Fas- 
sett has served as a member of the Board of 
Supervisors. 




HISTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTER IX. 



THE BENCH. 

fNDER Mexican rule the Government of 
California was conducted under the laws 
of March 20 and May 23, 1887, and those 
laws were observed, on the acquisition of the 
country hy the United States, until the organi- 
zation of the State Government. Those laws 
provided for the selection of alcaldes, whose 
duties were to care for good order and public 
tranquillity, to see that police regulations, laws 
and decrees were enforced, to provide for the ap- 
prehension of criminals, and in come cases to 
impose fines and imprisonment upon malefac- 
tors. There were also justices of the peace, who 
served as municipal and judicial officers. There 
was in the Territory a Superior Tribunal, con- 
sisting of four judges and an Attorney-General, 
which had the general reviewing of cases tried 
before inferior courts. There were also Courts 
of " First Instance," in which cases, both crim- 
inal and civil, were originally brought. 

The tirst Legislature of the State, by an act 
passed March 16, 1850, divided the State into 
nine judicial districts, and constituted the 
counties of Sacramento and El Dorado the 
Sixth Judicial District. Afterward the counties 
of Sacramento and Yolo composed that district, 
and it so existed until the taking effect of the 
constitution of 1879, whicli abolished that court. 
The same Legislature, by an act passed on 



the 13th, 1850, created a County Court in each 
county, and by an act approved on the 11th of 
that month, the Court of Sessions was created, 
to be composed of the county judge and two 
justices of the peace, who weie to serve as as- 
sociate justices. The latter were chosen by the 
justices of the peace of the county. That court 
had jurisdiction in cases of misdemeanor, and 
also exercised functions now performed by the 
Board of Supervisors, such as the supervision 
of claims against the county, the management 
of roads, etc. Subsequently the Court of Ses- 
sions was abolished, and its jurisdiction vested 
in the County Court. Its legislative and super- 
vision powers were transferred to the Board of 
Supervisors. The present State constitution 
abolished all these courts, and provided for the 
organization of a Superior Court in the county 
with two departments, and two judges, with 
civil and criminal jurisdiction. 

In the latter part of August, 1849, Genei-al 
B. liiley, Acting Military Governor of Cali- 
fornia, appointed James S. Thonuis judge of 
the Court of First Instance, with civil jurisdic- 
tion. He appointed W. E. Shannon judge of 
the Court of the First Instance, with criminal 
jurisdiction. On tiie 2d of September, 1849, 
Thomas entered upon the duties of iiis office. 
A suit was instituted for the recovery of money. 
A summons was made returnable the same day 



UISTORT OF SAGBAMBNTO COUNTY. 



at 4 o'clock, at which time jadgnaeat was en- 
tered, and execution ordered. This gives some 
idea of the rapidity with which business, even 
of a judicial character, was transacted at that 
early period of Sacramento's history. On the 
3d of September, Judge Thomas appointed J. 
P. Rogers clerk of his court. The latter gen- 
tleman served in that capacity till the 19th of 
November following, whereupon James R. Law- 
rence was appointed. He continued to the 27th 
of December, at which time Presley Dunlap was 
appointed to the position. 

Judge Shannon opened his court for criminal 
business in September, 1849. R. A. Wilson 
was appointed clerk, and S. C. Hastings — after- 
ward Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of 
the State and subsequently Attorney-General — 
acted as prosecuting attorney. D. B. Hanner, 
wlio had been elected sheriif by the people in 
their primary capacity, attended both the civil 
and criminal courts. The first case before Judge 
Shannon was a prosecution against a party for 
stealing a cow from Samuel Norris. During 
the trial, defendant's counsel objected to the 
proceedings because they were not in conformity 
with the constitutional provision guaranteeing 
to every party accused of high crime, that be- 
fore he can be put upon trial he must have been 
indicted by a grand jury of his countrymen. 
The court held that inasmuch as the defendant 
had not raised the question in the beginning of 
the case he was deemed as waiving his right, 
and that the trial must proceed. The defendant 
was found guilty and lined $200 and costs, which 
amounted to §515 — rather costly beef. 

About December 1, 1849. R. A. Wilson suc- 
ceeded to the bench, vice Shannon deceased. On 
January 11, 1850, ho appointed A. J. McCall 
clerk of his court for Sacramento, and on Janu- 
ary 26 he appointed Stephen J. Field — now a 
justice of the Supreme Court of the United 
States — clerk of his court, to reside at Marys- 
ville. During the time Sacramento was flooded 
that winter, Wilson held his court at Marys- 
ville. The two courts ulluded to did the judi- 
cial business of the district, both civil and crim- 



inal, until the organization of the Judiciary 
under the State constitution. May 20, 1850. 

The first district judges were elected by the 
Legislature March 30, 1850, and James S. 
Thomas was elected judge of the Sixth Ju- 
dicial District. He resigned November 9 fol- 
lowing. Tod Robinson was appointed by the 
Governor to succeed )iim on January 2, 1851, 
and assumed oflice on the 8tli. Ferris Forman 
succeeded Robinson by appointment on August 
13, 1851; and on September 15, the same year, 
Lewis Aldrich assumed the oflice. He resigned 
November 19, 1852, and A. C. Mouson was 
appointed by Governor Bigler on November 2(j, 

1852. He took office on the 1st of December 
of that year. Monson had been elected at the 
general election on November 2, 1852. He 
resigned August 17, 1857, and Governor John- 
son, on the 3d of September, appointed Charles 
T. Botts to succeed him. At the general elec- 
tion, held September 1, 1858, John H. McKune 
was elected, and was re-elected October 21, 

1853. On October 20, 1869, Lewis Ramage 
was elected, and October 20, 1875, Samuel C. 
Denson was elected. He served until the new 
constitution, abolishing the court, took effect. 

Thomas, after his resignation, returned to 
the East, and died at St. Louis in 1857 or 
1858. Robinson, who was a prominent mem- 
ber of the bar, and who belonged to a family 
of distinguished lawyers, died in San Mateo 
County, October 27, 1870. Forman was after- 
ward Secretary of State, and is now living in 
the East. Aldrich died at San Francisco, May 
19, 1885. Monson removed East, and is still 
living. Botts was a brother of John Minor 
Botts. He had been a member of the first 
Constitutional Convention of the State, and was 
afterward State printer. He died in San Fran- 
cisco, October 4, 1884. McKune is still in the 
law practice here. Ramage removed to Kansas 
City and died there February 14, 1879. Danson 
was afterward elected superior judge of the 
county, and resigned that office and is now in 
law practice in this city. A sketch of his life 
ajipears nii a subse(|uc'nt page. 



IIISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



As we have stated, the Court of Sessions 
was composed of the county judge and two 
associates. The latter were elected by a con- 
vention of the justices of the peace, held on the 
first Monday of October of each year — except 
the first convention, which was held May 20, 
1850. C. C. Sackett and Charles PI. Swift were 
then elected associates. The associates held 
office for two years. On November 27, 1850, 
the county treasurer resigned, and Swift was 
appointed to fill the vacancy. James Brown 
was elected associate in his stead, and assumed 
the duties of iiis office February 7, 1851. On 
August 14 following, D. D. Bullock succeeded 
Brown. The last meeting of the Court of Ses- 
sions was lield July 6, 1862. 

The following is a list of the subsequent 
judges of the court from October, 1851, to 
October, 1862: 

E. J. Willis, Judge; George Wilson and 
James K Gates Associates. 

1852-'53— E. J. Willis, Judge; he resigned 
November 18, and John Heard was appointed. 
James li. Gates and J. T. Day were Associates. 

1853-'54— John Heard, Judge; Gilbert M. 
Cole and D. H. Taft, Associates. 

1854-'55— John Heard, Judge; H. Lock- 
wood and B. D. Fry, Associates. 

1855-'56— John Heard, Judge; S. N. Baker 
and C. C. Jenks, Associates. 

1856-'57— Same. 

1857-'58— Robert Robinson, Judge; C. A. 
Hill and Peter Bross, Associates. 

1858-'59 — Robert Robinson, Judge; James 
Coggins and W. B. Whitesides, Associates. 

1859-'60 — Robert Jiobinson, Judge; James 
Coggins and Hodgkins, Associates. 

1860-'61— Robert C. Clark, Judge; James 
Coggins and George Cone, Associates. 

1861-'62— Robert C. Clark, Judge, George 
Cone and W. W. Crouse, Associates. 

After the abolishment of the Court of Ses- 
sions, Judge Clark continued county judge, 
successively elected to that office and occui)ied 
it until the abolishment of the County Court 
by tlie operation of the new constitution. The 



County Court also exercised the functions of a 
Probate Court. 

Willis left here and returned to the East in 
early days. AVilson died in one of the north- 
ern counties of this State a number of years 
ago. Day died recently. Heard still lives here. 
Jenks removed to Oakland, and has held public 
offices there. Robinson is still a resident of 
Sacramento. Coggins died a number of years 
ago. Cone was afterward a member of the 
State Legislature from this county. Clark had 
been a Senator and Assemblyman, and after the 
abolishment of the County Court was elected, 
with Denson, a judge of the Superior Court, 
and held the office until the time of his death. 

At the first election under the new constitu- 
tion, September 3, 1879, Samuel C. Denson 
and Robert C. Clark were elected judges of the 
Superior Court. Judge Denson resigned De- 
cember 16, 1882. and on the 18th Governor 
Perkins appointed Thomas B. McFarland to fill 
the vai.'ancy. The latter was elected by the 
people to succeed himself at the general election 
held November 4, 1884; and at the general . 
election held November 2, 1886, McFarland 
was elected one of the justices of the State Su- 
preme Court. He resigned the office of supe- 
rior judge, and Governor Stoneman, on Decem- 
ber 81, 1886, appointed John W. Armstrong to 
the office. At the general election held in No- 
vember, 1888, Armstrong was elected to suc- 
ceed himself, and is now serving on the bench. 

Judge Clark died January 27, 1883, and 
Governor Stoneman appointed John W. Arm- 
strong to succeed him. At the general election 
lield November 4, 1884, AV. C. Van Fleet was 



nipi, 



elected for the full term, and he still oc( 
the bench. 

THE ATTORNEYS OF THE PAST. 

James C. Zabriskie was the first city attor- 
ney. He was a native of New Jersey, of Polish 
stock, was Colonel of a regiment of New Jersey 
militia, and with his regiment participated in 
the inaugural ceremonies of President Jackson, 
and was warmly entertained by that stern old 
veteran. He was an intimate friend of Coin- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tnodore R. F. Stpckton, after whom the city of 
Stockton was named, and was selected as master 
of ceremonies on the occasion of the inspection 
by the great peacemaker, on board the Commo- 
dore's frigate, Princeton, on tlie Potomac River, 
in 1844. Tlie inspection was witnessed by Presi- 
dent Tyler, members of the cabinet, foreign 
ministers, members of courts and the represen- 
tatives of the beanty and fashion of the national 
capital. The guns had been lired twice, satis- 
factorily, and the guests were about to retire to 
the banquet, when one of the cabinet officers 
begged Stockton to fire just once more. The 
Commodore complied, and it proved to be "three 
times and out," for the immense piece exploded 
with terrific force and scattered death and deso- 
lation about the deck! The Secretary of State 
and of the Navy and several other distinguished 
persons were instantly killed, while Thomas H. 
Benton, Commodore Stockton and many others 
wei"e more or less injured. The life of the Presi- 
dent was saved as by a miracle. 

Zabriskie arrived in Sacramento in 1849 and 
established a law office in a little shanty under 
an oak tree which stood near the intersection of 
Second and K streets. His library consisted of 
a single volume, " The New Jersey Justice." 
He had, however, a good business, and in a few 
months was elected second alcalde. 

In early days he was a Democrat and a fol- 
lower of David C. Broderick, and published a 
paper, called the Sacramento Register, in favor 
of Broderick. Afterward he became a Repub- 
lican, being one of the first to espouse the cause 
of that party in this county. In 1861 he re- 
moved to San Francisco and continued in law 
practice there until his death July 10, 1883. 

M. D. Reed and B. F. Ankeny were in part- 
nership; the latter was deputy clerk. 

James H. Hardy was elected district attorney; 
afterward, January 28, 1859, was appointed 
judge of the Sixteenth Judicial District by Gov- 
ernor Weller, and later he was elected by the 
people to that office. During the war he was 
impeached by the Assembly for treasonable ut- 
terances, and his trial lieforc thi; bar of the Sen- 



ate resulted in liis removal from office, May 14, 
1862. He afterward removed to Virginia City 
and thence, in 1866, to San Francisco, where he 
died, June 11, 1874, at the age of forty-two 
years. 

Lewis Sanders, Jr., was city attoi-ney. 

Joseph W. Winans left New York City, his 
native place, with a party of young men who 
had formed a joint-stock company, and who had 
purchased and furnished a sailing vessel, and 
they came around by Cape Horn to this coast. 
Winans had no idea of making anything but a 
transient trip, and expected to pick up lumps of 
gold from the surface, enough to furnish a com- 
petence. He left his office practice in the care 
of a partner. The vessel arrived at San Fran- 
cisco, August 29, 1849, and was brought up the 
Sacramento River and anchored opposite Sutter- 
ville. At tliat point the members of the com- 
pany gathered their mining implements and 
started for the mountains, and Mr. Winans pur- 
chased from them a controlling interest in the 
bark. At the solicitation of R. N. Jessup — 
afterward a prominent citizen of California, he 
opened a law office in Sacramento and took 
charge of an important law case for Jessup. The 
profits from his law practice extended beyond 
his anticipations. In the great fire of 1852 his 
law library, one of the largest in the State, was 
destroyed, and the few books that were saved 
were deposited in an iron building for security; 
but that building also was burned. 

Mr. Winans went to San Francisco, purchased 
an extensive library and rented a primitive but 
high-priced office here, in which he did business 
during the day and slept at night; but the first 
great stormy winter demonstrated that the roof 
was decidedly " unseaworthy," and one uigiit 
his new library was ruined by the water which 
came in torrents tiirough the roof. In 1861 he 
removed to San Francisco and continued his 
practice until his death, Marcii 3, 1887. 

While in Sacramento he was prominently 
identified with the society of pioneers and the 
City Library Association, and was an early presi- 
dent of botii tliesc iiistitiilions. He was dele- 



inSTOItY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



gate at large to the last Coiiftitiitional Conven- 
tion, taking an active and important part in its 
proceedings, lie was also a writer of distinc- 
tion. Several of his poems have been exten- 
sively republished; and his prose writings in 
the Placar Times, the Sacramento Union and 
other journals have attracted wide attention. 
His private library was the best selected in the 
State. For several years lie was regent of the 
State University, and for a time was president 
of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
Animals, and also of the Society for the Preven- 
tion of Cruelty to Children. 

J. (t. Ilyer was in partnership with Winans 
for a time. 

John C. Eurch practiced law here and was a 
member of Congress. Was in favor of the es- 
tablishment of the " Pacific Republic," and wrote 
the remarkable " Cactus " letter. 

Edmund Eandolph, a descendant of the cele- 
brated John Eandolph, " of Roanoke," was a 
prominent man in this State. 

A. T. AVard was one of the pioneer lawyers. 

Edward J. C. Kewen was boin in Mississippi 
in 1825, and was thrown upon his own resources 
at the age of thirteen years. He studied law, 
and at the early age of nineteen years he entered 
politics and became a prominent orator. He 
came overland to California with Dr. T. J. 
White and family, and married a daughter of 
the Doctor's in this city, December 10, 1849; 
this was probahly the first marriage in Sacra- 
mento. Colonel Kewen was elected the first 
Attorney-Guieral of the State, by the first Leg- 
islature, soon after his arrival. In 1851 he was 
a Whig candidate for Congress, but was de- 
feated by a small majority. He left Sacramento 
in 1852, and established himself in law practice 
in San Francisco. He was, however, of a rest- 
less and daring disposition. One of his brothers 
was second in command under William Walker 
in the fillibuster e.xpedition to Nicaragua, and 
was shot and killed there, in June, 1855. 

Colonel Kewen was an intimate friend of 
Walker, went to Nicaragua and was at once 
commissioned by AValker as the financial agent 



of the embryo republic, and also became a mem- 
ber of the judicial tribunal. He took an active 
part in the subsequent military movements there, 
and at tlie close of Walker's rule returned to 
San Francisco. In January, 1858, he became a 
citizen of Los Angeles, where be died Novem- 
ber 25, 1879. He was several times a member 
of the Legislature, and in 1868 ran for Presi- 
dential elector on the Democratic ticket. 

Philip L. Edwards; see Chapter VIII., " Leg- 
islators." 

James L. English, who still resides here but 
is out of practice, served at one time as mayor 
of this city, and at another as State Treasurer. 

Horace Smith was a prominent lawyer and 
distinguished citizen, and died at Virginia City 
December 4, 1863. 

Murray Morrison was a brother of the late 
Chief Justice Robert F. Morrison, who in early 
days was district attorney of the county. He 
afterward served as district judge in the south- 
ern part of the State, and died at Los Angeles, 
December 18, 1871. 

Other men who have served as district attor- 
neys of Sacramento County have become mem- 
bers of the United States Senate; as, Milton S. 
Latham, who was first elected Governor, and a 
few days afterward United States Senator; Cor- 
nelius Cole; and Frank Hereford, who removed 
to the East and was elected from West Vir- 
ginia. 

W. H. McGrew's name appears in the Direct- 
ory of 1858 as a lawyer here. 

J. Neely Johnson was elected Governor by 
the Know-Nothing party in 1845, afterward re- 
moved to Nevada and served on the Supreme 
Bench there. He died at Salt Lake, August 
31, 1872. 

Ferris Forman was appointed Secretary of 
State by Governor'Weller, January 9, 1858, and 
served for a while as judge of the Ninth Judi- 
cial District. He now resides in the East. 

Thomas Sunderland was a lawyer here in the 
early '50s. 

Robert C. Clark, who was on the bench for 
many years as county and superior judge, was 



HISTOBT OF SACUAUENrO COUNTY. 



the son of Governoi- James Clark, of Kentucky. 
He died in this State, January 27, 1883. 

James W. Coffroth represented the county of 
Tuolumne in the Assembly and Senate several 
terms, and unsuccessfully ran lor Congress sev- 
eral times on the Democratic ticket. He died 
in Sacramento, October 9, 1872. 

E. B. Crocker was appointed a justice of the 
State Supreme Court to succeed Stephen J. 
Field, on May 21, 1863. Field had been ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln as associate jus- 
tice of the National Supreme Court. Later 
Judge Crocker made extended visits to Europe 
and made one of the finest art collections to be 
found in America, which is now public property 
in this city. He died in this city, June 24, 
1875, and his widow has distinguished herself 
in several magnificent gifts to the public. See 
sections on Crocker Art Gallery and Marguerite 
Home in this volume. 

W. R. Cantwell, a Western man, served one 
term as police judge and afterward moved to 
San Francisco, where he died. 

W. S. Long, a lawyer of note, practiced in 
this city twelve years; was police judge, and 
afterward represented Colusa County in the 
Legislature. Died at Shasta, February 21, 1871. 

Li partnership with Long for a time were 
Charles D. Judah and Presley Dunlap. Dunlap 
was born in Pennsylvania, in 1817; moved to 
Hlinois and then to Iowa, where, in 1842, he 
was elected clerk of Des Moines County, and 
was recorder of that county for two years. When 
a young man he was a warm and intimate friend 
of John C. Breckenridge. He arrived in Cali- 
fornia, August 16, 1849, and in October follow- 
ing was appointed deputy sheriff by the first 
sheriff of the district, there being then no State 
or county organization. In December, 1849, he 
was appointed clerk of the court, and at the 
first county election, in April, 1850, was elected 
county clerk. For a time he was surveyor, and 
afterward lawyer. In 1857 he was elected city 
police judge, and after that term expired he 
continued in the practice of law until his death 
in this city, September 23, 1883. In 1879 he 



represented this county in the Constitutional 
Convention. 

Tod Robinson was at one time the reporter of 
the State Supreme Coui't, and died in San Mateo 
County, October 27, 1870. 

Messrs. Botts and Sackett have already been 
mentioned. 

George R. Moore died here June 22, 1868. 
His son practiced law in connection with Judge 
N. Greene Curtis, and died here several years 
.ago. 

D. W. Welty, a partner of Moore, is noticed 
in Chapter VIII., having been a "Legislator." 

John B. Harmon and R. H. Stanley were 
partners of Thomas Sunderland. 

I. S. Brown figured prominently as a crimi- 
nal lawyer, being engaged in many important 
cases. He died in the spring of 1889, while 
holding the office of justice of the peace in this 
city. 

George Cadwallader arrived in California in 
1849, engaged in merchandising, studied law, 
was admitted to the bar and rose to a position 
of prominence in his profession, having much 
to do with mining-debris litigation. He re- 
moved to San Francisco, where he died April 
28, 1884, never having held any j^ublic office. 

A. Comte, Jr., represented the county in the 
Assembly and Senate. He is now a merchant 
in San Francisco. 

Samuel Cross, who died here a few years ago, 
was a searcher of records as well as a lawyer. 

Thomas C. Edwards, son of Philip L., died 
many years ago. 

C. G. W. French practiced law many years 
in Folsom, then in Sacramento, and while here 
was appointed by President Hayes Chief Jus- 
tice of Arizona. 

A. C. Freeman, who is a distinguished com- 
piler and writer of standard law books, and 
editor of "American Decisions," is now residing 
in San Francisco. 

A. LI. Lynch, his former partner here, was at 
one time a justice of the peace, and came to be 
a journalist of some note. Died a number of 
years ago. 



UlSTOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



L. H. Foote was a police judge. Is the 
author of a nuuiber of pucins and prose articles 
which have been published in magazines. He 
was for a time United States Consul at Corea. 

T. W. Gilmer served as police judge, and also 
as justice of the peace. Died a few years ago. 

James C. Goods was one of the most promi- 
nent criminal lawyers in the State; served several 
terms as district attorney, and was one of the 
leaders of the Democratic party. Died in this 
city November 23, 1877. 

Henry Hare Hartley occupied a foremost 
position in the bar of the State; was county 
judge of Yolo County, and in 1865 ran on the 
Democratic ticket for justice of the Supreme 
Court, but was defeated by Judge Sanderson. 
He died in this city March 12, 18G8. 

E. H. Heacock; see Chapter VIII. 

J. G. McCallum was once a State Senator 
from El Dorado County, and subsequently Regis- 
ter of the United States Land Office in Sacra- 
mento. 

Daniel J. Thomas, besides being a lawyer, 
was most conspicuous here for having been con- 
nected with some of the railroad enterprises. 
Died here several years ago. 

Gregory Yale, a prominent member of the 
bar here, moved to San Francisco, where lie 
died June 16, 1871. 

Thomas Conger was police judge and justice 
of the peace. Died several years ago. 

Henry Edgerton was one of the most brilliant 
men who have figured in the political and legal 
history of the State. He was a matchless 
orator. Served as district attorney of Napa 
County, and prosecuted the celebrated case of 
Edward McGowan, which grew out of the acts 
of the vigilance committee of San Francisco in 
1856. He served in the State Senate from that 
county in the eleventh and twelfth sessions. 
He died at San Francisco, November 4, 1887. 

Thomas J. Clunie represented San Francisco 
in the State Senate during the twenty-fourth 
session, and November 6, 1888, was elected to 
Congress, which office he now holds. 

Jo Hamilton served two terms as Attorney- 



General of the State, and is now practicing law 
at Auburn. 

William C. Stratton was State Librarian. 

Creed Haymond and C. T. Jones; see Chap- 
ter YIII. 

J. T. Carey served one term as district attor- 
ney, and ran unsuccessfully for State Senator. 
He is now United States District Attorney, ap- 
pointed by President Cleveland. 

William Neely Johnson, brother of the 
former Governor, was at one time State Libra- 
rian. He afterward became blind, and tinally 
died in San Francisco in June, 1885. 

J. G. Severance was a prominent member of 
the bar of Amador County, as well as of tliis 
county at another time, and is now practicing 
in San Francisco. 

James E. Smith was a partner, at one time, of 
Henry Edgerton; has been dead several years. 

John K. Alexander was district attorney, 
and at present is superior judge of Monterey 
County. 

T. B. McFarland and R. C. Clark were 
judges; already noticed. 

Hamilton C. Harrison, a prominent Free- 
mason, was at one time county clerk, and is 
now deceased. 

Silas W. Sanderson represented El Dorado 
County in the Legislature, and in October, 
1863, was elected justice of the State Supreme 
Court; in October, 1865, was re-elected, but 
resigned January 4, 1870, and became attorney 
for the Central Pacific Railroad Company, 
which position he held until his death, in San 
Francisco, June 24, 1886. 

W. B. C. Brown served as county clerk, and 
F^ebruary 6, 1876, was appointed controller 
of State, to fill the term made vacant by the 
death of James W. Mandeville. He was a 
prominent candidate for the Democratic nomi- 
nation for Governor in 1882, but he died April 
12 of that year, in this city. 

Paschal H. Coggins was brought up in Sacra- 
mento, and served for a while as justice of the 
peace. He is now practicing law in Philadel- 
phia. 



HIHTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



James L. English, once mayor, died at Sacra- 
mento, May 29, 1889. 

Twenty or thirty other lawyers, of less note 
than those mentioned, have practiced in Sacra- 
mei:to. 

THp; PRESENT BAR. 

The last City Directory furnishes the follow- 
ing list of attorneys now practicing in Sacra- 
mento, extended sketches of some of whom 
appear in a subsequent portion of this work: 



D. E. Alexander, 
W. A. Anderson, 
C. W. Baker, 
JBeatty, Den son & Oat- 
man, 
William H. Beatty, 
George A. Blanchard, 
I. S. Brown, 
Jay R. Brown, 
Elwood Bruner, 
Jud C. Brusie, 
Alex. N. Buchanan, 
A. P. Catlin, 
Catlin & Blanchard, 
W. S. Church, 
Richard M. Clarkin, 
J. B. Counts, 
JM. Greene Curtis, 
George G. Davis, 
Robert T. Devlin, 
James B. Devine, 
Chauncey li. Dunn, 
Edward J. Dwyer, 
Wilber F. George, 
W. A. Gett, Jr., 
Gabriel Haines, 
George Haines, 
A. L. Hart, 
Elijah C. Hart, 
John Heard, 
William Henley, 
Wilson A. Henley, 



Add. C. Hinkson, 
Joseph W. Hughes, 
Albert M. Johnson, 
Grove L. Johnson, 
Matt. F. Johnson, 
Daniel Johnston, 
C. T. Jones, 
Isaac Joseph, 
Frank J. Lewis, 
W. S. Mesick, 
Ed. M. Martin, 
McKune & George, 
G. G. Pickett, 
Charles N. Post, 
John F. Ramage, 
Ed. I. Robinson, 
Frank D. Ryan, 
John Shannon, 
Peter J. Shields, 
Singer & Gardner, 
William Singer, Jr., 
Henry Starr, 
Horace Stevens, 
Taylor & Holl, 
Ed. F. Taylor, 
M. C. Tilden, 
John C. Tubbs, 
John West, Jr., 
Clinton L. White, 
Lincoln White, 
Young & Dunn. 



A QUEER CASE. 

A remarkable case of mistaken identity was 
recently related by Attorney Paschal H. Coggins 
before the Medical Jurisprudence Society in 
Pliiladel])hia, as having come under his personal 
observation. Two men — John A. Mason, of 
Boston, and John A. Mason, of Hlinois — left 
their respective homes and went to California 



in search of liealth and wealth. They were 
both wagon-makers. One left a wife and two 
sons in Boston, and tlie other a wife and two 
daughters in Illinois. The Boston wife heard 
nothing of her husband after three years' ab- 
sence, and twenty years later heard of the death 
of John A. Mason, a wagon-maker. She 
brought suit for his property, his photogi-aph 
was identified by twenty witnesses, but at the 
last moment the Illinois wife turned up and 
]iroved that tlie man was her husband, and the 
later developments showed that the Boston 
pioneer died alone and friendless. — N. Y. 
Graphic. 

Upon this Theviis comments as follows: 
''The Coggins referred to was a resident of this 
city, and at one time the law partner of Creed 
Haymond. He was also a justice of the peace 
here, married the daughter of one of our pio- 
neer citizens, and afterward removed with his 
family to Philadelphia, where he has since re- 
sided. He is a son of Paschal Coggins, at one 
time one of the editors of the Sacramento 
Union, and who represented this county two 
terms in the Assembly. Coggins, Sr., ran for 
Congress against H. F. Page in 1872, on the 
independent ticket. The case referred to was 
that of Supervisor John A. Mason, of this city. 
It was certainly one of the most remarkable 
cases that ever came up in court, but the state- 
ment in the Graphic is not strictly correct. 
The case was tried before the late Judge Clark. 
In the contest Hay ward & Coggins appeared 
for the lady contestant, and the late George 
Cadwalader and W. A. Anderson for the will. 
It was developed that there were two John A. 
Masons; that they followed the same trade — 
carriage-making; and that they came to Cali- 
fornia about the sairie time; one, however, by 
steamer, and the other overland. By a strange 
coincidence the Mr. Coggins referred to was a 
passenger on the same steamer with the Mason 
who came by sea, and he was referred to in the 
printed passenger list as an "infant." It fur- 
ther developed that the two Masons worked at 
their trades in the same block in Sacramento 
City — Third street between I and J. After the 
death of Supervisor Mason his sons, grown 



HISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



men, applied for letters on Lis estate; their 
issuance was contested by a lady and two 
grown daughters, who claimed to be the wife 
and offspring of Mason. There is no doubt 
that the contest was in good faith and that the 
lady believed that the deceased was her hus- 
band. The testimony, however, developed that 
there m.ust have been two John A. Masons, and 
that the husband of the lady contestant had. 



like many another of the California argonauts, 
disappeared long years ago. It was strange 
that photographs of Supervisor Mason were 
identified by his mother and other relatives in 
Massachusetts, and that the same pictures were 
identified by prominent citizens of Illinois as 
being the other Mason. Judge Clark held 
against the contestants, but said that there was 
no doubt of the good faith of their contest." 




HI STOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTER X. 



N Sacramento there have been twenty- four 

executions of criminals, sixteen of which 

were according to the forms of law. We 

have space here for a brief account of the prin- 



In 1850 robbery and murder became so fre- 
quent, while the law's delays were so characteris- 
tically slow, that the people became exasperated 
and arose in self-defense. The lirst victim 
of their vengeance was Frederick J. Roe, a 
professional gambler. While quarreling at a 
monte table in the Mansion House, corner of 
Front and J streets, he engaged in a tight witii an 
unknown man. The bystanders separated them 
and stopped the row several times, but it was as 
often renewed. At length a peaceable and 
industrious citizen named Charles Humphrey 
Myers, an immigrant from Columbus, Ohio, and 
a partner in the blacksmithing establishment of 
Joseph Prader & Co., again parted them, when 
Roe shot him for interfering. The ball entered 
Myers's head, but did not kill him instantly. 
He was carried to the blacksmith shop, where 
the wound was examined by surgeons and pro- 
nounced to be necessarily fatal. The excite- 
ment of the large crowd which had gathered 
became intense. Dr. Mackenzie, a member of 
the City Council, mounted a wagon and made a 
violent address, stating tliat crime had run ramp- 
ant long enough: that the courts and officers 



seemed powerless to prevent it; but that it must 
be stopped somehow, or all respectable and 
honest people must leave the city; that the 
remedy was now in tJie people's o.wn hands, and 
that it was a duty each of them owed to society 
to aid in applying it. He was followed by 
David B. Milne and Ross and Taplin in the 
same strain. 

The addresses were eiiective. A meeting was 
organized, of which Ross was appointed presi- 
dent. In the meantime Roe had been taken 
into custody by the officers, and news was 
brought that he was in the station-house, corner 
of Second and J streets. The meeting promptly 
and unanimously resolved to bring him out, and 
a large crowd proceeded to the prison, where a 
still larger body had assembled. One Everard 
addressed them, stating that if ever they in- 
tended to rid the city of the scoundrels that 
infested it, now was the time. He advised the 
appointment of a committee who should deter- 
mine what justice was in the case, and James 
Queen followed to the same effect, urging the 
selection of a jury for the immediate trial of the 
prisoner. These speeches were continually inter- 
rupted by loud and long cheers, mingled with 
cries of "Hang him,'' etc. 

The city marshal, N. C. Cunningham, next 
followed, stating that he had the prisoner in 
custody and that he should not escape; but in 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tlie luime of God and Sacnimeuto let him be 
tried b}' the proper tribunal, the courts of the 
country. He was interrupted by cries of " No, 
no; they have proved useless to prevent crime 
and punish murder." lint he continued: " If 
he don't get justice in the courts, then I will 
help you get it; I pledge you my honor I'll re- 
sign my office and help you; but now I am a 
sworn officer and you cannot, you shall not, 
have him while I am such." fle attempted to 
continue further in the same strain, but his 
voice was drowned in cries of, " Let the peojile 
have a jury," etc. Queen tried it again. He 
was in favor of laws and of supporting them, 
but ours have proved inoperative; let us have 
a people's jury; let us imitate San Francisco." 

C. A. Tweed was then called to the chair, who 
said he believed the prisoner was a great scoun- 
drel and ought to be hanged, but he wanted 
the hanging to be done by law. He was con- 
sequently hustled out of the chair and Scranton 
forced in. Then Justice of the Peace Bullock 
attempted to speak in behalf of law and order, 
but his voice was immediately smothered be- 
neath tumultuous cries of "Jury! jury! appoint 
a jury." 

A jury was announced, all of whom accepted, 
except F. G. Ewer, who stated that he was a 
newspaper man, and that it was his duty to 
make an unbiased report of the proceedings, 
which he could not do if he participated in them. 
Dr. V. Spalding was appointed in his place. 
The jury retired to the Orleans, on Second street, 
and organized by appointing Levi Hermance 
foreman, and George G. Wright secretary. A 
committee was ap])ointed to guard the prisoner 
and see that the officers did not remove him. 
Some of the officers attempted at various times 
to address the assemblage, but were invariably 
shut off. The marshal again addressed the peo- 
ple, stating that the prisoner could not be taken 
from his custody until his own life had been 
taken; "If Roe escapes the courts you may 
have him; but now I call on all good citizens to 
aid me in his protection." Some four or live 
advanced, but the only notice the crowd took of 



the speech was to hoot those few, and to express, 
in most unmistakable terms, their nonconcur- 
rence with the marshal. 

The privilege of letting the prisoner have a 



lawyer was proposed and voted down. After a 
few further attempts at speech-making, and en- 
deavors by the marshal to preserve the prisoner, 
the deafening yells of 2,500 or more people 
goaded on the leaders to a determined effort to 
execute Lynch law. The jurj' was quite delib- 
erate, while the crowd was impatient. Com- 
mittees were sent to the jury to hurry them up. 
They reported that the jury were acting fairly, 
but needed the protection of the people to keep 
the lawyers out, as they (the jury) could elicit 
the testimony themselves. Simple facts did not 
require legal gloss. The lawyers were ordered 
out, and staid out. 

As Myers was not yet quite dead, Tweed un- 
dertook to make a point temporarily in the pris- 
oner's favor; but it was useless against the cries 
of, " But he will die, and you know it; the doc- 
tors say so, and so will the other man!" One 
stentorian voice, ringing above the rest, shouted, 
"Yes; the murder was deliberate and cold- 
blooded. The murderer has made a widow and 
four orphans. Blood for blood! He must die! 
Let those who are in favor of hanging him say 
Aye!" The whole street reverberated with the 
sound of the Ayes. 

Dr. Taylor hoped every man present was 
armed. If so, he wanted a picked body to go 
with him and take the prisoner; " if we have 
him in our custody we will know where he is." 
A large portion of the crowd stepped forward, 
but were stopped by a cry that the verdict had 
been rendered, which was read from the Orleans 
balcony at 8 p. m. amid perfect silence, as fol- 
lows: 

We, the committee of investigation appointed 
by our fellow-citizens to investigate the circum- 
stances of the unfortunate occurrence that took 
place this afternoon, report that after a full and 
impartial examination of the evidence we find 
that at about 2 o'clock p. m. this day, Frederick 
J. Roe and some other person, whose name is 
unknown, were engaged in an altercation which 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



oi-iginated in the Mansion House; and that after 
said parties had proceeded to the street, and 
where thej were lighting, Charles H. Myers, 
who was passing in the street, interfered with 
words reqiiesting tliem to desist lighting or 
show fair play ; and that immediately there- 
upon the said Koe called out, " What the devil 
have you to say?" and drew his pistol and with- 
out further provocation shot said Myers through 
the head. 

John II. Sceanton, John T. Bailey, 
W. F. Pekttyman, Edw. Ceonin, 
J. B. Staee, D. O. Mills, 

H. G. Langlet, F. B. Coenwall, 

Geoege G. Weight, A. M. AVinn, 
Haeeison Olmstead, L. Heemance. 

The above signers composed the entire jury, 
except Dr. Spalding, who, after participating 
for some time, withdrew in consequence of what 
he considered the undue influence of the people's 
committee sent to the jury. As soon as the 
verdict was read there was a general stampede 
for the station-house; and there Dr. Taylor, who 
had urged immediate action from the first, stated 
that he had visited the prisoner and found him 
penitent; and he thought the murder was with- 
out malice or deliberation and he hoped a com- 
mittee would be appointed to guard the prisoner 
until the next day, when a course of action 
might be determined. The Doctor was hooted 
and hissed off. A. D. Eightmire said the ver- 
dict had been rendered, and he now considered 
it the duty of all good citizens to see it carried 
out; he was ready, for his part; and he was 
thereupon appointed marshal, by acclamation. 

About 9 o'clock awning posts were pulled up 
and made into battering rams, with which the 
door of the station-house was assaulted, and 
under the blows from which it soon yielded. 
Deputy Sheriff Harris stood in the door-way, 
with a small posse in his rear, and held the 
place for some time, both by remonstrances and 
threats to fire; but the impatient multitude 
crowded those in front up against the door, and 
through it, against Harris and his aids, pushing 
them over and taking them prisoners. Roe was 
chained in an inner cell, and there was consid- 
erable difficulty in getting him unshackled; but 



as soon as that was accomplished he was in- 
formed that he was to be hanged forthwith, on 
one of the large oak trees that then stood on 
Sixth street, between K and L. A large por- 
tion of the crowd immediately rushed to the 
point, but a sufficient number remained to guard 
the escort of the prisoner. Arriving at the 
tragical spot, where a staging had been erected 
for the purpose, they placed the prisoner upon 
it, tied his hands and feet and sent for Rev. M. 
C. Briggs. Through this man, Roe said to the 
public that he committed the deed in a fit of 
passion, and had nothing more to say in self- 
defense; that he was an Englishman by birth, 
was twenty years of age, and had a mother and 
sister then living in the old country. After the 
minister had performed his duties, a rope con- 
taining a slip noose was placed around the pris- 
oner's neck, the other end thrown over one of 
the limbs of the tree, and this was seized by a 
multitude of strong hands, which launched the 
prisoner into eternity, in the presence of an 
estimated assemblage of 5,000 people. Myers, 
however, was not dead at the time the prisoner 
was executed. 

On July 9, 1851, William B. Robinson, James 
Gibson and John Thompson knocked down and 
robbed James Wilson on L street, between 
Fourth and Fifth, in broad daylight. They 
were seen and arrested, and before 4 o'clock 
p. M. more than 1.000 men surrounded the jail. 
Violent speeches were made, and a crowd organ- 
ized by electing a president and secretary. A 
jury was impaneled, but it could not agree; 
and it was decided that the parties should be 
indicted and tried on the following Monday, 
when a special term of court would meet. The 
court met at that time; but, to give the counsel 
for the defense time to prepare, it continued the 
case one week. The prisoners were tried se|)a- 
rately. On Tuesday Robinson was found guilty 
by the jury, and his punishment, death, was 
also designated by thein. On the 16th Gibson 
was likewise convicted, and on the 18th Thomp- 
son also. Under the first statutes of this State 
the crimes of robbery and grand larceny, as well 



inSTOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



as murder, were punishable by death, in the 
discretion of tiie jury. July 21st Judge Willis 
sentenced all three to be hanged August 22d; 
and accordingly Gibson and Thompson were ex- 
ecuted that day, on an old sycamore tree at 
Sixth and O streets; but Robinson was iirst re- 
prieved by the Governor and afterward hanged 
at the same place by the people. 

On the night of Sunday, February 20, 1853, 
John Carroll, alias " Bootjack," was murdered 
on the levee near Tenth and B streets. He was 
one of a gang of thieves, and was killed by 
his associates, who suspected that he was a 
traitor to them. One of the parties arrested 
for the murder, William Dunham, turned 
State's evidence, and Jack Thompson, Barney 
Ackerman and Charles Stewart were tried, con- 
victed, and sentenced to be hung. A gallows 
was erected about three or four hundred paces 
east of Sutter's Fort, on an open plain, where 
every person was afibrded an excellent oppor- 
tunity to witness the execution; and on the 29th 
of April, 1853, the men were hanged. Thomp- 
son was aged twenty-five, Stewart twenty, and 
Ackerman nineteen. 

Ah Chung, a Chinaman, was executed be- 
tween J and K streets, just below Sutter's Fort, 
May 9, 1856, for the murder of one of his 
country-women, named Ah Lei, February 8, 
1856. The execution was public and was wit- 
nessed by a large number. The culprit claimed 
the murdered woman to be his wife and ac- 
cused her of intidelity. 

Samuel L. Garrett was hung near Sutter's 
Fort, June 27, 1856, for the murder uf Amiel 
Brickell, at the Golden Eagle Hotel, April 26, 
1855. Brickell had had some difficulty with 
Garrett relative to the daughter of the former, 
whom the latter was accused of having seduced, 
and it ended in Garrett fatally shooting Brickell. 
On the 20th of November following he was 
tried for the murder before Judge Monson and 
convicted. He was sentenced to be executed 
January 9, 1856, but an appeal was taken to the 
Supreme Court, and May 5 the judgment of 
the court below was sustained and the convict 



was again sentenced to death, which sentence 
was executed. Garrett a native of Pennsylvania, 
born in 1833, was married to Miss Harriet L. 
Brickell, the daughter of the murdered man, by 
Justice C. C. Jenks on the prison brig the 
Sunday before the execution, in the presence of 
a large assembly. She attempted suicide by tak- 
ing poison a day or two before he was hanged. 

William S. Kelly was executed at the same 
moment, for the murder of Daniel C. Howe, at 
Lake Valley, El Dorado County. On the night 
of July 10, 1855, Mickey Free, George Wilson 
and this Kelly went into the cabin of Howe and 
Ruggles, traders, for the purpose of robbery. 
Free shot Howe dead, and Wilson shot Ruggles 
with a long rifle, but did not kill him. Rug- 
gles turned his side to them after receiving the 
wound and asked them to kill him, when Free 
said he would accommodate him and stabbed 
him several times with a bowie-knife. After 
Ruggles was dead Wilson declared that Kelly 
must have a hand in the murder also, and 
forced him to cut the throat of the murdered 
man. This is the version given by the crimi- 
nal himself. 

Free was executed October 26, 1855, at Co- 
loma, and in his confession substantiated Kelly's 
statement. Wilson was the principal witness 
against Kelly, and testified that Kelly cut Rug- 
gles's throat before the latter was dead. Kelly 
got a change of venue in November, 1855, to 
this county, and was tried and convicted before 
Judge Monson, December 20, 1855. The usual 
motions, in arrest of judgment, a new trial, 
etc., were made and overruled, and an appeal 
taken to the Supreme Court, but the judgment 
of the Lower Court was sustained and the orig- 
inal sentence was executed. 

Peter Lundberg, who murdered John Peter 
Ritz, was executed in the water-works building 
April 13, 1860. He was at work for a man 
named Palm, and. between his employer and 
Ritz there was an enmity, which grew out of a 
dispute concerning some money which the latter 
owed the former, and did not pay on account of 
failure iti business. Lundberg confessed that 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COdNTT. 



he was induced to commit tlie murder, and 
Mrs. Palm was arrested for the murder, but 
acquitted. One dark night Ritz walked out to 
call on a friend above the old gas-works, and 
when returning, about 9 o'clock, was shot 
dead. The ofticers suspected tliat Palm com- 
mitted the deed, and officer Burke went to 
Palm's house. Mrs. Palm was tiiere alone. 
Burke turned down the light and waited. In 
a short time Lundberg arrived, and the muddy 
appearance of his clotlies, etc., caused the officer 
to suspect him, and he was arrested. 

The case of William Wells, in 1860, was an 
extraordinarj' one. It seems that an old man 
named Matthias Wetzel had been murdered and 
robbed of a large amount of jewelry and pi'e- 
cious stones some time during that year. Wells 
had been arrested for this murder at Virginia 
City, Nevada, some of the spoils found in his 
possession, and was on his way frotn that place 
to Sacramento in charge of Deputy Sheriff 
Wliarton, of Sutter County, and George Arm- 
strong, a mountaineer of Virginia City. July 
25 tiiey left Marysville for this city. Tlie stage 
reached Nicolaus with all safe on board and 
was about to continue the trip when Wharton 
went to the driver, Whipple, and told him that 
the driver of the up-stage, Whitney, reported 
that the morning stage from Marysville had 
been met on Lisle's bridge by a posse of men 
who had the appearance of a rescuing mob. 
AVhipple drove into town withi)ut his passen- 
gers, and reported to the police officers the state 
of affairs, and that Wharton e.xpected assistance, 
and would wait until the othcers came. Officer 
Deal and Whipple returned to Nicolaus, where 
they learned that Wharton had engaged a wagon, 
and a man named W. C. Stoddard to attend 
them; and that they had left Nicolaus at 10 
r. M. by the river road, for the purpose of avoid- 
ing the supposed mob. At about 1:30 a. m. 
they arrived at a point about half a mile from 
Swift's bridge at the mouth of the American 
liiver. At this time Stoddard was driving, 
with Wharton sitting on the seat beside him. 
Beliind them, on the bottom of the wagon box. 



sat Wells; and stretched out on the bottom 
lay Armstrong fast asleep. Stoddard remarked 
to Wharton, "We are near to Sacramento; 
you had better wake Armstrong up." As 
Wharton turned to do so. Wells shot him in his 
right side, which had the effect of knocking 
him off the seat among the horses. The next 
instant Stoddard was shot and instantly killed; 
and a third discharge rendered Armstrong help- 
less. By this time Wharton had disengaged 
himself and fired on Wells, who was retreating 
and returned the iire, striking Wharton in the 
thigh. 

It appears that Wells felt entirely safe for a 
time, as he coolly started toward town, then 
went down to the river, took a row-boat and 
rowed back to the scene of the tragedy, where 
he robbed Armstrong of the money and jewelry 
stolen from Wetzel. Armstrong died that day, 
and Wharton the next. 

Wells evidently had taken the key to his 
handcuffs from Armstrong's pocket, and, after 
freeing his wrists, had snatched Armstrong's 
revolver from his belt and used it as above de- 
scribed. For several years lie was reported as 
having been seen, sometimes in one State, some- 
times in another. March 1, 1866, the officers 
brought a man whom they had arrested in 
Idaho, to Sacramento, under the impression 
that he was Wells; but it proved to be Donald 
McDonald, and he was released, and afterward 
presented with $600, by vote of the Legislature, 
to compensate him for loss of time and damage 
to reputation. The last we hear of Wells is in 
a letter received by the Union, from a man in 
Idaho, in which we are informed that Wells 
was killed in Washington Territory in 1864, by 
one of the party with whom he was traveling. 
But the theory generally accepted among the 
officers of Sacramento is that Wells did not dis- 
engage himself from the irons, and in attempt- 
ing to swim the Sicramento River was drowned. 
He had been known as a man of low character, 
frequently arrested for petty larceny, and as a 
lounger at Wetzel's saloon. 

Louis Kahl was executed at the old water- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



works building, November 29, 1861, for the 
murder of Catherine Gerkcn. On the night of 
January 4 preceding, the murdered woman was 
found at her residence on L street, near Second, 
at about midnight, strangled in her room. The 
deed had been committed evidently for the pur- 
pose of robbery. On the afternoon of the fol- 
lowing day, Officer Frank Hardy, with the aid 
of a convict called "Jimmy from Town," ar- 
rested Kahl at the Father Rhine house, on J 
street, opposite the Plaza. The watch of the 
murdered woman was found on his person, and 
he gave no very satisfactory account of it. He 
was tried, convicted and sentenced to be exe- 
cuted. His case was taken to the Supreme 
Court, and sent back to the District Court with 
directions to carry out tlie original sentence. 
He was a native of Germany, and twenty-three 
years of age. 

William Williams was hung May 20, 1864, 
for the murder of A. Blanchard. Williams was 
born in Wales in 1827, and came to California 
in 1854, settling in San Joaquin Township, this 
county, in partnership with Blanchard. They 
quarreled, had a lawsuit and dissolved partner- 
ship. Afterward they ranched as neighbors, 
but continually disagreed. They had a diffi- 
culty about the ownership of a horse, which was 
settled in Blanchard's favor. Williatns had in 
his employ a half-witted Englishman, named 
Joe Blake. On the night of August 3, 1860, 
Blanchard was returning home from Sacra- 
mento, when Williams and Blake lay in wait 
for him in a ditch. Williams had a pick- 
handle, and Blake a wagon-spoke. Next day 
Blanchard was found dead, with his head terri- 
bly mutilated. For this Williams was arrested, 
convicted, and hanged in the extreme outskirts 
of Washington, about a quarter of a mile from 
the river. 

George Nelson Symonds was hung in the old 
water-w'orks building, December 4, 1863, for the 
murder of B. F. Russell, on the night of July 
11, 1860, near Benson's Ferry. Symonds and 
Monroe Crozier were arrested for a robbery 
committed in Placer County, immediately after 



the murder, and before it was known that it 
had been committed. On the 12th of July 
they crossed the ferry with four horSes, saddled 
and bridled. Their clothing was wet and their 
appearance suspicious. When arrested for the 
robbery they had a valise containing bloody 
clothing, a stencil plate with the name of B. F. 
Russell on it, and other articles of the murdered 
man. 

In October, 1860, Symonds turned State's 
evidence in the robbery case. Crozier soon 
after escaped, and on the night of October — 
two bodies were found in the slough near the 
ferry, which had evidently been murdered 
several months previ(jus and sunk. They were 
discovered when the water in the slough dried 
up, and proved to be those of Russell and Seli- 
zer, who had early in the season started for the 
Coso mines. The trial of Symonds, who was 
brought down from Placer after the bodies were 
found, commenced March 9, 1861, before Judge 
McKune. He was convicted, and sentenced to 
be hung May 10. The Supreme Court granted 
him a new trial, and it commenced June 2, 
1862, and on the 6th he was again convicted, 
and sentenced to be hung July' 25. The case 
was again taken to the Supreme Court, and on 
September 18 the judgment of the District 
Court was affirmed, and he was sentenced ibr 
the third time. 

Frank Hudson, a Corporal in Company I, 
Second Cavalry, was executed at Camp Union 
(Agricultural Park), June 16, 1865, for the 
murder of Lieutenant Daniel Webster Lever- 
good, at Camp Bidwell, Butte County, on tiie 
14th of April. Levergood had ordered Hudson 
on a double quick in the afternoon, for drunken- 
ness, and at 9 o'clock in the evening the officer 
was shot, and died in two days. He was cer- 
tain that Hudson shot hiin, and as the latter at 
once deserted, the evidence was very strong. 
He was captured, tried by court-martial, brought 
here and hanged. 

On the evening of June 17, 1870, a man 



named 



McLaughlin shot and killed 



Charles Lundholm, bar-keeper of the Railroad 



HISTORY OF SACRA\rENTO COUNTY. 



67 



Exchange Saloon. Tlie alleged cause was that 
Lundholm had written some slanderous articles 
about a relative of McLaughlin's, which was 
published in a disreputable sheet called the 3fa- 
zeppa. McLaughlin was indicted. The regular 
venire of jurors was soon exhausted, and a second 
one drawn, which, singularly enough, was almost 
entirely composed of the prisoner's friends. 
The prosecution exhausted all of their peremp- 
tory challenges and were obliged to go to trial. 
As expected, the jury failed to agree, and after 
being out threj days were discharged, though 
defendant objected. Shortly afterward, defend- 
ant's counsel applied for bail, which was refused 
by Judge Ramage. A writ of habeas corpus 
was issued by the Supreme Court providing for 
bail, which was granted in the sum of $10,000, 
the court holding that the fact of a disagreement 
of the jury indicated grave doubt about the of- 
fense being murder in the first degree. The 
second trial was held in October, and the jury 
gave a verdict of murder in the first degree. 
Defendant's counsel gave notice of a motion for 
a new trial. The judge then adjourned court 
until 9 o'clock the next morning. McLaugh- 
lin was not given in charge of the sheriff, and 
walked, out of the court-house. During the 
evening he was seen at several places in town, 
but did not appear for sentence the next morn- 
ing, and was next heard of in South America, 
where he died a few years ago. Judge Ramage 
held that the order of the Supreme Court ad- 
mitting McLaughlin to bail and the bail bond 
provided for the appearance of the defendant 
for judgment and the execution thereof, and that 
by issuing an order to take McLaughlin into 
custody, he would be placed in contempt. The 
case became subject of much comment. 

Charles Mortimer, whose true name was 
Charles J. Fliiin, was executed in the Sacra- 
mento County jail-yard. May 15, 1873, for the 
murder of Mary Gibson. 

On the morning of September 20, 1872, the 
citizens were startled by the announcement that 
Mary Gibson had been brutally murdered at her 
saloon and residence on "Jib-boom" street — 



now extinct — or near the Station-house on Front 
street. Her body was found in a rear room with 
her face badly lacerated by a blow from a broken 
tumbler, and her throat cut with a knife. A 
glass of beer was found which bj' analysis was 
ascertained to contain strychnine. The house 
had been ransacked, and it was believed that 
several hundred dollars in coin had been stolen. 
The hand of the dead woman grasped a portion 
of a man's whiskers, evidently torn from the 
face of her murderer in the death struo-gle. 
Officers Harris and Dole, having seen Mortimer 
drunk the evening before, suspected thfit he 
might be the murderer. Carrie Spencer, a com- 
panion of Mortimer, was arrested on suspicion, 
and Mortimer himself was soon afterward ar- 
rested. An examination of their room revealed 
the fact that the suspected parties had posses- 
sion of several of Mrs. Gibson's dresses. In 
Mortimer's pocket was found a paper of strych- 
nine. Altogether, the clues of the identity of 
Mortimer were as definite as could be desired. 

During the progress of the trial it was found 
that he had killed one Caroline Prenel in San 
Francisco, in May previous. He was convicted 
of murder in the first degree, and afterward he 
prepared a confession at length, which he gave 
to S. C. Denson and Cameron H. King,, his at- 
torneys, as the only means within his power to 
conjpensate them for their legal services in his 
defense. In this confession the convicted man 
admitted having murdered both Mrs. Gibson 
and Caroline Prenel; but, as is natural, he im- 
plicated Carrie more than himself According 
to his confession.it seems that he was naturally 
a very selfish man, willing at any time to prac- 
tice deception in order to get more than his 
share. 

On the night of April 16 a remarkable at- 
tempt was made to rescue him from the county 
jail. The sheriff and deputies had been informed 
that such an attempt might possibly be made. 
At 1:30 o'clock the yard bell was rung, and 
Deputy Sheriff Cross, on going cautiously into 
the yard, encountered a man with his face 
masked, without his boots, with his coat turned 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



wrong side out, and with a revolver in liishand. 
lie bad scaled the wall with a ladder. He at- 
tempted to enter the jail and Cross tired at him 
twice and killed him. It became evident from 
papers, etc., in his pockets that his name was 
William J. Flinn, and that he was a resident of 
Lynn, Masfacbusetts. Mortimer subsequently 
acknowledged that this was his brother, and that 
bis own name was Charles J. Flinn. He bad 
left home in 1858, since which time his family 
had known nothing of his career; but after bis 
arrest here be wrote to bis brothers, for tlie iirst 
time, soliciting their financial aid. 

An elaborate attempt was made to prove that 
Mortimer was insane during the past few weeks 
of bis confinement, but without avail. He 
feigned insanity by staring vacantly at the walls, 
refusing to speak, brushing away imaginary 
flies, etc. According to the sentence, the 
wretched convict was hanged at noon, Friday, 
May 15, 1873, in the presence of about 150 in- 
vited spectators. Many more were of course 
outside the wall desiring admission, among them 
a number of women. In the execution the fall 
was immediately fatal, not a quiver of muscle 
being noticeable. 

About midnight of April 7, 1874, the body 
of John Cruse, a German sailor, was found on 
Front, near N street. His death had evidently 
been caused by stabbing. Althongb there at 
first appeared to be literally no clue to the iden- 
tity of the murderers, yet the measures adopted 
by Chief Karcber and bis force were so ener- 
getic and conclusive that before dark of the day 
following the police had arrested the culprits 
and obtained the full particulars of their crime. 
A month afterward the Grand Jury presented 
indictments against Domingo Estrada and Filo- 
mena Cotta for murder in the first degree. May 
15 they were arraigned, and pleaded not guilty. 
I. S. Brown appeared as counsel for Estrada, 
and James C. Goods, Jo Hamilton and Paschal 
H. Coggins for Cotta. June 6 Estrada was 
convicted with the determination by the jury 
that the punishment should be death; and July 
9 Cotta was similarly convicted. Sentence 



upon both was pronounced July 28, and Sep- 
tember 18 was set for the day of execution. 
Appeal was taken to the Supreme Court, execu- 
tion stayed, and on final bearing the men were 
sentenced to be hanged February 19, 1875. 
Friends industriously circulated petitions to 
Governor Bootli for a commutation of sentence, 
but without avail, although they were signed by 
many prominent men. The sentence was ac- 
cordingly executed, in the presence of 200 in- 
vited citizens. For more than two hours previous 
to the moment fixed for the banging, the houses 
and trees in the vicinity of the jail yard were 
filled with men and boys hoping to witness the 
final scenes. Two days previously, Estrada's 
mother, on hearing that be was to be executed 
so soon, fainted, and raved all the succeeding 
night, being quieted only by the use of chloro- 
form; was in a comatose state all the next day, 
and subsequently had several fainting spells. 
Estrada's death seemed to be a painful one, as 
be had convulsive movements or an active pulse 
for twelve minutes after the fall; and Cotta's 
pulse continued fifteen minutes. 

On April 1, 1875, a horse-race was run near 
Itoseville. David Turley, a sheep- herder, was 
present as a spectator. He bad been drinking 
very freely, and was on horseback. "W. II. 
Shaw, a farm laborer, was also present, quite in- 
toxicated. He was on foot, and applied an 
epithet to Turley, who pulled a pistol and shot 
him dead. Turley rode to Roseville, surrendered 
himself, and was brought to the county jail in 
Sacramento; was tried for murder, and defended 
by Creed Haymond. The defense was made 
upon the ground that the accused was so intoxi- 
cated as to be irresponsible for his acts; and it 
was shown at the trial that he had drank an in- 
ordinate quantity of whisky. The law, however, 
provides that intoxication is no excuse for the 
commission of crime, but can be regarded only 
in mitigation of punishment. Turley was con- 
victed and suffered the penalty of death, Febru- 
ary 25, 1870. 

At about 8 o'clock on the evening of Decem- 
ber 7, 1878, a bright moonlight night, just back 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



on Seventeenth street, between 1 and J, a pistol 
shot was heard; but no investigation was made, 
and the result was not known until the next 
morning, when the body of a policeman, Joseph 
Scott, was found lying upon the sidewalk. He 
had been shot through the heart, and from the 
blood marks it was ascertained that he had passed 
across the street after having received the wound. 
For many years the murder remained a mys- 
tery. The only clue was that a citizen in the 
block, on hearing the shot, looked from his 
window and saw four men running, one of whom 
wore a long, white coat. Several years after- 
ward a convict named James Ivey, in the San 
Quentin State Prison, informed the authorities 
that three men then confined in the prison were 
the persons who had committed the crime, and 
that he had overheard them detail the particu- 
lars of it. On the expiration of the terms of 
these three men, they were brought to Sacra- 
mento, whf-re two of them made a full con- 
fession. They had been in former years inmates 
of the State Prison, and on the night of the kill- 
ing of Scott had, in company with another ex- 
convict named Edwards, arrived in the city on a 
freight train from Marysville. The ride was 
stolen, and as the train slowed up about Twen- 
tieth street they jumped off and started through 
the city, with the understanding that they would 
rob the first person whom they met. There had 
been a fire at the Protestant Orphan Asylum, at 
Nineteenth and L streets, earlier on that even- 
ing, and Otiicer Scott had been detailed to watch 
the ruins. He was passing through Seventeenth 
street when these four men overtook him, and 
in an attempt to rob him he resisted and Ed- 
wards drew a revolver and shot him, as de- 
scribed. The men did not stop to search the 
body, but ran away from the city and continued 
on to Stockton, and finally three of them arrived 
in Sonoma County. There they burglarized the 
house of Judge W. C. "Wallace, wlio apprehended 
them, and they were sent to the State Prison. 
While serving this sentence the autiiorities re- 
ceived the information of their complicity in 
tlio murder of Scott. 



They were put upon trial at Sacramento, be- 
fore Judge A. Van R. Paterson, then a superior 
judge, but now a justice of the State. Supreme 
Court. Two of the accused, as we have stated, 
made full confessions, and were permitted to 
plead guilty of murder in tiie first degree, with 
the understanding that their punishment should 
be life imprisonment. The third one stoutly 
refused to confess, and exhibited feelings of in- 
dignation because the other two had. Finally 
the authorities proposed to him to plead guilty 
as the others had. He accepted it and received 
a life sentence. 

Edwards, who fired the fatal shot, is now in 
an Eastern penitentiary, and will be brought 
here for trial as soon as his term expires. 

The case of Troy Dye and Edward Anderson 
was one of the most remarkable in the annals of 
crime. 

On the morning of August 2, 1878, A. M. 
TuUis, a wealthy fruit-raiser on Grand Island, 
in the lower part of the county, was found dead 
in his orchard, with a bullet-hole through his 
body. He was a bachelor, aged about fifty-five 
years, and had lived alone upon his ranch. 
There was apparently no motive for the murder, 
as no property had been taken, and for a time 
the officers were at sea to unravel the mystery. 
At length pieces of new redwood lumber were 
found in the tules on the opposite side of the 
river, a little lower down; and from the indica- 
tions they were portions of a duck-boat. Upon 
one of the pieces were figures used in calcula- 
tions of lumber measurement. These boards 
were secured by the officers, and tiie pieces con- 
taining figures were taken to the various lum- 
ber-yards in Sacramento, and a salesman at one 
of the yards identified them as having been 
made by himself. It was developed subse- 
quently that Anderson had purchased the lum- 
ber; that the salesman had figured the number 
of feet in the purchase upon the smooth side of 
a board; that Anderson's curiosity was aroused 
as to how the determination could be made in a 
manner so simple; tliat the salesman had re- 
peated the figuring upon one of the boards 



IIISrORY OF SACRAMENTO GOUNTT. 



wliich Anderson liad jnircliased. The officers 
tlien found the drayman who had taken the 
lumber from the yard, and discovered that he 
had delivered it at the house of Dye. 

The information from the neighbors showed 
that a boat was made in the basement of that 
house, and the expressman was found who iiad 
taken the boat to the river. Parties along the 
river had observed an unpainted boat contain- 
ing two men passing down, and their descrip- 
tions were obtained. Upon tliis information a 
clue was based which resulted in the arrest of 
Dye and Anderson, the third party being then 
unknown. They were confined in separate jails, 
and they confessed fully concerning the crime. 

Dye had been elected to, and was then hold- 
ing, the office of public administrator. It was 
ascertained from their confessions that soon 
after his election he had entered into an arrange- 
ment with Anderson and Tom Lawton] to kill 
certain wealthy persons who had no relatives in 
the State, to enable Dye to administer upon 
their estate and receive the comuiissions. He, 
of course, was to divide the spoils with those 
who killed for him. Tullis was the first victim 
selected. Anderson and Lawton went to Tul- 
lis's ranch in the duck-boat, and met Tullis in 
his orchard. They had never met him before, 
but he had been fully described to them by 
Dye. While in conversation with him, Ander- 
son struck him with a sand-bag, and Lawton 
shot him. They then rowed to the opposite 
side of the river, and started up the road. By 
appointment Dye met them on the way up in a 
buL'gy, the signal of his approach being that he 
should whistle the tune "Sweet Bye and Bye." 
They returned to the city and took oysters, and 
Anderson on the same night rode up to Sutter 
County, where he had been employed on a 
threshing-machine, and resumed his work there. 
It was understood between them that in case 
there should be danger a letter should be 
written to him, signed by a fictitious name, 
and that the name should be underscored with 
one line or Uiore, to indicate the degree of 
danger. 



On August 8, 1878, a letter was sent to An- 
derson from Sacramento, reading as follows: 

John A. Parker, Esq.: — Your child is very 
sick. You must come home at once. It would 
be well to come down in the night. It would 
be so mnch cooler for you. Call at the Doctor's 
new iionse. I will be there. 

Yours in haste, Chaklics Parker. 

The signature was doubly underscored. On 
the receipt of this note Anderson came down on 
horseback, and was arrested by officers who were 
watching his house. Lawton fled, and has never 
been captured. Dye was tried first, and An- 
derson next. Both were convicted of murder 
in the first degree, sentenced to be hanged, and 
were executed in the county jail-yard on March 
28, 1879. 

A fourth party, named Clark, was tried for 
complicity in the murder, but was acquitted. 

The defense of Ti}'& was made upon the ground 
that he had years before received an injury 
which caused a lesion of his brain, and conse- 
quent insanity. There was a division of opin- 
ion among medical witnesses on the subject. 
After his conviction a sheriflF's jury was called 
to determine the question of his insanity, and 
the verdict was against him. That question at- 
tracted considerable attention in the medical 
world, and was elaborately discussed in quite a 
number of pamphlets subsequently issued. 

About 4 o'clock on the afternoon of April 
10, 1882, a tragedy occurred in the city which 
created the wildest excitement. 

A Siberian named Simon Katan had some 
misunderstanding with a man which resulted in 
his being beaten. He applied for a warrant of 
arrest for the party, but was refused. He then 
procured a revolver, sought out the party and 
met him at the corner of Fourth and K streets. 
He shot at him, without effect, and ran away, 
pursued by a large number of people. Wliile 
passing through the alley between K and L and 
Third and Fourth streets, and as he reached the 
rear of the International Hotel, James Lansing, 
the proprietor, came out into the alley in front 
of Ratan and attempted to stop him. Ratan 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



leveled his revolver at Lansing and shot him in 
the stomacli. 

Lansing had been a sheriff of the poiinty and 
also assessor; his standing in the community 
was high and liis friends many, and the news of 
his being shot spread over the city like wild- 
fire, and tiie city prison in which Ratan had 
been lodged was surrounded by a large number 
of people, who threatened summary vengeance 
upon Ratan. Lansing died that evening, in 
great agony, and several thousand people im- 
mediately surrounded the prison. It seemed 
that a riot was imminent. The mayor of the 
city addressed the crowd, urging them to return 
to their homes and allow the law to deal with 
the offender. His appeal was of no avail. The 
military were summoned and they drove the 
mob from the immediate vicinity of the prison, 
and established a guard line about it. A Gat- 
ling gun was placed in the prison door, fully 
prepared for service in an emergency. A dis- 
persal was effected. A month later Ratan was 
placed on trial for his life, the jury convicted 
him, and he was sentenced to be hung. 

About the same time Joseph Hurtado shot 
and killed a man named Estuardo, at Front and 
I streets. He was subsequently convicted and 
sentenced to be hung. The attorneys for Ratan 
and Hurtado appealed their cases to the Supreme 
Court of the State, without avail. Then their 
cases were appealed to the Supreme Court of the 
United States, upon the point that an informa- 
tion filed by a district attorney under the pro- 
visions of the State Constitution was void; and 
that no man could be put upon trial for a felony 
e.xcept after having been indicted by the grand 
jury. It was claimed that the State constitu- 
tion was repugnant to the United States con- 
stitution. The Federal Supreme Court, in an 
elaborate opinion, held that the point was not 
well taken, and the parties were re-sentenced to 
death. Subsequently doubts as to the sanity of 
Ratan were entertained, and the Governor com- 
muted his sentence to imprisonment for life. 



After confinement in the State Prison foratime, 
he proved to be insane, and is now in one of the 
asylums for the insane. 

Hurtado was consumptive, and he died of 
that disease in the county jail before the day ar- 
rived for his execution. He had been a hotel 
runner, but was a man of quarrelsome disposi- 
tion, although of sacriticingfidelity toliis friends. 
On one occasion he saved the life of a friend at 
the risk of his own. Some years ago he had a 
difficulty with a man named Denny, and the lat- 
ter was killed. He was put on trial for the mur- 
der of Denny, but was acquitted. The night 
before his trial he had married, and the defense 
for the killing of Estuardo was because of the 
infidelity of that wife. 

In March, 1888, John Lowell, a well-known 
rancher, left his home near Brighton to visit 
another ranch in El Dorado County, about seven 
miles from Folsom. He was missing for sev- 
eral weeks, and search was made for him, and 
on June 2 his remains were found buried in a 
cellar under his house. It was subsequently 
ascertained that three men, John Henry Myers, 
John Olsen and William Drager had borrowed a 
team at Sacramento, driven up to Lowell's ranch, 
ostensibly to engage in wood-cutting; and that 
while they were going out to look at the wood 
one of them shot and killed Lowell with a shot- 
gun, and disposed of his body as indicated. The 
motive for the crime was to steal a buggy and 
some horses and harnesses from Lowell. They 
returned with their plunder to Sacramento, and 
disposed of it openly. They were arrested, made 
full confession, taken to Piacerville, tried, con- 
victed and sentenced to death. Myers was exe- 
cuted November 30, 1888. The other two 
appealed their cases to the Supreme Court, and 
are (April, 1889), still awaiting the decision. 

Lowell, the murdered man, a few years before 
had a difficulty with some parties at Brighton, 
and he shot and killed Joseph Powers. He was 
placed upon trial for murder, and the jury ac- 
quitted him. 



UISTORY OF SAGHAMENTO GOUI^TY. 



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CHAPTER XI. 



IN 1S54, during the rapid decay of the old 
AVhig party and tlie uprising of the anti- 
, slavery party into prominence, and when the 
struggles in '-bleeding Kansas" constituted the 
most exciting topics of political discussion, a 
Democratic convention was held at the Fourth 
Street Baptist Church in Sacramento, at 3 o'clock 
i>. M., Tuesday, July 18. Some time before the 
hour for the meeting, the doors of the church 
were surrounded by a large assemblage of per- 
sons, many of whom were not delegates; and as 
soon as the doors were opened the church, which 
was estimated to afford accommodation for about 
400 persons, was filled to its utmost capacity. 

D. C. Broderick, the chairman of the State 
Committee, ascended the platform, and was re- 
ceived with loud and continued cheering. On 
his calling the convention to order, several dele- 
gates instantly sprang to the floor for the pur- 
pose of nominating candidates for temporary 
chairman. Broderick recognized T. L. Vermule 
as having the floor; but before the announce- 
ment was made, John O'Meara proposed ex- 
Governor John McDougal for chairman pro 
tern. Vermule nominated Edward McGowan 
for the position. Broderick stated that he could 
not recognize O'Meara's motion, and put the 
question on McGowan's election, and declared 
that it had carried. McGowan instantly mounted 
the stand, closely followed by McDougal, whose 
friends insisted that he had been selected al- 
tliouirh his name had not been submitted to the 



convention in regular form. The two chairmen 
took seats side by side, and a scene of inde- 
scribable confusion and tumult ensued. When 
something like order was restored, McDougal 
read the names Major G. W. Hook and John 
Bidwell as vice-presidents; and McGowan an- 
nounced J. T. Hall and A. T. Laird as his ap- 
pointees for those offices. Again a scene of 
extreme confusion occurred; but the gentlemen 
named seated themselves with their respective 
leaders. Two sets of secretaries and commit- 
tees were then appointed, and reports were made 
to each side recommending tiiat the temporary 
officers be declared permanently elected. Mo- 
tions were made to adopt the reports, and amid 
the greatest excitement they were declared car- 
ried . 

This double-headed convention sat until about 
9 o'clock in the night. No further business was 
transacted but each side tried to " sit " the other 
out. Two sickly candles, one in front of each 
president, lighted up the scene. The trustees 
of the church finally relieved both sides by stat- 
ing that they could not tolerate the riotous 
crowd longer in the building, and the delegates 
left without a formal adjournment. 

The session tliroughout waslike pandemonium 
let loose. Soon after the organization, a rush 
was made by the crowd to the stage. One of 
the officers was seized, and at that instant a 
pistol exploded in the densely crowded room. 
A mad rush was made for tiie doors, and a por- 



UISTORY OF SACBAMENTO COUNTY. 



tion of the delegates made a precipitate retreat 
through the windows to the ground — a distance 
of some fifteen feet. Toward night Governor 
Bigler was called to the stand and he made a 
conciliatory speech, but without effect. 

On the 19th, the wing presided over by Mc- 
Dougal, and wliich represented the ''chivalry," 
or Southern element, of the party, met at Musical 
Hall; and the McGowan or Tammany branch, 
representing the Northern element, met in Car- 
penter's building. The officers of the chivalry 
wing resigned, and Major Hook was elected 
President, and H. P. Barber, William A. Man- 
nerly, A.W. Taliaferro and J. G. Downey, Vice- 
Presidents. A communication was received 
from the other convention asking that a com- 
mittee of conference be appointed, with a view^ 
of settling the disagreement; but the language 
of the communication was regarded as offensive, 
and it was withdrawn for the purpose of chang- 
ing the phraseology. Afterward a second note, 
almost similar to the first, was sent in; but it 
was flatly rejected. 

After nominating candidates for Congress and 
for clerk of the Supreme Court, and passing 
resolutions favoring the construction of the At- 
lantic & Pacific Railroad under the auspices of 
Congress and indorsing the Nebraska bill, etc., 
they levied an assessment of $5.00 per delegate 
to repair the damages to the church building. 
The convention also appointed a State Central 
Committee. 

The McGowan wing met at 9:30 a. m. on the 
19th, that gentleman continuing to act as the 
presiding officer. A committee of seven was 
appointed to invite the McDougal convention to 
attend, and the committee were empowered to 
arrange the difficulties. A recess was taken 
until 1 o'clock to give the committee time to 
act. On the re-assembling of the convention 
the committee reported that they had sent the 
following communication to the McDougal con- 
vention, and that the proposition therein con- 
tained had been rejected. 

"John McDodgal, Esq., Chairinan of Dem- 
ocratic Delefjates convened at Mtisleal Hall: 



Sir — The undersigned have been this morning 
constituted a committee, with full powers, by 
and on behalf of the Democratic State Conven- 
tion at Carpenter's Hall, for a conference with 
our fellow Democrats at Musical Hall, for the 
purpose of harmonizing and uniting the Democ- 
racy of California. You will be pleased to 
announce this to your body; and any commu- 
nication may be addressed to the chairman of 
this committee, at Jones's Hotel." 

The committee was dischai'ged, and the con- 
vention proceeded to nominate a ticket, different 
throughout from the one nominated by the other 
convention. They also adopted a series of reso- 
lutions alluding to the heterogeneous character 
of the Democratic party in this State and the 
subsequent differences of the convention in this 
city, and urged the people to adopt their ticket 
as the one most conciliatory. They also ap- 
pointed a State Central Committee. A collec- 
tion of $400 was taken up to I'epair the damages 
that had been, done to the Baptist church on the 
previous day, a committee having reported that 
the building had been injured to that extent. 

Directly after the adjournment of the conven- 
tions, several of the nominees withdrew from 
the ticket, and after the election the Tammany 
party ascribed tiieir defeat to the withdrawal of 
Milton S. Latham from the Congressional race. 

The first mass meeting of " Republicans " in 
California was held in Sacramento, April 19, 
1856. E. B. Crocker was the leader of the new- 
party in this county, and opened the meeting 
with a speech which was listened to attentively. 
George C. Bates was then introduced, but the 
general disturbance raised by the "Americans" 
and Democrats present prevented his voice from 
being heard. Henry S. Foote, previously Gov- 
ernor of Mississippi, then took the stand and 
begged the disturbers to desist and allow the 
meeting to proceed; but he was not heeded. 
The Republican speakers again attempted to 
talk, when suddenly a rush was made for the 
stand by the crowd, and it was overturned and 



the meeting broken 



up. 



On the 30th of that 



ith tlie first State 



UISTOItY OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



Convention of the Republicans met in the Con- 
gregational cliurcli in Sacramento. E. B.Crocker 
was temporary chairman. Only thirteen counties 
were represented, and of the 125 delegates pres- 
ent sixty-six were from San Francisco and Sac- 
ramento. Resolutions were adopted opposing 
the further extension of slave territory and of 
slave power, welcoming honest and industrious 
immigrants, deprecating all attempts to preju- 
dice immigrants against our free institutions, 
favoring the speedy construction of a trans-con- 
tinental railroad by aid from Congress, favoring 
the speedy settlement of land titles in this State 
and the election only of bona-lide permanent 
settlers to office. 

Early in May that year a public discussion 
was announced to take place at Sacramento be- 
tween George C. Bates, Republican, and J. C. 
Zabriskie, Democrat; but when the appointed 
time arrived no location could be procured on 
account of the anticipated disturbance, and the 
meeting was postponed until the evening of the 
lOtli of that month. When the time arrived 
the discussion was commenced. Rotten eggs 
were thrown and tire-crackers burned to create 
a disturbance, but the police made several ar- 
rests and order was restored. After the meet- 
ing closed, outsiders took possession of the 
stand, and a resolution was adopted declaring 
"that the people of this city have been out- 
raged by the discussion of treasonable doctrines 
by a public felon; and that we will not submit 
to such an outrage in the future." 

A few days later the Sacramento Tribune 
(American), referring to the meeting, said: 
"The fact that a public discussion was per- 
mitted to take place in a public street in the 
heart of our city, in the presence of a large con- 
course of citizens, almost all of whom disap- 
prove the doctiine advocated by the speakers, 
and this too when it is the firm conviction of a 
large majority of the persons assembled that 
the agitation of the slavery question as the basis of 
political party organization is against the true in- 
terest of the State and the Nation, speaks volumes 
in favor of the public morals of Sacramento." 



In 1865 a dissension occurred in the Union 
party. On the 25th of July that year it cul- 
minated at a county convention held at. Sacra- 
mento. The Low and the anti-Low delegates 
were about equally divided in numbers. Gov- 
ernor Frederick F. Low was a candidate for the 
United States Senate, and was £up])orted by one 
wing of the party. There was, however, a strong 
opposition to him. The convention met in the 
Assembly chamber in the then State capitol, 
now the court-house. The desks which had 
ordinaril}' occupied the floor had been removed, 
and a sufficient number of chairs had been 
placed in their stead to accommodate the 106 
delegates who were expected to participate in 
the proceedings. As the room filled it was a 
noticeable fact that almost without exception 
the Low, or short-hair, delegates occupied the 
seats on the right of the speaker's chair, and the 
anti-Low, or long-hairs, those on the left. Ln- 
mediately after the convention was called to 
order, two persons were placed in nomination 
for temporary secretary, and voted for. The 
chairman of the county committee announced 
W. H. Barton, the long-hair candidate, elected 
to the position by a viva voce vote. The con- 
vention was at once thrown into confusion, and 
the Low delegates insisted on a count of the 
votes. Barton advanced from the left toward 
the secretary's table, when the delegates from 
the right made a general rush to the left side of 
the house. 

Then ensued an indescribable and a terrible 
scene, such as was never before witnessed in 
Sacramento at any political convention. Barton 
was intercepted before reaching the secretary's 
table, and told that he should not take his seat. 
The delegates on the left crowded up for the 
purjtose of supporting him, as those from the 
right forced a solid phalanx on the front to pre- 
vent him from advancing. In a moment the 
two parties were engaged in a hand-to-hand 
fight. Solid hickory canes, which appeared to 
be abundant on both sides, were plied with 
vigor. Spittoons flew from side to side like 
bomlj-shells on a battle-field. Ink-stands took 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the place of solid shot. Pistols were drawn 
and used as substitutes for clubs. The principal 
weapons, however, which were used by both 
sides, were the cane-bottomed arm-chairs, which 
were of couise within the reach of every one. 
These implements, though not very well adapted 
to purposes of warfare, were swung in the air 
by the dozen and broken over the heads of the 
contending parties. In some instances chairs 
were broken up for the purpose of procuring 
the legs to use as clubs. No fire-arms were 
discharged and no knives were used. The fight 
lasted probably five minutes. At the close the 
anti-Low men, or long-hairs, who had rallied to 
the support of Barton, were driven "from the 
field. Several jumped out through the win- 
dows; others who were badly hurt were assisted 
out of the building, while the greater portion 
passed into the ante-room and the main hall to 
find neutral ground. 

After the fight the long-hairs retired in a 
body and organized in another hall, while the 
short-hairs proceeded with business in the capi- 
tol. Each convention nominated a full local 
ticket, and elected a set of delegates to the State 
Convention. Newton Booth was nominated for 
State Senat-or by the long-hairs, and E. H. Hea- 
cock by the shorts. The shorts attributed the 
trouble to an alleged partial ruling by the chair- 
man of the committee in favor of Barton, and 
to the determination on the part of the longs to 
run the convention without regard to the rights 
or wishes of the opposition. The short-hair 
convention instructed its nominees for the Leg- 
islature to vote for Low for United States Sen- 
ator, but he afterward declined. His withdrawal, 
however, did not heal the breach in the Union 



party. The division continued until sometime 
in August, when the short-hairs generally trans- 
ferred their support to John B. Felton for United 
States Senator. 

The result of the election was that Cornelius 
Cole was elected to the United States Senate, 
December 16 following, as the agreed candidate 
of both parties. 

Ex-Governor H. S. Foote, referred to in this 
chapter, was born in Vii-ginia in 1800; graduated 
at Washington College in 1819; commenced the 
practice of law in 1822; edited a Democrati 



paper m 



xllabama in 1824:-'32, and then resided 



many years in Mississippi, by which State he 
was elected United States Senator. In 1852 he 
was elected Governor of that State, having re- 
signed his Senatorship. He came to California 
in 1854, joined the; Native American party, and 
was their candidate for United States Senator 
in 1856, being defeated by David C. Broderick. 
In 1858 he returned to Mississippi and took an 
active part in politics; represented Termessee in 
the Confederate Congress. One of his daugh- 
ters became the wife of William M. Stewart, 
United States Senator; the other two daughters 
married and reside in this State, and two of the 
sons are practicing lawyers on the Pacific Coast. 
During his life Foote became engaged in three 
duels, in two of which he was wounded. 

He possessed considerable literary ability. 
In 1866 he published "The War of the Rebell- 
ion" and "Scylla and Carybdis," and in 1871 
a volume of reminiscences. He was also the 
author of "Texas and the Texans," published in 
1847. 

He died near Nashville, Tennessee, at his 
residence, May 20, 1880. 






HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTER XII., 



N the following synopsis, necessarily brief, 
of the military organizations in this city, 
many familiar names will be found, and many 
a train of thought and recollection awakened. 
There is an ample mine of good things to be 
had by research in every one of these organi- 
zations of "auld lang syne." 

The Sutter Rifle Corps was organized June 
27, 1852, with B. D. Fry, Captain; M. D. 
Corse, First Lieutenant; John Q. Brown, Sec- 
ond Lieutenant; W. Bryerly, Third Lieutenant. 
This company was especially noted for its lib- 
erality on all public and private occasions. It 
paid $1,200 for choice of the first seat at Cath- 
erine Hayes's concert, in 1853, and presented 
the ticket to General Sutter. 

M. D. Corse, mentioned above, was afterward 
Captain of the company, and also held other 
offices in the city. He returned to the East in 
1857, and finally graced the list of Sheridan's 
prisoners in 1865 as "General Corse." 

When the Governor called on the militia for 
duty against the Vigilance Committee of San 
Francisco, in 1856, the Sutter Rifles met on 
the 4th of June and voted to respond to the 
Governor's call. E. E. Eyre was then Lieuten- 
ant Commanding; H. S. Foushee, Second Lieu- 
tenant; and John C. Keenan, Orderly Sergeant. 
Soon afterward the company disbanded, but re- 
organized in 1857, with E. E. Eyre, Captain; 



Charles J. Torbert, First Lieutenant; Joseph 
H. Vigo, Second Lieutenant; W. R. Covey, 
Brevet Second Lieutenant. The company had 
but little vigor, however, and soon died. 

Sacramento Guards, Light Infantry, were or- 
ganized August 11, 1855. Henry Meredith, 
Captain; D. S. Woodward, First Lieutenant; 
R. W. Wilcox, Second Lieutenant; John Arnold, 
Brevet Second Lieutenant; Josiah Howell, En- 
sign; L. L. Baker, Orderly Sergeant. On De- 
cember 17, 1855, Baker was elected Captain, 
and among the subsequent otfioers of the com- 
pany were D. A. McMerritt, L. Powers, Isaac 
Lohniau and C. H. Cummings. The company 
numbered forty-five. 

During the excitement over the actions of tiie 
Vigilance Committee, in 1856, the Governor 
issued a proclamation calling out the militia of 
the State to suppress the disturbance. The 
Sacramento Guards met June 4, 1856, and dis- 
banded, giving their arms into tlie custody of 
the Sutter Rifles. Tiiey at once reorganized as 
the "Independent City Guards," and were fully 
equipped by the end of the year. In 1858 
this was the only company in Sacramento. 

Young Men's Pioneer Guard. — Organized in 
1856, it was composed of the leading young 
men in the city. John Talbot was Captain; A. 
R. Simons, First Lieutenant; Samuel Richard- 
son, Second Lieutenant; Charles Sinclair, Tiiird 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Lieutenant; Oliver H. Worden, Ensign; John, 
Foley, First Sergeant. 

Tiie Sacramento Cadets were organized May 
17, 1856, with Edwin A. Sherman as Captain; C- 
II. Watson, First Lieutenant; George J. Pren- 
tice, Second Lieutenant. 

Independent (Sacramento) City Guard reor- 
ganized under the State law June 28, 1858. L. 
L. Baker, Captain; Josiah Howell, First Lieu- 
tenant; L. Powers, Second Lieutenant; I. Loh- 
man. Brevet Second Lieutenant. Among the 
subsequent officers were S. P. Ford, Benjamin 
Peart, Joseph I. Friend, Henry Starr, W. H. 
Ratenberry, C. L. Bird, I. B. Vanderburg. 
Among the privates were C. H. Cummings, H. 
S. Crocker, D. Giilis, P. J. Hopper and J. H. 
Lewis. During the llebellion this company 
furnished several officers and some thirty men 
tor the service of the United States. 

The Sacramento Hussars, a company of Ger- 
man cavalry, were organized August 4, 1859, and 
reorganized June 11, 1863, and attached to the 
State Militia. Tiiey were honorably discharged 
from the National Guard August 21, 1874 
since wiiicli time they have continued an inde- 
pendent organization. At first there were 
twenty-six members, and the officers were: Fred 
Werner, Captain; Charles Heinrich, First Lieu- 
tenant; F. X. Ebner, Senior Second Lieutenant; 
Josepii Martzen, Junior Second Lieutenant. 
Other early members were L. Steudaman, A. 
Heilbron, E. Kraus, Charles Sellinger, A. Neu- 
bauer, D. Weimann, M. Arentz, C. Iser, G. 
Uhl, S. Gerber, John Batcher, M. Wetzel, James 
II. Groth, George Schroth, J. Korn, Julius 
Gregory, A. Meuke, M. Miller, A. Dennery, 
Andrew Ross, John B. Kohl, deceased, and 
Jacob Meistcr. 

Granite Guard, at Folsom, was organized May 
27, 1861, with fifty-eight men; F. S. Mumford, 
Captain. 

The Washington Rifles were organized May 
27, 1861, with eighty-one men. This company 
was organized under the militia laws of tlie 
State, and immediately tendered their services 
to the Governor, were accepted and mustered 



into the service of the United States. Thomas 
I. Roberts was Captain; W. A. Thompson, 
First Lieutenant; J. S. Hunter, Second Lieu- 
tenant; W. L. Ustick, Brevet Second Lieuten- 
ant; and Henry Kline and Cornelius V. Kel- 
logg were also officers. 

Sacramento Rangers, cavalry, organized Au- 
gust 27, 1861, with sixty-two men, and were 
mustered into the service of the United States. 

D. A. McMerritt was Captain ; J. M. Ropes, First 
Lieutenant; A. W. Starr, Second Lieutenant; 
H. A. Burnett, First Sergeant; James Contell, 
Second Sergeant; J. B. Slocum, Third Sergeant; 
Frank Jones, Fourth Sergeant; W. I. Camp- 
bell, P'ifth Sergeant. 

Siiirland's Cavalry. — E. D. Shirland raised, 
and was Captain of, a cavalry company, which 
was recruited principally about Folsom. They 
were mustered into the service of the United 
States, and arrived at Sacramento by rail Sep- 
tember 5, 1861, seventy-five strong. Here they 
were joined by about forty recruits from this 
city, and left for San Francisco on the Steamer 
Antelope. In two hours the citizens of Folsom 
raised $513 for the use of the company. 

The National Guard was organized October 
7, 1862, with L. L. Baker as Captain; D. W. 
Welty, First Lieutenant; W. H. B. Morrill, 
Senior Second Lieutenant; Prescott Robinson, 
Junior Second Lieutenant. The Sergeants were 
John Talbot, John Foley, R. H. Daley, Paschal 
Coggins and M. L. Templeton. Among the 
privates were Newton Booth, M. M. Estee, Jus- 
tin Gates, S. S. HoU, James McClatchy, A. 
Badlam and S. Tryon. 

The Sacramento Sharp-Shooters organized 
June 6, 1863, with E. R. Hamilton as Captain; 
Thomas V. Cummings, First Lieutenant; W. 
M. Siddons, Senior Second Lieutenant. C. Wei- 
sel, J. A. Conboie and E. H. Heacock were 
Sergeants. Among the privates were L. Booth, 

E. M. Fry, A. Flolir, J. T. Glover, S. S. Holi, 
I. Luce, J. H. McKune, Robert Robinson, P. 
Stanton, O. H. Tubbs and G. K. Van Heusen. 
This company was mustered out in 1866. 

The Turner Rifles organized June 22, 1863, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



with forty-four men. Charles Wolleb was Cap- 
tain; A. Geisel, First Lieutenant; L. Lottham- 
mer, Senior Second Lieutenant; A. Nessell, 
Junior Second Lieutenant. Among the privates 
were Jolin Ballmer, A. Heilbron, Charles Pom- 
mer, C. Weil, C. Kleinsorge, L. B. Mohr and C. 
Weisel. 

The Walnut Grove Union Guard was organ- 
ized at Walnut Grove in August, 1863, and 
continued for several years as a portion of the 
State Militia. 

The Baker Guard, organized September 15, 

1863, was composed of over iifty young men, 
generally under twenty-one years of age. W. 
T. Crowell was Captain; James Clunie, First 
Lieutenant; D. K. Zumwalt, Second Lieuten- 
ant; and Samuel Carlisle, Third Lieutenant. It 
was consolidated with Company D, JS'ational 
Guards, in June, 1866. 

The Sacramento Light Artillery, unattached, 
was organized September 24, 1864, with Edgar 
Mills as Captain; Wyman McMitchell, First 
Lieutenant; AV. M. Siddons, Senior Second 
Lieutenant; D. W. Earl, Junior Second Lieu- 
tenant; and A. J. Senatz was prominent in the 
organization. Among the subsequent Captains 
were S. S. Montague, Joseph Davis and J. L. 
Atwood. 

The First Battalion, Light Artillery, was 
organized in September, 1866, with Edgar Mills 
as Major; L. E. Crane, First Lieutenant and 
Adjutant; Paul Morrill, First Lieutenant and 
Quartermaster; W. R. Cluness, Assistant Ser- 
geant. 

The Emmet Guards organized March 19, 

1864, with John Foley as Captain; F. A. Mo- 
ran, First Lieutenant; John F. Sheehan, Senior 
Second Lieutenant; John S. Barrett, Junior 
Second Lieutenant. The other officers were T. 
W. Sheehan, Owen Farrell and M. McManus. 
This company was mustered out of the State 
service June 11, 1872. 

The Sacramento Zouaves were an independent 
colored company, which had an existence for 
several years. 

Company G (Sarstield Guards) was organized 



in 1870, with William H. Ashton, Jr., Captain; 
Charles Brady, First Lieutenant; arid Thomas 
Nolan, Second Lieutenant. 

On April 10, 1850, the first Legislature passed 
an act providing for the organization of the State 
Militia into four divisions and eight brigades. 
The First Division was composed of the coun- 
ties of Trinity, Shasta, Butte, Yuba, Sutter, El 
Dorado and Sacramento. The Legislature was 
to elect the Generals. On the next day that 
body met in joint convention and elected as 
Major-Geiierals, Thomas J. Green, John E. 
Brackett, David F. Douglass and Joshua H. 
Bean; and as Brigadiers, J. H. Eastland, A. M. 

"Winn, Robert Semple, McDonald, John 

E. Addison, D. P. Baldwin, Thomas H. Bowen 
and J. M. Covarrubias. On May 1, 1852, a law 
was passed organizing the militia into seven 
districts, and the Seventh District was composed 
of Sacramento, Sutter, Placer and El Dorado 
counties. 

On April 25, 1855, a law was passed creating 
six divisions and twelve brigades. The Fourth 
Division comprised the counties of Amador, El 
Dorado, Sacramento, Placer, Nevada and Sierra. 
The First Brigade of that division comprised 
Amador, El Dorado and Sacramento. On May 
9, 1861, another military law was passed, but it 
did not change the brigade position of Sacra- 
mento. 

On April 24, 1862, a law was passed organizing 
the militia into one division and six brigades. 
The Fourth Brigade was made to consist of the 
counties of Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, El Dorado, 
Amador, Placer, Nevada, Yuba and Sierra. On 
April 12, 1866, Alpine was added to the Fourth 
Brigade, and since thennochange has been made. 

James Collins was appointed Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, commanding the Fourth Brigade, August 
1, 1862, commissioned August 30. General 
Collins died in Nevada City, July 18, 1864. 

Josiah Howell was then appointed, receiving 
his commission July 25, 1864, and resigned 
November 14, 1874. 

Wm. L. Campbell was appointed to the posi- 
tion December 1, 1874, received his commission 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



79 



01) the same day, and resigned I^ovember 19, 
1875. 

Governor Pacheco appointed Wentworth T. 
Crowell to the position November 27, 1875. 
This appointment was not confirmed by the 
Democratic Senate, and General Crowell only 
held the office until his successor was appointed. 

J. G. Martine was appointed to the command 
April 4, 1876, and resigned April 8. This 
resignation was caused by severe attacks on the 
General by some of the newspapers in the dis- 
trict. Crowell continued in office till March 3, 
1877, when he resigned. 

M. S. Horan was appointed March 3, 1877, 
was commissioned on March 5, and resigned 
November 4, 1878. 

T. J. Clunie was appointed to fill the vacancy 
by Governor Irwin, December 30, 1878, but 
was not confirmed by tlie Republican Senate. 

John F. Sheehan was appointed January 15i 
1880, commissioned on the 17tli, and resigned 
May, 1882. 

Lewellyn Tozer was appointed May 19, 1882, 
but the subsequent Democratic Senate refused 
to confirm him. 

John T. Carey was commissioned February 
10, 1883. T. W. Sheehan is the present in- 
cumbent. 

The Fourth Regiment of Infantry, N. G. C, 
was organized in 1864, with E. R. Hamilton as 
Colonel; B. Eilerman, Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
James Adams, Major. The regiment was re- 
organized in December, 1865, when L. L. Baker 
was elected Colonel, and the remaining officers 
continued the same. August 22, 1866, Ham- 



ilton was again elected Colonel; James Adams, 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and John F. Sheehan, Ma- 
jor. The regiment was mustered out of service 
in pursuance of Special Order No. 44, dated 
July 8, 1868, and the companies were ordered 
to remain unattached until further orders. 

The Fourth Regiment was reorganized under 
Special Order No. 7, dated February 19, 1872. 
March 7 following, C. V. Kellogg was elected 
Colonel; B. Eilerman, Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
H. F. Page, Major. Kellogg and Eilerman re- 
signed in July, 1874, when W. T. Cromwell 
was elected Colonel, and H. W. Thain, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. This regiment was disbanded 
and mustered out of service March 31, 1877. 
It was immediately reorganized as the First Bat- 
talion of Infantry, and Thomas J. Clunie was 
elected the Commander. Creed Haymond sub- 
sequently succeeded him, and when he resigned 
T. "W. Sheehan assumed the command. Shee- 
han became Brigadier-General, and J. W. Guth- 
rie was commissioned Colonel. He is the pres- 
ent incumbent. 

A respectable company of colored men has 
also existed in Sacramento for some time. 

J. W. Guthrie, plumber and gas-fitter near 
the foot of J street, has been so active and effi- 
cient in military matters, as a member of the 
First Artillery Regiment, Fourth Brigade, Na- 
tional Guard of California, that he has been 
promoted from the position of private in 1869 
through diflferent grades to that of Colonel of 
the regiment, April 7, 1887. The superiority 
of his regiment is due to his efficiency. 




HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTEE XIII. 



jOST of the following history is from an 
elaborate account published in the Rec- 
ord- Union hyiS. A. Woodson, the editor, 
in 1875. 

On the 28th of April, 1849, at Sutter's Fort, 
the first Sacramento newspaper, the Placer 
Times, was started - by E. C. Kemble & Co., as 
an oif-shoot of the AUa California, of Saii Fran- 
cisco. The merchants in the vicinity rallied 
about the pioneer publisher and subscribed lib- 
erally to secure him from loss. A lot of old 
type was picked up out of the AUa office, an old 
Eiimage press was repaired, a lot of Spanish 
foolscap secured in San Francisco, and the whole 
shipped to Sacramento on a vessel known as the 
Dice me Nana (says my mamma), the first craft 
to carry type and press to the interior of Cali- 
fornia, which trip she made in eight days. An 
office was built for the paper about 600 feet 
from the northeast corner of the bastion and 
near what is now the corner of Twenty-eighth 
and K streets. It was a strange mixture of 
adobe, wood and cotton cloth, but answered the 
purpose. The paper was 18x18 inches in size, 
with a title cut from wood with a pocket knife. 
All sorts of expedients were resorted to in cut- 
ting oflT and piecing out letters to make up a 
complement of " sorts " in the cases. The press 
had a wooden platen, which needed constant 
planing off to keep it level, and the rollers were 
anything but successes. 



The Times appeared on Saturdays until June, 
when chills and fever drove Mr. Kemble to 
" The Bay," and T. P. PerLee&Co. took charge. 
Per Lee ran the paper two weeks, but, being a 
tyro in the business, gave it up, and J. H. Giles 
took charge as agent for E. Gilbert & Co., own- 
ers of the AUa. In July the Times removed to 
Front street, where it flourished well for a time. 
Tiie subscription was $10 per annum. In No- 
vember, 1849, after a brief period of reduction 
in size, it resumed its old shape and was removed 
to Second street, between K and L. April 22, 
1850, it began to appear as a tri- weekly, and J. 
E. Lawrence made his editorial bow. June 5 
following, it appeared as a daily, and thus won 
the distinction of being the first daily paper of 
Sacramento. In July it was enlarged one-third. 
October 8, same year, it was purchased by 
Loring Pickering, J. E. Lawrence and L. Al- 
drich, the price paid being §16,000, which in- 
cluded the cost of the building and two lots. 
Aldrich soon sold out to the others. Tiie paper 
had been neutral, but in 1850 inclined toward 
Democracy. When the Squatter Riot excite- 
ment came on, it had been valiant in defense of 
the real-estate owners, but under its new man- 
agement was less partisan. Its last issue was 
dated June 15, 1851, during which month it 
was consolidated with its rival, the Sacramento 
Transcript. 

The latter had been started April 1, 1850, as 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTV. 



■A tri-weekly, aud the size of the Times. It was 
the first paper in interior California to be issued 
oftener than once a week. The proprietors were 
G. K. Fitch, S. C. Upham, J. M. Julian, H. S. 
Warner, Theodore Russell and F. C. Ewer. 
Mr. Ewer had been a prominent minister of the 
Congregational Church elsewhere. After he 
loft here he went to New York, where he again 
maintained his pre-eminence as a minister. 

The Transcript was a good paper and aimed 
at literary excellence. Fifth interests in the 
paper sold during the first summer as high as 
85,000. G. C. Weld bought the interest of 
U]5ham for $10,000 very shortly after the paper 
started. In July, that season, the paper was 
enlarged, and the rivalry between it and the 
Times became very warm. The Transcript was 
started as an independent sheet, but in Decem- 
ber, 1850, came out for the Democratic party 
and was thus the first interior Democratic paper. 

As before stated, the Times and Transcript 
were united June 16, 1851, and thus was the 
first double-headed paper printed in California. 
It was enlarged to a size slightly greater than 
the present Hecord- Union single sheet. G. K. 
Fitch had become State Printer, and L. Picker- 
ing had the city printing. These formed the 
basis of the fusion. Fitch retaining a half in- 
terest in the printing, aud Pickering & Law- 
rence holding the other half. The editors were 
Pickering, Fitch and Lawrence, The new pa- 
per found a rival in the State Jotirnal, and in 
June, 1852, the Times and Transcript left the 
field and went to San Francisco, where it was 
])ublished by the old firm, and subsequently by 
George Kerr & Co., composed of George Kerr, 
P>. F. Washington, J. E. Lawrence and J. C. 
Haswell. It passed from them to Edwin Bell, 
and next to Vincent E. Geiger & Co. Picker- 
ing, Fitch & Co. meanwhile had acquired the 
Alta California, and December 17, 1854, they 
bought back their old Times~and Transcript, 
and the Alta at once absorbed it. 

October 30, 1850, the Squatter Association 
started an organ, styling it the Settlers' and 
Miners' Tvlhune. Dr. Charles Robinson, the 



editor, was noted for the active part he took in 
the Squatter Riots. He sitbsequently became 
the Free State Governor of Kansas; James Mc- 
Ciatchy and L. M. Booth were associate editors. 
Sirus. Rowe brought tlie type from Maine. The 
paper was daily, except Sundays, for a month, 
when it declined to a weekly, aud after another 
month quietly gave up the ghost and was laid 
to rest in the journalistic boneyard. 

December 23, 1850, tiie first weekly paper, 
the Sacramento Index, was started by Lynch, 
Davidson & Rolfe, practical " typos," with J. 
W. Winans, since a prominent lawyer of San 
Francisco, as editor. II. B. Livingstone was 
associate. It was nearly the size of the Record- 
Union, typographically neat, and was issued 
from the Times oitice, and was the first evening 
paper in Sacramento. Taking ground against 
the act of a vigilanc3 committee in hanging a 
gambler, it lost ground, and died March 17, 
1851, after a life of three months. It was a 
paper of rare literary ability. 

The competition between the Times and tlie 
Transcript before their union became so warm 
that prices of advertising declined until they 
fell below the cost of composition. The print- 
ers in both offices rebelled, and the greater 
number quit. They held a meeting in a build- 
ing next to the T r'lnsurlpt office, which thereby 
acquired the name of "Sedition Half." They 
resolved to start a new paper and secured Dr. 
J. F. Morse as editor. They bought stock in 
San Francisco, and March 19, 1851, launched 
the Sacramento D^iily Union, at 21 J street, in 
rented rooms in Langloy's brick building. The 
proprietors were Alexander Clark, who subse- 
quently went to the Society Islands and has 
never been heard of since; W. J. Keating, who 
died a few years afterward in the insane asylum; 
Alexander C. C'ook; Joe Court, who was burned 
to death at the Western Hotel fire in this city, 
in the fall of 1874; E. G. Jeffries, Charles L. 
Hansicker, F. H. Harmon, AV. A. Davison and 
Samuel II. Dosh. The last named subsequently 
was editor of the Shasta Courier, and is now 
dead. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Nearly a year elapsed, however, before type 
could be had. A lot had been ordered, but 
failed to arrive; and J. W. Sirnonton, having 
made an appearance with a full printing office, 
intending to start a Whig paper, his stock was 
purchased by the Union men. Dr. John F. 
Morse, the editor, was later known throughout 
California as one of the chief leaders in Odd- 
fellowship; and his death iu 1874, in San 
Francisco, was the occasion of profound testi- 
monials of esteem being made at many places 
throughout the State. 

The size of the Union was 23x34 inches, 
with twenty-four columns, thirteen of which 
were tilled with advertisements. The daily edi- 
tion started with 500 copies, and rapidly in- 
creased. The paper was independent, outspoken 
and ably edited. ' Tlie issue for March 29, 1851, 
was entitled the Steamer Union, and was de- 
signed for reading in the Eastern States. April 
29, 1851, the Union hoisted the Whig flag, but 
declined to be ranked as a subservient partisan. 
S. H. Dosh sold out at this time for $600, and 
in June Harmon sold for a like sum. April 23 
the paper was enlarged about to the size it has 
since averaged, and appeared with the new type 
at tirst ordered. January, 1852, II. 13. Living- 
stone became associate editor, and Ilansecker 
sold out for $2,000, the firm now being E. G. 
Jetferis & Co. They ne.xt sold out to W. W. 
Kurtz for $2,100. January 10, 1852, the first 
WeeJdy Union was issued. February 13 Cook 
sold out to H. W. Larken,aiid April 3 Davidson 
to Paul Morrill. In May Dr. Morse retired a« 
editor, being succeeded by A. C. Russell, who 
remained until August, when Lauren Upson 
became editor, retiring for a time iu 1853; then 
John A. Collins filled the place. 

November 2, 1852, the Union was burned 
out in the great fire. A small press and a little 
type were saved, and the paper came out the 
second morning after the fire, foolscap size, and 
soon resumed its lormer dimensions. A brick 
building was erected for it on J street, near 
Second, the same now occupied by W. M. Lyon 
LtCo. 



May 16, 1853, Jefiieris & Kurtz sold to the 
other partners and to James Anthony, wlio had 
been in the business department of the paper 
since November, 1851. The firm was now 
James Anthony & Co. June 15, 1853, Keating 
sold to Morrill, Anthony, Clark and Larken, 
and in December Clark's interest passed to the 
firm. 

July 20, 1853, a steam engine was introduced 
to run the presses. 

May, 1858, Morrill sold his interest to J. 
Gray. Morrill went to New Hampshire and 
remained between one and two years, and re- 
turning, bought back Gray's interest. In Feb- 
ruary, 1875, the firm sold out to the Sacramento 
Publishing Company, which also purchased the 
Sacramento Daily and Weekly Record, and the 
two papers were issued under the joint title of 
the Sacramento Daily Record- Union. Besides 
the daily issue, the semi-weekly feature of the 
Record was retained, and this was issued on 
Wednesdays and Saturdays. Since then they 
have issued the daily on each day of the week 
(except Sundays nntil recently), with a double 
or eight-page sheet on Saturdays, besides a 
mammoth sheet on each New Year's day. 

Mr. Upson remained chief editor of the 
Union about twelve years. He was succeeded 
by H. C. Watson, who served until his death, 
in June, 18G7, and was succeeded by Samuel 
Seabongh, who served until the merging of the 
Union with the Record. Then George Fred- 
erick Parsons, Editor-in-chief of the Record, be- 
came editor-in-chief of the Record-Union, and 
continued as such until his removal to New 
York City in the winter of 1883. He was suc- 
ceeded by J. A. Woodson. The manager of the 
Record on its consolidation with the Union 
was William H. Mills, one of the proprietors of 
the Record, who remained in charge of the 
paper until January, 1883, when he removed to 
San Francisco, and C. E. Carrington was ap- 
pointed local managing editor, and T. W. Shee- 
han, business manager. Mr. Carrington retii'ed 
April 1, 1889, and E. B. Willis and T. W. Shee- 
han were appointed general managers of the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



paper, the former assuming the duties of man- 
aging editor, and the latter continuing in im- 
mediate charge of the business departtnent. 

On the 19th of May, 1889, the publication of 
the Sunday Union was commenced, and mailed 
to all subscribers to the Weehly Union, the 
]iublication of the senii-weekly having been dis- 
continued. 

The fine three-story brick building which has 
for many years been occupied by this company 
is on the east side of Third street, between J 
and K streets, and was built for tlie Union in 
1861. 

Joseph A. Woodson, Editor-in-chief of the 
Sacramento Daily Record- Union, was born in 
La Porte, Indiana, in 1837, and educated at the 
Wesleyan Seminary, Albion, Michigan. His 
parents early removed to Michigan City, Indi- 
ana, where his father was president of the State 
Bank of Indiana for many years. After two 
years' service as a clerk in mercantile business, 
Mr. Woodson, in 1858, came to California, set- 
tling at Santa Rosa, Sonoma County; i-ead law 
in the office of Jackson Temple, now one of the 
justices of the Supreme Court of the State; was 
admitted to the bar in 1860, before Judge Me- 
Kinstry, for the Seventii District Court, and 
moved to San Francisco in 1862, where he 
practiced law until 1872. In the meantime he 
founded, published and edited the Pacific Law 
Reporter, having for associate editors some of 
the first members of the San Francisco bar; 
also had charge of the law department of the 
Daily Spectator, San Francisco, for a portion of 
the time, and edited and published at different 
times society and philanthropic papers, and was 
a frequent contributor to the literary journals of 
that city. 

In July, 1872, lie became the San Francisco 
correspondent of the Sacramento Daily Record, 
and in November, tliat year, removed to this 
city, temporarily, and edited the first statistical 
number of the Daily Record. In January, 
1873, he represented that paper, as correspond- 
ent, at the Legislature of the State of Nevada. 
Ileturning in March to Sacramento, he accepted 



the position of law and literary editor of the 
Record. On the union of the Record and tiie 
Union, under the title of the Record-Union 
in February, 1875, he became the literary ed- 
itor of that paper and '• general utility assistant " 
upon all the departments of the journal. Act- 
ing in this multiform capacity, he went to Bea- 
ver, Utah, and reported the first trial of John 
D. Lee, notorious as connected with the Mount- 
ain Meadow Massacre. His letters from Bea- 
ver, published over the signature of " Thad- 
deus," attracted wide attention and rendered his 
further sojourn in Utah at least " uncomfort- 
able." Ileturning to Sacramento, he resumed 
his position upon the Record-Union. Early in 
January, 1883, he became the editor-in-chief 
of the Daily Rtcord-U nion, a position he still 
holds. 

As to other positions, Mr. Woodson was 
deputy district attorney of Sonoma County 
for a time; was one of the founders of the Cali- 
fornia Museum Association, and for four con- 
secutive years a director; and by appointment 
is a member of the Board of Trustees of the 
State Mineral Cabinet. Mr. Woodson's chief 
function in the public welfare has been that of 
" an intellectual power behind the throne " rather 
than a mere figure-head in cons|>icuous positions. 
S. E. Caeeington was born in Ohio in 1840; 
received a public and Iligh-Sohool education, 
and engaged in the profession of teaching for a 
time, but joined the Union Array soon after 
commencement of the Rebellion of 1861-'65. 
Served in Army of Potomac until 1863, when 
he was transferred to the War Department and 
remained there until after close of the war. 
Studied law and graduated at the Law School at 
Columbia College, Washington, District of Co 
lumbia, in 1867. Entering the legal profession, 
he practiced before the departments at Washing- 
ton and in the courts of Ohio, until 1876, when 
from broken health he visited California, re- 
maining about a year, and again returned to the 
Golden State in the spring of 1879, with his 
family, and took up his permanent residence in 
Sacramento. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Carring- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ton was employed upon the Eecord- Union and 
so continued until January 1, 1883, when he 
became managing editor of tlie paper, and which 
position he occupied until April 1, 1889, when 
he resigned. 

In his religious relations he is connected with 
the Congregational Church in Saci'amento, ot 
which he is trustee; and in his society connec- 
tions he is a member of both the Masonic and 
Odd Fellows orders. 

In 1865 Mr. Carrington was married to Miss 
Rilla, daughter of William B. Stone, of York, 
Ohio. Their children are Eelle and Alice. 

EvANDEE Beery Willis, Managing Editor of 
the Sacramento Daily Record- Union, was born 
at the residence of Commodore Evander Berry, at 
the United States Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New 
York, on August 19, 1847. Being well ad- 
vanced in his studies, at the age of thirteen he 
entered a printing office and learned the trade 
in all its branches. While working at his trade 
he mastered the art of stenography and soon had 
a position as official reporter in the Supreme 
Court circuit of New York. At the age of 
twenty he was editor and proprietor of the Mail, 
at Middletown, Orange County, New York. 
This field was too limited for him, and after 
publishing the paper for a little over a year he 
sold out and accepted a position on the New 
York Herald, l)eing sent for that paper all over 
the country. From this he acquired a roving 
disposition and subsequently held various edito- 
rial positions on leading newspapers in several 
States, among them the following: Assistant 
city editor New York Daily Democrat ("Brick" 
Pomeroy's paper); city editor Newburgh, New 
York, Daily Press; city editor Scranton, Penn- 
sylvania, Daily Democrat; telegraph editor 
Scranton Daily Republican; commercial editor 
San Francisco Chronicle; city editor Sacramento 
Daily Record; editor-in-chief of tlie Virginia 
City, Nevada, Chronicle; night city editor New 
York Daily Star, and others. 

Mr. Willis first came to California in August, 
1871. lie has made several trips to the East 
since that time, visiting Europe and traveling 



through the United Kingdom and over the con- 
tinent. He was the official stenographer of the 
Constitutional Convention which framed the 
present constitution of the State of California, 
and with his partner, the late P. K. Stockton, 
transcribed the debates and proceedings of that 
body for publication by the State. He has re- 
ported in the California Legislature for the 
Record-Union at every session but two since 
1871, and is consequently well known througii- 
out the State. Mr. Willis is a prominent mem- 
ber ot the Masonic order, being a member (Past 
Master) of Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, F. & 
A. M.; Sacramento Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch 
Masons; Sacramento Council, No. 1, Royal and 
Select Masters, and Past Commander of Sacra- 
mento Cominandery, No. 2, Knights Templar. 
On April 1, 1889, E. B. Willis and General T. W. 
Sheehan were appointed general managers of the 
Sacramento Daily Record-Union and Sacra- 
mento Weekly Union, the former assuming the 
duties of managing editor, and tlie latter tliose 
of business manager. 

In the list of dead journals comes now the 
Democratic State Journvl. It was a morning 
paper of the size of the Record- Union, and ap- 
peared February 5, 1852. V. E. Geiger & Co. 
were the publishers, and Geiger and B. F. Wash- 
ington the editors. It was a valiant warrior for 
the Democratic party, supporting John Bigler 
in his political aspirations, while its contempo- 
rary, the Times and Transcript, was the advo- 
cate of AVilliam M. Gwin. AVashington, early 
in 1853, retired and went upon tlie Times and 
Transcript, and B. B. Redding, since land agent 
of the Central Pacific Railroad Company, be- 
came editor. The destruction of the office by 
the great fire of 1852 greatly retarded the paper, 
and finally in July, 1853, forced it into a coali- 
tion with the Californian, when a new firm was 
formed composed of B. B. Redding, P. C. John- 
son, S. J. May and James McClatchy. In April, 
1854, Johnson sold to Colonel Snowden, and in 
June, May sold to Redding and Snowden. Snow- 
den and May have been dead many years. 

In the fall of 1854 William Walker, afterward 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



known as General Walker, of Nicaragua iillibus- 
ter fame, the " grey-eyed man of destiny," be- 
came editor. October, 1854, McClatcliy sold 
ont to D. J. Thomas. Walker retired in Feb- 
ruary, 1855, and McClatchy became editor, be- 
ing succeeded in a month by John White. In 
18^6 Snovvden sold out to Kedding and Thomas, 
n June, 1857, the party failing to give adequate 
support to the journal, it was sold, under attach- 
ment, and bought in by the printers in the 
office. After a suspension of four weeks it re- 
sumed, with Henry Shipley & Co. as publishers, 
the company being made up by most of the 
printers in the office. H. Shipley and R. Rust 
were editors. April 24, 1858, P. W. S. Rayle 
bought up nearly all the interests and announced 
S. W. Raveley as editor. It so continued to 
June 24, 1858, when it expired. At one time 
it ran a column in French, and was the first and 
only daily paper issued in Sacramento with a 
department for any foreign tongue. 

In August, 1852, T. Alter began to publish a 
weekly Baptist paper, with O. C. Wheeler and 
E. J. Willis as editors. It continued about one 
year, and had its office in the court-house. It 
lost $3,000 to the publisher, and breathed its 
last so quietly that the exact date of its taking 
off is unknown. 

November 17, 1852, E. Williamson & Co., 
with James McClatchy and D. J. Thomas as 
editors, started a settler Democratic paper. It 
was issued every morning, super-royal in size. 
April, 1853, S. J. May bought a one-fourth in- 
terest and became editor. It was burned out 
once, and started again in a deserted kitchen, 
brought from the country for the pui-pose. On 
the 80th of July it fused with the State Jour- 
nal, as stated above. 

The California Statesman, a morning paper 
edited by Henry Meredith and published by J. 
W. Gish &, Co., was begun November 13, 1854. 
It was Democratic and supported W. M. Gwin 
for United States Senator against Broderick. 
March 1, 1855, Gish & Woodward, the pub- 
lishers, sned Gwin & Ilardenbergh on a claim 
tiiat they had agreed to ])ay $2,500 for the sup- 



port of Gwin by the paper. They alleged that 
Gwin also agreed to give the paper the public 
printing. They laid their damages at $20,000, 
but ihey were ousted from court on the ground 
that the agreement was contrary to public policy. 
Ilardenbergh then sned for the possession, and 
so the Statesman died. 

Tha California Farmer and Journal of Use- 
ful Science began a publication in Sacramento 
in May, 1855, having already appeared in San 
Francisco a year before. The publisiiers were 
Warren & Son, and J. K. Philips & Co. Dr. 
J. F. Morse was the editor for one month. It 
was a weekly paper. July 18, 185G, it was 
moved back to San Francisco, where it still ap- 
pears. 

In March, 1854, Dr. Morse and S. Col vi lie 
issued the first and only number of a monthly 
magazine entitled '■'■Illustrated Historical 
Sketches of California, with a minute history 
of Sacramento Valley." This number was a 
good one, but the business department was badly 
managed and a second number never appeared. 

The Pacific Recorder appeared July 15, 1854, 
edited by E. J. Willis, and was to be the organ 
of the Baptist Church. It was a neat semi- 
monthly; iu July, 1855, it became a weekly, 
but in March following it was discontinued. 

Jnne 8, 1855, a daily paper came to the sur- 
face called the State Tribune. It was edited 
and published by Parker H. French and S. J. 
May. It was the size of the other morning 
papers and professedly independent of politics, 
but inclined to the Democracy. In September 
French sold ont to May and left in the Nicara- 
gua expedition. August 1, J. M. Estill became 
editor of the Tribune and opposed John Bigler 
and the Democracy with such vigor as to draw 
it to the front rank of tiie opposition journals. 
French returning to the State bought into the 
paper again, but left some of the arrangements 
for payment so open that difHculty ensued. He 
sold to George W. 'rift, who had assigned to 
Monson and Valentine, who attached tiie paper. 
S. J. May and his three remaining partners set 
out these thinirs in a card and issued a new 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Irlhtne, so that on the IGtii of October, 1855, 
two Tribunes appeared, each claiming to be the 
genuine one. May & Co.'s issue was from the 
material of the defunct Stutesman. The other 
Tribune was publisiied by P'arwell & Co. Both 
papers were ardent American or Knovv-Nothing 
journals, and each was especially bitter on the 
other. The local war waged for two weeks, to 
the great amnsenient of the people. October 
30 the Farwell & Co. Tribune gave up, and 
ihe other paper was satisfied. The Tribune came 
out with James Allen & Co. as publishers, still 
advocating Know-Nothingism. It lived until 
June 1, 1856, when it died. 

A new paper sprang from the ashes of the 
Tribune the day after the death of that paper. 
It was christened the California American and 
was as radically Know-Nothiug as its predeces- 
sor. The proprietors were James Allen, J. R. 
Ridge and S. J. May, with Allen as chief writer, 
but in January, 1857, he was succeeded by J. 
R. Ridge. Allen was at the time State Printer, 
and it is said lost about $15,000 in the new pa- 
per in the first six months. It died in Febru- 
ary, 1857, and never was a success at any period 
of its existence. 

The Water Fount and Home Journal, a 
weekly paper nearly the size of the Record- 
Union, was brought from San Francisco and 
issued here December 15, 1855, by Alexander 
Montgomery & Co., with Montgomery as editor. 
It was a temperance paper, and the official or- 
gan of the Sons of Temperance, and made a 
good appearance. It lived nine months only. 

December 6, 1855, George H. Baker, now of 
San Francisco, a lithographer, and J. A. Mitch- 
ell, now deceased, began an independent even- 
ing paper entitled The Spirit of the Age. In 
June, 1856, it changed its name to The Sacra- 
mento Age, and enlarged, witii A. A. Appleton 
& Co. (Baker withdrawing) as publishers. J. 
S. Robb, dying, was succeeded by W. Wright. 
In the summer of 1856 the paper was sold to 
the Know-Nothing party and fought its battles 
till the election was over. Early in 1857 it 
died. 



December 24, 1855, A. Badlam & Co. started 
the Daily Evening Times, a gratuitous adver- 
tising sheet, 10x18 inches. It was worked on 
a wooden press made by the publishers. It ran 
up from 200 to 700 circulation, and in March, 
1856, breathed its last. For a time it was re- 
moved to the mountains to try the effect of 
change of air and diet, but it came back to Sac- 
ramento and died in good order. 

December 11, 1856, C. Babb and W. II. 
Harvey began a publication of a daily morning 
independent paper, of a small size, entitled the 
City Item. Paschal Coggins was the editor. It 
lived seven months. 

Cornelius Cole & Co., on the 15th of August, 
1856, commenced the publication of the Daily 
Times, a morning paper. Republican in politics. 
It was very lively in the canvass for Fremont, and 
was edited with ability. In November it be- 
came an evening paper, and issued a weekly, be- 
ing then run by a joint-stock company, with 
Mr. Cole, subsequently United States Senator, 
as editor. In size it was 24 x 36 inches. Janu- 
ary 24, 1857, it succumbed to the winter weather 
and went into the newspaper charnel-house. 

The Chinese JVews began in December, 1856. 
It was printed of respectable size, and in the 
Chinese language. Ze Too Yune, alias Hung 
Tai, was editor and publisher, and exhibited 
much skill in the business. It was at first a 
daily, then a tri- weekly, then a weekly, lastly a 
monthly, and after two years' lease of life it 
went to earth and was heard of no more. 

The Temperance -Mirror was a quarto- 
monthly, commenced January, 1857, by O. B. 
Turrell, with "W. B. Taylor as editor. It issued 
one number here, and then took itself off to San 
Francisco, where it died in March of tlie same 
year. 

The Daily Morning Bee began its life Feb- 
ruary 3, 1857. It was independent in politics, 
and was edited by J. R. Ridge and S. J. May. 
The proprietors were L. C. Chandler, L. P. 
Davis, John Church and W. H. Tobey. It was 
much smaller than the present Bee, embracing 
but five columns to the page. It became an 



HISTORY OF SACUAUENTO COUNTY 



evenino; paper April 6, 1857. In the siiiiuiier 
following, Ridge retired and James McClatcliy 
succeeded him. In 1858 the firm was Y. S. 
Thompson, L. P. Davis and W. H. Tobey. It 
was enlarged during the first year to seven 
coluoins to the page. On April 8, 1860, J. 
O'Leary purchased the interest of S. F. Thomp- 
son, and the firm name was changed to L. P. 
Davis & Co. December 28, 1863, G. H. Win- 
terburn bought out Tobey, and in turn sold to 
James McClatchy, February 12, 1866. 

June 26, 1872, McClatchy bought the inter- 
est of Davis, and the firm name became James 
McClatchy & Co., as at present. August 1, 
1872, J. F. Sheelian purchased one-third inter- 
est from Mr. McClatchy, since which time the 
paper has been still further enlarged and con- 
tinues to be one of the few profitable and pros- 
perous journals in Sacramento's history. 

November 1, 1879, James McClatchy ad- 
mitted his younger son, C. K., as a partner in 
the business, and the members of the firm were 
tiien J. F. Sheehan, James and C. K. Mc- 
Clatchy. October 23, 1883, James McClatchy 
died at Paraiso Springs, leaving all his title 
and interest in the Bee to his wife and two 
sons. January 29, 1884, the interest of J. F. 
Sheehan in the paper was purchased by the 
members of James McClatchy's family, the firm 
name remaining unchanged — James McClatchy 
& Co. Yrom that time to the present the paper 
has been conducted by the sons, C. K. as man- 
aging editor, and V. S. as business inanager. 

The Bee has steadily progressed in circula- 
tion, power and influence, and is now one of the 
two afternoon papers in California that receive 
the full Associated Press report. In the 'early 
part of 1888 the Bee put in a fast stereotyping 
press, it being the first afternoon paper on the 
Pacific Coast to do so. It has kept pace in 
other departments with the times, and is re- 
garded as one of the best pieces of newspaper 
property on the coast. 

James McClatchy, veteran and late editor of 
the Bee, was born near Lisburn, County An- 
trim, Ireland, in the year 1824, and died at 



Paraiso Springs, Monterey County, on Septem- 
ber 26, 1888, being then over fifty-nine years of 
age. He was but eighteen years of age when 
he left Ireland for the hospitable shores of the 
United States, his father and tnother having 
died previously. It was but a few years there- 
after when he sent for his sisters and brothers 
to come over and join him in this land of free- 
dom. He early formed the acquaintance of 
Horace Greeley in New York, and with him 
was a member of the Land Reform Association 
of that State, among whose members were many 
who afterward became nationally prominent. 

He departed for California in 1848, reaching 
Sacramento in the latter part of 1849. The 
ship on which a number had sailed from Pan- 
ama was wrecked near Mazatlan, and he and 
twenty-eight others walked to San Diego. He 
had orders from Horace Greeley to write as 
many letters to the Tribune as he desired at $5 
per letter, good pay for those days with such an 
unlimited carte Uanche. His letters to the 
Tribune did much to populate this State with 
an intelligent and progressive class of men and 
women. He was connected with tiie Sacramento 
Legislature, reported the proceedings of the first 
Legislature for the Placer Tvmen, and was sub- 
sequently connected with the Ifiners" Tribune 
and other early and short lived papers. He first 
joined the late B. B. Redding in the publication 
of the State Journal, but as he believed in the 
principles of the Republican party, he left that 
paper and started the Times, in conjunction 
with the afterward United States Senator, Cor- 
nelius Cole. 

With the defeat of Fremont that newspaper 
venture died, and he joined the staff of the Bee, 
which was started in 1857. He soon succeeded 
John R. Ridge as chief editor, a position he ably 
and brilliantly filled with few interruptions, and 
those of his own seeking, until his death. He 
was a stanch Unionist during the days of the 
Rebellion, and was president of the Lincoln 
League of Sacramento. 

He was elected by the Republican party to 
the ofiice of sheriff in 1863, and re-elected in 



IIISTOHY OF SACliAMENTO COUNTY. 



18(55, but was counted out. Proof of the latter 
fact was subsequently foinul whcMi workmen 
were engaged in altering a chininey in the ottice 
of the Board of Supervisors, then in what is 
now known as the Masonic r>iiilding, on the 
southwest corner of Sixth and K streets. The 
destroyed ballot-; were found, and ample e\ i- 
dence furnished to James McClatchy. It was 
then too late to bnietit him any, antl lie paid no 
attention to it, i hough it was subsequently 
written up as a roniiiiiscenco, in the San Fi'an- 
cisco Chroiuclt'. 

In 1866 he purchased an interest in the Bee, 
but went to San Fraticisco to manage tiie San 
Francisco Times. He remained there but a 
very short tim(\ however, as his independent 
spirit could not brook the conflicting orders of 
seven owners, Xjach of whom wanted tiie paper 
conducted to suit his own views. So he re- 
turned to the Bee, and never left it until his 
death. 

He was collector of the port of Sacramento, 
a meniber of the Board of Education, president 
of the Pioneers' Association, president of the 
Union Building and Loan Association, a director 
of the Capital Savings Bank and historian of 
tlie day at the Centennial Celebration in Sacra- 
mento. 

As a man, James JMcClatchy was a combina- 
tion of the stern and yet gentle qualities of 
the Scotch-Irish race. \n denunciation of a 
wrong he could be as severe a judge as any, but 
in the presence of sori'ow or grief he would be 
as gentle as a child. As an editor he was 
straightibrward and always to the ])oint. His 
one great and prominent trait was his manly in- 
dependence. He did not ask: "Is this thing 
politic?" but, " Is it right?" That question de- 
cided, he immediately proceeded to condemn or 
approve it in the simplest but most elegant 
English. He could get at the kernel of a ques- 
tion quicker and make a proposition plain to 
the readers more rapidly and in fewer words 
than any of his cotemporary journalists. He 
never "scattered," either in words or in reforms. 
When he had anything to say, he said it and 



stopped. He did not cloud the idea with a 
mass of verbiage. When he was battling for 
a principle, he paid his entire attention to that 
and that alone, lie was frequently asketl to 
strike good and heavy blows in this or in that 
cause. lie would say: "Gentlemen, one thing 
at a liiuu. You will have to slioot at one mark 
until you hit it, if yow want to succeed in this 
work. You can't be shooting at every tiling 
with any good prospects of success in anything." 
He was a leader in popular thought, not a fol- 
lower. He was brimful of new and good ideas; 
in fact, his originality was often very startling 
to the conservative mind. He was laughed at 
for his advocacy of a no-fence law, but suc^h a 
law is the law of the State to-day in many of 
the counties, and can be made so in all if the 
citizens properly petition and vote upon it. 

His anti-land monopoly principles were 
preached in season and out of season, in the 
face of sneers, but they are wonderfully popu- 
lar to-day. Henry George's " Progress and 
Poverty," which has made such a brilliant stir 
in the literary world, was the outcome ot the 
doctrines he had learned from James McClatchy, 
whose disciple he really was. In fact, George 
one day suggested that McClatchy should write 
a book embodying those principles, claiming 
that it would make a stir in tlie world. 

" JS'o," was the answer, " I am getting too old 
for the work, and have too much on hand. But 



why 



don't vou do it? Y'ou have little, if a; 



"y- 



thing, to do [George then had the easy position 
of inspector of gas meters], and you are just 
the man to do it." 

The result was that George commenced the 
work and submitted it, a few chapters at a time, 
to James McClatchy for suggestions and altera- 
tions, and continued so to do until the wonder- 
ful book was completed. 

Years before the people of the Sacramento 
Valley ever realized the danger menacing them 
from the destructive system of mining known 
as hydraulicking, James McClatchy began a 
crusade against it in the interest of the homes 
and cities of the valley, continuing it without 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



iiiterniption up to the time of his death. He 
had the satisfaction of seeing tiie people of tiie 
valley come to the standard of their own self- 
interest and preservation, and to read decisions 
of the courts, the highest as well as the lowest, 
all in favor of the valley people — to find, in 
fact, the power of this giant aggregation of 
wealth engaged in hydraulic mining brolien, and 
the system itself declared a nuisance. 

Many otiier reforms were inaugurated and 
carried to a successful issue by this enterprising, 
plodding, original and conscientious journalist. 
Above all, he was ever loyal and true to Sacra- 
mento, and the universal grief expressed at his 
death betokened the respect and love in which he 
was held by the citizens of his adopted home. 

Mrs. James McClatchy, one of the proprie- 
tors of the Bee, widow of its former veteran 
editor and mother of its present managers, was 
born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, 
on April 21, 1830. She came to Sacramento 
the day after the big fire of 1852 to join her 
first husband. Captain Feeny. The latter died 
not long after, and some years thereafter she 
was married to James McClatchy, then a tall, 
young reporter, working haj-d for a livelihood. 
Four of their children are living: A^'alentine, 
Charles, P'anuy and Emily. The young men 
are managers of the Bee, while tlio young ladies 
are well known in Sacramento, where all four 
were born. Mrs. McClatchy is well known in 
charitable circles, and is a life member of the 
(jalifornia Museum Association. 

V. S. McClatchy was born in Sacramento 
in 1857; educated at Santa Clara College, where 
he graduated in 1877; for the ensuing five years 
he was employed in the Oakland fjank at Oak- 
land, this State, and during the next two years 
was a clerk in the Sub-Treasury in San Fran- 
cisco. After the death of his father he came to 
Sacramento to assume the business management 
of the Bee. Besides his connection with this 
paper, which has been a successful one, Mr. 
McClatchy has been active in a number of local 
enterprises, as a director of the Placer County 
Citrus Colony, Orangevalc Colonization Com- 



pany, etc. In 1882 Mr. McClatchy married Miss 
Ilanifan, of Oakland, and they have four children. 

C. K. McClatchy is also a native of Sacra- 
mento, born in 1858; attended Santa Clara 
College three years, and, returning to this city 
before he was eighteen years of age, has since 
been employed upon the Bee, as has already 
been mentioned. He is now the editorial man- 
ager. Besides, he is a director in the Union 
Building and Loan Association of this city. He 
married Miss Ella Kelly, of Sacramento, in 1885 ; 
they have one child. 

In July, 1857, the Star of the Faclfc, a re- 
ligious journal, was removed from Marysville to 
this city. It was a quarto monthly. Its editor 
and proprietor was Rev. A. C. Edmonds, a Uni- 
versalist clergyman. In December, 1857, it 
suspended, revived in May, 1858, and died in 
the fall of that year. 

The Daily State Sentinel, a Republican pa- 
per, was issued July 27, 1857, by J. R. Atkins 
& Co., as a morning paper. It was small size. 
In October C. D. Hossack & Co. took the paper, 
and C. A. Sumner became its editor. It was a 
vigorous paper and bid fair to succeed, but early 
in 1858 it breathed its last. 

C. A. Sumner began the publication of a pam- 
phlet sheet dubbed the Eye-Glass, August 22, 
1857. No other number ever appeared. It 
was peculiar and critical upon social matters. 

The Covenant and Odd Fellows' Magazine, 
a monthly of thirty-two pages, began August 
31, 1857; J. D. Tilson, Publisher; A. C. Ed- 
monds, Editor. It died with the tenth number, 
June, 1858. 

The Temperance Register, II. Davidson & 
Co., a monthly, began September, 1857, in quarto 
form. In October it was in small semi-monthly 
parts. December 12 it became a monthly again, 
and then expired. 

December 20, 1857, the Herald of the Morn- 
ing ■,\\:>^&&v&d as a Sunday paper, J. C. McDonald 
&Co., Publishers; Calvin B. McDonald, Literary 
Editor. It was a spiritualistic paper, and lived 
four weeks. 

The Pha'nix, aftei-ward the Uhicuitous, was 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



a scurrilous sheet, fathered bj E. McGowan. It 
began as an occasional in the fall of 1857, issued 
as a weekly during the winter following, and 
died during the next summer. 

The Watch-Dog was started January 1, 1858; 
was similar in character to the last mentioned, 
and died in March following. 

During the same March began the Sacra- 
mento Visitor, by Brown, Ingham & Co.; J. 
Coggins, Editor. It was a daily evening paper 
of moderate size, independent in tone and lively 
in manner. It ceased to exist June 1, 1858. 

The Sacramento Mercury, a straight-out 
Democratic paper, was commenced March 28, 
1858, by II. S. Foushee, Publisher, and W. S. 
Long, Editor. It was about half the size of the 
Record- Union. In the summer A. Montgomery 
became its associate editor. It died October 
12, 185&. 

The California /Statesman, No. 2 of that 
name, took the place of the old journal in May, 
1858; S. W. Ravely, Publisher, and A. C. Rus- 
sell, Editor. It was a Democratic daih', and 
died June 24, same year. 

The Californian, No. 2 of that name, also 
was a neutral daily of small size, edited by D. 
J. Thomas. It was born July 9, 1858, and de- 
parted this life July 15 following, aged one week. 

The Baptist Circular was the -result of the 
third efibrt of the Baptists to start a paper here. 
It began August, 1858, under the editorial 
management of Rev. J. L. Shuck; but it was 
discontinued the next spring. 

In" 1858-'59, the Democracy being double- 
headed, and known as the Lecompton and anti- 
Lecompton wings, the contest between limbs of 
the common body became very warm, and the 
anti-Lecompton, half spurred thereto by the as- 
saults of Charles T. Botts, from the Lecompton 
side, started a paper called the Daily Register. 
It was about the size of the Bee, and issued 
every morning except Monday. The money 
chiefly was furnished by Dr. Houghton, and the 
style of the tirm was Harvey, Houghton & Co., 
the editors, J. C. Zabriskie and William Bans- 
man, since a iournalist in San Francisco, hold- 



ing small interests. The paper was vigorous, 
but too scholarly, and not lively enough for the 
times. Bausman early got out of it. Hough- 
ton sunk money in the concern like water, and 
the second day before the general election, in 
the fall of that year, it peacefully died, and left 
the doctor to ruminate upon his ducats gone for- 
ever. The office of the Register was located at 
the corner of Fifth and J streets, and the outfit 
and dress of the paper was good. 

The rival of the Register, and far the better 
paper in a purely journalistic point of view, was 
the Daily Democratic Standard. It saw the 
light February 26, 1859, and J. R. Hardenbergh 
was its publisher, with Charles T. Botts, Editor. 
It was a morning paper, and about the size of 
the Record- Union. In July, 1859, C. T. Botts 
became sole proprietor. It was the advocate of 
the Lecompton ring of the Democracy, and a 
vigorous one. Its office was on Third street, 
between I and J. On the 2d of June, 1860, 
it ceased its daily issues. The seeds of death 
were already sown in its body. For a few months 
it appeared as a weekly, but was only a faint 
semblance of its old self. M. G. Upton and 
Hon. C. Gorham were for a time editors, and 
many tales were told of the shrewd passes these 
two used to make to get news for the Standard. 
Soon after the fall election in 1860 the Stand- 
ard was lowered — into the grave of journalism, 
and the earth over its remains has never been 
disturbed to this day. The proprietors lost 
money by the paper, and in the farewell article 
they growled over it fearfully. It was the death 
rattle — nothing more. 

In June, 1860, Henry Bidleman & Co. started 
the Daily Democrat. It was issued from the 
Standard office; M. G. Upson was its editor. It 
was a six-column paper and made a lively cam- 
paign effort, but died with the fall election, 
having failed in its mission for the Democracy. 

June 24, 1860, F. R. Folger & Co. issued the 
Daily Morning JVews, Douglas Democratic pa- 
per. The Folgers were its first editors. Sub- 
sequently George C. Gorham and Albert S. 
Evans were editors. Evans subsequently wen ^ 



HIIsrORT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



to Mexico with the Steward party and wrote it 
up and gained some notoriety with his pen. He 
died a few years ago in San Francisco. The 
News continued to exist about nine months. 

The Evening Post, published by E. W. 
Lewis & Co., began October, 1860, as an inde- 
pendent paper, but subsequently became Re- 
publican in politics. It was half the size of the 
Record- Union at first, but latterly enlarged one- 
third. After five months of life W. S. Johnson 
& Co. undertook its publication. It had vari- 
ous editors — writers who wrote for it as occa- 
sion demanded. It was discontinued Septem- 
ber. 1861. 

The Rescue, organ of the Independent Order 
of Good Templars, began in San Francisco as a 
monthly about February, 1862, and ran about 
two months when it was removed to Stockton, 
where it was published five months. Its first 
editor was Edwin H. Bishop, then the State 
Grand Secretary; he was followed by William 
II. Mills, of San Quentin, also Grand Secretary)- 
1864-'71; the next editor was Albert D. Wood, 
of Yallejo, who conducted the paper until 1876; 
then Rev. George Morris, of Dixon, had the 
charge of it i'or a time, when it was removed to 
San Francisco. In the fall of 1877 it was 
moved to Los Angeles, when Yarnell and Cay- 
stile became the editors and publishers. It was 
next returned to San Francisco, in the fall of 
1880, when Albert D. Wood again became the 
editor. He served until December 13, 1883, 
when Rev. E. F. Dinsmore, of San Francisco, 
became editor. In October, 1885, the paper was 
again removed back to this city, since which 
time George B. Katzenstein, the Grand Secre- 
tary, has been the editor. The editors of this 
organ are elected by the Grand Lodge of the 
Order, or its, executive committee. The paper 
has been enlarged from time to time; it now has 
eight to sixteen quarto pages. Office, 328 J street. 

The Evening Star was a daily started May 
25, 1864, by a company composed of J. J. Beebe, 
Alexander Badlam,G. I. Foster, J. Simpson, M. 
M. Estee and II. C. Bidwell. It was an inde- 
pendent journal and lived about three months 



and Slink under financial embarrassments. Bad- 
lam is now assessor of San Francisco; Estee 
was speaker of tiie last Assembly and practices 
law in San Francisco. Bidwell is dead, having 
committed suicide a tew years ago. He was 
once county clerk of Sacramento County. 

The Califorriian Repuhlican, a Democratic 
paper of the hard-shell stripe, appeared January 
4, 1863. The publishers were Conley Patrick 
& Co., and the editor was Beriah Brown, after- 
ward of the Democratic Press, San Francisco, 
which was destroyed by a mob in the spring of 
1865. Brown is still an editor, and resides in 
Oregon. The paper died in the fall of 1863. 

The Golden Gate, a spiritualistic weekly, was 
started by Ingham & McDonald in the spring 
of 1864, and lived but a few weeks. 

In the winter of 1860 Judd & McDonald 
started the Advertiser. It was a gratuitous 
sheet, and lived two or three months. 

The California Express was a Democratic 
journal, formerly published at Marysville under 
direction of Alexander Montgomery. He 
moved the paper to Sacramento and issued it 
December 23, 1866, expecting patronage from 
the then dominant party, but it did not come, 
and the paper died in July, 1867. It was issued 
as a morning paper. 

The Sacramento Daily Record first appeared 
as an independent evening paper, February 9, 
1867. It was published by. an association of 
printers, composed of J. J. Keegan, John L. 
Sickler, J. P. Dray and R. E. Draper. Draper 
was the first editor, and in about a month was 
succeeded by W. S. Johnsoti, who remained 
about one year, and was succeeded by J. B. Mc- 
Quillan, who remained a few months and was 
succeeded by R. A. Bird. Subsequently it was 
purchased by W. H. Mills and A. D. Wood. 
Mr. Wood was afterward manager of the Record- 
Union, and a portion of the then and subse- 
quent 7?eco>'6? editorial staff, as also a portion of 
the Sacramento Union then and subsequent 
editorial staff, afterward composed the Record- 
Union staff". The Record became a morning 
paper December 2, 1867. In the beginning it 



UIsrOBT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



was a btiiall five-column sheet, but through suc- 
cessive enlargements soon grew to the present 
&\zQ o{ x\\e Record- Union. During the winter 
of 1871-'72 the Record distinguished itself by 
the fuJlest and most elaborate phonographic 
Legislative reports ever published in the United 
States, frequently printing morning after morn- 
ing nineteen columns of solid nonpareil of the 
proceedings of Senate and House. For several 
years the Sacramento Union had published an- 
nual or New Year statistical sheets. January 1, 
1873, the Record entered the same field and 
eclipsed its rival by issuing the fullest and 
largest holiday statistical sheet ever published 
in the United States, and each year since has 
issued a similar mammoth sheet. It was the 
first daily paper to maintain a semi-weekly edi- 
tion. The Record was a rival to the Union, 
and the contest for patronage and public favor 
between them was very warm for years. In 
February, 1875, the Record and Union were 
consolidated as above stated, and appear under 
the joint title of the Record- Union. 

The Expositor was published by C. D. Sem- 
ple, first appearing July 23, 1867. It was a 
daily, and old-line Democratic. It lived until 
the 9tli of September, and died. 

Richard Bowden, February 26, 1864, published 
a youth's paper, the Young Amei'ican, as weekly. 
It lived about eleven weeks, ceasing on the deatli 
of the publisher, who was accidentally killed. 

Along about this time were published weekly 
papers of a local character, viz. : My Paper, Pio- 
neer, Blusterer, The Anti-Office Seeker, a lot of 
State Fair papers, Sunday Times, Hesperian, 
Students'' Repository, and others. 

In the winter of 1864, Charles De Young, 
now of the San Francisco Chronicle, began the 
publication of the Dramatic Chronicle as a 
daily gratuitous advertising sheet of S!nall 
dimensions. In about nine months he removed 
it to San Francisco, enlarged it and published 
it until the Daily San Francisco Chronicle 
grew out of it, the old Dramatic Chronicle 
being swallowed by the Figaro of San Fran- 
cisco, pnbli.shed by J. P. Bogardus. 



The Traveler''s Guide, an advertising sheet, 
published weekly by L. Samuels and N.Torres, 
in 1865. In the same year T. "W. Stanwell 
began the monthly Railroad Gazetteer, which 
is still published by II. S. Crocker & Co. 

January 12, 1868, the State Capital Re- 
porter, a daily Democratic sheet, began with a 
glowing announcement of its plans. It nomi- 
nated II. H. Haight for President of the United 
States. By Legislative enactment it became 
the litigant paper, in which all summonses had 
to be published. This gave it a good income, 
but made it obnoxious to the entire press of the 
State, and brought it into disfavor with the 
people. The act of February 21, 1872, repealed 
the litigant law, and took away the Reporter's 
bread. It then ceased to issue as a daily, send- 
ing out its last effort in that line May 7, 1872, 
when the law took effect, and thereafter issued 
a half sheet once a week, to run out legal ad- 
vertisements on hand. July 30, 1872, without 
a last word, it died. The Reporter was pub- 
lished by a joint stock company, and lost money 
for everybody who touched it. It was at first 
controlled by John Bigler. Its first editor was 
Henry George, afterward of the San Francisco 
Post, and now of national notoriety as the 
author of "Progress and Poverty," and chief 
promulgator of the land theory that is known 
by his name. The paper was edited with abil- 
ity, and for a long time was a periodical of 
much vigor. Mr. George was succeeded by J. 
F. Linthicum, an old editor, who kept up the 
tone of the paper and edited ably. John Big- 
ler, ex-Governor of California, then just re- 
turned from Chili, to which country he went as 
Minister, became editor of the Reporter some 
months before it died. He was noted for his 
vigorous attacks, his laborious compilation of 
statistics, liis political thunderbolts, and his 
dignified manner in editorial columns. Gov- 
ernor Bigler died some three years ago in this 
city. O. T. Shuck was its last editor. 

The Sacramento Democrat was a small daily 
paper which began August 3, 1871, under a 
publishing company, with Cameron II. King as 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



editor. Its ofKce was at the corner of Third and 
J streets. It lived until just after the election, 
dying September 5, 1871. 

The Locomotive was a good six-column weekly 
advertiser and local paper, which was begun by 
R. S. Lawrence in the early spring of 1873, 
with an office on J street, between Second and 
Third. It did a prosperous business for some 
months. T. F. Cane then bought a half inter- 
est, and subsequently the whole interest, selling 
half of it to Dr. A. P. Truesdell, who became 
editor, and the paper and the name were changed 
to that of the People's Champion. In the 
Slimmer of 1874 it went the way of the dead. 

With one exception, the only foreign paper 
ever published here prior to 1885 was the 
Semi- Weekly Sacramento Journal (German), 
published by K. F. Wiemeyer & Co., and edited 
by Mr. Wiemeyer. It was first issued June 6, 
1868, and has had a successful career to the 
present. Lately Wiemeyer & Co. established 
an office in Oakland, and the Journal now ap- 
pears simultaneously in both places. It is ably 
edited, is Republican in tone, liberal in senti- 
ment and fearless in utterance. It receives good 
business management and appears to have a 
legitimate field of journalism, which it fully 
occupies. The Sacramento office is now at 314 
J street. 

Early in 1873, H. B. Eddy, now deceased, 
started a small, neatly printed, critical paper, 
called the Valley World. It was issued weekly 
and aimed at literary excellence. Mr. Eddy dying 
in the fall, the Valley World was continued 
for a few weeks, Rev. J. H. C. Bonte editing it. 

The Evening News, a daily, Sundays ex- 
cepted, neutral, was started by B. F. Huntly & 
Co., March 26, 1869. Vincent Ryan, one of 
the firm, did most of the writing, with Frank 
Folger and W. S. Johnston in other departments. 
It lived three months. 

The Sunday Free Press was started by Beers 
& Co., in February, 1873, and appeared once. 
It was a lively number, particularly local and 
jolly, but its precoeiousness was too much for 
it, and it died a heavy loss to its proprietors. 



The Sacramento Valley Agriculturist began 
February, 1874, as a monthly, Davis & Stock- 
ton, Editors and Publishers. June, 1874, it 
changed to a weekly. July, 1874, it bought up 
the old Champion material, and enlarged con- 
siderably. April 15, 1875, Davis sold his in- 
terest to W. T. Crowell. It was devoted wholly 
to agricultural matters, with a city edition Sun- 
day mornings, with a few local references. 

The Occidental Star, devoted to the interest 
of the return of the Jews to Palestine — a weekly, 
four pages — began January, 1873, and ran about 
five months, with Mrs. L. I. L. Adams as pro- 
prietor. 

The Winning Way, edited and published by 
Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Potter, was a weekly paper 
devoted to the cause of woman and sociality. 
It began September, 1873, and lived till Febru- 
ary, 1874. 

Common Sense was begun by Dr. A. P. 
Truesdell as a weekly, four pages, January, 
1873, and died March, 1874. It was afterward 
revived in San Francisco. 

The Mercantile Globe, an advertising sheet 
published by Byron & Co., August, 1872, 
changed October 18 to Sacramsnto Globe, pub- 
lished weekly by Kelley & Farland. After run- 
ning some months, suspended, and was again 
revived by Raye & Ford, 'December 5, continu- 
ing weekly until April 17, 1875, and was after- 
ward published at irregular intervals by B. V. 
R. Raye. 

The California Teacher was started by tJie 
State Board of Education about 1877, being pur- 
chased from the San Francisco Teachers' Asso- 
ciation. It is a monthly, and is now issued at 
San Francisco. 

The State Fair Gazette, by H. S. Crocker & 
Co., has been published for some years on the 
recurrence of each State Fair and still continues. 
It is an advertising sheet, and is circulated gra- 
tuitously. 

The Evening Herald was begun as a small 
evening paper, independent in character, March 
8, 1875, by Gardner, Larkin, Fellows and Major 
E. A. Rockwell, a journalist of long experience 



HISTORT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



and sound judgment, the editor. He was for- 
merly of the Morning Call, San Francisco, and 
served a term in tlie Legislature with credit. 

The Enterprise, a Sunday morning paper, 
was begun by Orites, Davis & Alexander, Au- 
gust 29, 1875. It exhibited much vigor and was 
well conducted; but the proprietors, not find- 
ing a business manager to their mind, closed up 
the paper with the ninth issue, and in time to 
save themselves from loss. The paper was 
printed from the old Reporter type. 

The Seminary Budget was an "occasional," 
issued by the young ladies of the Sacramento 
Seminary for a few years. It was a literary 
paper, doing credit to its student editors. 

The Biisiness College Journal is an "occa- 
sional," issued by the proprietors of the Sacra- 
mento Business College. 

The Sunday Leader was started in October, 
1875, by J. N. Larkin, who is still the editor 
and proprietor. The office is at 305 J street. 
In 1884-'85 it was the official paper of the 
county. In politics it is straight Hepublican. 
The paper Is 28x42 inches in size and is neatly 
printed with large, clear type. 

The Daily Sun, organ of the Workingmen's 
party, was started immediately after the ad- 
journment of the Legislature of 1879, which 
provided for a State Constitutional Convention. 
This organ was established by a company of 
stockholders, with William H alley as manager. 
When the delegates to that convention were 
elected, and the editor of this paper was de- 
feated as a candidate for the same, he withdrew 
from its management, a new company was 
formed, and F. J. Clark was continued as editor 
for a few months, when it was discontinued. 

In 1883 the Sunday Capital was established 
by J. L. Robinette and C. C. Goode, a four- 
page folio, independent in politics and devoted 
to news and literature. It was run for about a 
year, when Robinette sold his interest to Will- 
iam Ellery, and six months afterward it was 
discontinued. The proprietors named were the 
editors. 

The Sacramento, now Occid.ental, Medical 



Times, a large octavo monthly, was launched 
forth in March, 1887, in this city, by five physi- 
cians, and it continues to grow in patronage, 
amount and quality of reading matter, etc. It 
now has fifty-six pages besides advertisements. 
Office, 429^ J street. J. H. Parkinson is the 
editor in chief, and his assistants are: W. A. 
Briggs, William Ellery Briggs, W. R. Cluness, 
Thomas A. Huntington and G. L. Simmons, 
Jr., of Sacramento; J. F. Morse, W. H. Mays, 
Albert Abrams, W. Watt Kerr and D. W. 
Montgomery, of San Francisco; and J. W. Rob- 
ertson, of Napa. 

The Daily Eoening Journal was commenced 
July 4, 1888, by H. A. Weaver, and was run 
until October 1 following. It was 28x42 
inches in size, and devoted to general news and 
literature. 

The Nord California Herold, a large Ger- 
man weekly paper, published on Saturdays in 
the Record-Union Building, was started Sep- 
tember 5, 1885, by Charles Schmitt, the present 
editor and proprietor. 

Charles Schmitt, Proprietor of the Nord 
California Herold, is a native of Kaiserslaut- 
ern, Rhenish Bavaria, born October 9, 1836, a 
son of Nicholas and Rosina (Stubenraucli) 
Schmitt. His father, a lawyer and an active 
Republican, was a member of the Parliament 
at Frankfort, where the Revolutionary troubles 
came on. Mr. Schmitt had been a leader in his 
party, and from the prominent pai-t he had 
taken was compelled to leave Germany. He 
went to Switzerland, and in 1849 came to Amer- 
ica on a sailing vessel. He landed at New 
York and from there went to Philadelphia, 
where he iiad relatives living. There he lived 
until his death, which occurred in 1860. 

Charles Schmitt, whose name heads this 
sketch, was br.t thirteen years of age when he 
accompanied his parents to America, though 
his education had been pretty well advanced 
previous to leaving his native country. While 
the family were residents of Philadelphia, his 
father had founded a newspaper, and in the office 
Charles Schmitt learned his trade. Before he 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



bad reached his twentieth year he had deter- 
mined to come to California, and in September, 
1856, his name was enrolled on the list of pas- 
sengers of the steamer Illinois, New York to As- 
jiinwall. Crossing the Isthmus of Panama, he 
took passage on the steamer John L. Stephens, 
bound for San Francisco, which port he reached 
September 25, 1856. He received work in the 
office of Mr. Lefontaine, the first job printer of 
San Francisco, and remained in the city about 
two years. He then went to the mines. His 
first experience with the pick and shovel was at 
the Tuolumne mines near Columbia, but two or 
three montlis later the scene of his labors was 
transferred to San Gabriel mines, Los Angeles 
(bounty. He next went to the Arizona mines, 
where he remained about two years. In 1860 
he returned to San Francisco, where he became 
one of the founders of the Abend Post, the 
second German daily paper published in San 
Francisco. In May, 1868, he came to Sacra- 
mento and founded the Sacramento Journal, 
German, and followed its fortunes until 1881. 
On the 5th of September, 1885, he launched 
the Word Califurnia Ilerold, which has taken 
front rank among German papers. He also 
carries on, in connection with the newspaper 
publication, job printing to a considerable ex- 
tent, doing both German and English work, 
though principally the latter. His office en- 
joys a good reputation for the excellence of its 
work. 

M r. Schinitt is connected with Schiller Lodge, 
No. 5, I. O. O. F., and Sacramento Lodge, No. 
80, A. 0. U. W. Pie is Fast Chief of Sacra- 
mento Stamm, No. 124, I. O. R. M. ; has passed 
through all the chairs in Sacramento Lodge, 
No. 11, O. D H. S. ; also in Sacramento Ver- 
ein-Eintracht. He is a member of ' the Sacra- 
mento Tura-Verein, and is one of the-directors 
of the Germania Loan and Building Associa- 
tion. Mr. Schmitt was married in San Fran- 
cisco, January 22, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth 
Denger, a native of New York. They have 
had twelve children, of whom eleven are yet 
living. Mr. Schmitt is a man of superior in- 



telligence, and wields a ready pen, and his pa- 
per has a powerful influence in his chosen field. 
Themis, an eight-page quarto Sunday paper, 
devoted to the material interests of Sacramento, 
dramatic and governmental criticism and mis- 
cellany, printed with large type upon the finest 
kind of paper at A. J. Johnston & Co.'s, was 
started in February, 1889, by Win. J. Davis, W. 
A. Anderson and George A. Blanchard, and at 
this date is flourishing. 

A few lesser papers have been published in 
past years in this city, which have not been 
named herein, exclusive of sheets issued in the 
interests of insurance companies and business 
houses, but their origin and death have been too 
obscure to warrant the necessary loss of time in 
searching out their history. 

Total number of deceased periodicals, about 
seventy-five; of living, eight. 

Hon. Winfielu J. Davis, Official Court Re- 
porter and Editor of the historical portion of 
this volume, and Editor of Themis, is of pure 
Welsh descent, both his parents being natives 
of Wales. His father, William Davis, died in 
this city, August 21, 1885; and his mother, 
whose maiden name was Elinor Parry, is still 
living, in Sacramento. 

Mr. Davis was born in Utica, Oneida County, 
New York, December 5, 1851. In 1862 the 
family came thence to California, by way of the 
Isthmus, arriving here while the marks of the 
great flood of 1861-'62 were still plainly visi- 
ble, the waters having just subsided. After 
arriving here, Mr. William Davis purchased a 
ranch near Lincoln, Placer County, where he 
resided until 1869, when the family removed to 
Sacramento. Until this time, therefore, the 
subject of this sketch was inured to farm labor. 
In 1867; however, he began the study of short- 
hand, from a small book entitled -"The Young 
Reportei-," and worked at considerable disad- 
vantage, for want of the proper elementary 
text-books; but, as one would suppose from the 
power of his genius, he went right along with 
it and ultimately attained a success which not as 
many as one in a thousand attain who commence 



HISTOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the study of this useful art. Entering the first 
grade of the grainiuar school of this city Sep- 
tember 19, 1869, in the midst of the school 
year, he graduated April 22, 1870, iu the first 
rank with ten others in a class of thirty-four. 
Among liis classmates were Ella Haskell, now 
Mrs. Cummins, the noted writer of juvenile lit- 
erature; P. E. Piatt, of the present firm of W. 
E. Strong & Co.; Colonel C. F. Crocker, now 
vice-president of the Southern Pacific Railroad 
Company; E. 13. Cushman, late sheriff of a 
county in Nevada; aiid Valentine S. McClatchy, 
now one of the proprietors of the Bee. After 
the graduation referred to, Mr. Davis entered 
the High School and remained there until Janu- 
ary, 1871. On the 2d of February, that win- 
ter, he went to the Bee ottice to learn the print- 
ing trade, and worked there until June, when 
he was employed in the oflice of the Daily Rec- 
ord, to set type and do short-hand reporting. 
In the line of reporting the first particular task 
he undertook was to report the proceedings of 
the llepublican State Convention, held in June, 

1871, which nominated Newton Booth for Gov- 
ernor. In 1871-'72 he reported the proceed- 
ings of the State Assembly for the Sacramento 

Union. At the close of the session, in April, 

1872, he was engaged as one of the local editors 
of that paper, under the direction of Captain J. 
D. Young, now State printer. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar of the Sixth District Court, 
April 7, 1879. On August 31, 1874, Mr. Davis 
was appointed, after a competitive examination, 
official short-hand reporter of the Sixth Dis- 
trict Court, by Judge Ramage. The district 
embraced the counties of Sacramento and Yolo. 
When Judge Denson succeeded Ramage Mr. 
Davis was retained in'the otiice, and he continued 
to hold until the abolition of the court by the 
new constitution. On the organization of the 
Supei'ior Court in its place, he was appointed 
official reporter of both departments of the Su- 
perior Court, and has held that office continu- 
ously since that time. In this capacity he has 
reported some of the most important cases tiiat 
have been tried in this State; for example, the 



prosecution against the proprietors of the San 
Francisco Chronicle Sit Placerville for libel upon 
United States Senator Sargent and Congress- 
man H. F. Page. The trial lasted about a month. 
Among the witnesses were many of the leading 
officials and politicians in the State. He also 
reported the trial of Troy Dye for the murder 
of Tullis, an account of which is given else- 
where in this volume; also the trials of Ciiarles 
Mortimer for the killing of Mrs. Gibson; of ex- 
State Senator J. H. Harlan, at Woodland, for the 
killing of E. L. CJraft; and the famous Gold Run 
Hydraulic Mining case, which occupied about 
two months. 

Mr. Davis has also had considerable political 
experience. For several years he was chairman 
of the Republican City Central Committee. 
During the Blaine campaign of 1884 and the 
Swift campaign of 1886 he was chairman of 
the Republican County Central Committee, 
having the general supervision of these cam- 
paigns throughout the county. In each cam- 
paign there was a loss to the Republicans of 
but one candidate on the city and county tickets. 
In 1884 the candidate lost was that for police 
judge, and in 1886 that for supervisor in one'of 
the country districts. 

On Saturday night, immediately before the 
Presidential election of 1884, it was discovered 
that the Hon. Frank D. Ryan, the Republican 
nominee for the State Assembly from the Eight- 
eenth District, was ineligible, by reason of the 
fact that he had not lived in that particular dis- 
trict for a year, although he had been born and 
raised in an adjoining district in the city. Mr. 
Ryan resigned his position on the ticket, and 
the nomination was tendered to Mr. Davis. 
The campaign was an extremely lively one. 
The result of the election, which was held No 
vember 4, was that Mr. Davis was chosen by a 
vote of 1,498, to 822 for Hon. II. M. La Rue, 
the Democratic candidate, who was a popular 
man, had filled important State positions, and at 
that time was speaker of the Assembly. During 
the ensuing session of the Legislature, Mr. 
Davis was chairman of the Committee on Pub. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



lie Buildings and Grounds, and a member of the 
Committee on Ways and Means, Claims, and 
Water Rights and Drainage. During that ses- 
sion large appropriations were secured for the 
improvement of public buildings and grounds 
in Sacramento County. It was in that Legisla- 
ture, also, that the exciting measures concerning 
irrigation were brought forward, to settle which 
two extra sessions were called. 

Mr. Davis has written extensively for the 
press, especially on historical and political sub- 
jects. For his connection with the various pe- 
riodicals he has aided in establishing see the 
chapter on the Press, under heads of Sacramento 
Valley Agriculturist, the Enterprise and The- 
mis. In the winter of 1888-'89 he compiled 
one-half of a large volume entitled '-The Gov- 
ernmental Koster of the State of California," of 
which 5,000 copies were issued by the Legisla- 
ture. In his library he has the largest collec- 
tion of books and documents relating to the 
history of California that can be found in the 
State outside of the State Library and a few in 
San Francisco. 

Mr. Davis is a member of the California His- 
torical Society, and historian of the Sacramento 
Society of California Pioneers; also an honorary 
member of the Sacramento Typographical Union, 
No. 46. He was commissioned Major and En- 
gineer Officer of the National Guard of Califor- 
nia, November 16, 1881, and served on the staff's 
of Brigadier-Generals John F. Sheehan, Llewel- 
lyn Tozer and John T. Carey. 

Mr. Davis has a half-brother, W. H. Turnor; 
also a brother named Elmer L., and a sister 
named Nellie L. 

There is one newspaper published in Folsoin, 
the Telegraph, which is issued every Saturday 
morning. It was established in the early part 
of 1856 by Dr. Bradley, and was at that time 
known as the Granite Journal, Granite then 
being the name of the present Folsom City. 
The paper was conducted by Dr. Bradley for 



several years, and was one of the most widely 
circulated papers in the State in that day of few 
newspapers. When the name of the town was 
changed from Granite to Folsom City the Jour- 
nal changed its name to the Folsoin Telegraph. 
About this time the paper also changed hands, 
Wm. Penry, now treasurer of Amador County, 
becoming the editor and proprietor, continuing 
as such for several years, when Wm. Aveling 
became his successor. At Mr. Aveling's death, 
which occurred shortly afterward, Mrs. Avelino- 
took charge of the establishment, but after a 
short time sold it to Peter J. Hopper, now de- 
ceased, but for many years a well-known lawyer 
of this county. John F. Howe purchased the 
paper from Mr. Hopper about 1872, and pub- 
lished it up to the time of his death, which 
occurred ten years later, after which Mrs. Howe 
published it until July 19, 1884, when it passed 
into the hands of Weston P. Truesdell, who 
published it until August 1, 1888, when I. Fiel 
became associated with him, the paper beinw 
conducted by the two gentlemen until March 
16, 1889, when Mr. Fiel purchased the entire 
paper, he in turn selling out to Thad. J. Mc- 
Farland, its present editor and proprietor. 

Thad. J. McFarland, the present editor of 
the Telegraph., was born in Benicia in 1854, 
and is a prominent member of the order of 
Native Sons of the Golden West. He was one 
of the founders of the Vallejo Daily Times, and 
also conducted the Biggs Recorder. For seven 
years he conducted the Wheatland Graphic, 
which ranks among the leading journals of 
Northern California. He is a practical printer, 
and a member of the Sacramento Typographical 
Union. Mr. McFarland's reputation as a news- 
paper man is such as to justify the prediction 
that the Telegraph will rank with the best, 
and Folsom be greatly benefited by his advent 
there. 

At Gait the Gazette is a sprightly journal, 
published by Meacham & Campbell. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




gsaazsa^ 



,^ , ^ , ^ .. , , ^^ ,. , . ^ , ^_,^^^^^_,^^^^^^^^^^^^;^P 



i ^EDUCATIONAL* 



'^-^^^-^^^^^P^-:^fhT\-^^^^cif^^-:<f^^:::£^' •'j 




CIIAPTER XIV, 



fACRAMENTO CITY has kept abreast 
with the times in the matter of education, 
and the conduct and success i)f her school 
system has always been a matter of pride. 

The first school established in the city was 
opened by C. T. H. Palmer, in August, 1849. 
Concerning the school, Rev. J. A. Benton, 
formerly pastor of the Congregational Church, 
wrote the following interesting account: "C. T. 
II. Palmer, formerly of Folsom, taught thefir^t 
school, so far as I know, ever taught in Sacra- 
mento. He taught during the month of August, 
1849, and tlien abandoned the business. I do 
not know how many pupils he had, but the 
number could not have exceeded ten. I pur- 
chased from him in September the benches and 
fnrniture he had used, and opened the school 
again October 15, 1849, at the same place in 
which he had kept it. The place was on I 
street, in a building owned by Prof. F. Shep- 
herd. The structure was a one-story house, 
about 14 X 28 feet, covered at the ends with 
rough clapboards, and the roof and sides were 
covered with old sails from some craft tied up 
at the bank of a river. Some 'shakes' and 
'pickets' were nailed over tlie places not cov- 
ered by the sails, near the ground. The door- 
way was covered by a piece of canvas fastened 
at the top and dropping before the opening. 
There was no floor but the ground, and that was 
by no means level. The school-house stood on 



the brink of the slough, or 'Lake Sutter,' near 
the northeast corner of Third and I streets. It 
was about sixty feet east of the east side of 
Third street, and the southern side of it en- 
croached a few feet upon 1 street. I street was 
not then passable for wagons. The remains of 
a coal-pit were in the middle of I street, a few 
yards eastward from the building. A small and 
crooked oak tree stood at the eastern end of the 
school-house, close to it and near the door. A 
sycamore tree and some shrubs of ash and alder 
grew out of the bank on the northern side and 
close to the building. The tilling up of I street 
and the advent of the Chinese now obliterate 
every trace of the building and its exact site. 
Mj school opened with four pupils, and in- 
creased soon to six, then to eight or nine. I do 
not think it ever exceeded twelve. By stress of 
weather aiid other circumstances I was com- 
pelled to close the school about the 1st of 
December, 1849. That was the end of my en- 
deavors in the way of school-teaching. It is 
my impression that Crowell opened a school in 
the spring of 1850, but it may have been during 
the following autumn. In the spring there were 
families enough to make school-teaching desira- 
ble, and the weather and otlier circumstances 
were such as to render it practicable. I know 
of no other schools in 1S49 than Palmer's and 
mine." 

Previous to 1854 the public schools, of the 



nisTonr of sacuamento county. 



city were merged with those of the county, 
and were under the superintendence of the 
county assessor, by virtue of his office. The 
State school law of 1851 provided fur a super- 
vising school committee in each city, town and 
incorporated village. The attempt made here 
to establish a common school under that law 
failed, and in 1852 the Legislature repealed the 
act and passed a new one, which gave to cities 
and incorporated towns the control of the com- 
mon schools withiu their limits, with a pro- 
vision that if the municipal authorities did not 
exercise that power the county assessor should 
have charge of them and be ex officio county 
superintendent. The act was again amended 
April 26, 1853, and that year the county assessor, 
H. J. Bidleman, appointed under the amended 
law a Board of School Commissioners for the 
city," consisting of Dr. H. W. Ilarkness, 6. J. 
Phelan and George Wiggins. 

The commissioners appear tc have been very 
tardy in establishing schools, for the newspapers 
of the time frequently demanded them todo their 
duty and open a public school. The following 
advertisement appeared in February, 1854: 

'> Public School. — The citizens of Sacramento 
are hereby notified that the school commission- 
ers for this city will open a public school on the 
southeast corner of Fifth and K streets, on 
Monday morning, February 20, 1854, at 9 
o'clock. G. H. Peck will have charge of the 
male department, and Miss Griswold of tlie 
female department. By order of the Commis- 
sioners of Common Schools." 

On that day the school was opened. This 
was the first public school established in this 
city. Two rooms were occupied, one by the 
boys and one by the girls. The first day fifty 
boys and forty girls attended. Most of them 
were between seven and nine years of age, and 
tiie greater portion of them had never before 
attended school. Four days afterward there 
were ninety boys and seventy girls in attend- 
ance, and it was found tliat tliere was not suf- 
ficient room to accommodate all the scholars. 
Soon there were 200 altogether. As the buiid- 
L.ofC. 



ing was not large enough to accommodate so 
many, another schoul was opened in an old 
building known as the Indiana House, on I 
street, near Tenth, and A. R. Jackson was ap- 
pointed teacher. As this school also became too 
crowded, another building was leased, on the 
corner of Tenth and G streets, and to this place 
the girls of I slreet school were removed and 
placed in charge of M. E. Corby. June 19 a 
scliool for boys and girls was opened near tlie 
corner of Seventh and K streets, of which W. 
A. Murraj'had charge. Early in June, the first 
primary school was opened in the rear of the 
Fifth street schooJ, in a building formerly oc- 
cupied as a mechanic's shop. Miss A. E. Rob- 
erts was appointed teacher.. 

In July, 1854, it is said that there were 261 
pupils in the public schools and 250 in private 
schools. 

October 2, 1854, an ordinance was passed by 
the City Council, which had been drafted b}"- 
N. A. H. Ball, providing for the election of a 
city superintendent of schools and a Board of 
Education. The board was to assume the con- 
trol of the city schools, which was at that time 
vested in the county assessor. The council 
elected Dr. H. W. Harkness, Superintendent, 
and N. A. H. Ball, George Wiggins and Dr. T. 
A. Thomas, Trustees, or members of the board, ■ 
which organized on the 1st of the following 
month. Harkness occupied the chair and Ball 
was secretary. At the first meeting they esti- 
mated tlie school income and expenses for the 
ensuing year at $22,000. December 7, after 
some controversy, County Superintendent Bidle- 
man and county commissioners surrendered 
to the City Board full control of the pub- 
lic schools established by them in the city, with 
all the property, on condition that the latter 
liquidate the outstanding- debts contracted for 
the schools. The indebtedness thus assumed 
amounted to $7,500. On the 11th the county 
superintendent and commissioners resigned 
their oflices, and the City Board assumed exclu- 
sive control of the schools of the city. 

The first common-school house in the city 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



was erected on the corner of Tenth and H streets, 
upon a lot tendered rent free by John H. Gass, 
and was dedicated January 2, 1855. The build- 
ing was erected by A. B. Asper, who contracted 
to build it within fifteen days, for $1,487. 

February 5, 1855, a primary school was es- 
tablished at the corner of Eleventh and I streets, 
and Mrs. Eliza A. Wright was elected teacher. 

At a meeting of the board, held the 13th of 
that month, the number of scholars allowed to 
each school was fixed at fifty to sixty. When 
the complement of scholars was made up the 
teachers were to register the applicants. If a 
pupil absented himself for one week without a 
good excuse, the teachers were to notify the 
board and the scholar's parents, erase the name 
from the roll, and notify the first on the list of 
applicants of the vacancy. 

Dr. H. W. Harkness, the city sujicrintendent, 
submitted his first quarterly report February 
13, 1855. He reported six schools in success- 
ful operation, with accommodations for 4l4 
pupils, but 578 have made application to enter 
the schools during the term. Average attend- 
ance, 463. 

The board adjourned sine die Ajiril 10, 1S55, 
their term of ofiice having expired. In March 
the method of electing members of the Board of 
Education had lieen changed by special legisla- 
tive enactment, taking from the City Council 
tin aiitlioriiy to cieate the board and giving it 
to the people, who would elect such ofiicers upon 
the fir^t Moiiday in April of each year. The 
nuniber of commissioners was also increased to 
six. 

At the election in April, 1S55, Francis Tnkey 
was chosen Superintendent, and R. P. Johnson, 
H. Houghton, F. A. Hatch, J. F. Morse, Geo. 
W. Woolleyand George Wiggins, Commission- 
ers. The new board organized on the 11th of 
the month, and Woolley was elicted secretary. 
At this time tlie moiiilily salaries of the teach- 
ers amounted in the aggregate to $1,350, and the 
rent hills for school-hoii.~es to $300. On the 
15th, Lee & Marshall's circus gave a benefit for 
the schools, and the profits were $321. After- 



ward the same circus company gave other bene- 
fits to the schools. 

May 5 the board elected teachers. On the 
25th it adopted a set of by-laws and rules of 
order. The by-laws provided that the board 
should consist of six members and one superin- 
tendent; that it should hold regular monthly 
meetings on the last Saturday of each month; 
and that special meetings may be called at any 
time by the superintendent or a majority of the 
members. The board was divided into three 
supervisory committees, who were to preside 
over the schools in their respective wards, and 
have special superintendence over them. On the 
17th of June, Woolley resigned his position as 
secretary of the board and Dr. Hatch was 
elected to fill the vacancy. On the 19th a reso- 
lution was introduced that the Bible be adopted 
as a text book in the grammar schools, and that 
a portion of it be read by the teacher on open- 
ing each day. It was laid on the table, bat at 
a subsequent meeting it was taken up and passed, 
after striking out the part requiring its use as a 
text book. Se|)tember 8, 1855, a resolution was 
adopted abolishing corporal punishment in the 
schools, and providing that when a pupil shall 
prove incorrigible i;nder the ordinary modes of 
punishment the teacher should temporarily sus- 
pend him until a decision (jf the board should 
be obtained. 

February 12, 1850, A. R. Jackson, Principal 
of the Grammar School at the corner of Tenth 
and H streets, was dismissed from his position as 
a teacher, because he refused to collect an assess- 
ment from his scholars under the provision of 
the rate hill prescribed in the school law of 1855. 

In February, 1856, Tukey resigned his posi- 



ipen 



itendent, and Dr. F. W. Hatch 



was elected in his stead. William E. Chamber- 
lain was elected a commissioner in .the place of 
Hatch, and chosen secretary, which office Hatch 
resigned when he was elected superintendent. 
From the annual report submitted by the latter 
March 18, 1856, we learn that there were 466 
scholars registered during the year; average at- 
tendance, 254. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Early in 1856 W. H. Watson succeeded 
Woollej as a member of the board. In April 
a superintendent and board were elected, and on 
the 11th of that month the new board met for 
tlie first time. It was composed of Hatch, re- 
elected superii\tendent; Dr. C. Burrell, David 
Maddux, John F. Dreman, J. F. Thompson, A. 
Montgomery and C. H. Bradford; the latter 
served until May 5, when lie left the State, and 
on May 12 the board devoted the sum of $25 
per month to the support of the colored school, 
which was taught by J. B. Anderson. This was 
the first instance where they had received assist- 
ance from the city. In November, 1856, J. B. 
Harmon succeeded Burrell as a member of the 
board. 

On April 11, 1857, occurred the first meeting 
of a new board, consisting of J. G. Lawton, 
Superintendent, and Samuel Cross, R. A. Pearis, 
David Murray, H. J. Bidleman, P. W. S. Eayle 
and G. L. Simmons, Commissioners. The last 
mentioned was elected secretary. In the latter 
part of this year, the building of the Franklin 
Grammar School, at Sixth and L streets, was 
commenced. The corner-stone was laid Decem- 
ber 22, under the auspices of the Masons. The 
structure was completed the ensuing year, at a 
cost of §7,500. 

On May 4, 1858, the school directors, com- 
posed of the Board of Education appointed under 
the city and county " Consolidation Act," held 
their first meeting, ana elected Samuel Cross, 
President, and Dr. Simmons, Secretary. Daniel 
J. Thomas was appointed a director in place of 
Dr. R. A. Pearis, by the Board of Supervisors; 
but this appointment was declared illegal by the 
Board of School Directors. 

October 4, 1858, the Board of Education con- 
sisted of G. J. Phelan, A. G. Richardson, H. J. 
Bidleman, T. M. Morton, H. P. Osborne, G. I. 
N. Monell, John Hatch and G. L. Simmons. 
They elected Phelan, President, and Bidleman, 
Secretary. Hatch did not qualify and the Board 
of Supervisors elected David Meeker to fill the 
position. Simmons resigned in January, 1859, 
and C. A. Hill succeeded him. Early in 1859 



a school-building was erected at Thirteenth and 
G streets, at a cost of about $3,800. It was 
named the Washington School-house. On May 
9 Bidleman, the secretary of the board, was re- 
moved, and Monell elected to the office. 

October 3, 1859, a new board organized com- 
prised of Cyril Hawkins, 11. J. Bidleman, J. 
M. Frey, G. L. Simmons, J. J. Murphey, G. I. 
N. Monell, D. J. Thomas and Henry McCreary. 
They elected Dr. Frey, President, and Monell, 
Secretary. An attempt was made to establish 
a Normal School, to be taught two nights in the 
week, but the plan was not carried out. At the 
close of the year there were ten schools in the 
city, one High School, four grammar and the 
rest intermediate and primary. There were 
1,031 scholars enrolled, with an average attend- 
ance of 790. Fifteen teachers were employed. 
The board adopted the monitorial system, which 
they thought increased the teaching force with- 
out additional expense. 

December 3, 1860, the new board consisted 
of G. Taylor, J. F. Crawford, Henry Miller, J. 
M. Frey, J. M. MiUiken, A. C. Sweetser, S. M. 
Mouser and J. Bithell. Miller was chosen 
President, and Sweetser, Secretary. This board 
discharged all the teachers and monitors, graded 
the schools, fixed the salaries of the teachers, 
decided that male teachers should be employed 
as principals of the High School and of the first 
grade of the grammar school. J. AV". Anderson 
was elected principal of the Franklin Grammar 
School, and Miss Doyle was appointed his assist- 
ant. June 7, 1861, Anderson was elected prin- 
cipal of the High School. 

January 6, 1862, the board comprised J. F. 
Dreman, D. J. Thomas, W. Bidwell, H. Miller, 
W. H. Hill, J. M. MiUiken, S. M. Mouser 
and Edward Collins. Hill was elected presi- 
dent. G. Taylor, the city superintendent of 
schools, acted as secretary. When this board 
assumed control they found the school-houses 
considerably damaged by the flood, but they 
were put in order in a short time and the 
schools commenced. The question of maintain- 
ing a colored school came up at various times 



UISTORT OF SACIIAMENTO COUJfiTY 



before the different boards, and it seemed that 
for many years tiiis school was not regarded in 
'tlie same light as the schools for the white chil- 
dren. Part of the time no support whatever 
was given to the education of colored children. 
IJut in March, 1862, Mrs. Folger was elected 
teacher of the colored school, and the lioard 
voted to pay her salary whenever the building 
and furniture should be furnished by the parents 
interested. March 3 the schools were opened 
for the lirst time after the flood. 

Mouser resigned as amember of theboard July 
28, and J. T. Peck was elected to till the vacancy. 

The school-house at Tenth and P streets was 
erected in the latter part of 1862, at a cost of 
about $2,500. 

A Board of Education, consisting of Edwin 
Collins, John J. Dreman, W. A. Hill, H. II. 
Hartley, Paul Morrill, D. J. Thomas, W. Bid- 
well and H. J. Bidleman, organized and elected 
Hill President in January, 1863. At the close 
of this year there were 1,093 names on the roll 
as pupils — thirty-two in the colored school. In 
the spring of this year a building for the colored 
school was erected at Fifth and O streets, but it 
was set on fire by an incendiary, and consumed 
with all its contents. During this year eleven 
schools were under the charge of the board. 
Total disbursements, $24,483.57. 

On January 4, 1864, the board was composed 
of W. Bidwell, M. C. Briggs, J. H. Carroll, J. 
F. Crawford, Henry H. Hartley, Paul Morrill, 
(). D. Lainbard and II. J. Bidleman. Briggs 
was president. At the close of this year tliere 
were thirteen public schools in the city. 

1865.— The board comprised M. C. Briggs, 
W. E. Chamberlain, O. D. Lambard, Eugene 
Soule, J. W. Avery, J. H. Carroll, J. F. Craw- 
ford and Paul Morrill; Briggs, President. The 
Union school-house at Seventh and G streets 
was completed January 27. At the annual 
election of teachers, April 27, J. L. Fogg was 
elected principal of the grammar school. De- 
cember 25, W. H. Hill, who had been chosen 
city superintendent, submitted his annual re- 
port, showing the statistics in detail. 



1866.— The board was composed of J. W. 
Avery, W. E. Chamberlain, Paschal Coggins, 
John F. Dreman, G. E. Moore, O. D. Lambard, 
Paul Morrill and Eugene Soule; Chamberlain, 
President. At the end of this year there were 
found ro be 1,524 children enrolled. E.xpenses, 
$32,136.43. 

1867. — Same board as j-revious year; Mor- 
rill, President. The annual report shows the 
usual rate of increase, the usual branches pur- 
sued, etc. The proportion of native children 
becomes conspicuous, being 1,227 born in Cali- 
fornia to 457 elsewhere. In tlie early part of 
this year the Lincoln School Building, at Second 
and P streets, was erected at a cost of $8,049. 
In March $200 was set apart from the State 
apportionment for the purchase of a school 
library, as required by law. With this money 
about 250 volumes were purchased. Since then 
large additions have been made. Early in 1867 
Lambard resigned as a member of the board, 
and John F. Crawford was elected to till the 
vacancy. Soule resigned in April, and David 
S. Ross was elected to fill his place. 

1868.— The board consisted of Henry Miller, 
President; J. F. Crawford, Paschal Coggins, 
Joseph Davis, J. W. Avery, D. S. Ross, F. A. 
Gibbs and Horace Adams. 

1869.— The board consisted of Henry Miller, 
President; J. F. Crawford, J. W. Avery, B. B. 
Redding, David S. Ross, F. A. Gibbs, W. L. 
Campbell and Henry McCreary. School attend- 
ance increased from si.\ty-six to seventy-two per 
cent. A wooden addition was built to the school- 
house at Thirteenth and G streets, but both it 
and the main building were burned by an in- 
cendiary within a fortnight afterward. On the 
same site the present Washington School-house, 
two-story brick, was erected the same year; 
cost, $13,720. Also a frame addition was made 
to the Franklin School-house, at an expense of 
$278. In November a petition signed by over 
400 citizens was presented to the board, asking 
that German be added to the list of studies. 
During the month of January following Arnold 
Dulon was elected a teacher of German, and on 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the first day over 200 pupils began the study of 
that languajre. 

1870.— The board consisted of Henry Miller, 
President; John F. Dreinan, J. W. Avery, David 
S. Ross, F. A. Gibbs, Daniel Brown, Dr. J. F. 
Montgomery and B. B. Redding. In May two 
new departments were added to tlie grammar 
school. Early in the summer a contract was 
made for the erection of a two-story brick school- 
house on the corner of Sixteenth and N streets, 
at a cost of $9,000; but within a day or two 
after the completion of the building it was set 
on tire by an incendiary and destroyed; loss.^ 
$8,000. Immediately a second building, on the 
same plan, was erected. 

1871. — The board was composed of Dr. J. 
F. Montgomery, President; W. C. Stratton, J. 
W. Avery, E. T. Taylor, D. S. Ross, Henry 
Miller, Daniel Brown and Henry C. Kirk. These 
had the oversight of twenty schools. 

1872. — The board was composed of Henry 
Miller, President; Henry C. Kirk, W. C. Strat- 
ton, E. T. Taylor, E. I. Robinson, John F. Dre- 
raan, C. H. Cummings and H. K. Snow. In 
April Judge E. B. Crocker effected a trade with 
the city for the land on which a school-house 
was located at Second and P streets, and a build- 
ing was removed to Fourth and Q streets. In 
May and June the board made strong efforts to 
obtain possession of the public square between 
1 and J and Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets, and 
finally the city donated it to them, and on this 
they erected the present commodious brick 
Sacramento Grammar School-house. Stratton 
resigned and George Rowland was elected to 
fill the vacancy. Underwood resigned as prin- 
cipal of the grammar school, and A. H. Mc- 
Donald, the old teacher, was elected to the posi- 
tion. During this year also the night-school 
system was established. 

Since 1872 the boards have been constituted 
as follows: 

1873. — C. H. Cummings, John F. Dreman, 
H. C. Kirk, Henry Miller, E. I. Robinson, H. 
K. Snow, George Rowland, E. T. Taylor. 

1874. — John F. Dreman, George Rowland, 



George S. Wait, W. F. Knox, J. I. Felter, C. 
H. Cummings, Felix Tracy, D. W. AVelty. 

1875.— John F. Dreman, W. F. Knox, George 
S. Wait, C. II. Cummings, J. F. Montgomery, 
Albert Hart, T. M. Lindley, Felix Tracy. 

1876. — John F. Dreman, J. F. Montgomery, 
Albert Hart, T. M. Lindley, T. B. McFarland, 
Felix Tracy, J. F. Richardson, A. T. Nelson. 

1877.— John F. Dreman, H. H. Liunell, John 
Stevens, J. I. Felter, T. B. McFarland, J. N. 
Toung, J. F. Richardson, A. T. Nelson. Nel- 
son died during the year, and Mattliew Cooke 
was elected to fill the vacancy. 

1878.— H. H. Linnell, J. N. Young, J. F. 
Dreman, E. Greer, John Stevens, Matt. F. John- 
son, T. B. McFarland, J. I. Felter, President. 

1879.— Matt. F. Johnson, S. W. Butler, E. 
Greer, J. F. Dreman, John T. Griflitts, F. A. 
Hornblower, James McClatchy, T. B. McFar- 
land, President. 

1880.— John T. Griflitts, F. A. Hornblower, 
W. D. Stalker, James McClatchy, S. W. Butler, 
K. F. Wiemeyer, J. D. Lord, W. R. Knights. 
Knights resigned and Felix Tracy was appointed 
to succeed him. 

1881.— K. F. Wiemeyer, W. D. Stalker, J. 
D. Lord, L. K. Hammer, S. W. Butler, Felix 
Tracy, Philip Herzog, W. S. Mesick. The last 
named resigned during the year, and C. H. 
Stevens was elected to succeed liim. 

1882.— John F. Slater, Philip Herzog, C. H. 
Stevens, W. D. Stalker, S. W. Butler, Felix 
Tracy, Matthew Cooke, L. K. Hammer. G. W. 
Hancock was appointed to succeed Hammer, 
resigned. 

1883.— John F. Slater, C. II. Stevens, Mat- 
thew C. Cooke, W. D. Stalker, O. P. Goodhue^ 
Felix Tracy, George Hancock, S. AV. Butler. 
Goodiiue died and Elwood Bruner was elected 
as his successor. 

1884.— John F. Slater, C. H. Stevens, Matthew 

C. Cooke, J. L. Chadderdon, Richmond Davis, 

D. Johnson, Elwood Bruner, Frank Avery. 
1885.— W. M. Petrie, John F. Slater, A. 

Conklin, J. L. Cliadderdon, Richmond Davis, 
Frank Avery, C. II. Stevens, E. K. Alsip. 



IlISTOUY OF SACltAMENTO COUNTY. 



1886.-^A. Conklin, C. H. Stevens, J. W. 
Todd, W. M. Petrie, Kiclimond Davis, O. W. 
Erlewine, Joliii F. Slater, E. K. Alsip. Stevens 
resigned and JJ. F. Howard was ajjpoiiited to 
succeed him. 

1887.— A. Conklin, AV. M. Petrie, J. W. 
Todd, Kiclunoiid Davis, John F. Slater, A. S. 
Hopkins, H. C. Ciiipinan, 0. W. Erlewine. 

1888.— Richmond Davis, W. M. Petrie, E. 
M. Martin, A. Conklin, J. W. Todd, A. S. Hop- 
kins, H. C. Chipnian, John Skelton. 

1889.— E. M. Martin, A. J. Senatz, J. W. 
Todd, Joseph Hopley, E. Davis, A. C. Tufts, 
H. C. Chipman, John Skelton. 

A Hot of the superintendents of city schools 
appears in the chapter on Municipal Govern- 
ment. 

THK HIGH SCHOOL. 

The inception of the iirst High School in 
Sacramento appears by the record to have been 
May 22, 1855, when Dr. Hatch proposed the 
studies of Willson's History, Astronomy, Book- 
keeping, Latin, French and Spanish. An order 
to add these studies to the course was then 
adopted, but was not executed until next year, 
when the classes pursuing these studies were 
taught in the school-house on M street, between 
Eighth and Ninth, by J. M. Howe. During 
the first year eighteen girls and twenty-one boys 
attended. The average attendance was remark- 
ably high, being 36.8 of the 39. 

May 8, 1857, Howe was succeeded by C. A. 
Hill, as the former declined to be examined in 
Greek. In August, 1857, Hill resigned and A- 
R. Jackson was chosen to succeed him. Early 
in 1858 the school was removed to Fifth and K 
streets, and J. P. Carleton elected teacher of 
French and Spanish. 

May 20, 1858, Charles A. Swift was elected 
principal, and his salary was fixed at .$200 a 
moi th. Professor Lefebre was employed to 
teach French and Spanish, in place of Carleton. 

ig was 



As soon as the Franklin School Buildi 



completed, the High School was moved into it. 
In June, 1859, Professor Lefebre left the State, 
and Professor Jofre was employed to succeed 



him. In November, 1859, the board added the 
natural sciences to the curriculum, electing A. 
R. Jackson the teacher. In October, 1800, 
Swift showed evidences of insanity, and his 
office was declared vacant, and Jackson was ap- 
pointed to succeed him. In April, 18G1, Jack- 
son refused to serve as principal any longer, 
because of insufficient salary, and J. W. Ander- 
son was appointed in his stead. September 18, 
1862, the latter was succeeded by R. K. Marri- 
ner, who resigned March 27, 1865, and was 
succeeded by J. L. Fogg. April 29 the same 
spring. Mile L. Templeton was elected princi- 
pal. July 25, 1865, the school was removed to 
Seventh and G streets. In November, Alex- 
ander Goddard was appointed teacher of French. 
In April, 1871, Jourdon W. Roper was ap- 
pointed principal. In January, 1872, he re- 
signed, and H. H. Howe was elected to fill his 
place. In August, 1872, Max Straube was elected 
teacher of German, in place of Uulon. Early 
this year, Edward P. Howe was appointed to 
take the place of his brother as principal. His 
successors to date have been Oliver M. Adams, 
who resigned in June, 1884; W. W. Anderson, 
from that date to the close of the school year in 
July, 1888, since which time James II. Pond 
has been principal. The present enrollment of 
pupils Is 143. December, 1888, the present 
High School Building, at the northeast corner 
of Ninth and M streets, was completed Septem- 
ber 2, 1876, and the school was opened January 
1, 1877. The building is 60x70 feet in size, 
consisting of two stories and basement, and cost 
$10,687. 

Of the Franklin Grammar School at Sixth 
and L streets, H. II. Howe was the principal 
until January 20, 1870, when he resigned, and 
was succeeded by A. H. McDonald, 1870-'71; 
J. G. Underwood, six weeks in 1871; A. II. 
McDonald, 1871-'80. In 1872, while the lat- 
ter was principal, the Sacramento Grammar 
School Building, of fifteen rooms, was erected 
at Fifteenth and J streets, at a cost of $62,000, 
and the Franklin School was transferred to it in 
the year following. E. P. Rowell was principal 



lIltiTOIlY OF tiACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



105 



here 1880 -'85; Madison Babcock,1885 to March 

I, 1888, since which time Mary J. Watson has 
been the principah Tiie enrollment of pupils 
in this school at present is about 650. 

During 1875 the Franklin Grammar School 
was re-organized at Sixth and L streets, with S. 

II. Jackman as principal. lie was succeeded in 
turn by F. L. Landes, Laura II. Wells and 
Joseph W. Johnson. Some years ago the prop- 
erty was sold, and a building of ten rooms was 
erected, at the corner of Tenth and Q streets; 
but the primary pupils so increased in number 
ihat another building was needed for them, and 
this was devoted to their use; and for the gram- 
mar school another structure, of ten rooms, was 
erected on the same block, at the corner of Tenth 
and P streets, in 1885, at a cost of $15,000, 
where Johnson continues as principal. The 
present eni-ollment is -124. This is termed the 
Capital Grammar School. 

At this writing the board is advertising for 
plans for another grammar-school building east 
of Twentieth street; also, for enlarging the 
High School Building and tlie school-house at 
Twenty-seventh and J streets. 

Tlie night school in the old Perry Seminary 
Building on I street, between Tenth and Elev- 
enth, is very successfully conducted, with about 
115 pupils. 

The following table gives the statistics of the 
present condition of the city scliools: 

Sobool-houses 16 

Grammar schools 24 

Primary schools 56 

Children of school age 6,193 

Primary grade pupils enrolled 2,193 

Grammar grade pupils enrolled 1,103 

High School pupils enrolled 175 

Male leachers 4 

Female teachers 76 

Total teachers' salaries ,f 65,406 

Total rents, repairs and contingent expenses 16,546 

Total valuation of school property 252,000 

The present statistics of the public schools of 

Sacramento County, not including the city, are 

exhibited in the following table: 

School-houses, including joint districts 69 

Grammar schools 43 

Primary schools 28 

New districts organized in 1887-'88 2 

Children of school age 2,411 

Per cent, of attendance on average number be- 
longing 92 



Grammar grade pupils enrolled 610 

Primary grade pupils enrolled 1,416 

Average daily attendance 1,291 

Male teachers 10 

Female leachers 61 

Teachers' rprlitirntps granted 188T-'8s* 37 

Appli( Mills i,,i siiiiic rejected* 40 

Total I.Mrli.Ms -:il:lM,-S $32,525 

Total reiils, r.'paiis .nid contingent expenses B,9.s7 

Cash paid for school libraries 1,490 

Cash paid for apparatus 1,051 

Total valuation of school property 97,034 

COUNTRY SCHOOLS. 

The most iujportant details concerning the 
schools in the county outside of the city appear 
iu the following table: 



Townships and 
Counties. 



Arcade 

American River , 

Alabama 

Alder Creek 

Brighton 

Brautiau 

Brown 

Buckeye .... 

Capital 

Carroll 

Carson Creek 

CarsonCreek JoinI 

Center 

Courtland 

Davis 

Pry Creek, Joint.. 

Elder Creek 

Elk Grove 

Enterprise 

Excelsior 

Florin, 

Franklin 

Freeport 

Gait 

Georgiana 

Grand Island 

Granite 

Grant 

Hicksville 

Highland 

Highland Park... 

Howard 

Hutson, Joint 

Isleton 



Junction 

Kinney 

Laguna 

Lee 

Lincoln 

Lisbon 

Michigan Bar. . . . 

Mokelumne 

Nye 

Natoma, Joint 



Jranitp, Natoma. 
>rigl]ton 



Alabama 

Alabama,Cos 

Sutter 

San J., Franklin . . 
Lee,Cos., Gran. Nat, 
Cos., El Dor. Co. . . 

Center 

Franklin 

Dry Creek 

( enter, Placer Co.. 
.Sut. Bright, Frank. 

.San Joaquin 

Brighton 

Brighton, San J.... 
Brighton, San J. ... 

Franklin, San J 

Franklin 

Dry Creek 

Georgiana 

Georgiana 

Granite, Natoma.. . 

Dry Creek 

Dry Creek 

Lee 

Sutter. Org. in 18S8, 
Granite, Brighton . 
Alabama, San J. Co. 

Georgiana 

Brighton 

Brighton 

Bright'n, Lee.Gran. 

Alabama 

Alabama, Lee 

American, Center.. 
Sutler, Franklin. . . 

Cosumnes 

Franklin 

Granite, Lee 

Natoma, El Dor. Co. 



$570 
2,875 
1,725 

850 
1,850 

715 
1,040 

770 
2,650 
1,250 

500 
1,250 

900 
1,320 

425 
1.175 

775 
1,400 

530 

600 

2',356 
1,863 
3,035 
1,250 

800 
5,550 

975 
1,076 
1,305 



1,750 
1,275 



2,.325 

1,700 

550 

1,500 



' Total of city and > 



ny. 



HISTORY OF 8AGSAMENT0 OOUNTT. 



DISTRICT. 


TOWNSUIPS ANl. 

Counties. 


i 


J 

2 a 
5 s 


,11 

It 


1 






34 
31 
36 
48 
33 
39 

30 
4 
34 
39 
33 
1(5 


3 
7 
11 
37 
3 
23 
5 
6 


15 
13 
33 
32 
18 
13 
18 
13 




Oak Grove 

Pacific 

Pleasant Grove. .. 
Point Pleasant 


American, Center... 
Suiter, FranlUiu... 

San Joaquin 

Franklin 

Franklin 

San Joaquin 

Franklin 


650 
1,400 
3 200 

900 
1 3:10 


Reese .. 


R'^.5 


Kichland 


850 




Georgiana, Solano. 


5 575 




15' 
5 
3 
4 


11 
16 
19 
11 


1,335 
990 




Mississippi 

San Joaquin 


San Joaquin 


1,300 

1,380 

570 


Slough 




Stone House 

Sutler 


Cosumnes 

Sutter 

Center, Miss 

San Joaquin, Lee.. 


36 

98 
40 


9 
33 

13 


13 
35 
30 
10 


1,000 
3,5.50 


Sylvan 


795 




600 







■S o 


hnl 


Jl. t 


DI.STRICT. 


TOWNSUirS AND 

Counties. 


11 


Is 

2 a 
5 a 


Iflf 








s 














M 




San Joaquin 

GeorfTiana 




13 


34 


1 930 


AValnut Grove.... 


43 


16 


83 


1,700 


Wasbingtou 


Brighton 


36 


18 


33 


900 


West Union 


Sutter, Franklin... 


38 


10 


34 


1,350 


White Rock 


Natoma 


15 


3 


11 


435 


Wilson 


Lee, Cosumnes.... 


3t 


8 


32 


700 







The County Board of Education at present 

consists of the following: Term E.xpires. 

J. W. Johnson, 1736 O street, Sacramento July 1, 1889 

J. E. Blanchard, Rocklin, Placer County July 1, 1891 

Miss Josie Regan, Third and M streets, Sac- 
ramento July 1, 1889 

Mrs. Jennie Kilgore, Mansion House, Sacra- 
mento July 1, 1891 

B. F. Howard, 1526 Third street, Sacramento, Superin- 
tendent and ex-offlcio Secretary. 




UISrOliY OF SACUAMENTO COUNTT. 




CHAPTER XV. 



fllE uatiiral sequence of historical matter 
led us on uninterruptedly to the subject 
of education; now we can begin again 
with pioneer times on another series of topics, 
namely, those pertaining to material develop 
ment. 

Doubtless the first navigation on the Sacra- 
mento River was conducted by the Russians 
from Sitka Island, who were located at Ross 
and Bodega on the coast, and engaged in trade 
in furs, hides, tallow, etc. They were in this 
region prior to 1840, carrying on trade with the 
interior up to the time of their selling out to 
Captain Sutter; but the hostility of the Spanish 
Government and the expense of maintaining 
their position finally caused tliem to abandon 
the field. At that time also there was in this 
part of the country an agency for the Hudson 
Ray (Company. In 1841 Sutter purchased the 
property of the Russians, including a small 
schooner of forty tons burden, with which they 
had made short voyages along the coast. The 
first record we have of its appearance up the 
Sacramento River was in August of that year, 
though probably it had been upon its waters 
previously. This may be considered the date of 
the commencement of American commerce upon 
this stream. According to the terms of Sutter's 
bargain with the Russians, lie was to furnish a 
given quantity of grain eacli year for their set- 



tlement on the Northvvc.it coast, and the trans- 
portation of this product every fall t> the bay 
was a part of the regular trade upon which this 
vessel entered. She was manned and subse- 
quently commanded by Indians selected from 
Sutter's domesticated tribes, and for a long time 
was the only "regular packet" on the river. 
After performing a number of important offices 
during the war, she was taken down to San 
Francisco in the spring of 1848, to carry thither 
the tidings of the discovery of gold. She con- 
tinued to be the largest schooner on the river 
up to the period when the commerce with the 
mines began. 

The Brooklyn VIormons also owned a launch 
called the Comet, which made three trips to the 
settlement on the Stanislaus, and was the pio- 
neer at the San Joaquin. 

The voyage from San Francisco to New Hel- 
vetia, or Sutter's Fort, as this place was then 
called, and back to the city, occupied from two 
to four weeks. 

In the spring of 1848, when the rush for gold 
set in, the San Francisco Star (of May 20) thus 
ironically alludes to the first embarkations: 
" Fleet of launches left this place on Sunday and 
Monday last, bound 'up the Sacramento River,' 
closely stowed with human beings led by the 



I'C of filthy lucre to the pcrcnnial-yieldin 



gold 



th 



rth, when 



man can lii 



niSTORT OF SACBAMBNTO COUNTY. 



upward of two ounces a day,' and ' two thousand 
men can find their liands full' — of hard work." 
May 27 the same editor said: "Launches have 
plied without cessation between this place and 
New Helvetia during this time (since the dis- 
covery of gold). The Sacramento, a first-class 
craft, left here on Thursday last, thronged with 
passengers for the gold mines — a motley assem- 
blage, composed of lawyers, merchants, grocers, 
carpenters, cartmen and cooks, all possessed with 
the desire of suddenly becoming rich." He also 
stated that at that time over 300 men were 
engaged in washing gold, and parties were con- 
tinually arriving from every part of the country. 
San Francisco was soon made to present a deso- 
late appearance on account of the sudden de- 
parture of her principal citizens for the gold 
field. During the first eight weeks a quarter of 
a million dollars' worlh of gold was taken to 
that city, and during the second eight weeks 
$600,000 worth. By this time (September) the 
number of persons in the diggings was esti- 
mated at 6,000. "An export at last!" was the 
exclamation of the San Franciscan editor; "and 
it is gold." 

The first vessel whose tonnage exceeded that 
of the "launches" was the schooner Providence, 
Hinckley, Master, which ascended the Sacra- 
mento in April, 1849. P'or several years pre- 
vious she had been engaged between Tahiti and 
the Sandwich Islands. Her burden was less 
than 100 pounds. In March that year Samuel 
Brannan purchased the Eliodora, a Chilian ves- 
sel, filled it with goods and started up the river 
in April. The Joven Guipuzcoana, a Peruvian 
vessel, and other large sailing vessels of first- 
class dimensions, soon followed. At the date of 
their arrival about twelve stores and tenements 
graced this locality. Meanwhile several vessels 
of considerable size also ascended the San Joa- 
quin to Stockton. 

On the success of the Joven Guipuzcoana 
were founded the plans of the first steam navi- 
gation companies. Her trip to this point dem- 
onstrated the practicability of navigation by 
such large vessels as the McKim and the Sena- 



tor, which soon folloM'ed. In the month of May 
the crowning exploit in the history of sailing 
vessels was performed. This was the trip of 
the Bark Whiton, Gelston, Master, to this place 
in seventy-two hours from San Francisco, and 
140 days from New York. She came up with 
her royal yards crossed, without meeting with a 
single detention, though she was a vessel of 241 
tons burden and drew nine and a half feet of 
water. 

The first steamboat that ever plowed the 
waters of either the bay or the rivers of this 
State arrived at the port of San Francisco, Octo- 
ber 14, 1847, owned by Captain Leidesdorff, a 
man of remarkable enterprise, who was the chief 
instrumentality in laying the corner-stone of San 
Francisco's prosperity. She was packed on 
board a Russian bark from Sitka. Leidesdorff 
had carried on a trade with the Russians at their 
American settlement for seven years previous; 
and, hearing that a small steamboat was in use 
upon their waters, he sent up and purchased it 
for his hide and tallow commerce on the small 
streams leading from the inland embarcaderos 
to the bay. The vessel, not exceeding forty tons 
burden, was put together under the leeoF Yerba 
Buena Island, was named '■ Little Sitka," and 
on the loth of November, 1847, steamed out 
under the management of a Russian engineer 
who had superintended her construction. From 
a swivel gun mounted upon her bow was occa- 
sionally fired a salutation. She successfully 
rounded the island and arrived in port, hailed 
by the cheers of a multitude. This boat was 
long, low, and what the sailors termed very 
" crank." The weight of a single person on 
her guards would throw one of her wheels out 
of order. 

Her first trip for business was made down to 
Santa Clara, with indifferent success. Her next 
trip was up to Sacramento, in the latter part of 
November, 1847, and safely arrived at this em- 
barcadero. Nearly a month elapsed, however, 
before her return; and in the meantime various 
were the jokes and jibes " launch "-ed at her 
and on the proprietor, who nevertheless per- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



sisted that he would yet " make the smoke fly 
on the bay," and hand the name of his first 
steamboat "down to dexterity," as he pro- 
nounced the word. 

On the 12th of February following (18i8) 
this little steamer was swamped by a norther 
while lying at anchor at San Francisco Bay. It 
was raised, the engine taken out, and the hull 
converted into a sailing vessel which served well 
for years. The engine, after having rusted on 
the sandy beach for a long time, was finally 
made to do duty in a small domestic manufac- 
tory in San Francisco. The little steamboat en- 
terprise just described was, however, more a 
freak of will than the demand of business. 

But to whom belongs the having first pro- 
jected the running of good steamboats for trafiic 
after the great tide of gold emigration had set 
in, it is difiicult to say. The first vessel pro- 
pelled by steam entering the Bay of San B'ran- 
cisco was the California, February 28, 1849. 
Tlie excursion of the steamship Oregon from 
San Francisco to Benicia and back, April 21 of 
the same year, was the first trip of a steam ves- 
sel of any magnitude into any of the interior 
waters adjacent to tiie main bay. It was indeed 
a successful and magnificent excursion. Prior 
to this, however, announcements had been made 
that steamboats were on their way from the East 
to California, to ply on the rivers here. The 
first of these announcements was issued from 
the office of the old Placer Times, when that 
journal was first started at Sutterville, in April, 
1849. It was printed in the form of a handbill, 
at the order of some of the proprietors of that 
place. May 19, the following advertisement 
appeared in the Times: " Ten thousand cords 
of wood. We wish to employ any number of 
men that may call, to cut wood at Sutterville 
for the use of the steamers. George McDougal 
6c Co., Sutterville, May 15, 1859." Of course 
the wood was never cut. 

During the summer of 1849 a number of 
steamboat enterprises were on foot, and the 
keels of several small vessels, brought by some 
of the ships chartered by the gold hunters, were 



laid at different points on the river and bay. 
The first of this series of which we liave any 
record was one of about fifty tons burden, put 
together at Benicia, the material having been 
brought from the East by way of tlie Horn on 
board the Edward Everett. She made her first 
trip to Sacramento, August 17, 1849. 

About this period also were established the 
first regular express lines in the State, two com- 
mencing business between here and San Fran- 
cisco, to take the business of the regular mail, 
which was at that time the subject of bitter 
complaint and unsparing ridicule. August 25, 
another small steamboat from Philadelphia be- 
gan to ply the river, accommodating some thirty 
passengers and " running about seven knots an 
hour." 

About the first boat advertised for regular 
trips between this city and San Francisco ap- 
pears to have been the Sacramento, in Septem- 
ber, 1849, commanded by Captain John Van 
Pelt. She had two engines of sixteen horse- 
power, could carry about 100 passengers, besides 
freight. She was built about where Washing- 
ton now stands, opposite tiie northern portion 
of Sacramento City, and the captain, who be- 
came a sort of Pacific Vanderbilt, made suc- 
cessful and regular tripe with this vessel as far 
down as " New York of the Pacific," now where 
passengers and freight had to be transferred. 

About the same time a little steam dredge, 
brought out by the Yuba Company, was set up 
in a scow and started on a trip up the Feather 
River, carrying a quantity of bricks, at $1.00 
each for freight (!), and lumber at !gl50 per 
1,000 feet. Two months after iier arrival she 
was sold at auction for $40,000. 

The next boat was the Mint, also a small one, 
put up at San Francisco, which was really the 
first steamboat to make successful trips with 
passengers and freight all the way between that 
city and Sacramento, beginning in the middle 
of October, 1849. 

The propeller McKim was the first large ves- 
sel that ever navigatctl the Sacramento Iliver by 
steam. She had doubled Cape Horn a:id ai-rived 



IIISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



at San Francisco, October 3, and was immediately 
put in order by her San Francisco agents, Sim- 
mons, Hutchinson & Co., for the Sacramento 
trade. She drew eight feet of water, and many 
doubted whether she could ascend the river to 
this point; but she arrived here on the 27th of 
that month, amid the cheers of an iininense 
crowd lining the shore. The- fine old steamer 
Senator became her rival November 6, 1849. 

During these times the fare from Sacramento 
to San Francisco was $30. 

The little steamer called tlie Washington was 
the first that ascended as far as Vernon, at the 
month of Feather River, to which point she 
made regular trips. In April, 1850, the iEtna, 
a very small steamer, ascended the American as 
far as " Norristown," the first and probably the 
last time that point had ever been reached by a 
steamboat. May 8, 1850, the Jack Hays reached 
the town of Redding at the head waters of the 
Sacramento River, within forty-five miles of the 
Trinity Diggings. Among those who first took 
their place on the route between this point and 
Yuba City, at the mouth of the Yuba River, 
the early rival of Marysville, was the little 
steamboat Linda, in the fall of 1849. 

The steamer N"ew World was built at New 
York City, purposely for a trip to California, in 
the fall of 1849 and spring of 1850. It was 
320 feet long, and of 530 tons burden. The 
proprietor, William H. Brown, becoming finan- 
cially embarrassed, had to take the sheriff' in as 
partner. The latter employed deputies to go 
and retnain on board during the launching, and 
to make assurance doubly sure he went upon 
board himself, but was unknown to the capt.ari, 
Ed. Wakeman. The vessel was held to the port 
of New York by law, and the launching was 
ostensibly for the only purpose of getting the 
boat ipto the watei-. Steam, however, was raised 
previous to the launching, and the sheriff, in- 
cognito, inquired what it meant. The reply 
was, " To wear the rust off the bearings and see 
that the engine worked well." But. the cap- 
tain, after steaming around the harbor awhile, 
put out to sea, against the protests of the siieriff. 



The captain and his crew, being more numer- 
ous than the sheriff" and his posse, put them 
ashore in row-boats, and came their way around 
Cape Horn to California! They made a fine 
voyage, and arrived at San Francisco, July 11, 
1850. 

For a long time thereafter the New World 
and the Senator made alternate trips between 
Sacramento and Benicia. Afterward she was 
employed in the coasting and oceanic trade, and 
some years ago was overhauled at San Francisco 
and transformed into a magnificent ferry-boat, 
and as such is now employed on the bay. 

Captain Wakeman was, at last accounts, a 
resident of San Francisco, which he has made his 
home ever since coming to the coast. 

Many interesting particulars in addition to 
the foregoing concerning pioneer navigation are 
given in the biographies of Captains Foster and 
Dwyer in a subsequent portion of this work. 
Captain Fourat is another good historian of 
those items. 

stea:^iboat explosions. 

Steamboat explosions and other accidents on 
inland waters were very common in early days, 
previous to the many improvements that have 
iu our generation been made in engine machinery 
and the structure of vessels. During the firot 
several years after the gold discovery and the 
introduction of steam vessels in California, it 
was estimated that on San Francisco Bay alone, 
and its tributaries, there were no less than two 
or three accidents every week. Thus the}' were 
so common that t!ie newspapers did not detail 
the particulars of all of them, and our sources 
of information concerning many of them are 
correspondingly irieager. 

The first e.xplosion of which we have any ac- 
count was that of a steamer named the Fawn, 
occurring August 18, 1850. 

The Sagamore suffered a like accident Octo- 
ber 29, following. 

Major Tompkins, January 23, 1851. 

The steamer Jack Hays was overhauled and 
repaired during the earliest months of 1853, 
expressly for traffic between Sacramento and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT T 



Marysville, in opposition to the Governor Dana, 
and renamed R. K. Page. She started on her 
first trip up the river March 22, the same day 
her opponent was going up. Coming along- 
side, the crew and passengers began cheering, 
each one hurrahing for his own boat without 
thinking of consequences. The engineer of the 
Page heaved in a barrel of oil, and as they weie 
passing Nicolaus the boiler exploded, being 
driven ahead. Daniel Moore, the former cap- 
tain of the boat, Thomas Kirbej' and Lieutenant 
Henry Moore were standing on the hurricane 
deck at the time, and nothing was ever seen of 
them afterward. 

The Jennie Lind, April 11, 1853, suffered a 
like disaster on her way to Alviso, in San Fran- 
cisco Bay, killing or badly scalding between 
forty and fifty passengers, most of whom were 
at dinner at the time of the accident. 

October 18, the same year, there were two 
similar catastrophes within the limits of the 
waters described. One was the explosion of the 
boiler of the American Eagle on the San Joaquin 
Eiver, at a point known as the Three Sloughs, 
twenty-five miles below Stockton, which shivered 
the vessel to pieces, killing one of the crew and 
three passengers; others were injured. Cause 
of explosion, defective iron. There were fifty- 
three passengers altogether. Ilardison was 
captain. 

In the afternoon of the same day the steamer 
Stockton, while passing New York landing, 
burst a boiler, killing one person and severely 
scalding eight. One of the latter, Captain J. 
B. Sharp, died the following day. Cause of ac- 
cident unknown. 

January 8, 1854, the Ranger exploded on San 
Francisco Bay, with twelve persons on board, 
killing three and severely scalding five, and 
almost totally wrecking the vessel. The cause 
of this disaster was supposed to be the turning 
of cold water suddenly into a super-heated boiler. 
The engine was of the high-pressure style, of 
eighteen horse-power, and was carrying 120 
pounds of steam when the crown or arcii sheet 
of the boiler gave way, and the .•<team rushed 



down to the feet and recoiled with sufticient 
force to carry away the decks above. Tlie ves- 
sel was of thirty tons burden; John A. Bryan, 
Engineer. 

On the 19th of the same month, the Helen 
Hensley exploded at San Francisco, just as she 
was about to leave for Benicia. Engine, high- 
pressure. Both ends of one of the four boilers 
were blown out, causing great destruction in 
the front portion of the boat. Cause, some de- 
fect in the flues or steam connections, or too 
much fire under one of the boilers. Two men 
were killed. One passenger was thrown upon a 
bed and with it quite over upon the wharf, when 
he quietly gathered himself up and coolly re- 
marked that he guessed he wouldn't go to Beni- 
cia that day! 

The Secretary, of whom the captain was E. 
W. Travis, exploded April 15, 1851, with about 
sixty persons on board, when between the islands 
called the " Brothers and Sisters " in San Fran- 
cisco Bay, and when engaged in a race with the 
Nevada. Sixteen persons were killed and thirty- 
one wounded. The Nevada picked up those 
who escaped death and returned to the city, 
leaving nothing in sight but the bow of the ill- 
fated Secretary. The engine was the same that 
had been used upon the exploded Sagamore. 
Cause of disaster, probably a defective boiler. 
Bessie, the engineer, was seen to lay an oar 
across the lever of the safety valve, and that was 
bending upward from the pressure of the steam 
just before the explosion took place. 

The Pearl, of the "Combination Line," burst 
a boiler just below the mouth of the American 
River, January 27. 1855, on her way from 
Marysville, and was racing against the Enter- 
prise, of the "Citizens' Line." Fifty-six per- 
sons were killed! There were ninety-three 
persons aboard, many of whom were China- 
men. Most of the passengers were on the for- 
ward part, as is usual when a boat approaches 
a landing. The captain, E. T. Davis, was killed. 
James Robinson would have been drowned had 
not a large blood-hound plunged in and saved 
him! Only four ladies were on board, and they 



HISTOJiT OF SACRAMENTO COUNT T. 



were all saved without injury. The vessel was 
made a total wreck. The verdict of the coro- 
ner's jury was, cause unknown. The engineer 
was incompetent, but it was also known that 
the gauges were inaccurate. The Legislature, 
which was then in session, adjourned in conse- 
quence of 'he mournful event. 

February 5, 1856, the Belle, running from 
San Francisco to Marysville, exploded nine 
miles above Sacramento, probably from too 
high pressure or defective boiler. The captain, 
Charles II. Houston, was killed, and his remains 
now lie in the Sacramento Cemetery. The 
steamer tJeneral Reddington, coming down the 
rixer, i)icked up the survivors. The entire ves- 
ticl on which the disaster occurred, e.xcept the 
rear torty feet, immediately sank. There were 
probably about forty persons on board, of wiiom 
between twenty and thirty were killed. W. J. 
El rick was the chief engineer. 

The J. A. McClelland, C. Mills commanding, 
ran as an independent boat between Sacramento 
and lied 151 uff. August 25, 1861, when about six 
miles by water and two by land below Knight's 
Landing, with about thirty persona on board, it 
exploded a boiler, killing fifteen outright, fa- 
tally injuring several, and more or less injuring 
ail the rest except one! The action tore away 
the whole of the front portion of the decks, and 
fearfully scattered the freight. A large piece of 
boiler rolled up like a scroll of paper and was 
thrown across the river, a distance of 200 or 
300 yards. Sheldon S. Baldwin, the pilot, 
averred that he must have gone up fully 200 
feet (!) in the air, with the pilot-house and 
several companions, and that they came down 
directly into the place where the boiler had 
been, "not much hurt!" 

The cause of this disaster is undetermined, 
but it is said that the boilers had been much 
strained by previous racing. The hull, which 
sank in a few minutes after the accident, was 
subsequently raised, the vessel rebuilt, "chris- 
tened" the Rainbow, ran for a time as a strong 
opposition boat, and was finally bought olf by 
the Steam Navigation Company. 



The Washoe exploded September 5, 1864, 
thirty-five miles below Sacramento, or ten miles 
above Rio Vista, with about 175 persons on 
board, killing about half of them ani severely 
injuring more than half the remainder. Cap- 
tain Albert Foster, with the steamer Antelope, 
picked up the survivors and hurried on to Sacra- 
mento, but ran on a bar opposite R street, and 
was delayed several hours there. Before running 
aground the captain tolled the bell, in order to 
convey to the citizens the sad intelligence of the 
disaster, and the fire-bells of the city were rung 
in response. In a short time the levee was 
crowded with anxious spectators. The tedious 
delay bj' being aground rendered the ]iain and 
suspense of the citizens intolerable. 

The Yosemite, commanded by Captain Poole, 
exploded on the first revolution of the wheels 
on plying out of the port of Rio Vista, Octo- 
ber 12, 1805, with about 150 people on board. 
About 100 lives were lost, thirty-two being 
Chinese. Cause of explosion, defective iron, as 
during the war all the best iron had been kept 
in the East for military purposes. The bulk- 
heads were too strong to permit the steam to 
expand itself in the hull, where the boilers were, 
and it pushed up, making a great breach, into 
which the people fell. Captain Fourat, now of 
the Modoc, was pilot of the Yoseniite on that 
occasion. The Chrysopolis, on her upward trip, 
brought the dead and wounded to Sacramento. 

The Julia, in September, 1866, exploded in 
San Francisco Bay, nearly opposite Alcatraz 
Island, while rounding it on her return trip 
from Stockton. The total number of deaths 
resulting from the accident was thirteen. Cap- 
tain Fourat, being near with a boat, picked up 
some of the dead. Something was noticed to be 
wrong with the works before the accident oc- 
curred, but little heed was paid to it. The en- 
gineer, Mr. Long, was killed by the explosion. 

Many other accidents have of course occurred, 
but we believe we have named the principal 
ones. Everything pertaining to navigation has 
so improved that serious accidents nowadays 
seldom lia]>pen. 



HISTOHT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



<^Mi^^m^>-^ 



*i,. ^RAILROADS.* 




CEAPTER XVI. 



fHE following account, with some correc- 
tions, is mostly taken from Thompson & 
West's History, of 1880. 
The project of building a railroad across the 
plains and mountains was agitated by Asa 
Whitney, in 1846, in Congress and out of it, 
till 1850, and he was supported in his movement 
by such men as Senator Breese, of Illinois, and 
IJenton, of Missouri, the latter of whom intro- 
duced a bill into the Senate of the United States, 
for a Pacilic Railroad, February 7. 1849. This 
bill was really the first tangible effort made in 
this direction. The first effort made in Califor- 
nia toward the building of an overland road 
was the formation of a company by citizens of 
Nevada, Placer and Sacramento counties. There 
were filed in the office of the Secretary of State, 
August 17, 1852, articles of incorporation of 
the Sacramento, Auburn & Nevada Railroad 
Company, containing the names of twenty-six 
subscribers of twenty-eight shares each, at a 
value of $100 per share, and tiie names of the 
followingdirectors: S.W. Lovell, PlacerCounty; 
T. O. Dunn, John R. Coryell, Charles Marsh, 
Isaac Williamson and William II. Lyons, of 
Nevada County; John A. Read, J. B. Haggin 
and Lloyd Tevis, of Sacramento County. A line 
was surveyed from Sacramento City, through 
Folsom, Auburn, and Grass Valley, to Nevada 
City. This line was sixty-eight miles long, and 
the estimated cost of construction was $2,000,- 
000. From Nevada City the survey was contin- 



ued through tiie Henness Pass. The enterprise 
was too gigantic for the means at the command 
of the incorporators, and they were compelled 
to abandon the project. 

During the month of March, 1853, Congress 
passed an act providing for a survey, by the 
topographical engineers of the army, of three 
routes for a transcontinental railway, the north- 
ern, southern and middle routes. These surveys 
were made, and reports submitted to Congress, 
and published, with elaborate engravings of the 
scenery along the routes, topographical maps, 
representations of the animals and plants dis- 
covered. These reports were, no doubt, im- 
mensely valuable, but they did not show that 
a route for a railway was practicable over the 
Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevadas. The 
demonstration of the fact that such a route 
did exist was left to be made by Theodore 
D. Judah, the chief engineer of the first rail- 
road ever built in California — the Sacramento 
Valley Railroad. It was while engaged in 
building this road, from 1854 to 1856, that Mr. 
Judah became convinced of the practicability of 
a railroad over the Sierra Nevadas, which was 
the only mountain range that had before been 
deemed impracticable. He made trial surveys, 
or, more properl}', recounoisances over several of 
tlie supposed passes over tiie Sierras, at his own 
expense. These were simply barometrical sur- 
veys, but were sufficiently accurate to convince 
Mr. Judah that a road could be built, and, armed 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



with the data thus obtained, he lost no oppor- 
tunity in presenting liis views and aims when- 
ever and wherever it seemed toliim that it would 
advance the project of a Pacilic Railroad. lie 
succeeded, through a concurrent resolution of 
the California Legislature of 1858, in having a 
railroad convention called, to meet in San Fran- 
cisco, September 20, 1859. This convention 
was composed of many of the prominent men 
of California at that time; among them we note 
Hon. J. A. McDougall, lion. J. E. Crockett, 
Major John Bidwell, Hon. S. B. Axtell, Hon. 
James T. Farley, Sherman Day and others, of 
California, together with delegates from Oregon 
and adjoining Territories. 

Tiiey sent Mr. Judah to Washington, Dis- 
trict of Columbia, to endeavor to procure legis- 
lation on the subject of the railroad. lie pro- 
ceeded thither in time to be at the opening of 
the Thirty-sixth Congress. Arrived at "Wash- 
ington, he lost Tio time in visiting the different 
departments, and collecting from each all the 
information they had that could in any way aid 
him in presenting plainly to Congress the im- 
portance and practicability of the enterprise. 
Unfortunately, this Congress was so entirely oc- 
cupied with j)olitical matters that little could be 
done in the way of procuring legislation, but 
great good was effected by the personal inter- 
views that Mr. Judah had with the different 
members and other prominent nien. His knowl- 
edge of the subject was so thorough that he 
rarely failed to convince any one, with whom he 
talked, of the entire feasibility of the project. 
A bill was drawn up by himself and Hon. John 
C. Burch, then a Member of Congress from 
California. It contained nearly all the provis- 
ions of the bill as finally passed in 1862. It 
was printed at private expense, and a copy sent 
to each Senator and Member of Congress. 

Mr. Judah returned to California in 1860, and 
set about making a more thorough survey of 
the Sierras for a pass and approach thereto. He 
was accompanied on this survey by Dr. D. W. 
Strong, of Dutch Flat, who contributed largely 
froufl his private means to pay the expenses of 



the trip, in addition to assisting very materially 
the progress of the work by his intimate knowl- 
edge of the mountains. Dr. Strong was one of 
the first directors of the Central Paciiic Rail- 
road Company when formed. 

After completing these surveys, which were 
made with a barometer, Mr. Judah went to San 
Francisco to lay his plan before the capitalists 
of that place, and induce them, if possible, to 
form a company to take hold of the work and 
push it forward. His ideas were received very 
coldly, and he failed to get any financial support 
in San Francisco. Returning to his hotel one 
evening, convinced of the futility of any fur- 
ther trials in San Francisco, Mr. Judah re- 
marked: "The capitalists of San Francisco have 
refused this night to make an investment, for 
which, in less than three years, they shall have 
ample cause to blame their want of foresight. 
I shall return to Sacramento to-morrow, to in- 
terest merchants and others of that place in 
this great work, and this shall be my only other 
effort on this side of the continent." 

Previously Mr. Judah had placed his plans 
and estimates before a friend, James Bailey, 
of Sacramento, who, struck by the force of 
these calculations, introduced Mr. Judah to 
Governor Stanford, Mark Hopkins and E. B. 
and Charles Crocker; C. P. Huntington he knew 
before. 

A meeting of the business men of Sacra- 
mento was called and the preliminary steps 
were taken to organize a company. This or- 
ganization was perfected and articles of incor- 
poration filed with the Secretary of State, June 
28, 1861. The company was named The Cen- 
tral Pacific Railroad Company of California, 
and the following officers were elected: Leland 
Stanford, President; C. P. Huntington, Vice- 
President; Mark Hopkins, Treasurer; Theodore 
D. Judah, Chief Engineer; Leland Stanford, 
Charles , Crocker, James Bailey, Theodore D. 
Judah, L. A. Booth, C. P. Huntington, Mark 
Hopkins, D. W. Strong, of Dutch Flat, and 
Charles Marsh, of Nevada, Directors. 

All but the two last named were residents of 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



113 



Sacramento, showing conelnsively that to Sac- 
ramento and her citizens belongs tiie honor of 
inaugurating and carrying to a successful com- 
pletion the Pacific railroads; tor had not Judali 
spent his time and talents in proving that such 
an undertaking were possible, it is an open 
question if to-day the Pacific railroads would 
be in existence. His coadjutors, named in the 
foregoing list of officers, and some of whom 
are still the owners and officers of the road, de- 
serve full credit for their faith in the enter 
prise and the masterly manner in which they 
managed the financial difficulties encountered 
in the years that elapsed between the organiza- 
tion of the company and the completion of the 
road; but we cannot forget that for three or 
four years previous to the organization of the 
company Mr. Judah had spent all his time, 
money and energy in collecting data, without 
which no prudent man would be inclined to 
invest a dollar in the project which was so gen- 
erally believed to be chimerical. After the 
organization of the company, Mr. Judah was 
instructed to make a thorough instrumental 
survey of the route across the Sierras, which 
lie did. 

The previous surveys or reconuoisances had 
included three routes, one through E! Dorado 
County, via Georgetown, another via Illinois- 
town and Dutch Flat, and the third via Nevada 
and Henness Pass. The observations had proved 
the existence of a route across the Sierras by 
which the summit could be reached with max- 
imum grades of 105 feet per mile. The instru- 
mental survey developed a line with lighter 
grades, less distance and fewer obstacles than 
the previous observations had shown. The first 
report of the chief engineer to the officers of 
the company gave the following as the topo- 
graphical features of the Sierra Nevadas, which 
rendered them so formidable for railroad opera- 
tions: 

1. "The great elevation to be overcome in 
crossiit^ its summit, and the want of uniformity 
in its western slope." The average length of 
the western slope of the Sierras is about seventy | 



miles, and in this distance the altitude increases 
7,000 feet, making it necessary to maintain an 
even grade on the ascent to avoid creating some 
sections with excessive grades. 

2. " From the impracticability of the river 
crossings." These rivers run through gorges 
in many places over 1,000 feet deep, with the 
banks of varying slopes from perpendicular to 
45°. A railroad line, therefore, must avoid 
crossing these canons. The line, as established 
by the surveys of 1861, pursued its course along 
an unbroken ridge from the base to the summit 
of the Sierras, the only river crossing in the 
mountains being that of Little Bear River, 
about three miles above Dutch Flat. Another 
prominent feature of the location is the fact 
that it entirely avoids the second summit of the 
Sierras. The estimated cost of the road from 
Sacramento to the State Line was $88,000 per 
mile. 

October 9, 1861, the Board of Directors of 
the Central Pacific Railroad Conapany passed 
a resolution directing Mr. Judah, the chief en- 
gineer of the company, to immediately proceed 
to Washington on a steamer as their accredited 
agent, for the purpose of procuring appropria- 
tions of land and United States bonds from the 
Government, to aid in the construction of the 
road. Mr. Judah went East and this time ac- 
complished his purpose, as was evidenced by 
the bill which passed Congress in July, 1862. 
This bill granted to the roads a free right-of- 
way of 400 feet wide over all Government lands 
on their route. The Government also agreed 
to extinguish the Indian title to all the lands 
donated to the company, either for right-of-way 
or to the granted lands. The lands on either side 
of the route were to be withdrawn from settle- 
ment, by pre-emption or otherwise, for a dis- 
tance of fifteen miles, until the final location of 
the road should be made and the United States 
surveys had. determined the location of the 
section lines. This map of the route was made 
by Mr. Judah, filed in the office of the Secretary 
of the Interior, and the lands withdrawn in ac- 
cordance with the terms of the bill. 



UISrORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



This bill also provided for the issue to the 
coinpany of United States thirty- vear six per 
cent, bonds, to be issued to the coinpany as each 
forty-mile section of the road was coinpleted, at 
the rate of $16,000 per mile for the line west of 
the western base of the Sierra Nevadas, and at 
the rate of $48,000 per mile from the western 
base east to the eastern base of the Sierras, the 
latter subsidy to be paid on the completion of 
each twenty-mile section. To secure the Gov- 
ernment from loss, and insure the repayment of 
these bonds, they were made a first lien on the 
road. This was subsequently modiiied, by an 
act passed July, 1864, allowing the company to 
issue first-mortgage bonds, the United States 
assuming the position of second mortgagee. 
The land grant in the first bill was every alter- 
nate section for ten miles, each side of the track. 
This allowance was subsequently doubled, mak- 
ing twenty sections per mile. The State of 
California also donated $10,000 per mile to the 
road, by an act approved April 25, 1863. 

The engineering difSculties were great, and 
had been considered insurmountable, but the 
tiniUicial difKculties were also great, and un- 
doubtedly required more labor and thought than 
the engineering, though of a different kind. 
That these difficulties were surmounted, and the 
originators of the effort still retain the owner- 
ship and control of the road, and, in addition to 
the original line, have built thousands of miles 
of road in California and Arizona, proves the 
ability of the leaders in this movement. These 
men were merchants in what cannot be classed 
among the large cities, and consequently not 
largely known to the financial world; they had 
never been engaged in the railroad business, 
and were supposably ignorant of the immense 
undertaking in which they had embarked. Aside 
from the natural difficulty of the situation, they 
encountered opposition from the moneyed men 
of San Francisco and other places, who gave 
their enterprise the not very pleasant name of 
the " Dutch Flat Swindle." 

Mr. Huntington, Vice-President of the com- 
pany, was sent East, with full power of attorney 



to do any acts he might think best for the in- 
terest of the company. One of the main objects 
of this visit was to see that the bill which was 
then before Congress should not oblige the com- 
pany to pay interest on the bonds received of 
the Government for ten years, at least, from the 
date of their issue. After the passage of the 
bill, the books were opened for stock subscrip- 
tions, to the amount of $8,500,000, and for a 
long time the stock was disposed of very slowly. 
Huntington, on endeavoring to dispose of the 
bonds of the company in New York, was in- 
formed that they had no marketable value until 
some part of the road was built. Before he 
could dispose of them, he was obliged to give 
the personal guarantees of himself and four 
partners, Hopkins, Stanford, and the Crockers, 
for the money, until such time as they could be 
exchanged for United States bonds. The bonds 
so obtained, $1,500,000, bnilt thirty-one miles 
of the road. 

In 1862 the company was granted the right 
of way into the city of Sacramento, and also 
granted the Slough, or Sutter Lake. The first 
shovelful of dirt thrown in the construction of 
the Central Pacific Railroad was in Sacramento, 
January 8, 1863, by Governor Stanford, at the 
foot of K street, on the levee. 

The contract for building the road from this 
point to Grider's, on the California Central 
liailroad, was let to C. Crocker & Co., December 
22, 1862. C. Crocker & Co. sub-let the con- 
tract to difi'erent parties. Twenty miles of road 
each yeai' were completed in 1863, 1864 and 
1865, thirty miles in 1866, forty-six miles in 
1867, 364 miles in 1868, 190J miles in 1869; 
making 690^ miles from Sacramento to Prom- 
ontory, where the roads met, May 10, 1869. 

All of the materials, except the cross-ties, for 
constructing this road, including a large portion 
of the men employed, had to be brought from 
the East, via Cape Horn. Toward the latter 
end of the work several thousand Chinamen 
were employed. In addition to this, it w%s war 
times, and marine insurance was very high; 
iron and railroad materials of all kinds were 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



117 



held at enormous figures, and tlie price of the 
subsidy bonds was very low. AH of these facts 
tended to make the cost of the road large. 

The State of California ag'-eed to pay the in- 
terest on $1,500,000 of bonds for twenty years, 
in exchange for which tlie railroad company 
gave a vahiable stQne quarry. Several of the 
counties along the line of the road granted bonds 
of the counties in exchange for stock. Sacra- 
mento County gave her bonds to the amount of 
$300,000. These bonds were exchanged for 
money, and the work pushed forward. There 
was delay in obtaining the Government subsidy, 
and the money ran short. When Mr. Hunting- 
ton returned from New York he found the 
treasury almost depleted of coin, and the neces- 
sity of raising more means or stopping the work 
was evident. " Huntington and Hopkins can, 
out of their own means, pay 500 men during a 
year; how many can each of you keep on the 
line?" was tiie characteristic way in which this 
man met the emergency. Before the meeting 
adjourned these five men had resolved that they 
would maintain 800 men on the road during 
the year out of their own private fortunes. 

About this time (1863) Mr. Judaii had sold 
out his interest in the company and gone East. 
On the way he was stricken with the Panama 
fever, of which he died shortly after his arrival 
in New York, in 1863, at the age of only thirty- 
seven years. Dr. Strong, of Dutch Flat, though 
a sincere believer in the enterprise, was unable 
to furnish what was considered his share of the 
expenses necessary to be advanced, and retired 
from the Board of Directors. Bailey, Mr. Marsh 
and Mr. Booth we hear nothing of after the en- 
terprise was fairly under way, though we know 
they were all three earnest workers at the com- 
mencement. 

S. S. Montague succeeded Mr. Judah as chief 
engineer of the road, which position he still 
holds. The location surveys were made under 
Mr. Montague's directions. The road from 
Sacramento to Colfax, or Lower Illinoistown 
Gap, was located on the line run by Mr. Judah 
in 1861; from Colfax to Long Ravine the line 



was clianged materially; from Long Ravine to 
Alta the line rah on Judah's survey, and from 
Alta to the Summit on an entirely new line, 
located by Mr. L. M. Clement, engineer, in 
charge of second division from Colfax to the 
Summit. Tiiis final location gave a better grade 
line, and one more free from snow in the winter, 
two very desirable objects. Tiie value of these 
changes is plainly shown by the report of George 
E. Gray, formerly cldef engineer of the New 
York Central Railroad. Mr. Gray was requested 
by Leland Stanford, in a letter dated July 10, 
1865, to inspect the line of road and surveys 
then made, and report to the Board of Directors 
of the company his opinion as to the quality of 
the work, and the economical location of that 
portion not then built. Mr. Gray's report gave 
as his opinion that the road already constructed 
would compare favorably with any road in the 
United States. Of that portion not constructed 
he reported that Mr. Judah's line had been 
materially altered, causing a saving in distance 
of nearly 5,000 feet, and also reducing the 
aggregate length of the tunnels about 5,000 
feet, a saving in cost of construction of over 
$400,000 at least. The road progressed, as we 
have stated above, slowly at first, but more 
rapidly toward the close, until, on the 10th day 
of May, 1869, the last spike was driven, whicii 
completed the railroad connection between the 
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A large party 
were gathered on Promontory Point to see this 
ceremony. Telegraph wires had been connected 
with the different large cities of the Union, so 
that the exact moment of driving the last spike 
could be known in all at the same time. The 
hour designated having arrived, Leland Stan- 
ford, President of the Central Pacific, and other 
officers of the company came forward. T. C. 
Durant, Vice-President of the Union Pacific, 
accompanied by General Dodge and others of 
the same company, met them at the end of the 
rail, where they paused, while Rev. Dr. Todd, 
of Massachusetts, gave a short prayer. The 
last tie, made of California laurel, with silver 
plates bearing suitable inscriptions, was put in 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



place, and the last connecting rails were laid by 
parties fioin each company. The last spikes 
were made, one of gold from California, one of 
silver from Nevada, and one of gold and silver 
from Arizona. President Stanford then took 
the hammer of solid silver, to the handle of 
which, were attached the telegraph wires, hy 
which, at the lirst tap on the head of the gold 
spike, at 12 m., the news of the event was flashed 
over the American continent. 

A locomotive of the Cential Pacific Kailroad 
Company and another of the Union Pacilic Rail- 
road Company approached from each way, and 
rubbed their pilots together, while bottles of 
champagne were passed from one to the other. 

Dnriiig the building of this road the track- 
laying force of the Central Pacific laid ten miles 
and 200 feet of track in one day. This herculean 
feat was performed on the 20th of April, 1869, 
when only fourteen miles of track remained to 
be laid to connect with the Union Pacilic Rail- 
road, and was entirely finished by 7 r. m. 

By mutual agreement between the two roads 
Ogden was made the terminus of each. By this 
arrangement the Union Pacific sold fifty- three 
miles of road to the Central, making the length 
of road owned by the Central Pacific proper 
743^ miles, from Sacramento to Ogden. 

August 20, 1870, the. Western Pacific, San 
Joaquin Valley, ("alifornia & Oregon, and San 
Francisco, Oakland & Alameda railroads were 
all consolidated under the name of the Central 
Pacific Railroad. 

The "Western Pacific Railroad Company" 
was incorporated December 13, 1862, for the 
purpose of constructing a railway from San 
Jose, through the counties of Alameda and San 
Joaquin, to the city of Sacramento. Its capital 
stock was $5,400,000. The road was 137^ 
miles in length, and made the whole length of 
the Central Pacific 881 miles. This road was 
not completed until 1870. The franchise had, 
we believe, passed into the hands of the Central 
Pacific Railroad Company a year before the 
above date of consolidation. The San Joaquin 
Valley Railroad is now the projjerty of the 



Southern Pacific. The California & Oregon 
Railroad leaves the Central Pacific at Roseville, 
and runs from thence to Redding, California. 

The "California Pacific Railroad Comjjany" 
was for some time an active competitor for the 
carrying trade of the State, and at one time it 
WHS thought that the intention of its owners 
was to construct a line of railroad to connect 
with the Union Pacific. Tiiis company bought 
the boats and franchises of the California Steam 
Navigation Company, and for some time really 
controlled the rates of freight between Sacra 
mento and San Francisco. 

It was incorporated January 10, 1865, with a 
capital stock of $3,500,000. Work was begun 
in Vallejo in 1867, and the road was finished to 
Washington, Yolo County, November 11, 1868, 
and to Marysville in November, 1869. In June, 
1869, this company purchased the Napa Valley 
Railroad; the two railroads were consolidated in 
December, 1869, with a capital of $12,000,000. 

In 1869 and 1870 the Central Pacific and 
California Pacific railroads were at war with 
each other. The track of the Central Pacific 
being laid on the levee, it was impossible for 
the California Pacific road to cross the river, 
and secure depot and switch accommodations, 
without crossing this track. Various attempts 
were made to lay the track and form the cross- 
ing of the. two tracks, but these attempts were 
resisted; and at one time it appeared as if 
bloodshed would result. The crossing, however, 
was made, and passengers landed by the Cali- 
fornia Pacific in Sacramento, January 29, 1870. 
The train was received with a regular ovation; 
guns were fired, the fire department turned out, 
and intense enthusiasm was manifested on all 
sides. The war continued until August, 1871, 
during which time the rat^s of freight and travel 
were very low, and neither road could have made 
much profit. In August, however, these roads 
were consolidated, since which time, with the 
exception of competition by river for a short 
period, the Central Pacific Railroad Company 
has had a monopoly of the carrying trade from 
Sacramento. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



The California Pacific gave the "Yallejo 
route" to San Francisco. The trip was made 
to Vallejo by rail, and from thence to San Fran- 
cisco by boat. This was a very popular route, 
and monopolized the majority of the travel be- 
tween Sacramento and San Francisco. Decern 
ber 28, 1879, the new road via Beuicia was 
opened, and the trains have since been run 
through to Oakland, and the Vallejo route as a i 
line of travel to San Francisco was abandoned. 
The large ferry at Benicia will be superseded by 
a bridge in a few years. 

The " Sacramento Valley Railroad " was the 
first constructed in California. The company 
was organized August 4, 1852, when ten per 
cent, of the stock subscribed was paid in, amount- 
ing to $5,000. The company re-organized No- 
vember 9, 1854, and made immediate prejjara- 
tion for building the road. The first siiovelful 
of dirt was thrown in February', 1855, the first 
tie came in May, and the first vessel load of ma- 
terial and rolling stock arrived from Boston 
in June. The first work done on a railroad 
car in California was on this road, July 4, 1855. 
The first rail was laid August 9, 1855, and the 
first train was placed on the track August 14. 
The road had some little trouble with its finances, 
but was not impeded materially in its progress. 

November 13, 1855, an excursion train was 
run to Patterson's, ten miles from Sacramento, 
the round trip costing $1.00. By January 1, 
1856, the road was completed to Alder Creek, 
and on February 22 was finished to Folsom. 
The length of the road was twenty-two and one- 
half miles, and cost $1,568,500. The capital 
stock was $800,000— $792,000 of which were 
issued. The road was a very profitable one from 
the date of its completion. Its efl'ect was to 
move the terminus of the stage and freight lines 
running to the nortliern mines to Folsom, build- 
ing upquite a town at that point. At one time 
twenty one diiferent stage lines were centered 
at Folsom, all leaving shortly after the arrival 
of the trains from Sacramento. 

In August, 1865, the Central Pacific Com- 
pany purchased the Sacramento Valley road. 



The purchase was made by George F. Bragg, on 
behalf of himself and others, of the entire stock 
held by L. L. Robinson and Pioclie and Bayer- 
que. The price paid for this stock was $800,- 
000. Bragg, soon after coming into possession, 
transferred the stock to the owners of the Cen- 
tral Pacific. The latter coinp my was forced to 
do this in order ti) secure the whole of the Wa- 
shoe trade, which at this time was immense, 
amounting to several million dollars per annum. 
The short line of the Sacramento Valley road 
alone declared an annual profit of nearly half a 
million dollars the year previous to its purchase, 
most of which came from the freights going to 
the "Washoe and other mining districts. 

California Central Hailroad. — In the spring 
of 1857 a company was formed in Marysville, 
to build a railroad from that city to the ter- 
minus of the Sacramento Valley Railroad, at Fol- 
som. This company was entirely independent 
of the Sacramento Valley Compan3'. Colonel 
C. L. Wilson, who was one of the contractors 
on the Sacramento Valley road, was sent East 
to procure funds for building the road. This 
object he effected, and the construction com- 
menced forthwith. The road, however, never 
was finished to Marysville by the original com- 
pany. By 1861 the track was laid to Lincoln. 
The name was subsequently changed to the 
California & Oregon Railroad, atid is now 
known as the Oregon Division of the Central 
Pacific Railroad. Shortly after the completion 
of the Central Pacific Railroad to Roseville, the 
company purchased the California Central Rail- 
road; that portion of the road between Rose- 
ville and Folsom was abandoned; the bridge 
over the American River was condemned and 
sold in 1868. 

The Placerville c6 Sacramento Valley Rail- 
road commences at Folsom and runs to Shingle 
Springs, in El Dorado County, and is commonly 
known as the Shingle Springs road. It was 
constructed in 1864 or '65. 

The Amador Branch of the Central Pacific 
Railroad runs from Gait to lono, a distance of 
twenty-seven miles, and was built by the Central 



EISTORT Oi SACUAMBNTO COUNTY. 



Pacific Company in 1876, to gain access to some 
coal mines at or near lone. 

Freeport Railroad. — This originated in a 
scheme to divert the northern trade from Sacra- 
mento by building wharves, etc., at Freeport, 
and a railroad from there to some point on the 
Sacramento Valley road. Tlie road-bed was 
graded for a distance of nine miles from Free- 
port, and the track laid; but before its comple- 
tion, tljc Sacramento Valley road became the 
property of the Central Pacific, and the value 
of the Freeport road, never very large, became 
still smaller, until its decease. 

In addition to these roads, whicli at some 
time had a real existence, there have been a num- 
ber of other companies incorporated, some part 
of whose lines would touch Sacramento County. 

There are now sixty miles of railroad in Sac- 
ramento County. 

The depot building, in tlie northwest corner 
of the city of Sacramento, is up with the times 
in capacity, convenience and beauty. A portion 
of the building is a liotel. 

RAILROAD SHOPS. 

Small shops were established at the time of 
the first construction of the road, but it has only 
been in late years that the growth of the con- 
struction works here has led to such enlarge- 
ment of the shops. At the present time, the 
works, or as they are generally called, " The 
Railroad Shops," with the track room and yard 
room necessarily included, occupy about fifteen 
acres of ground, and each year finds a larger 
area in use. They comprise at present about 
twenty large buildings, and scores of small ones. 
Most of the large ones are of brick with slate 
roofs, or are of wood and corrugated iron. A 
statement of the principal buildings, and tlie 
use to which they are devoted, will convey a 
good idea of how completely the work of car 
and engine construction is carried on. 

The main buildings are: 1, General Foundry; 
2, Wheel Foundry; 3, Brass Foundry; 4, Cop- 
per Shop; 5, Tin Shop; 6, Rolling-mill; 7, 



Boiler Shop; 8, Blacksmith Shop; 9, Round 
House; 10, Locomotive Machine Shop; 11, Car 
Machine Shop; 12, Car Repair Shop; 13, Car 
Erecting Shop; 14, Cabinet Shop; 15, Paint 
Shop; 16, Upholstery Shop; 17, Pattern Shop; 
18, Pattern Lofts. Besides these, there have 
recencly been erected an addition to the paint 
shop, 80x100 feet; a large brick addition, two 
stories high, to the car machine shop, and a 
large brick addition to the car erecting shop. 
The great increase in the clerical force necessary 
to the operation of the works demands more 
room than is now available, and the erection of 
a large brick building, solely for office use, is in 
contemplation. The works are under the direc- 
tion of Mr. H. J. Small, Superintendent M. P. 
M.; Benj. AVelch, Master Car Builder, and Wm. 
McKenzie, Assistant General Master Machinist. 

To the thoughtful observer, the tour through 
the works is most interesting, as in much of 
what is going on in the construction in wood, 
and iron, and brass, and otherwise there are 
suggestions of new lines of manufacture that 
might well be developed in the city, to the great 
profit of those who should first intelligently un- 
dertake the work. Only a very general idea 
can be given here of the character of the woi-k, 
or of its uuignitude. There are employed own 
an aggregate of about 2,600 men. Work in 
many departments is carried on day and night, 
by different shifts of men, and the aid of numer- 
ous large electric lights. The shop and shed 
room is totally inadequate to the work to be 
done. 

The shops are called upon to do work of this 
class for the whole road, from Ogden to San 
Francisco, San Francisco to Ashland, and from 
here to El Paso; while the road from Ashland 
to Portland will eventually demand the same, 
and work for that road is already rapidly coming 
into the shops. The company of course buys 
its rails from the rail-mills in Europe and the 
East, but the rail trimmings for these thousands 
of miles of track are made here. Did but one 
foimdry have the manufacture of these chairs^ 
fish-bars and bolts, etc., it would be a handsome 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



addition to the industries of the city. But the 
company do more: they make their own car- 
wheels. They also make large quantities of 
bridge material of wood and iron, all used in 
fact, except in the case of iron bridges built by 
bridge-building companies of the East, who 
make and supply their own material. They en- 
tirely construct locomotives. The steel tires 
come mostly from Germany via New York, and 



the cast steel work is done in San Francisco, 
but otherwise the engine is entirely built here. 
So with cars; sleepers and fine passenger coaches 
are not generally built here, but in the great car 
shops of the East. But ordinary passenger, 
emigrant and freight cars are built throughout, 
as well as all the specially fine and elegant work, 
as Governor Stanford's private car, which was 
built in these shops. 




UISTOEY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTER XVII. 



AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 

fHE first agricultural association in the 
State met here iu Sacramento, October 8, 
1852, in the American Theater. C. I. 
Hutchinson was president, and Dr. J. F. Morse 
delivered tlie address. A fair was held a week 
or two on that occasion, under the supervision 
of Warren & Co. The " State Agricultural 
Society " was organized early in 1854, and on 
May 18, that year, was incorporated by a special 
act of the Legislature. The first officers were 
named in the charter and were as follows: F. 
W. Macondray, of San Francisco, President; 
Vice-Presidents, E. L. Beard of Alameda, J. K. 
Eose of San Francisco, D. W. C. Thompson of 
Sonoma, H. C. Malone of Santa Clara, W. H. 
Thompson of San Francisco, and C. I. Hutchin- 
son of Sacramento; Corresponding Secretary, J. 
L. L. Warren, of San Francisco; Recording 
Secretary, C. V. Gillespie, of San Francisco; 
Treasurer, David Chambers, of San Francisco. 
The same act appropriated $5,000 per annum 
for the first four years, for premiums. 

Under the new charter, the first fair was held 
in San Francisco, in October following; the 
second in Sacramento, September, 1855, when 
the general exhibition was held in the State 
House and the cattle show at the Louisiana race- 
track; the third in San Jose, in October, 1856; 
the fourth in Stockton, in 1857; the fifth in 
Marysville, in 1858, since which time all the 
fairs have been held at Sacramento. When the 



society, in 1860, voted to hold the next fair at 
Sacramento, — being the third time in succession 
at the same place, — it angered the competing 
points in the State, opposition agricultural so- 
cieties were formed, and the receipts fell from 
$28,639 in 1860, to $18,584 in 1861. 

In 1859 the Pavilion at the corner of Sixth 
and M streets was erected. It was a fine build- 
ing for the times, constructed upon plans de- 
signed by M. F. Butler. To defray the expenses, 
one-fourth of one per cent, was levied upon the 
property of the county, and the title was there- 
fore vested in the county. 

In 1860 the Sacramento Park Association 
was formed, which donated the ground bounded 
by E, H, Twentieth and Twenty-second streets, 
which was cleared and equipped for a trotting 
park. The Legislature also appropriated $15,000 
for the improvements. A brick wall was built 
around the plat, stands, etc., erected, at a cost 
of $25,000. 

Early in 1862, a society styled the " Union 
Park Association," purchased the six blocks of 
land lying north of the society's cattle grounds, 
and thus enabled them to make an excellent 
mile track. These grounds are still used and 
kept in good condition. 

In 1863 the Legislature provided for the 
election of a " Board of Agriculture," to be en- 
trusted with the affairs of the State Agriculture 
Society. Under this arrangement the fairs were 
lield until the State Constitution of 1879 was 



UI STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



adopted, which cut off all State assistance uuless 
the Board of Directors were appoiuted by State 
authority. The subsequent Legislature em- 
])0wered the Governor to appoint the members 
uf this board, and also divided the State into 
'■ agricultural districts " of several counties each, 
placing in the Third District the counties of 
Sacramento, Sutter, Yuba, Butte, Colusa, Te- 
hama and Yolo; but at present, probably on 
account of the direct presence of the State in- 
stitution, Sacramento is not taking an active 
part in the district organization. 

In 1884 the present raagniiicent Pavilion, east 
of the Capitol, was erected. It is, in general, 
about 400 . feet square, and cost, with furnish- 
ings, in tlie neighborhood of $115,000. It is 
the largest public building in the State. 

For some years the fairs have occupied about 
two weeks' time. At the last exhibition, Sep- 
ttinber 3 to 15, over $20,000 was awarded in 
premiums. The annual membership fee is $5, 
which entitles one to exhibit in the Pavilion 
and to compete for premiums, and also to a sea- 
son ticket of admission for himself, an accom- 
panying lady, and children under fifteen years of 
age. 

The preisdent of the board tiiis year is Chris- 
topher Green, of Sacramento; and the other 
resident members are: G. W. Hancock, Superin- 
tendent of the Park; H. M. La Rue, Superin- 
tendent of the Pavilion; and Frederick Cox. 
The secretary of the board is Edwin F. Smith, 
whose office is in the Pavilion. 

A SDCCP:ssruL experiment. 

In the year 1884, A. A. Krull, about two and 
a half miles northeast of Florin, executed a 
novel but brilliantly successful experiment in 
horticulture. Having several acres of " hard- 
pan " upon his place, he devised the plan of 
breaking it up with blasts of powder. Em- 
ploying an expert, he bored holes in the ground, 
one for each tree, put down in each a pound of 
Huckley's No. 2 Giant Powder, and exploded 
it, with the result of giving to each tree a mass 
of rich, loose, moist earth, not needing irriga- 



tion. It is now as good as the best land for 
raising fruit. The cost was $27 per 100 charges. 
Occasionally a spot required a second charge. 
Other horticulturists are taking lessons. It 
seems that in time all the hard-pan iu the 
country, now considered nearly worthless, may 
be made the best of land. 

SACRAMENTO BOARD OF TRADE. 

"We are indebted to the kindness of Albert 
M. Johnson, Esq., Secretary of the board dur- 
ing the years 1885, 1886 and 1887, for the fol- 
lowing particulars: 

Although this city ever since the admission of 
California into the Union had been the second in 
the commonwealth in respect to commercial im- 
portance, no definite steps were taken until 1877 
toward the organization of a business men's 
association whose mission should be the im- 
provement of the city and the establishment of 
commercial intercourse between it and the sur- 
rounding country. At that time, however, the 
growth of the city seemed to render it impera- 
tively necessary to form such an organization. 
Accordingly, on the 24th of October, that year, 
a few of the leading merchants here held an in- 
formal meeting in the office of W. P. Coleman, 
one of the oldest business men of Sacramento, 
and discussed the advisability of uniting them- 
selves into a commercial organization whose aim 
should be to supply the pressing needs referred 
to. Albert Gallatin was chairman of that meet- 
ing, which comprised Joseph Steffens, A. S. 
Hopkins, W. P. Coleman, Sparrow Smith, John 
McNeill, C. H. Hubbard, C. T. Wheeler and 
others. Preliminary steps were then taken. On 
the 21st of the next month a constitution and 
by-laws were adopted, and the officers elected 
December 11, 1877, for the first year were: 
Albert Gallatin, President; W. P. Coleman, 
Vice-President; H. G. Smith, Treasurer; C. 
T. Wheeler, A. S. Hopkins, Joseph Steffens, 
Wm. M. Lyons and James I. Felter, Directors. 

Starting with a membership of about twenty, 
the board has constantly increased iu numerical 
strength, as follows: 1878, thirty-four; 1879, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



thirty-five; 1880, forty-four; 1881, forty-nine; 
1882,' fifty-seven; 1883, iifty-nine; Isk-'B?, 
sixty-two; 1888, sixty -five; 1889, about seventy. 
The only conditions of membership are signing 
the constitution and paying the monthly dues, 
it being the design of the founders to admit all 
persons and firms feeling an interest in the 
growth and welfare of tlie city. From the organ- 
ization to the present time the zeal and effi- 
ciency of the board have not flagged, and almost 
every improvement of the city and county 
owes its origin to their philanthropy and enter- 
prise. 

In 1878 their exertions procured the estab- 
lishment of a branch State Prison near Folsom. 
About that time they also began to agitate the 
question of having a Government building in 
Sacramento, wherein should be the postoffice, 
revenue offices, the land office, etc. This was a 
difficult undertaking, but, despite the opposition 
of a few and the indifference of many, they con- 
tinued to memorialize their Senators and Rep- 
resentatives in Congress until they succeeded 
in having a bill passed making the necessary 
ap})ropriation for such a purpose. Sufficient 
ground has been purchased on the north-east 
corner of Seventh and K streets— a central lo- 
cation — and the building will probably be com- 
pleted within two years. 

By the year 1879 the interests of its members 
had so increased that the board began to pay 
special attention to the matter of business fail- 
ures, attachments, etc. In the absence of a 
State insolvent act, the repeal by Congress of 
the United States bankrupt law had entailed 
severe losses upon the merchants of both Sac- 
ramento and San Francisco. The Boards of Trade 
of these cities therefore united their efforts to 
procure the passage of a State insolvent law. 
They also agreed during that year that all fail- 
ures thereafteraffectingtheir membership should 
be managed in common, and that all the recov- 
eries therein effected through the instrumen- 
tality of either board should be divided pro rata 



among 



all the members interested in both boards. 



This agreement has been in force ever since, 



and the operations of the two boards under it 
have been uniformly satisfactory. 

The Legislature of 1880 was cafled upon by 
the merchants throughout the State to pass the 
insolvent act prepared and recommended by the 
San Francisco and Sacramento Boards of Trade; 
and through the joint efforts of the two bodies 
the Legislature was prevailed upon to enact the 
law, which is yet upon the statute books and has 
since proved a great benefit, to debtors as well 
as creditors. 

In 1882, realizing the insufticiency of the 
accommodations afforded by the State Agricult- 
ural Society in the building then used as a 
pavilion during the annual State fairs, the Sacra- 
mento Board of Trade inaugurated a inovement 
for the procuring of a better building, to be 
erected by the State upon a part of the Capitol 
Park. The result was the erection of the State 
Exposition Building, the most beautiful and the 
largest public edifice in the State, described 
elsewhere under the head of "Agricultural In- 
terests." 

About this time the State began to feel the 
influence of Eastern immigration that had been 
pouring in for a year or two, principally to 
Southern California, and measures began to be 
taken in the northern and central portions of 
the State to induce a part at least of that im- 
migration to "move up this way." In this 
enterprise the Sacramento Board of Trade took 
a leading part, and has ever since sustained that 
position. The movement has been efiectual. 
Land has risen in some parts of Northern Cali- 
fornia to several times its former value, while 
population has almost doubled. In December, 
1882, Hon. Joseph Steffens was elected presi- 
dent of the board, and filled the position so 
creditably, and gave such universal satisfaction, 
that he has ever since been re-elected without 
opposition to that ofBce. It was he who in- 
augurated, in pursuance of a long-forgotten by- 
law of the board, the custom of delivering an 
annual address which should not only give a 
summarized account of the work done by the 
association, but should also refer to many mat- 



in STOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ters of general interest in Sacramento and the 
surrounding territory. His addresses have been 
printed and widely circulated, and have aided 
very materially in attracting the attention of 
Eastern people to this community. 

It is also due to the untiring efforts of the 
Sacramento Board of Trade that appropriations 
were increased in 1885-'86 for the improvement 
of the rivers, and in the latter year the board 
saw that the numey was properly expended. In 
September, at the expense of the Board of Trade, 
the California Senators and Representatives in 
Congress, accompanied by representatives from 
the commercial organizations of San Francisco, 
as well as by a delegation from the Board of 
Trade and the city authorities, ascended the 
Sacramento River in a steamer chartered for the 
purpose by the board, to view for themselves 
the devastation caused by hydraulic mining. 
Since then more particular attention has been 
paid to the necessity of removing the obstruc- 
tions in the river and reclaiming the lands laid 
waste by mining debris. 

In 1884-'85 the board favored the proposed 
State poor law which has since been enacted. 

In 1885— '86 the approaching completion of 
the California & Oregon Railroad, connecting 
Sacramento directly by rail with Portland, Ore- 
gon, and the great Northwest, induced the board 
to memorialize Congress against the forfeiture 
of the land that had been granted in aid of the 
enterprise. Their efforts were not unsuccessful, 
and it may be said that to this movement, as 
much as to anything else, Sacramento owes her 
railroad connection with that rapidly developing 
portion of the Union. 

During this year the board began the investi 
gation of the much discussed city bond ques- 
tion, and by the appointment of committees and 
identifying itself generally with this compli- 
cated subject, has done as much perhaps as all 
other influences combined to put this vexed 
question in a fair way to a speedy and satisfac- 
tory settlement. 

In this year also the board took up the Ne- 
vada State law exacting a heavy license from 



representatives of California houses, which law 
had for years oppressed commercial travelers. 
Vigorous efforts had been made by wholesale 
merchants, both of Sacramento and San Fran- 
cisco, to have the law repealed; but not until 
the Sacramento Board of Trade took hold of the 
matter in earnest was any result accomplished. 
It co-operated with a few of the members of the 
San Francisco Board (that board, for some rea- 
son, having failed to lend its entire aid) in carry- 
ing up a case to test the constitutionality of the 
law, resulting in a complete victory for the 
wholesale merchants. California commercial 
travelers operating in Nevada are now free 
from the payment of unnecessary license fees. 

The members of the Sacramento Board of 
Trade were among the earliest to take measures 
for the holding of annual citrus fairs in the 
northern part of the State. The first fair of the 
kind was held in 1886, and since then they have 
been held regularly every year. 

In March, 1888, the long-talked-of railroad 
from Sacramento to Placerville was completed, 
thus adding greatly to the material welfare of 
the city, ae well as to that of Placerville and 
other points; and this enterprise was aided at 
all times by the influence of the Sacramento 
Board of Trade. 

These are but a few of the good works that 
owe their conception to the Sacramento Board 
of Trade. They suffice to show, however, that 
in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the 
city the members of its Board of Trade have 
been the foremost workers. 

This body meets annually in December, and 
at other times when called; but the details of 
the business arc attended to by the Board of 
Directors, whose meetings are held on the sec- 
ond Tuesday of every month. Place of meet- 
ing, in the secretary's office, over Wells, Fargo 
& Co.'s. 

The present officers of the board are: Hon. 
Joseph Steffens, President; P. E. Piatt, Vice- 
President; G. G. Pickett, Secretary; Edwin K. 
Alsip, Treasurer; Directors — Joseph Steffens, 
P. E. Piatt, Eugene J. Gregory, Herman Fisher, 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



William Ingram, Jr., D. A. Lindlej, L. L. 
Lewis and A. S. Hopkins. 

A "Business Men's Club" has also been re- 
cently formed for the purpose of entertaining 
visitors contemplating settlement upon the 
coast, and showing them the advantages of lo- 
cating in this vicinity. 

THE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION 

of the city and county of Sacramento was or- 
ganized May 31, 1887, with about 200 members, 
for the purpose of advancing the interests of 
Sacramento and vicinity, and to prevent private 
jobbery with public funds. W. P. Coleman has 
the credit of being the foremost man in this or- 
ganization. At the preliminary meeting held May 
25 preceding, resolutions were passed protesting 
against large land holdings, and urging 



ments to be raised upon them. Committees were 
appointed upon every subject relating to the im- 
provement of tlie locality. Ordinances have been 
submitted by them, especially relating to the 
improvement of the streets and sidewalks. This 
association built and still maintains that beauti- 
ful permanent exposition building near the de- 
pot, for the exhibition of the products of North- 
ern and Central California, and J. C. Medley is 
employed to keep the hall open every day from 
7 A. M. to 6 p. M., for the accommodation of vis- 
itors. The building, designed by N. D. Good- 
ell, is an octagon in form and of very attractive 
finish. 

The present officers are: Hon. W. H. Beatty, 
President; Hon. F. R. Dray, Vice-President; 
C. H. Cummings, Treasurer, and C. W. Baker, 
Secretary. ' 




BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTER XVIII. 



tS introductory to this subject, it will be 
most convenient to notice here the epi- 
demics and indescribable suffering at the 
earliest period of the rush for gold, which led 
iirst to the establishment of private hospitals. 
Dr. Morse says: 

"At this time Sacramento was a nucleus of 
attraction to the world. It was the great start- 
ing point to the vast and glittering gold fields 
of California, with the tales of which the whole 
universe became astounded, and wiiich men of 
every clime and nation sought to reach without 
a moment's reflection upon the cost or hazard 
of such an adventure. The only consideration 
upon the part of a hundred thousand gold- 
seekers who were preparing for emigration to 
California, was dispatch. Time wasted on pru» 
dential outfits, upon the acquirement of means 
beyond the passage fee to San Francisco, and 
peradventure a little spending money to dissi- 
pate the impatience of delay, was as well wasted 
in any other way. What were a few dollars 
that required months to accumulate in the At- 
lantic States, to the gold-gleaming ounces that 
California gave weekly as compensation for the 
simplest labor? 

"All that men seemed to wish for was the 
means of setting foot upon California soil, and 
few were sufiiciently provident in their calcu- 
lations to provide anything beyond the mere 



landing at San Francisco. Out of the thou- 
sands who landed at the above place in the in- 
terval referred to, not one in a hundred arrived 
in the country with money enough to buy him 
a decent outfit for the mines. Such was the 
heedlessness with which people immigrated to 
this country during the incipient progress of 
the gold-seeking fever. In all parts of the 
world vessels of every size and condition were 
put up for the great El Dorado, and as soon as 
put up were filled to overflowing with men who 
had not the remotest conception of the terrible 
sufferings they were to encounter. Along the 
entire coast of the American continent, in every 
prominent port of Europe, in nearly every mari- 
time point of Asia, and in nearly all the islands 
of the world, were men struggling with reck- 
less determination for the means of coming to 
California. The earnings of years were in- 
stantly appropriated, goods and chattels sold at 
ruinous sacrifices, homesteads mortgaged for 
loans obtained upon destructive rates of interest, 
and jewelry, keepsakes and pension fees pledged 
for the reimbursement of a beggarly steerage 
passage for thousands of miles to the town of 
San Francisco. These are facts with which the 
world is now familiar; and this being the man- 
ner in which people embarked for the Eureka 
State, it can be easily imagined how those 
landed who survived the untcjld and unuttera- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ble sufferings endured from port to port. From 
the 1st of August, 1849, the deluging tides of 
immigration began to roll into the city of San 
Francisco their hundreds and thousands daily; 
not men made robust and hearty by a pleasant 
and comfortable sea voyage, but poor, miserable 
beings, so famished and filthy, so saturated with 
scorbutic diseases, or so depressed in spirits as 
to make them an easy prey of disease and 
death, where they had expected naught but 
health and fortune. 

" Thus did mining adventurers pour into San 
Francisco, nine- tenths of whom for a few months 
immediately took passage to Sacramento. How- 
ever debilitated they might be, however penni- 
less and destitute, still this, tlie great focus of 
mining news, the nearest trading point for 
miners situated upon a navigable stream, was 
the only place that men could think of stopping 
for recuperative purposes. Hence, froA Cape 
Horn, from all the Isthmus routes, from Asi- 
atic seaports, and from the islands of the Pacific, 
men in the most impoverished health were con- 
verging at Sacramento. But these were not the 
only resources of difficulty to Sacramento in 
1849; for at the same time that the scurvy-rid- 
den subjects of the ocean began to concentrate 
among us, tiiere was another more terrible train 
of scorbutic sufferers coming in from the over- 
land roads, so exhausted in strength and so worn 
out with the calamities of the journey as to be 
but barely able to reach this, the Valley City. 

" From these sources, Sacramento became a 
perfect lazar house of disease, suffering and 
death, months before anything like an effective 
city government was organized. It must be 
recollected that in proportion as these scenes 
began to accumulate, men seemed to grow in- 
different to the appeals of suffering and to the 
dictates of benevolence. The more urgent and 
importunate the cries and beseeching miseries 
of the sick and destitute, the more obdurate, 
despotic and terrible became the reign of cupid- 
ity. Everything seemed vocal with the assur- 
ance that men came to California to make money, 
not to devote themselves to a useless waste of 



time in procuring bread and raiment for the de- 
pendent, in watching over and taking care of 
the sick, or in the burying of the dead. The 
common god (gold) of that day taught no such 
feminine virtues, and the king of the country, 
Cupidity, declared it worse than idle in his sub- 
jects to pay attention to the ties of consanguin- 
ity, or stultify their minds with any consider- 
ations of affection or appreciation of human 
sympathies. Fathers paid little attention to 
sons, and sons abandoned fathers when they re- 
quired a little troubles jme care. Brothers were 
fraternally bound to each other as long as each 
was equally independent of all assistance. But 
when sickness assailed and men became depend- 
ents upon men, then it was that the channels of 
benevolence were found to be dry, and the very 
fountains of human sympathy sealed by the 
most impenetrable selfishness. 

" Had this not been the condition, such scenes 
as were then witnessed could not have been ex- 
hibited. If men had not allowed themselves to 
become the temporary vassals of cupidity, an 
old gra3'-headed father, nearly famished by a 
tedious Cape Horn voyage, and landing upon 
our levee in the last stage of a disorganizing 
scurvy, could never have been abandoned by a 
son and other relatives who were dependent upon 
him for the means of coniing to the country. 
And yet such an old man was left alone upon 
the unfrequented banks of the slough, to await 
the coming of the only friends that could give 
him relief — death and the grave! The grave he 
was not sure of, but death was certa'n, and soon 
realized. 

" In the month of July, 1849, these subjects 
of distress and the appeals of misery became so 
common that men could not escape them; and 
if there had been the utmost attention paid to 
the exercise of charity and protection, it would 
have been impossible to have met the demands 
of the destitute, sick and dying as a commen- 
surate sympathy would have dictated. Such 
was the difficulty with which facilities for the 
care of the sick could be procured, that even 
the few who had money could not purchase those 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



coint'orts wliicli even the poorest in the Atlantic 
States can always enjoy. Dr. Craigan's hospi- 
tal at the Fort was the most comfortable place, 
but such were the necessary demands for board- 
ing and nursing that men could not avail them- 
selves of such care. Soon after the establish- 
ment of this hospital, Drs. Deal and Martin 
opened another hospital in one of the bastions 
of the old Fort. This led to a reduction of the 
cost of hospital board and attendance, but still 
it was too dear a comfort to be purchased by 
more than one in five of the accumulating in- 
valids of the town. The sick of the city were 
in consequence thrown upon the exclusive at- 
tention of a society which iiad become so mam- 
mon-ridden as to be almost insensible to the 
voice of want. Not only were the victims of 
scurvy evolving a general distress, but also those 
who supposed themselves acclimated were be- 



to feel the 



sweep 



ing; miasmatic fevers 



which were peculiarly severe during this first 
season. 

"Under such circumstances that was true 
benevolence which attempted to respond to the 
requirements of humanity. And now let us 
see where the first grand response to these 
touching appeals came from. The record of so 
much credit should not perisli. The first or- 
ganized efforts to relieve this suffering were 
made by the fraternity of Odd Fellows. Al- 
though denied the privilege of a complete 
organization, they yet came together, bound 
themselves by an informal association, and like 
a band of pure Samaritans devoted themselves 
with untiring zeal to the wants of suffering 
humanity. General A. M. Winn was elected 
president of the association, than whom no man 
could have been more active in his charity; Mr. 
McLaren was elected secretary, and Captain 
Gallup, treasurer. And every member of this 
body became one of a visiting committee whose 
duty it was to keep the society constantly ad- 
vised of every dependent subject of distress 
coining to their knowledge. 

"From this association, the history of whicii 
would fill the heart of every lover of humanity, 



an immense amount of relief was dispensed. 
But this was not sufficient to dissipate the in- 
creasing calamity. Men still sickened and died 
without assistance; men were still buried in the 
filth of an unattended sickness, and frequently 
without the benefit of being sewed up in a 
blanket for interment. Rough pine coffins 
ranged from $60 to $150, and it was not to be 
expected that in the midst of such distress and 
poverty coffins could always be procured. The 
association of Odd Fellows spent thousands of 
doUai-s for coffins alone; and when General 
Winn became the executive officer of the 
city government, no man was refused a coffin 
burial." 

CHOLERA IN SACRAMENTO. 

The cholera made its first appearance in 
Sacramento on the 20th of October, 1850, when 
an immigrant by sea was found on the levee, in 
the collapsing stage of the disease. The infec- 
tion was brouglit to San Francisco on the same 
steamer which conveyed the intelligence of Cali- 
fornia's admission to the Union, and reached 
Sacramento before the city had recovered from 
tlie demoralizing effects of the Squatter RiotS; 
As usual in such cases, the local papers en- 
deavored to conceal the extent of mortality, and 
their files of that date give no adequate idea of 
the fearful scourge. On the 21st of October 
the city physician reported seven cases of cholera 
to the council, five of w^hich were fatal. Some 
of the doctors attempted to quiet public appre- 
hension by the opinion that the malady was 
only a violent form of the cholera morbus, and 
the Times "felt confident that there was very 
little danger, and had not heard of a single case 
where the patient had not been previously re- 
duced by diarrhea." On the 27th six cases 
were reported, and the Times "lioped that some 
precautionary measures would be taken," etc. 
On the 29th twelve cases appeared; on the 30th, 
nineteen, and it was no longer possible to con- 
ceal the presence of the ghastly destroyer. A 
Sacramento correspondent of the Alta, Novem- 
ber 4, says: "This city presents an aspect 
truly terrible. Three of the large gambling 



niSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



reeorts have been closed. The streets are de- 
serted, and frequented only by the hearse. 
Nearly all business is at a stand-still. There 
seems to be a deep sense of expectancy, mingled 
witli fear, pervading all classes. There is an 
expression of anxiety in every eye, and all sense 
of pecuniary loss is merged in a greater appre- 
hension of personal danger. The daily mortal- 
ity is about sixty. Many deaths are concealed, 
and many others are not reported. Deaths 
during the past week, so far as known, 188." 

On the 14th of November the daily mortality 
had decreased to twehe, and on the 17th the 
plague was reported as having entirely disap 
peai-ed. 

The precise number of deaths resulting from 
cholera can never be known, as many were re- 
turned as having died of dysentery, fevers, etc., 
for the purpose of quieting public apprehension, 
and no exact records of the event are accessible. 
The only reliable account extant was written by 
Dr. John F. Morse, ten years afterward, for 
Colville's Directory. Dr. Morse was one of the 
most active and humane physicians during the 
prevalence of the calamity, and pai'ts of his 
narrative are almost too shocking for transcrip- 
tion here; but no one who ever knew that good 
man will think of calling in question his credi- 
bility, now that he, too, has passed away. 
Having referred to the general rejoicing on the 
admission of ('alifornia to the Union, Dr. Morse 
continues: 

"But, alas! the exuberance of spirit thus 
enkindled, the joyous and buoyant feeling thus 
excited, were but the illusive precedents of one 
of the most appalling calamities that had ever 
yet set its seal of distress upon the destiny of 
the Valley City.. 

"Every successive day brought intelligence 
from the bay that the newly arrived passengers 
were still dying with cholera. In the feverish 
state of mind that existed in the community, 
there was no hope of escape. This alone, with 
the direction then given to fears, was sufficient 
to coerce the disease into a terrific development. 
It scarcely required an imported case to estab- 



lish a panic more to be dreaded than its cause. 
But the first case that occurred was a steerage 
passenger of the steamer which lirought the dis- 
ease. Early in the morning of the 20th of Oc- 
tober, a person was found on the levee in the 
collapsing stage of the malady. Medical aid 
was administered, but the disease had taken too 
deep a hold of its victim. I saw him at sun- 
rise; he was then expiring from the efiects of 
the disease. The indications presented by his 
death were not calculated to abridge the de- 
pressing fear in the community. The cholera 
was now indeed in our city, and from mouth to 
mouth the story was communicated, so im- 
proved in all the features of a horrible descrip- 
tion as to darken the city with the very pall of 
death in a few hours. The next day several 
fatal cases were reported, and as duly circulated 
through the magnifying minds of thousands, 
whose fear of the disease made them the almost 
certain subjects of it. 

"In six days from the time of its inception 
it was making such progress that regular burials 
were but slightly attended to, and nursing and 
attention were not unfrequently entirely over- 
looked. Money could scarcely buy the offices 
of common kindness, and affections were so 
neutralized by the conflicting elements of selfish- 
ness, that but little could be done to arrest the 
course of the disease. 

"The victims of the malady did not seem to 
be confined so much to those of intemperate 
and irregular habits, as had been the case in 
almost all previous manifestations of the dis- 
ease. People of the most industrious, careful 
and regular habits seemed alike vulnerable to 
the dreadl'ul enemy. In a few days many of 
our most substantial citizens were numbered 
among the victims of the sweeping epidemic. 
It was reported that 150 cases occurred in a 
single day; but such was the confusion and 
positive delirium of the community that no 
proper records were made, nor can any accurate 
data now be found in respect to the epidemic of 
1850. As soon as the daily mortality became 
so great as to keep men constantly employed in 



in STORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



carrying away the dead, tlie citizens began to 
leave the town in every direction, and in 
such numbers as to soon diminish the ]>opula- 
tion to not more tliau ono-iifth of its ordinary 
standard. 

" In this pestilential reign of terror and dis- 
may, the most dreadful abandonments of rela- 
tives and friends took place. Those who were 
willing to forget self and become the visitants 
of mercy, constituted but a small and meagre 
proportion of the many, who, following the 
instincts of nature, sought only to preserve 
themselves. There were a few men, as there 
always will be, whose warm hearts throbbed 
with an uncontrollable anxiety to convey relief 
to the distressed and the dying, and who lin- 
gered around the death scenes of the epidemic, 
so spell-bound l)y sympathy, that they endured 
anything and everything as long as there re- 
mained a solitary hope of even palliating the 
agony of dissolving nature. These men are 
found by and are known to those who constitute 
the heroes of epidemics. They consisted of an 
occasional brother, whose inwrought feelings of 
fraternity were sustained by a maternal bias that 
made them as enduring as life. I will mention 
one name, my motive for which will be readily 
acknowledged more as the extortion of truth 
than the result of partisan partiality — that of 
John Bigler, the present Governor of California. 
This man, with strong impulses of sympathy! 
could be seen in every refuge of distress that 
concealed the miseries of the dying and the des- 
titute. With a lump of gum-camphor now in 
his pocket and anon at his nostrils, he braved 
every scene of danger that presented, and with 
his own hands administered relief to his suftor- 
ing and uncared-for fellow-beings. 

" The rapid spreading of the cpideinic gave 
to the physicians of the city no rest, day or 
night. As might be expected, they were falling 
like the foremost soldiers of a desperate charge, 
and ere the cholera had subsided, seventeen of 
their number were deposited in the ISandhill 
Cemetery of our city — a professional mortality 
never bcfoi-e known; an inroad of (hiath from 



which but a fraction more than two in three 
escaped with life, and not one in three from the 
disease! And yet, not a single educated phy- 
sician turned his back upon the city in its dis- 
tress and threatened destruction. 

" This awful calamity lasted in its malignant 
form only about twenty days; but, by the un- 
systematic records of the times, the number of 
deaths cannot be ascertained. Besides those who 
died in the city, many were overtaken by death 
in other places, and upon the road, in their des- 
perate efforts to escape by running from the 
enemy. In the latter part of the epidemic the- 
authorities procured the use of a large frame 
building on L street, where the destitute chcHera 
subjects' were taken and provided for. / The 
abatement of the disease was much longe/ than 
the period of its inception and increase, and 
commenced just as soon as the frequency of 
death had familiarized people with the frightful 
scenes around them, and rendered them loss 
defenseless from a paralyzing fear. By the time 
the disease had almost disappeared the city was 
nearly depopulated, and there were not a few 
who thought the Levee City was dead beyond 
the possibility of resurrection. 

" But those who supposed that Sacramento 
and Sacramentans could be so easily crushed had 
not learned their character. The very moment 
that mortality began an obvious retreat from 
the premises, that moment those who survived 
their flight returned. Those who abided by the 
city in its distress, reacted upon the calamities 
of the town with such an elastic and vigorous 
energy as to completely transform the appear- 
ance of the place in a few days. The conlidence 
of the people in the health of the city was almost 
immediately restored, and business communica- 
tions were reopened with the mines under the 
most encouraging circumstances. For a few 
weeks a good business was realized, and the 
broken and beautiful winter that followed im- 
parted a vitality to the town that could not have 
been anticipated by one who had contemplated 
its destiny through the gloomy scenes of Oc- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



HOSPITALS. 

In April, 1850, the Freemasons and Odd 
Fellows together established a hospital, the 
Board of Trustees being elected by both orders. 
A series of concerts was given for the benefit 
of the hospital, which were liberally patronized. 
The managers of the Tehama Theatre and Rowe's 
Olympic Circus also gave benefits for the same 
object. 

Dr. Dow liad a " Thompsoniaii Hospital and 
Botanic Medicine Store" on K street, between 
Second and Third. Price of admission per day, 
$5 to $25, "according to trouble and expense." 

Drs. T. J. White and C. D. Cleveland had an 
extensive liospital that would accommodate 100 
patients, on tlie corner of Ninth and L streets. 

Drs. James S. Martin and B. R. Carman con- 
ducted the " Sutter's Fort Hospital," inside the 
fort. Drs. Morse and Stillman also had a hos- 
pital at the corner of Third and K streets. 

THE COUNTY HOSPITAL. 

Several physicians, first at Sutter's Fort and 
afterward in the city, received boarding pa- 
tients; but very few of the sick had the means 
to pay the prices asked. Very early, therefore, 
were the people led to establish a public hos- 
pital. The first was established aiiout 1851-'52, 
in the business part of the city, and among the 
early physicians to the institution were Drs. J. 

F. Montgomery, Johnson Price, Procter 

and George W. Williams. In the City Direc- 
tory of 1853 is the following entry: " Drs- 
Johnson Price and George W. Williams, Phy- 
sicians to the County Hospital, corner of I and 
Seventh streets." About the same time or 
shortly afterward. Price & Procter established 
a hospital on Second street, between I and J, 
with seventy-five or eighty beds. They entered 
into contract with the county for keeping the' 
poor, of whom they had about fifty, charging 
very high fees. Within three or fonr years the 
county endeavored to break the contract, in the 
meantime establishing a hospital on the corner 
of Tenth and L streets. Price & Procter sued 



the county and obtained judgment. This county 
building was on the northwest corner of the 
present Capitol Park, and was torn down and 
removed soon after it was vacated, some time 
after the war. 

In 1857 Dr. Montgomery was again the county 
physician; 1858- 59, Dr. G. L. Simmons; 1859- 
'60, Dr. Montgomery; 1861, from ISovember, 
Dr. J. G. Phelan; 1869, from September, Dr. 
Montgomery; 1870, Dr. A. C. Donaldson, with 
Dr. G. A. White as assistant. 

About this time the county purchased from 
James Lansing sixty acres of land on the upper 
Stockton road, about three miles southeast of 
the business center of the city, at a cost of about 
$11,000, and erected upon it a very fine build- 
ing, and moved into it the seventy-five patients 
that were in the old building. October 5, 1878, 
this new building was accidentally burned, and 
the patients were temporarily cared for in tlie 
" old Pavilion," at the corner of Sixth and M. 
streets, until the present structures were com- 
pleted, in the summer of 1879. The Board of 
Supervisors called for plans for a new building 
or buildings, and adopted those furnished by JSI. 
D. Goodell, of this city, which were offered in 
competition with a number of others. The de- 
sign is what is called the " pavilion plan," con- 
sisting of a central or main building, with four 
separated wings like the rays of a star, the set 
constituting a half circle. Thus arranged, a 
better protection against fire is provided for, as 
well as a greater abundance of air and light and 
a superior aspect of cheerfulness. These build- 
ings cost between $60,000 and $65,000. All 
the appointments in the various departments 
are superior in respect to convenience and neat- 
ness, and all the surrounding premises are at- 
tractive. The sewage system is that of Shone, 
which is operated upon the pneumatic principle, 
and the sewage is all utilized upon the grounds. 
Of these grounds there are four acres in vine- 
yard, five or six acres in garden, ten in pasture 
and the remainder in orchard, meadow and 
building site. There is now an average of 150 
to 160 inmates, each costing the county about 



UISTOBT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



$l'i.50 a month. Monthly reports of the insti- 
tution are published in the city papers. 

In the spring of 1879 the medical superin- 
tendence of the county iiospital fell into the 
hands of tlie homeopathists, and for the first 
three months of this year Dr. George Pybnrn 
was the county physician, and for the succeeding 
four Dr. George M. Dixon; and tiien Dr. J. R- 
Laine, regular, served out the unexpired term. 
AVith the exception of this period, Dr. G. A. 
"White has been the county physician ever since 
March, 1872. 

CKNTKAL PACIFIC KAILKOAD HOSPITAL. 

Between the years 1864 (when the first train 
was run on the road) and 1868 most of the em- 
ployes were strangers, and new arrivals in Cali- 
fornia, and as the road passed for the most part 
through a country very sparsely inhabited, where 
little or no accommodations could be furnished 
for those who, by the vicissitudes of climate, 
exposure or accident, became sick and helpless, 
much suffering to the men on the line was 
caused ; added to this, as a rule, very few of the 
employes had relatives or friends to care for 
them, or money to carry them through a period 
of sickness, which necessitated a call for dona- 
tions from their comrades and the company. 
These calls became so fre(j[uent and onerous that 
tlie company concluded the wisest and most hu- 
mane proceeding would be to build a hospital 
in Sacramento, where all the employes might 
be taken care of and restored to health as soon 
as practicable, whether the patient had means 
or not. Before building, however, an old resi- 
dence was leased and put to use. 

The Central Pacific Railroad Hospital was 
built by the company at Sacramento in 1869, at 
a cost of §64,000. It consists of a main build- 
ing 60 X 35 feet, four stories and basement, with 
a wide verandah at each story, two wings 35 x 52 
feet, and a kitchen twenty-four feet square, re- 
moved a few feet from the main building. The 
hospital has six wards, besides eight private 
rooms for patients, a library of some 1,500 vol- 
umes, well appointed executive and medical 



rooms, and will accommodate 125 patients. 
Every officer and employe of the company con- 
tributes mouthy 50 cents from his pay as 
"hospital dues," which constitutes a fund to 
pay the current expenses of the institution. The 
payment of this 50 cen''s, monthly, entitles 
the employe to free admission and medical at- 
tendance at the hospit d in case of sickness or 
injury while in the service of the company. 
Tlie fund from this source has been sufficient to 
defray the current expenses of the hospital and 
pay the interest on its cost. It is gratifying to 
know that the hospital is fully appreciated by 
the employes of the company, who, by casualty 
or sickness, have been inmates. No employe 
is entitled to medical treatment here whose sick- 
ness has been caused by any form of venerea! 
infection, intemperance, bad habits, vicious act 
or hereditary, constitutional or previous in- 
firmity. There are now (April, 1889) forty-two 
patients in the hospital — a lower number than 
they have had for a long time. 

Dr. S. P. Thomas was the first physician 
Dr. A. B. Nixon had the medical charge from 
February 1, 1870, wiien the new building was 
opened, until recently. The present officers are-. 
F. J. Huse, of San Francisco, Superintendent ; 
T. W. Huntington, Piiysician and Surgeon; G. 
B. Somers, Assistant Physician; R. Forbes, 
Dispenser and Steward; J. F. Daul, Clerk. 

PROTESTANT ORPHAN ASYLUM. 

An association for the care of orphans was 
organized as early as 1858, but it proved short- 
lived. In 1867 Mrs. Elvira Baldwin interested 
a number of citizens, including the Governor, in 
the care of a family of seven children left or- 
phans by the death of their mother, a poor 
woman; and this movement directly resulted in 
the organization of a society for the care of or- 
phans and destitute children throughout the 
county, and even the State. Mrs. I. E. Dwinell 
was the first president. The society immedi- 
ately rented and furnished a building on the 
corner of Seventh and D streets, where they 
])!aced fourteen or fifteen children in the care of 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Mrs. Cole, the first matron. The next year the 
association erected a building on the site of the 
present establishment on K street, between 
Eighteenth and Nineteenth streets. It was con- 
siderably damaged by fire December 7, 1878, 
but it was soon repaired, and another and a su- 
perior building added. Also, 1877, a neat 
school-house was built on the premises, where 
the school is made one of the " public schools " 
of the city, in the care of the City Board of 
Education. No child, however, but the proper 
inmates of the asylum, is admitted into this 
school. 

Anumg tl.e many noble women who have sac- 
rificed much of their time and money in sus- 
taining this institution, special mention may be 
made of Mrs. S. E. Clayton, who during the last 
fifteen years has traveled at least 4,500 miles, 
visited 110 children — some of them several 
times — and taken fifteen orphans and destitute 
children, who were afterward furnished homes 
under the management of the association. She 
was president of the society in 1887-'88. 

There are at present about 150 children cared 
for at the asylum. The officers of the associa- 
tion this year are: Mrs. N. D. Kideout, Presi- 
dent; Mrs. O. P. Goodhue, Vice-President; 
Mrs. C. E. Paine, Treasurer; Mrs. W. H. Hobby, 
Secretary. The remaining members of the 
Board of Management are: Mrs. T. B. McFar- 
land, Mrs. Edward Twitchell, Mrs. C. P. Massey, 
Jr., Kichard Irvine, E. A. Barr, A. C. Tufts, J. 
Frank Clark, T. D. Scriver. Mrs. A. E. Peck- 
ham is Matron; Mrs. Maggie "Warr, Assistant 
Matron, and Dr. W. A. Hughson, Physician. 

MARGUERITE HOME. 

This home for aged women is situated upon 
the one-half block of land. Seventh and Eighth 
P and Q streets, in the City of Sacramento. The 
main building and handsome grounds had for- 
merly been the residence property of Captain 
William Whitney, and the addition of another 
equally well-constructed building alongside, 
36 X 78 feet in size, was made, in order to pro- 
cure twenty-eight large bed-rooms, with parlor. 



reception room, office, kitchen, laundry and 
dining room. The bed-rooms are all well lighted, 
perfectly ventilated and handsomely furnished, 
thus insuring the greatest possible comfort of 
the inmates. There is also a system of hot-air 
pipes throughout the house, and an abundance 
of ho.-e a, id hydrants for fire purposes. 

The pleasing and substantial character of the 
building and the spacious grounds, shaded by 
large trees and filled with choice shrubbery 
combine to make the place home-like and at- 
tractive. 

On February 25, 1884, the sixtieth anniver- 
sary of the birthday of the founder, the Mar- 
guerite Home was dedicated. The occasion was 
celebrated by a reception at the Home to the 
older citizens of the city. After the congratu- 
lations were over, Mrs. Margaret E. Crocker 
formally presented the institution to the Board 
of Trustees, with the following remarks: 
" Frank Miller, Albert Gallatin, John II. 

Carroll, Gustavus L. Simmons and Charles 

McCreary: 

" Gentlemen — Herewith I deliver into your 
possession a deed in trust for certain money, 
real and personal property, by means of which 
I propose to establish a home for aged and in- 
digent women in Sacramento, to be known as 
the 'Marguerite Home.' I have the honor, 
gentlemen, to solicit your acceptance of this 
trust. The deed, expresses my intentions with- 
out placing restrictions upon your mode of 
management. 

" Knowing your intelligence and ability, and 
having full faith in your character and in your 
disposition to aid in all benevolent purposes, and 
believing you to be in full accord with my views 
in respect to the especial objects of my regard 
in this gift, I have left, as you will see upon a 
careful examination of the deed, to your discre- 
tion and superior knowledge and to your kind 
and earnest efforts, which I most heartily in- 
voke, the success of this trust." 

Appropriate responses were made by Dr. G. 
L. Simmons, Hon. Joseph Steffens and Hon. 
John Q. Brown, the mayor. 




CALIFORNIA STATE PRINTING OFFICE. 




M-\J.(.i I I III H()\lt, FOR AGED WOMEN 



UIHTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



135 



In addition to the property purchased for the 
Home, the deed above referred to bequeaths 
also the sum of §50,000 as an endowment fund, 
and the furtlier sum of §12,000 as additional 
aid. 

• While the income from Mrs. Crocker's large 
donation has already been apportioned for the 
support of the present inmates, thetrastees, anx- 
ious to give the benefits of the institution to such 
worthy and respectable aged women as may de- 
sire to enter, have arranged to take for life such 
as may be able to pay the expenses incident to 
their maintenance. At present there are twelve 
to fifteen women cared for at the Home. 

The Board of Trustees now consists of Dr. 
G. L. Simmons, Frank Miller, Charles Mc- 
Crear}', Liidwig Mebius and Cnarles F. Dill- 
man; and the Directresses are Mrs. Frank Mil- 
ler, Mrs. G.L.Simmons, Mrs. Charles McCreary, 
Mrs. Charles F. Dillman, Mrs. L. Mebius and 
Mrs. Frank L. Orcott. Mrs. Fanny Safford is 
matron and Wallace A. Briggs, M. D., the phy- 
sician. 

A brief history of this beautiful home, a copy 
of the deed of trust, by-laws of the Board of 
Trustees, forms of application, contract, bequest, 
etc., are published in a magnificent pamphlet, 
which can be obtained of any of the officers 
above mentioned. 

WATER CURKS. 

Although private hospitals, strictly speaking 
are not charitable institutions, yet, as they are 
truly hospitals, it seems most appropriate to 
place our mention of them here. 

All " water-cures " and " health institutes " 
are hospitals; and it appears almost wonderful 
how soon all Eastern institutions were repre- 
sented here, though generally in a small way of 
course, after the first tide of immigration dur- 
ing the gold excitement. How early the first 
water-cure was established in Sacramento we 
have not been able to learn, but it was probably 
earlyjin the '50s. In 1857 Dr. T. P. Zander ad- 
vertised in glowing terms a hydropathic insti- 
tution on the southwest corner of Fifth and K 



streets, Sacramento. Afterward a Dr. Burns 

established a similar institution, which is now 
the 

PACIFIC WATER CUKE AND ECLECTIC HEALTH IN- 
STITUTE. 

With SO much that is semi-tropical around it, 
Sacramento would not be complete unless fur- 
nished for all the luxury of the bath. The Pa. 
cific Water Cure and Eclectic Health Institute, 
on the northwest corner of Seventh and L streets, 
under the direction of Dr. M. F. Clayton, pro- 
vides all the requisites of the bath, and much 
more, in that it offers all the comforts and con- 
veniences of a well-equipped sanitarium. The 
building is large and commodious, centrally lo- 
cated, while yet somewhat removed from the 
noise and bustle of the crowded thoroughfares 
of the city; is surrounded by beautiful shade 
trees, and suggestive in every way of a pleasant 
and refined home. A portion of the building 
has recently been raised, and the departments 
entirely remodeled. There are luxurious par- 
lors, rich and elegant in all their appointments, 
for the exclusive use of the ladies patronizing 
this famous establishment. 

The institution is provided with all the neces- 
sary appliances for Turkish, Russian, electric or 
medicated water or vapor baths, which may be 
enjoyed at any time as a luxury or as a neces- 
sary means of medical treatment. On the second 
floor are comfortable, home-like rooms, full of 
sunshine, for the use of those who either require 
rest after bathing, or for patients coming from 
a distance in search of relief and cure. Even 
stables with horses and vehicles for their use 
are a part of the establishment. 

The whole is under the direction and super- 
vision of Dr. M. F. Clayton, a graduate of the 
Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
who has been in the present location thirteen 
years, and whose large experience as a prac- 
titioner for thirty-three years renders him es- 
pecially fitted for such a charge. 

M. F. Clayton, M. D., Proprietor of the 
" Pacific Water Cure and Home for the Sick," 
northwest corner of Seventh and L streets. 



HISTORY OF SACIIAMBNTO COUNTY. 



Sacnimeiito, was horn in Knox County, Oliio, in 
1S2G, and hroiiglit up in (jrawtbrd County, that 
State. Cnuluating in medicine at the Eclectic 
Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Oliio, in 1855, he 
practiced his prolession in the northeastern por- 
tion of Indiana lour years, and then, in 1859, 
came overland to California, with ox and horse 
teams, being ti\e and a half months on the way. 
Practicing medicine im the route made the jour- 
ney more tedious, but multiplied his experiences 
in such a manner as apparently to till up a whole 
life-time, and furnisli matter for endless anec- 
dote. That magnificent painting at tlie head of 
the north stairway in the Capitol- -the most 
interesting in all the West to early immigrants 
to tliis coast — fitly represents many a scene 
through which the Doctor passed on that long 
and indescribable journey. He saw his last 
hor.>;e die 200 miles from human habitation! 
Arriving at Placerville, September 15, barefoot 
and almost trouserless, he rolled up his sleeves 
and went to work in caring for the sick. His 
tirst task was the care of a man who had been 
shot, and who, under the Doctor's management, 
fully recovered. After practicing in Plaeerville 
eight years. Dr. Clayton moved to Sacramento 
and opened an office on J street, between Fifth 
and Sixth, remaining there two years. About 
that time his family, consisting of a wife and 
four children, came and joined him. After hav- 
ing an office on K street, between Fifth and 
Sixth, a year yr so, the Doctor, in 1876, pur- 
chased his present institution, fully described 
under the head of Hospitals in this work. He 
also owns a tract of partly improved land about 
sixty-five miles east and a little north of Sacra- 
mento, and in El Dorado County. 

The Doctor is one of the organizers of the 
State Eclectic Medical Society, of which he was 
vice-president the first term and president two 
terms; also a member of the State Eclectic 
Board of Medical Examiners three years, and 
chairman two years. In politics he is a zealous 
Prohibitionist. During the campaign of 1888 
he was a member of the State Executive Com- 
mittee of the Prohibition party. He is an affa- 



,pe 



ble gentleman, well calculated to insjii 

and a cheerful spirit in all his patients, and a 

jolly mood in all persons around him. 

Mrs. Sauah E. Clayton, Matron of the Pa- 
cific Water-Cure, was born in December, 182G, 
in Delaware. Iler father, Kev. John Davis, 
was of Welsh descent, and her mother's ances- 
tors were from England. The family emigrated 
from Maryland to Ohio in 1830, and after a 
brief stay at Mansfield and Plymouth, they set- 
tled in Pucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, at 
which place Mrs. Clayton taught in the public 
schools from 184:6 to 1851. She then married 
Dr. M. F. Clayton. During the war of the Re- 
bellion they lived in Fostoria, that State; and 
while referring to that period we may mention 
that a brother of Mrs. Clayton, Dr. W. H. 
Davis, went out as Surgeon in one of the Iowa 
regiments, and died at Pittsburg Landing in 
1862". Mrs. Clayton Avas secretary of the Sani- 
tary Commission five years at Fostoria, and the 
work which she did during that period she con- 
siders the most important of her life. It was, 
indeed, as important a duty as any on the field 
of battle, to be performed either by a private 
soldier or a General commanding armies. She 
came to California in 1870 with four children, 
the eldest of whom died in London, England, 
in 1881. Iler husband had preceded her; to 
this State a number of years. On going to the 
county hospital, then at Tenth and L streets, to 
visit the sick men, she found that the inmates 
were poorly supplied with reading matter. She 
asked the citizens to donate such books as they 
did not need for their own use, to the patients 
for their entertainment, and her anticipations 
were more than realized, and they had a valua- 
ble library to put in the new building when that 
was completed. Among the books was an old 
relic, a Greek Bible 200 years old. But, alas! 
they had the privilege of using that library but 
a short time, when it, with the nice, new build- 
ing, was burned. 

Probably the next in imjiortance of the works 
of her life is the part which she has taken in 
behalf of the orphans of that State. She was 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



elected oue of the managers of the Protestant 
Orphan Asylum of this city in 1873, where her 
first duty was to look after the interests of the 
children who had been sent out of the asylum 
on trial, to procure permanent homes. It proved 
to be a duty of embarrassing responsibility, and 
she had many difficulties to encounter until she 
had a thorough system established, so that when 
a family took a child she knew its interests 
would be looked after. She went before the 
Legislature and asked for a law by which the 



managers could be governed in placing children 
out for adoption in families who wished for 
them; and the law was adopted without a dis- 
senting voice. (See also our account of the 
Protestant Orphan Asylum, elsewhere in this 
volume.) 

The children of Dr. and Mrs. Clayton are: 
Hattie, wife of A. J. Gardner, residing in Sacra- 
mento; Mrs. Clara M. Byrne, residing with her 
parents; Frank W., in San Francisco, and Wil- 
lis M., deceased. 




HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




SACEAMENTO CITY. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



nONEER BUSINESS MEN. 

N addition to the business men alluded to in 

our chapter on the foundinif of Sacramento, 

we mention the following who were here 

during the first three or four years after that 

event. 

History states that in May, 1849, there were 
about thirty buildings occupied by stores, and 
that on June 26 there were 100 houses in Sacra- 
mento. The following business and professional 
men are named about in the order in which we 
find their advertisements in the Placer Thnes: 

Whitloek & Gibson, auction and commission. 

Burnett & Rogers (Peter H. and John P.), 
exchange brokers and agents for the collection 
of debts. Burnett was afterward Governor of 
the State. 

Drs. L. P. & S. S. Crane, physicians and 
druggists. 

Dr. C. B. Zabriskie, physician. 

Orlando McKnight, proprietor of the Ameri- 
can House and Restaurant. 

Murray & Lappeus. 

Pickett & Co. 

Saget & Co. 

T. McDowell & Co., auction and commission. 

Gillespie, Gerald & Co., wholesale and retail 
grocers, provisions and mining goods. 

Brannan & Co. (Samuel Brannan, William 
Stout, and Melius, Howard & Co.), general mer- 



chandise. In August, 1849, Mr. Brannan was 
again alone. Brannan died May 5, 1889, at 
Escondido, San Diego County, California. 

Dr. B. Bryant, a graduate of the Botanico- 
Medical College of Memphis, established in Au- 
gust a hospital on L street; also sold medicines. 

Dr. W. H. PAnson, "late Surgeon of the 
United States Army," opened out in August, 
1849, "opposite Prof. Sheppard's store." 

John Codlin, butcher and provision merchant. 

H. P. Merrifield, auction and real estate. 

James C. Zabriskie, law, conveyancing and 
surveying. 

Morse, Dunning & Co. (Charles E. G. Morse, 
of St. Louis, Missouri, and John Dunning, of 
New York City), provisions. 

J. P. Rittenhouse & Co. (Thomas C. D. 01m- 
stead and W. E. Keyes). 

Peyton, Cornet & McCarver. 

Dr. F. M. Rodrigues, from New Orleans. 

B. E. Watson, groceries. 

Dr. M. B. Angle. 

Massett & Brewster (Stephen C. and Charles 
O.), auction and commission. 

Dring, store at the Fort. 

Thomas A. Warbass, real estate. 

Robertson & Co. (G. M. R., Theodore Van 
Cott and Thomas King), meat market. 

Dr. W. G. Deal. 

Dr. Robert Wilson. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



C. G. & U. G. Cornell, meat market. 

Drs. McKenzie & Ames (J. M. and F. AV.). 

James N. Harding, law and real estate. 

ElisLa W. McKinstry, law. 

Jones, Prettyman, Barroll & Co. (Dr. W. G. 
Deal), commission, real estate and drngs. After- 
ward Prettyman, Barroll &Gwynn. 

Charles Lindley, lawyer and commissioner of 
deeds. 

Bailey, Mori'isiin & Co., merchants. 

Pearson & Baker (James P. and W. A. B.), 
real estate. 

Plume, Truman & Co. 

Cardwell, Brown & Co. (II. C. C, E. L. 
Brown, John Harris and John S. Fowler), after- 
ward Harris, Brown &. Co. 

Drs. J. L. Wydown and T. J. White. 

J. B. Starr & Co. (H. L. Barney), auction. 

McNulty & Co. (A. G. Hedrick), hardware. 

Dr. Benjamin R. Carman bought Dr. Deal's 
interest in the Martin & Deal hospital at tlie 
Fort, in December, 1849. 

Dr. Hardenstein, homeopathic. 

Barney, Brewster & Co. (B. B. Barney, R. E. 
Brewstei", Fred Ogden, J. H. Blossom and J. P. 
Hurley), afterward Barney, Blossom & Co. 

Suydam, Fletcher & Co. (John Suydam, War- 
ren Fletcher and J. E. Galloway), then Suydam 
& Galloway, auction and commission. 

Drs. R. M. Stanbury and J. W. H. Stettinius 
and Mr. Charles E. Abbott bought the hospital 
of Dr. Craigan and Mr. Abell at the Fort, 
during the winter of 1849-'50. 

Dr. S. P. Thomas.. 

B. F. Hastings & Co., exchange brokers, bank- 
ers and commission merchants. 

James Tate & Co., general merchandise. 

C. F. McClure & Co. (P. P. Slater). 
Covilland, Fajard & Co., general merchandise. 
R. Gelston & Co. (Simmons, Hutchinson &, 

Co.), general merchandise. 

Meconnekin &Co. (E. Meconnekin, A. Hadley 
and James A. Myer), auction and commission. 

William Montgomery, auction and commis- 
sion, groceries, etc. 

Andrew J. Binney, civil engineerandsnrveyor. 



Fowter & Fry, proprietors of the City Hotel. 

E. M. Hayes, jeweler. 

Offutt, Wales & Co. (M. H. Oflutt, C. P. 
Wales, Jacob P. Dunn and George Dunn), auc- 
tion and commission. 

Ilensley & Redding (Samuel J. Hensley, Peir- 
son B. Redding and Jacob R. Snyder), general 
merchants. Dissolved partnership February 10, 
1850. 

Middlebrook & Christy (Charles M. and John 
M. C). 

Steele & Grummun (Seymour G. S. and 
Caleb G.). 

William R. Prince & Co., sheet iron, zinc, 
miners' supplies, etc. 

Demas Strong, dry goods. Tliis inan is a 
brother of W. R. Strong, and 'is still living, in 
the East. 

M. G. Leonard & Co. (Sheldon, Kibbe & 
Almy), groceries and miners' supplies. 

Gillespie & Monson (Eugenio G. and Alonzo 
M.), laad agents. 

L. Bartlett, Jr., bank and real-estate. 

E. D. Byrne & Co., dry goods. 

G. M. Robertson, commission agent and real- 
estate broker. 

Henley McKnight &Co. (S. C. Hastings), bank. 

Dr. Bryarly, in partnership with Dr. Deal. 

Wetzlar & Co. (Gustavus W., Julius Wetz- 
lar, Benj. Fenner, Cornelius Schermerhorn and 
Francis Stratton). Some of these afterward sold 
out to John A. Sutter, Jr., and C. Brandes. 

A. P. Petit, contractor and builder. 

Dr. C. Morrill and Mr. C. T. Whittier, drugs. 

Joseph Clough, real estate. 

John H. Dickerson, civil engineer and sur- 
veyor. 

Moran & Clark. 

J. Neely Johnson, lawyer, and afterward Gov- 
ernor, elected by the American party. 

Bailey, Morrison & Co. (Major 1!., John C. 
and E. M. Hayes). 

Smith, Keith & Co. (J. E. S., Matthew K. and 
Henry M. Spotswood). 

Lewis & Bailey (John H. L. and John T. !!.), 
general commission and merchandise. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Warbass & Co. (Tliomas A. W., WilUam S. 
Heyl and Jolin F. Morse), bankers and real 
estate. 

Barton Lee, successor to Priest, Lee & Co. 

G. B. Stevens, wholesale auction and commis- 
sion. 

Clienery & Hubbard, proprietors of the Globe 
Hotel. 

Ferris Forman, law. 

Hoope & L'Amoureux, general merchants. 

G. H. Johnson, daguerrean artist. 

John H. Spies, notions. 

Burnell, Stout &. Co., wholesale auction and 
commission. 

Spalding & McKinney (Volney S., M. D. and 
Joseph McK.), saloon. 

A. M. Winn, agent for Sutter. 

Dr. B. T. Kruse. 

J. D. B. Stillman, M. D. Left in 1862. 

L. A. Birdsall, M. D. 

J. A. Wadsworth, M. D., from Providence, 
Rhode Island, had the '< K Street Hospital." 

Boyd & Davis, real estate, now in San Fran- 
cisco, wealthy. 

Earl, McLitosh & Co , forwarding. Earl is 
now in San Francisco. 

John Hatch, jeweler, resided here in Sacra- 
mento until his death. 

Simmons, Hutchinson & Co., general mer- 
chandise. Simmons also dealt in real estate. 

J. L. F. Warren established the store now 
owned by Baker & Hamilton. For the last 
thirty years Warren has been conducting an ag- 
ricultural paper in San Francisco. 

D. O. Mills, dealer in gold dust and founder 
of the bank still known by his name. He is a 
resident of New York City. 

Brown, Henry & Co., wholesale clothing. 

James Lee kept the " Stinking Tent," the 
chief gaming establishment for a time. Z. Hub- 
bard soon started a large, neat gambling tent. 

Jacob Binninger built the first liotel in Sac- 
ramento. 

James King of William, various. 

Dr. Charles H. Craigan, from Washington 
City, established a hospital at the Fort in 1849; 



rates of board and treatment, $16 to $50 per 
day. 

H. Arents & Co., general merchandise. 

Burge & Ratclifie (Robert K. and Wm. M.), 
manufacturers of iron shutters and doors. 

M. T. McClellan, speculator in gold and sil- 
ver; " coin exchanged for dust, at $15 per 
ounce." 

Sagat & Southard (L. T. & Charles C), gen- 
eral merchandise and miners' supplies. 

Marshall & Santry, general merchandise. 

Von Ptister&Vaughan (Edward and William), 
general merchandise. 

H. A. Schoolcraft, real estate and magis- 
trate. 

Drs. Wm. M. Carpenter and T. L. Chapman. 

Dr. T. M. Ames, at Sutterville. 

Nevett & Co., hardware. Youmans was the 
"Co." 

C. C. Sackett, notary public and conveyancer. 

R. Chenery, flour. 

George H. Pettibone, proprietor of the El 
Dorado House. 

Yates Ferguson, general store. 

Ilaines, Webster & Co., hotel. 

Richard Berry, auction. 

Barton & Grim, real estate. 

Watson & Bern, hardware. 

C. P. Huntington & Co., hardware. 

J. B. Blanchard & Co., hardware. 

Bowstead & Woods, iron and brass foundry. 

Wesley Merritt, Moran & Clark, H. E. Rob- 
inson & Co., George H. Johnson, Thompson & 
Taylor, Cochran, Peifer, Samuel Gregg, S. C. 
Bruce, Montgomery & Co., Captain Gallop, A. 
C. Latson, John Van Houghton, Ames & Mc- 
Kenzie, Jesse Haycock, Dearbower, Caswell, 
Ingalls & Co., Hanna, Jennings & Co., Captain 
Northam, Geise & Son, J. J. Burge, Harden- 
bergh & Co., Morrill & Hamlin, Coats & Rivett, 
Cheeks, Pinkard, Prince, Scranton & Smith, T. 
S. Mitchell & Co., ileynolds & Co., P. B. Corn- 
wall, Paul, White & Co., etc. 

There were also numerous express companies, 
stage lines, etc., too tedious to mention in all 
their chanses. 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



141 



GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS. 

The principal grocers in 1850 and following 
years were the following: 

The most extensive in operations were Pome- 
roy & Peebles, whose establishment was famil- 
iarly known as the " Missouri Store." Both 
those men are dead. 

Ilaynes & Co. were almost e.xchisively an 
importing house. 

Bullard, Figg & Co. did a large business. 
The former is deceased, and Mr. Figg is still 
living, in Sacramento. 

Cavert &, Hill also had a large trade, in a 
large frame building on Front street, where the 
McCreary flouring-mill now stands. 

Forshee, Booth & Co. enjoyed an extensive 
patronage. The members were John Forshee, 
Lucius A. Booth and Job F. Dye. Booth lives 
now at Pi.dniont, and Forshee is dead. Dye 
cauie to California as early as 1840. 

E. D. & W. T. Kennedy were Philadelphia 
men, who in the grocery trade accumulated a 
little fortune. The first mentioned resides in 
Philadelphia, and the other is deceased. 

J. W. Foard & Co. (George Cadwallader) are 
both dead. The latter became an eminent at- 
torney here. 

W. T. Grissim & Co. (Snyder) are also de- 
ceased. 

Curry & Co. and P. J. Brown ife Co. were 
burned out in the great tire of 1852, re-estab- 
lished themselves and finally went out of business 
in 1855. 

Tlie "Lady Adams Company," named after 
the ship that brought them to the coast, was 
one of the oldest firms in Sacramento, who 
brought a cargo of goods with them. Mebius 
& Co. are now their successors. 

Stanford Bros, (three brothers of Leiand Stan 
ford) were not burned out ia 1852, although 
their building was not so fire-proof as many 
others that were consumed. All other build- 
ings in their block were burned. 

llermance & Burton never resumed business 
after tlie fire of 1852. 

J. 11. Trowbridge & Co. and Carroll & Stearin 



soon after the fire succeeded the old house of 
Birdsall & Co., taking the name of Scudder, 
Carroll & Co. 

Taylor & Van Sickle were successful business 
men before the tire; after that event Van Sickle 
never resumed business. 

Louis Sloss had a successful trade here until 
about 1854; is now with the Alaska Fur Com- 
pany in San Francisco. 

Chamberlain & Patrick did business upon the 
Plaza. Chamberlain, now nearly ninety years 
of age, is still in active employment, in the 
banking house of D. O. Mills & Co. Dr. Pat- 
rick is deceased. 

Wilcoxson & Co. enjoyed a large trade up to 
1852, then closed. Jackson "Wilcoxson is dead; 
but Jefferson, his brother, is still living here, 
and is now a capitalist. 

Maddux & Co. were from Arkansas. They 
built the present Maddux Block, corner of 
Third and K streets. 

Mills & Co. (James and D. O. Mills) retired 
from the grocery business probably in 1851. 
The latter established the bank which is still 
known by his name, and now resides in New 
York City. 

Bushnell & Co.'s establishment was one of 
the very few hou^es that were not burned out 
in the tire of 1852. 

Sneath & Arnold established a business here 
about 1851. The former is now a resident of 
San Francisco, having a large dairy in the 
country, and Juhn Arnold died in Connecticut 
about 1864. Tlieir successors are Adams, Mc- 
Neill & Co. 

Fry, Iloopes &, Co. comprised J. D. Fry 
and Thomas Iloopes. Fry is in San Francisco 
and Iloopes is dead. Their successors are 
Lindley & Co. 

Hopkins & Miller. The former, Mark Hop- 
kins, died at Yuma, March 29, 1878, and the 
latter, Ed. Miller, is now connected with the 
Central Pacitic Railroad. 

W. K. McCaull & Co. ( Moore) did a 

large business. MoCauU is dead, and Moore is 
in Louisville, Kentucky. 



142 



HISTORY OF SAOBAMENTO COUNTY. 



Smith & Booth, predecessors of the present 
lirra of Booth & Co. Charles Smith died in 
New York, and the other partner is ex-United 
States Senator Newton Booth, the senior mem- 
ber of the present firm. By the index, find in 
this vohime a biographical sketch of the latter. 

Hull & Lohman vvere also successful grocers. 
Hull is living in San Francisco, and Lohman 
died in that city five or six years ago. 

Lindley, Booth & Co. (T. M. Lindley, L. A. 
Booth) began in September, 1849. The next 
year Booth retired from the firm. After a time 
Lindley dropped that trade here and was in 
business elsewhere. February 1, 1853, he be- 
came a member of Fry, lioopes & Co., on the 
corner of Seventh and J streets; a year after- 
ward the name of the firm was Lindley & 
Hoopes, and in 1855 Mr. Lindley was alone. 
The firm is now Lindley & Co. (T. M. and D. 
A. Lindley), 214-218 K street. 

Other early grocery firms were: Birdsall & 
Co.; Ahrents & Tolger; Meeker & Co. (S. H. 
and David Meeker); Burton & McCarty; Wood 
& Kenyon; Kramer & Qui vey; Loveland &Co.; 
Kibbe, Almy &Co.; Thomas Bannister; Burton, 
Fibh & Culver; Peter Slater, etc. 

EARLY BANKERS. 
(From Old Directories.) 

1851— Ilensley & Merrill (Samuel J. and 
Robert D.), 47 Second street between J and K; 
Sacramento City Bank (Rhodes, Sturges & Co.), 
53 Second street, between J and K; B. F. Has- 
tings & Co., 51 J street, between Second and 
Third. 

1853— Adams & Co., Granite Building, Sec- 
ond street between Orleans Hotel and J street; 
Grim & Rumler (A. K. and Fr.), 3 J street; 
D. O. Mills & Co., 58 J street; Francis W. 
Page, agent of Page, Bacon & Co., of St. Louis, 
Missouri. 

1856— Wells, Fargo & Co.; John M. Rhodes, 
Second street between J and K. 

1868 — Sacramento Savings Bank, 89 J street. 

1871 — Capital Savings Bank, southwest cor- 
ner Fourth and J streets; Julius Wetzlar, Presi- 



dent; R. C. Woolworth, Secretary; Odd Fel- 
lows' Bank of Savings, St. George Building, 
Fourth and J streets. 

FLOURING MILLS. 

Lamhard Flouring Mills. — In 1853' these 
mills were established on the north side of I 
street, at the head of Second street, and for 
about two years were ran in connection with 
the Sacramento Iron Works. The original 
building was of brick, and only 20x40 feet in 
size. In 1856 it was enlarged, and a most 
substantial foundation placed under it, by James 
Kerr, a superior millwright from Boston. This 
man afterward lost his life on the ill-fated 
steamship Central America. Additions were 
made to the building, and the capacity increased 
to five run of stone. But this mill has long 
since been discontinued, and the building has 
for some years been used as a warehouse. 

Sacramento Flouring Mills. — In 1853 Dr. 
Carpenter, at that time a well-known and 
wealthy citizen of Sacramento, commenced tiie 
erection of the large brick building on Front 
street, between L and M, for the purpose of 
having it made the State Capitol. The latter 
"institution," however, was never located there. 
After its completion the first floor was occupied 
as grain stores, etc., by C. H. Swift, Campbell 
&, Sweeney, and others. In 1856-'57 it bore 
the dignity of being the county court-house. 
From Dr. Carpenter the property passed to C. 
K. Garrison, and in 1869 Charles and Byron 
McCreary bought tiie building and turned it 
into the Sacramento Flouring Mills. See sketch 
of these gentlemen in the biographical depart- 
ment of this work. 

Pioneer Flouring Mills. — R. D. Cary, in 
1854, transformed what is known as the Boston 
Ice House into the Pioneer Flour Mills, situ- 
ated on First street, between Sacramento and 
broad, that is, in the vicinity of what is now 
known as " Jib-Boom " street. Carey failed in 
business and the property passed into the hands 
of E. P. Figg. Carey, it was said, afterward 
went to Philadelphia and accumulated consider- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



able wealth. In 1858 Setli Gariield and Aleclc 
Dyer purchased the mill from >'igg and thor- 
oughly remodeled it. In October, 1863, the 
property was destroyed by lire, the proprietors 
losing about $10,000 above insurance Up to 
the time of the fire the mill was running day 
and night, turning out 200 barrels of flour a 
day, at a net profit of $75. 

Dyer left the city, and Garfield and A. C. 
Bidwell went into partnership, and within four 
months the present Pioneer Mills were erected 
and in running order. Three days after the re- 
newal of business, Bidwell sold out to H. G. 
Smith, who, together with Garfield, ran the 
mill till the close of 1864. Then J. H. Carroll 
came in as a third partner, and the capacity of 
the mill was increased to 500 barrels a day, 
the sum of $70,000 having been expended for 
tliat purpose. These three partners conducted 
the mill for five years, and then Carroll and 
Garfield sold out their interests to Smith and 
G. W. Mowe. The " Pioneer Milling Company" 
now comprises H. G. Smith, President; L. 
Williams, Vice-President: and F. B. Smith, 
Secretary. 

For the Phwnix Mills, see sketch of George 
Schrodt, in the latter part of this work. 

OTHER ENTERPRISES. 

The first lumber yard for the sale of Califor- 
nia mountain lumber was established in the 
early part of 1852, by C. C. Hayden, at the 
northeast corner of Fourth and L streets, where 
tlie Figg residence now stands, and occupying 
nearly half of the block south of the alley and 



tlie lot 



oppc 



The 



iber was obtained 



principally from Nevada County and Grass Val- 
ley, and hauled by teams. The cost of this 
transportation was from. $15 to $20 per thousand 
feet, the lumber selling at that time at the rate 
of $80 per thousand. The reason the freight 
charges were so low was the fact that the teams 
were principally engaged in hauling supplies to 
the mines, and the drivers would rather haul 
back lumber at those rates than return empty. 



For several months after the great fire of No- 
vember, 1852, this mountain lumber sold for 
$300 a thousand, the freight having advanced 
to $100. 

In the summer of 1858, while the Figg house 
was in process of construction, Hayden closed 
his lumber business and turned his attention to 
conveyancing. He was a native of Boston, 
Massachusetts, where he was a member of the 
firm of Hayden & Whipple, booksellers and 
publishers. He arrived in California in Sep- 
tember, 1849, on the brig Ilodolph. 

Pottery. — The first pottery ever made in 
Sacramento was by Jacob Knauth, of the Sutter 
Floral Gardens, who, being in need of flower- 
pots that he could not otherwise supply, made 
them so successfully himself that in 1853 he 
established a small pottery. In 1857 Clark & 
Mahoney started the Sacramento Pottery, then 
on the north side of J street, near Twenty-sixth. 
They made only Rockingham ware, the dark- 
brown glazed earthenware, and soon failed for 
want of patronage. After the war period two 
Swede brothers, John and Martin Bergman, ex- 
pert potters, bought the property, then on the 
east side of Thirtieth street, between M and N. 
They first wisely prospected for the best clay in 
this part of the State, and, after an expenditure 
of $7,000, found at Cook's and Michigan bars, 
in this county, beds of clay equal in quality to 
the best in the world, thus enaljling themselves 
to produce yellow ware and terra cotta of the 
best quality. 

The Sacramento Sm.elting Company was 
incorporated February 18, 1874, with a capital 
stock of $50,000. The stock was held by promi- 
nent capitalists here, and the works, located 
north of the north levee at Twelfth street, were 
immediately erected and put in operation. Tlie 
enterprise proved unprofitable at the end of 
about three years and operations suspended. 
The building remained idle, and w;is destroyed 
by fire January 21, 1879, at 7:15 .v. m 

The first officers were: Julius Wetzlar, 
President; Samuel Poorman, Secretary; \l. C. 
Woolworth, Treasurer; and G. N. Gerrish 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Superintendent. The principal building was 
60 X 200 feet. 

Capital Packing Company. — In the fall of 
1881 two practical men came here from San 
Francisco, for the purpose of looking up the 
establishment of the fruit-packing interests. 
They enlisted the sympathies of John II. Carroll, 
now deceased, and in the spring of 1882 matters 
had progressed so far that operations commenced 
in two small stores on Front street, between K 
and L. Mr. Carroll was an enterprising man, 
had just been president of the Pacific Mutual 
Insurance Company, and he saw that there might 
be a prosperous future to the fruit business 
here. In 1883 they secured two additional 
stores adjoining and enlarged their business, 
and continued thei-e until the fall of 1886. Thus 
far, however, it preved unprofitable; and it was 
seen also that more room was needed to carry 
on the business, and it was decided to move out 
of their present location on the corner of 
Eleventh and B streets. They established them- 
selves there that fall. The next year Mr. Car- 
roll died, and the business management was 
thrown upon Edgar B. Carroll. It is now on a 
profitable and solid basis, the season of 1888 
demonstrating that fact. A market for the prod- 
ucts is found all over the United States, Eng- 
land, Australia and China. When the cannery 
was started it was found that Sacramento was 
the best point in the State, and that fruit could 
be obtained by buying direct from the orchards. 
It was also learned later from experience that 
as San Francisco was a larger market, fruit 
drifted that way; and they found that they could 
buy in San Francisco and transport to this point 
cheaper than they could buy direct from the 
producers; hence the packers of San Francisco 
had the advantage, and, besides, the best fruits 
for their purpose are not grown in this vicinity. 
They have, however, now learned the localities 
where best to buy. They make a specialty of 
packing the best brands of fruit. Four hundred 
hands are employed during the busy season, 
when labor is scarce, too; and this fact in 1888 
prevented the filling of some orders. In addition 



to the buildings originally on the site, they 
erected one 60x160, and afterward two others 
50x160. They now occupy these buildings, 
with the adjacent. yard 160 feet square, and also 
a fire- proof warehouse 150 feet square. 

Edgae B. Carroll, the manager of this in- 
stitution, was born in Sacramento, September 
15, 1862, commenced his school education at 
the age of six years in private schools, continu- 
ing the next ten years at Perry's Seminary, and 
afterward the grammar department of the city 
schools and the High School, graduating in 1880. 
His father desired him to go to the University, 
but he felt that the experience in business which 
he had determined to follow would be of more 
benefit than university education, having de- 
cided at the same time to study, which he did 
for two years. In business he started out in the 
wholesale liquor business for James I. Felter & 
Co. At the end of three years he was at the 
head of the institution. In 1884 his father de- 
sired him to enter the fruit-packing business 
with him; but, having served an apprenticeship 
in a business entirely different, he knew what it 
would be to start in again where he would 
require considerable time to reach the higher 
positions. His father was urgent, and he finally 
consented. Thus, he left a position of $125 a 
month to accept a foremanship in his father's? 
establishment at $2 a day. He passed through 
the different departments, working six montiis 
in the can shop, ])erfecting the workings of the 
different departments as he went along; and in 
the spring of 1887 he became assistant manager 
of the institution. In the meantime, when he 
went into business they wished him to imme- 
diately enter the office; he refused, but it was 
fortunate that it came along at that time; for 
before his father's death business became un- 
profitable and all were discouraged. Great 
pecuniary losses hastened his father's deatn. 
Edgar, however, thought he foresaw a fortune 
in the fruit-canning business, and he concluded 
to give it another year's trial, which indeed 
proved a success. 

Mr. Carroll is a member of Concord Lodge, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO UOUNTT. 



F & A. M., of the Sacramento Chapter, R. A. M. ; 
Sacramento Council, and Sacramento Comman- 
der}'; at present he is Senior Warden of Concord 
Lodge. He has been a member of Grand Lodge 
of the State, and refused the position of Master 
of that lodge on account of the pressure of busi- 
ness. He is also a member of Sunset Parlor, 
N. S. G. W., having held the different chairs in 
that boil y. In 1882 he was a private in. the 
State militia, and since then has been promoted 
through the different positions, until in 1884 
he was elected Junior Second Lieutenant of 
Company B, and afterward Senior First Lieuten- 
ant; but in 1888 his business was so pressing 
that he had to leave the service. In his political 
principles he is a Republican, and takes con- 
siderable interest in the questions of the day. 

The first street cars in this city were started 
in August, 1870. The cars, only two in num- 
ber, were built by the Kimball Manufacturing 
Company, of San Francisco. Electric motor 
(strong battery) was first applied to the running 
of street cars here in 1888, but was soon tem- 
porarily suspended. 

BUSINESS COLLEGES. 

^. 0. Atkinsoii's Business College is a fully 
equipped institution in Hale's Block, corner of 
Ninth and K streets. It was founded in 1873, 
and has graduated many competent pupils. 

Bainlridge Business College and Nornial 
School. — If the test of worth is to be found in 
genuine success, then truly the college whose 
name stands at the head of this article is one of 
the best. Founded October 3, 1887, less than 
two years ago at date of writing, it has grown 
from a beginning of only five scholars to an 
average attendance of about 140, and whereas the 
principal. Prof. J. C. Bainbridge, with his wife, 
Mrs. Belle 0. Bainbridge, were the only teach- 
ers, now there are si.x regular teachers and 
several specialists. This is but the beginning, 
too, of still further extensions, as will be noted 
further along. The situation of the college is 
good, being located in a spacious building on 
J street, in tiic heart of the city, where the fit- 



tings and arrangements are made with special 
reference to the requirements of such an insti- 
tution. As we learn from the last catalogue, 
the courses of study are so arranged and graded 
as to forward the student at the greatest speed 
commensurate with good work, and are of the 
modern and practical nature that commend 
themselves to the business feelings of this age. 
In fact, after a careful examination of the meth- 
ods adopted by the Bainbridge Business College, 
we are led to conclude that it is one of the best 
representatives of that most popular modern in- 
stitution, the business or commercial college. 
It goes farther than most, however, in supply- 
ing to its pupils tlie branches ordinarily taught 
in a normal school, in such a simple and practi- 
cal manner as to make them most serviceable. 
From the catalogue already referred to we 
learn that the names of the faculty are as fol- 
lows: 

Principal, J. C. Bainbridge, Teacher of Busi- 
ness Penmanship, Book-keeping, Commercial 
Law, Actual Business and General Superintend- 
ent of Courses of Study; G. E. Riley, Ph. D., 
Principal of Normal Department and Professor 
of Languages; M. N. Kimball, Assistant in 
Business and Normal Departments, and Teacher 
of Arithmetic and Business Penmanship; Mrs. 
Clara E. Bartholomew, Assistant in the Normal 
Department; Prof Christian Dahl (late Di- 
rector of St. Thomas Governmental College), 
Teacher of French, German, Spanish and the 
Ancient Languages; Miss Emma C. Ervin (late 
of Central College of Eclectic Short-Hand, Chi- 
cago), Teacher of Short-Hand, Type-writing 
and Correspondence; Mrs. J. C. Bainbridge, 
Teacher of Voice and Piano; Prof. Chas. Iley- 
wood, late of King's College, England, Vocal 
Music; F. O. Young, Expert Teacher of Plain 
and Ornamental Penmanship, Lettering and En- 
grossing; C. A. Neale, Teacher of Flute and 
Piccolo; Miss Louise Kaibel, Teacher of Violin, 
and Miss Mamie W. Bainbridge, Teacher of 
Elocution. 

The Business Course includes book-keeping, 
commercial arithmetic, commercial law, busi- 



14(3 



HISTORY OB SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ness writing, grammar, letter writing, spell- 
ing and defining, thus conbining both theory 
and practice. Then there is a course in actual 
business, in which one is carried through all the 
details and formalities of actual business life, 
to facilitate which elegant offices are placed in 
the department, each being furnished with a 
complete and costly set of books. These include 
real estate and insurance office, transportation 
office, bank, etc. 

In the Normal Department there is a two- 
years' course in the English branches and also a 
teachers' review course, to aid teachers in the 
preparation for their examinations. The Short- 
Hand Department is very complete, the system 
adopted— namely, EcleL-tic short-hand — being 
considered the best. A Telegraphy Depart- 
ment, under a competent instructor, has been 
recently added. The Musical Department is 
one of peculiar excellence. It is under the di- 
rect management and control of Mrs. Bain- 
bridge, assisted in the culture of the voice by 
Frof. Chas. Hey wood, who is well known as one 
of the most distinguished vocalists and musi- 
cians on the continent. This department is about 
to develop, in the hands of Mrs. Bainbridge, 
into the Bainbridge Conservatory of Music, 
modeled somewhat after the type of the cele- 
brated Boston Conservatory of Music. 

To conclude, we may say that the rates of 
tuition are very reasonable, and all the arrange- 
ments are carefully made. 

THE CALIFORNIA MUSEUM ASSOCIATION, THK E. B. 

CROCKER ART GALLERY, AND THE LADIEs' 

MUSEUM ASSOCIATION. 

Judge E. B. Crocker, who died in Sacramento, 
June, 1875, was one of the pioneers of Califor- 
nia; coming from the East in 1852, he located in 
Sacramento and entered upon tiie practice of 
the law. He became eminent in his profession, 
and was appointed to the chief justicesliip of 
the Supreme Bench, where he served with dis- 
tinction. There were born to him in Sacramento 
a large family of daughters. 

After his retiracy from the bencli he became 



attorney for the Central Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany. On giving up active work in his profes- 
sion, he, witii his family, made a tour of Europe. 
Possessed of artistic tastes and intense love of 
the beautiful, he had not the opportunities in 
California, of course, to cultivate them b}' ob- 
servation of the best masters of the established 
schools of art. Having amassed a fortune, he 
resolved to expend a goodly portion of it in 
works of art. ?le therefore purchased, while in 
Europe, a large collection of paintings, mainly 
of the German schools. Some, however, were 
of the Italian, and some of great value because 
of their age and tiie eminence of the artists. 

On his return to California he also patronized 
local artists liberally — both landsca])e and por- 
trait painters. He then proceeded, at the corner 
of Second and O streets, adjoining his beautiful 
residence, to erect an art gallery, whicli was 
completed after several years' labor and the ex- 
penditure of a very large sum of money. Just 
what the building cost, no one knows; but the 
lowest estimates place the expenditure — by the 
Judge, and after his death by his widow — at not 
less than $200,000. The building is fire-proof, 
splendidly lighted, and finished in the best style 
of modern architecture and embellishment. It 
occupies spacious grounds, terraced and set with 
semi-tropical plants and rare shrubs and flowers. 
It is a massive building, 122 feet in length by 
sixty-two feet in width. It has three floors. 
The basement was originally intended as a rec- 
reation room and hall; the second floor for 
offices, museum and library; and the third for 
the art gallery. The second and third floors are 
finished in the highest style of architecture, and 
frescoed with an elaborateness not to be found 
anywhere else in the State. All the wood-work 
is heavy, richly carved and French polished, 
while the glass is all cut, and delicately etched 
in tine designs; and the floors are laid in Roman 
tiling. That of the museum his widow subse- 
quently laid in fancy woods in ornamental de- 
signs. The art gallery consists of a vestibule, a 
main hall, and the east, west and south halls. 
In these halls are hung the collection of virtu. 






k.i ^JiJ i 




E. B. CROCKER ART GALLERY. 



HTSTOMY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



consisting of over 700 oil pastel paintings, 
including in their number Thomas Hill's cele- 
brated landscape of Yosemite, the largest ever 
executed, and works from those of Tintoretto, 
Gnido, Vandyke, etc., down to the floral color- 
ing of Charles Nahl. In the library, on the 
second floor. Judge Crocker collected 3,000 
studies, from eminent artists in all parts of the 
world, and some of the finest examples of litho- 
graphic work and of the engraver's art. One 
great value of this gallery is its magnificent 
collection of portraits of men of California. 

By the death of Judge Crocker the property 
passed to his widow, Mrs. Margaret E. Crocker, 
who for many years held it as a sacred trust and 
a monument to his memory. It was the inten- 
tion of the Judge not to have seque.stered his 
valuable collection of paintings, which is esti- 
mated to be worth not less than $400,000, but 
to have made it a means of cultivating the art 
tastes of his fellow citizens. His widow con- 
ceived it to be her duty to promote the same 
object. It was alway.* open, therefore, at proper 
hours, to proper persons for inspection, and was 
very often thrown open to the general pulilic 
for charitable purposes. 

On December 5, 1884, a number of gentlemen 
met and formed an association of a scientific 
character, naming it " The California Museum 
Association," its purposes being to foster art, 
science, mechanics, literature, the development 
of the resources of the State and the encourage- 
ment of social intercourse among the patrons; 
also to establish a repository for the collection 
and exhibition of natural curiosities, scientific 
objects, antiquities, etc. The association was 
very modest in its beginning, having about 
twenty members and holding private meetings, 
at which papers were read for a few weeks. 

In January it had attained such courage and 
favor that it resolved to erect a hall for its own 
and public uses. To secure a fund as a nucleus, 
it proposed an art loan exhibition, and called a 
meeting of ladies to aid it to that end. Mrs. 
Margaret E. Crocker, the widow of Judge 
('rocker, learning of the association and of its 



endeavors, and being foremost in all good works 
and charities in Sacramento — known indeed as 
" Sacramento's Lady Bountiful," her money be- 
ing represented in nearly every church, charity 
and local good work of the city — sent word to 
the association that, if it pleased, the E. B. 
Crocker Art Gallery was at its disposal for the 
purpose of holding the said exhibition. The 
proffer was accepted, and in March, 1885, the 
immense building was filled with the strangest 
collection of curiosities of the pioneer era, of 
art, science, antiquity, discovery and of handi- 
work, contributed by the citizens of Sacramento 
and of San Francisco. From the latter place, 
contributions were made by the Alaska Fur 
Company, Mr. Irving M. Scott, Alexander Bad- 
lam, and many ladies of the city. The exhibi- 
tion continued for more than two weeks, and 
was, from the outset, a financial and social suc- 
cess, attracting attention from all parts of the 
State. In its midst Mrs. Crocker called the 
president of the association, David Lubin, and 
stated that it was her desire to present the gal- 
lery and all its collection of paintings, furniture, 
etc., to the association. When the announce- 
ment was made to the public, it was received 
with universal expressions of gratitude and love 
toward the donor. The association, however, 
deemed it wise to accept the property only upon 
the self-imposed condition that the citizens 
would raise a fund of $100,000 to be perma- 
nently invested for the maintenance of the gal- 
lery. While this fund was being gathered, it 
was found to be difficult to accumulate the entire 
amount in so small a community, on short notice. 
The society therefore proposed to Mrs. Crocker 
that if she would transfer the property to the 
City of Sacramento and make the association a 
co-tenant with the city, it would not be neces- 
sary to raise the $100,000. To this she kindly 
acceded. The pulse of the people was felt, and 
they were found willing to accept the trust. 
The association thereupon incorporated, March 
20, 1885, and Mrs. Crocker made a deed of the 
valuable property to the city, stipulating that it 
should be managed and controlled by a joint 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



board of the city and the association — the mayor 
representing the city, and the Board of Directors 
representing the association, each corporation 
liaving hut one vote. It was provided, also, 
that the association might forever use the prop- 
erty for the purposes of its work as heretofore 
outlined. 

The mnniticence of this gift and its unselfish 
character, together with the previous establish- 
ment of an Old Ladies' Home and its generous 
endowment by Mrs. Crocker, and her acts of 
benevolence in the community, led the people 
as by spontaneity to proffer her a testimonial. 
It took the fortn of a grand Floral Festival, held 
in May, 1885, at which 3,000 school children 
made floral offerincrs to Mrs. Crocker, and the 
great Pavilion of the State Agricultural Society 
— the largest public building in the State of 
California — was almost filled upon its lower 
floor with magnificent floral tributes. These 
ranged from a modest bouquet to spacious 
churches and towers and enormous allegorical 
designs, constructed entirely of flowers. Some 
of these structures cost as high as $500. The 
floral offerings came from all parts of the State, 
as far south as Los Angeles, and as far north as 
Shasta. Rich and poor, all churches, fraterni- 
ties and societies, all classes of people and of all 
creeds, thronged the hall; and on the evening 
of the festival the lowest estimate placed the 
number present at 15,000 people, who witnessed 
the ceremony of delivering the keys of the gal- 
lery and of acceptance of the trust. To no other 
female citizen in American history has such a 
rich tribute ever been paid. 

On that evening, after the mayor had received 
the keys of the Art Gallery, the citizens of 
Sacramento presented to Mrs. Crocker a beauti- 
ful oaken casket, made from timber taken from 
that historical relic, Sutter's Fort. Within it 
were two volumes, one bound in velvet and 
gold, and one in silver and velvet. The first 
contained pages reciting the history of her 
benefactions, the gift of the art gallery and the 
floral festival, executed in the finest style of 
fanciful typographic art. Each page was illumi- 



nated by hand decoration in water colors by 
various artists and amateurs. The second volume 
contained a full account of all the matters lead- 
ing up to the event, with copies and extracts of 
press expression, from journals all the way from 
New York to San Francisco. 

The Museum Association immediately entered 
upon its work in the Art Gallery. Its first step 
was to organize the Sacramento School of De- 
sign, Messrs. Weinstock & Lubin contributing 
|1,000 for the purchase of the necessary casts 
and paraphernalia. The school was opened in 
January, 1886, and has ever since continued. 
It is at once the pride of the city and a means 
of cultivating art and festhetic taste, and of de- 
veloping art genius. In the three years of its 
existence it has taught over 200 pupils. Its 
sessions continue during eight months of the 
year, and it draws its pupils from Northern and 
Central California and from Oregon. Of course 
such an institution could not be expected at first 
to be put upon a paying basis. All such efforts 
grow to maturity and do not spring into ex- 
istence. The measure of success with which 
the School of Design has met has fully realized 
expectation. 

The Museum Association, during the Loan 
Exhibition referred to, secured in Sacramento a 
large number of life members. Subsequently 
in San Francisco it secured a still larger num- 
ber. The revenue derived from these two 
sources and from the dues of a small number of 
dues-paying members, and from admission fees 
to the gallery on those days when a fee is re- 
quired, and voluntary contributions by the gen- 
erous and public-spirited, constitute the means 
of its support; but they have been inadequate, 
simply because the jnirposes of the association 



are so varied and far-reachins:, and in its infai 



cy 



so much needed to be done. The most of its 
activity has been absorbed by the School of De- 
sign. It has, however, not neglected its other 
purposes. It has given to the people several 
lecture courses, art exhibitions and general en- 
tertainments. It has made the beginning of a 
collection in natural history, and has already a 



UISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



very valuable herbarium. Its present purpose 
is to actively push the scientitic and natural 
history branches of its work. It has received 
some very valuable gifts of minerals and natural 
curiosities from Californians and from citizens 
of other States. It has spent nearly $1,000 in 
support of its School of Design in excess of the 
income of the school, and has now advanced it 
to a paying basis. 

In connection with the Board of Trustees of 
the City of Sacramento, it applied to the Legis- 
lature of 1887 for the custody of the State's 
Mineral Cabinet, heretofore located in the State 
Capitol. The Legislature passed an act author- 
izing the Governor to appoint three trustees to 
take possession of said cabinet and locate it in 
the E. B. Crocker Art Gallery, without expense 
to the State, that it might be more readily 
viewed by the people. Governor Bartlett ap- 
pointed three directors of the Museum Associa- 
tion for that purpose. The cabinet, in 1887, 
was therefore removed to the lower floor of the 
gallery. The State Mineralogist, Mr. Irelan, 
consented to his assistant, Dr. Schneider, being 
detailed to re-classify the cabinet. When that 
was done, its trustees, through their secretary, 
Dr. George Pyburn, began its arrangement in 
the cases, and the work was completed December 
26, 1888, and thrown open to the public on 
Thursday, December 27. The State retains its 
property title in the cabinet, but its custody is 
as stated, and makes a valuable addition to the 
E. B. Crocker Art Gallery. The valuable col- 
lection of minerals and natural history exhibits 
and curiosities of an earlier association, known 
as the Agassiz Institute, has been given to the 
Museum Association, and is now in the Gallery. 

The School of Design occupies the middle 
floor of the building and the library room, and 
unquestionably its situation is the finest in the 
world devoted to such a purpose. The rooms 
are most richly embellished, and architecturally 
are a delight to the eye, while the outlook from 
the windows is upon beautiful foliage and flowers 
and grassy lawns and other pleasant views. The 
pupils also enjoy all the advantage of study and 



comparison afforded by tlie beautiful gallery 
above them. 

In September, 1888, the association was the 
happy recipient of five exquisite works in stat- 
uary purchased in Italy by Mr. David Lubin, 
and by him presented to tiie association. It 
will thus be seen that the society is gradually 
accumulating and progressing in the direction 
of its original purpose. 

The gallery is open to the public free on 
Wednesdays, Saturday afternoons and Sunday 
afternoons. On all other days an admission fee 
of ten cents is charged, but to the Mineral Cab- 
inet Department there is no admission fee. The 
city pays the cost of the necessary repairs, the 
watchman, the gardener and the custodian; but 
for the first two Mrs. Crocker, whose property 
adjoins, pays half the charge — another evidence 
of that lady's generosity. 

In October, 1888, the association conceived 
the idea — since it had never called upon the 
citizens of Sacramento to contribute to its aid, 
except in the exhibition of 1885 — of giving a 
second loan exhibition. The ladies of the city, 
prominent among whom were the wives and 
daughters of members of the association, re- 
solved to aid it. They therefore organized what 
is known as — 

The Ladies' Museum Association of Sacra- 
mento. — In two months' time the association, 
with Mrs. Mayor Gregory at its head, Mrs. 
William Ingram, Jr., Secretary, and Mrs. A. 
Bonheim as Treasurer, numbered 138 members, 
and offered to take hold of the enterprise for 
another loan exhibition, and this is now (Janu- 
ary, 1889,) under way. This auxiliary associa- 
tion is intended to be a permanent society, to 
interest the ladies in the work of the parent as- 
sociation, and also to foster social intercourse 
between the members and encourage such edu- 
cational work as comes within their scope. 

The officers of the California Museum Asso- 
ciation, at this writing (January, 1889), are: 
Hon. Christopher Green, President; J. A. 
Woodson, Vice-President; Fred E. Ray, Secre- 
tary; James I. Felter, Treasurer. Directors — 



HISTORY OF' SACRAMENTO UOUNTT. 



Mrs. Margaret E. Crocker (life), Hon. Newton 
Booth, C. E. Grunskj, Dr. George Pjbiirn, 
Joseph Steffens, David Liibin, with tlie above- 
named officers. The Board of Joint Control 
consists of the above named and His Honor, 
Eugene J. Gregory, the mayor, representing the 
municipality of Sacramento. The Board of 
Trustees of the State's Mineral Cabinet referred 
to are: Mayor Gregory, Cliairman; Dr. George 
Pjburn, Secretary, and J. A. Woodson; these 
are appointed by the State. The former presi- 
dents of the association have been David 
Lubin and Hon. Newton Booth. The custodian 
of the gallery and the chief art instructor in 
the School of Design is W. F. Jackson. 

THE STATE LIBRARY. 

The lirst active step toward the formation of 
a State library was taken by the Legislature of 
1850, in directing that the scattered books be- 
longing to the State be collected and placed in 
the custody of the Secretary of State, who 
should also serve as State Librarian. No very 
considerable additions were made to this collec- 
tion until 1856, when 3,500 standard law books 
were purchased, at a cost of about $17,000; in 
1860 the library comprised 20,000 volumes; in 
1870, 25,000; in 1880, 50,000, and now there 
are about 70,000. 

The library consists of two departments, law 
and miscellaneous. The law library-room, 30x35 
feet and 20 leet high, is chock-full of books 
from floor to ceiling, and much more space is 
needed. Complete sets of law reports, and 
almost complete sets of the statutes of England, 
Ireland and Scotland, and nearly all the colonial 
possessions of Great Britain, and also of the 
States and Territories of our own country, cover- 
ing a period of si.x centuries, are in this collec- 
tion. Thevolumes in this department now num- 
ber about 20,000. 

The main room, for miscellaneous books, is 
circular in form, being about sixty feet in diam- 
eter and two stories high. Many magnificent 
paintings are to be seen in this department. It 
is almost completely surrounded by alcoves. 



There is here also a medical library of consider- 
able proportions. 

Although this is not a circulating library, 
books may be taken from it by the members of 
the Legislature during session, and by State 



ivih 



officers at any time; and this pi 

Usually been e.\tended by the trustees also to the 



medical profession and the ch 



■■gy 



in th 



i city. 



The State library is supported from two 
sources: P''irst, a system of exchanges with 
other libraries; and, secondly, the fees paid to 
the Secretary of State, amounting to several 
hundred dollars per month. It is under the 
control of a board of five trustees, elected by the 
Legislature in joint convention, and holding 
their office for a term of four years, serving 
without pay. They appoint a librarian who 
serves at a salary of $3,000 per annum, and is 
ex officio secretary of the board. He in turn 
may appoint two deputies. The State Libra- 
rians have been: W. C. Stratton, R. 0. Cravens, 
twelve years, and Talbot H. "Wallis since 1882; 
and the present deputies are G. T. Clark and 
F. F. Freeman. 

THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

As early as 1857 the Sacramento Libi-ary 
Association was organized, and under their 
auspices a good library was formed, which, not- 
withstanding losses by fire, increased in size. 
In 1872 a building on I street, between Seventh 
and Eighth, was erected and furnished at a total 
cost of about $17,500. Of this amount $11,- 
500 was raised by a gift enterprise, and $(),000 
borrowed on a mortgage. 

Notwithstanding the advantages ofl'ered by 
the association, its subsequent career was not as 
prosperous as was desirable, and in 1879 the 
directors ofl'ered the property to the city, to be 
maintained as a free library, the city assuming 
the debt. The question was submitted to the 
citizens at the March election, and was carried. 
As soon as possible the library was re-catalogued 
and arranged, and on June 15 following was 
opened as a free public library, with 6,067 vol- 
umes on its shelves. It now contains over 14,- 



HISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



000 volumes, including many valuable and costly 
works. On the tables of the reading-rooms are 
to be'lbund the leading papers of the State and of 
the Union, besides representative foreign jour- 
nals and periodicals, the whole number taken 
being over 200. 

Books may be drawn free for home use by 
any resident of the city, upon obtaining the re- 
"Huired permit. 

Since the library became the property of the 
city it has been supported by public tax, and 
been under the control of a Board of Trustees 
elected by the people. The following have 
served as Library Trustees: Judge S. C. Den- 
son, William H. Mills, William C. Fitch, Sam- 
uel Howard Gerrish, Add. C. Hinkson, Mrs. G. 
W. Hancock, MiiS Georgiana Brewster, Albert 
Dart, Kirke White Brier, Francis Le Noir, A. 
S. Hopkins and L. E. Smith. Mrs. Hancock 
and Mr. Brier died while holding the office, and 
Messrs. Mills, Dart and Le Noir resigned while 
serving. The present board is composed of 
William C. Fitch, President; Add. C. Hinkson, 
Vice-President; A. S. Hopkins, L. E. Smith 
and S. H. Gerrish, Secretaries. The last two 
mentioned have served continuously from the 
date of the establishment of the Free Library to 
the present time. The executive staff consists 
of the librarian and the assistant librarian, who 
at present are Miss Caroline G. Hancock and 
Mr. Lauren W. Ripley. 

THE ODD fellows' LIBRARY, 

in their temple at Ninth and K streets, now 
contains about 5,000 volumes. It is a circulating 
library for all members of the order in good 
standing and their families, and is open from 7 
to 9 o'clock every evening during the week, and 
from 2 to 4 p. m. every Sunday. On the ledger 
are enrolled 559 names, and an average of about 
500 books are taken out per month. The library 
is supported from the proceeds of picnics, espe- 
cially the annual picnic, and by donations from 
most of the lodges. 

The room and alcoves are conveniently ar- 
ranged, and the spare places are adorned with 



appropriate paintings and photographs of past 
ofHcers. Helen A. Benteen has been the libra- 
rian since September, 1883. 

MUNICIPAL. 

During the month of July, 1849, the first 
movement was made toward the organization of 
a municipal governtnent for Sacramento. Of 
the movements in Territorial days looking to 
the formation of a city government, Dr. Morse, 
in his history of Sacramento — the first work of 
the kind written — gives the following account: 

PpiMAKY GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION. 

" The population was rapidly increasing, and 
a desire for some more fixmiliar or Americanized 
government began to receive considerable favor. 
Accordingly, in tiie latter part of July, 1849, 
an election for town councilmen was held at the 
St. Louis Exchange, on Second street, between 
1 and J. The result was the election of John 
P. Rodgers, H. E. Robinson, P. B. Cornwall, 
William Stout, E. F. Gillespie, Thomas F. Chap- 
man, M. T. McClelland, A. M. Winn and B. 
Jennings. On the 2d day of August following, 
the first six gentlemen on the list met at the 
same place and organized by making William 
Stout, President, and J. H. Harper, Clerk. The 
first business coming before the council was the 
preparation of a constitution defining the duties 
of the council and for the general government 
of the city. On August 25, A. M. Winn was 
elected president of the body in place of Stout, 
who was absent. 

"On the 20th of September an election was 
held at the St. Louis Exchange, for the adoption 
or rejection of a city charter, which had been 
prepared by the forementioned council. Prior 
to the election of these councilmen, there was no 
law or government which was not merely nomi- 
nal in its character. The only tribunal was an 
alcalde's court, in which justice was dispensed 
with such dispatch and enormous costs that 
little attention was paid to litigation. Under 
this regime the people became eminently given 
to minding their own business and avoiding 



UISTOKY OF SAGRAMENTO COUNTY. 



those legal collisions that are so geiierall)' un- 
satisfjing in their results. Consequently, when 
this movement was inade to organize a city 
goveniment, a i-pirit of o|)])(ii-ition began to 
nianiicst itself iuuong those who took a little 
leisure lo think of niatttrs that were notdirectly 
connected with ihcir hiii^intv^s^. The opjjosition 
principally emanated Ironi tiie votaries ol gam- 
ing. Hence, when the election came on, the 
result was much different from what was antici- 
pated by the officials of the city. Upon can- 
vassing the votes it was discovered that the 
charter had been defeated by a majority of 116 

Vl)tCS. 

■• To the president of the council, who took 
a deep and lively interest in the new dispen- 
sation of things, this defeat was both unexpected 
and mortifying. lie had exerted himself with 
a martyr's zeal to imbue the people with a proper 
conception of their wants and the prospective 
benetit of a city government, and while reposing 
upon a platform of conjectured success, he could 
not seem to understand the capricious and sin- 
gular phenomenon which this election evolved. 
In demonstration of this we invite the attention 
of our readers to the following proclamation, 
which, emanating from the president of the 
council, makes a most pathetic yet most com- 
promising appeal to the sovereign people as to 
'what they desire the council to do:' 

" Proclamation to the people of Sacramento City 
by order of the President and Council: 
" On the Ist day of August, 1849, we were 
elected councilmen of this city, and our powers 
or duties were not defined. On the 13th of 
September following we presented to you a 
charter for your consideration, which you have 
seen lit to reject by a majority of 146 votes. 
Since then we have been unable to determine 
what the good people of this city desire us to 
do, and l)eing Republicans in principle, and 
having every confidence in the ability of the 
people to govern tiiemselves, we again recpiest 
the residents of Saer:unontoCity tonieet at theSt. 
Louis I<Aili:inL;r, at 7:i30 o'ckick, on Wednesday 
evening, Octdl.er lU, 1S41I, then and there to 
declare what they wish the council to do. If 
you wish us to act under the Mexican laws now 



in force, however inapplicable they may be to 
our condition, then we must do the best we can; 
if you have objection to particular features of 
the charter, then strike out the objectionable 
features, and insert such as you desire. The 
health and safety of our city demand immediate 
action on your part, for in our primitive con- 
dition, iUid in the absence ot legislative authority, 
we can in fact be of no service to ymi without 
your confidence and consent. 

"Signed by A. M. Winn, President, and six 
councilmen." 

This proclamation stirred up tiie peojile, and 
an organization in favor of a charter was ellccted. 
At a subsequent election the charter party won 
by 296 majority. The charter adopted was 
slightly different from the one originally sub- 
mitted, but still it was not altogether satisfac- 
tory. In December a public meeting was held 
at the horse-market, and a committee appointed 
to draft amendments. The amended charter 
was afterward adopted by the people, and, with 
slight changes, was jiassed into a law by the 
first Legislature. 



Till': e^HAIiTKK liV THI' 



[RST LEeHSLATUUE. 



On February 27, 1850, the first Legislature 
passed an act to incorporate Sacramento City, 
the boundaries of which were defined as follows: 

All that tract of land lying within the follow- 
ing boundaries: J5eginning at the junction of 
the American Fork with the Sacramento River; 
thence down said Sacrameitto River to Y street, 
as designated on the map or plan of Sacramento 
City on file in the Recorder's office in said city; 
t^ience along said Y street east to the point 
where said Y street intersects Thirty-first street 
as designated on said map; thence along the said 
Thirty-first street until the same intersects the 
American Fork; thence along the American 
Fork to the place of beginning, the eaid bound- 
aries extending to the middle of Sacruinentt) 
River imd American Fork. 

The act provided that for the government of 
the city there sliould be a mayor, a recorder and 
a council of nine members, one of whom should 
be elected president. It further provided that 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



153 



on the 30th day after the passage of the act a 
city election should be held for the selection of 
the first othcers, to wit: A mayor, recorder, nine 
coiuicilinen, city marshal, city attorney, assessor 
and treasurer. After the first election the offi- 
cers mentioned were to be elected on the first 
Monday in May in each year, and in case of a 
vacancy a special election should be ordered by 
the council to fill the same. The mayor was 
clothed with cciir)plete executive power; the re- 
corder performed the duties now incumbent on 
the police judge, and the marshal those now 
performed by the chief of police and city col- 
lector. The common council was given power 
to create the ofiices of city collector, harbor- 
master, and such other offices as might become 
necessary. 

On March 13, 1850, the same Legislature 
passed an amendatory act providing that, on the 
first Monday of April following, a city election 
should be held to fill the offices created by the 
charter, making it fall on the same day with the 
first county election. The officers then chosen 
were to hold until the first Monday of May, 
1851. This amendment did not affect any ex- 



cept the first election. 



On April 10, 1850, an 
act was passed providing for the appointment 
by the Governor of a port warden lor the port 
of Sacramento. 

THE GOVERNOR DISAGREES WITH THE LEOISLATIRE. 

The second Legislature passed a new charter 
for Sacramento City, and it became a law on 
March 26, 1851, by operation of the time, and 
without the approval of the Executive. 

Governor McDougal said of it: " The within 
bill is regarded as oppressive and extraordinary 
in many of its features, but not regarding it as 
infringing any particular principle of the con- 
stitution, and as it is the act of the representa- 
tives of Sacramento County, and presuming it 
to be the wish of the people of Sacramento City, 
I-permit it to become a law, by the operation of 
time, without approving or returning it to the 
body in which it originated." 

This act provided that the then existing gov- 



ernment should continue in office until the elec- 
tion of the officers provided for in the new 
charter. The council was to divide the city 
into three wards, from each of which three 
councilmen vi&tq to be elected. It provided, in 
addition to officers then existing, for the election 
by the people of a harbormaster. Vacancies 
were to be filled by special election, unless one 
should occur within sixty days of a regular an- 
nual election, when it was to 1)6 filled by the 
council. The first election under the act was 
to take place on the first Monday of May follow- 
ing, for officers to hold until the first Monday 
of April, 1852. All subsequent city elections 
were to be held on the first Monday of April in 
each year. The matter of salaries was leff with 
the council, Init they were not permitted to fix 
the salary of any officer over §3,000, except the 
mayor or recorder, where the limit was placed 
at 85,000. 

April 26, 1853, a law was passed providing 
for the levy of a special tax of one-fourth of one 
per cent., for the support of the free common 
schools, to be expended under the direction of a 
Board of Trustees, consisting of one from eacli 
ward, to be annually appointed by the council. 
On March 31, 1855, a law was passed striking 
the harbormaster from the list of elective offi- 
cers. The salaries were fixed as follows: Mayor, 
$2,000; recorder, $4,000; marshal, $3,000; dep- 
uty city marshal, $1,500; city attorney, $2,000; 
treasurer, $1,500; superintendent of tbe water- 
works, $2,000; assessor, $1,500; recorder's clerk, 
$1,500; each policeman, $125 per month. In 
case of death, sickness or absence of the re- 
corder, the mayor was to attend to the duties 
of that office also. It was provided that at 
the next subsequent election there should be 
chosen a superintendent of common schools, 
and two school commissioners from each ward, 
who, with the superintendent, should constitute 
the School Board. 

April 2, 1856, an act was passed to regulate 
the fire department. It provided for the elec- 
tion of officers and the regulation of the depart- 
ment generally. 



lIISroitY OF SAOHAMENTO COUNTY. 



CONSOLIDATION OF TIIK (UTV AND COUNTY OOV- 
KKNMKNTS. 

On April 24, 1858, a law was enacted to con- 
solidate the government of the city and county. 
The Hoard of Supervisors was given the power 
wiiich iiad been vested in the council. On the 
first Monday of May following live supervisors 
were to be elected, to hold office until October 
5, 1858. Tiiere was also, at the same time, to 
be elected a president of the board, to continue 
in office until the general election in 1859, the 
term of office to be thereafter two years. After 
the first Monday of October, 1858, the board 
was to consist of a president and eight members, 
and the members were to be elected at the gen- 
eral election in that year — four to hold office 
for two years and four for one year. After the 
first election the term was to be for two years. 
At the general election in 1859, and every two 
years thereafter, there were to be elected the 
(itiier officers, who were to perform duty both 
for the county and city. The president of the 
board was to be ex qficlo mayor of the city, and 
superintendent of the streets and water-works. 
The then county officers were required to per- 
form such city duties as might be imposed upon 
them by the board, and the board was empow- 
ered to create and fill by apj)ointment the minor 
city offices. Some changes were also made in the 
government of the fire and school departments. 

I'ASSAOH OF THE I'RKSKNT CITY CIIAKTKIJ. 

On April 25, 1863, the Consolidation Act was 
repealed, and a new city charter passed. It 
provided that the government should be vested 
in a board of three trustees. The first trustee 
was to be ex officio mayor; the second, street 
commissioner, and the third, superintendent of 
the water-works. There should also be an au- 
ditor, assessor, collector, police judge, and such 
other officers as might beappointed by the board. 
The term of office of the trustees was made 
three years,' and that of the other officers two 
years. It was provided that on the tenth day 
after the passage of the acta city election should 
be held, at which the offices above designated 



should be tilled; and that annually thereafter, 
on the second Tuesday in March, city elections 
should be held. At the election in 18G4 there 
should be elected a third trustee, in 18G5 a 
second trustee, assessor, collector, auditor and 
judge, and in 18G6 a first trustc, to hold for 
the term indicated. A vacancy in the board 
was to be filled by a special election, and a va- 
cancy in any other office was to bj filled i)y ap- 
pointment by the board. Provision was also 
made for the fire and school departments. 

With the exception of a slight change in the 
boundaries of the city, and as to the time of 
election of officers other than members of the 
board, no change has since been made in the 
city charter. In 1872 a bill was jjussed creat- 
ing a paid fire department; another to provide 
a new system of water- works, and a third to re- 
organize the police force. 

THE FIRST .MAYOR ELECTED. 

The first city election under the new State 
Government was held April 1, 1850. In the 
issue of the Placer Times of March 16, A. M. 
Winn announced himself as a candidate for 
mayor, but on the 30th he published his with- 
drawal. One Joseph Grant was a candidate for 
mayor on the "Rancho" ticket, the advertise- 
ment of which in the newspapers ran as follows: 

Rancheros, to the Rescue! The enemy is in 
the field. Our bills have been mutilated and, 
in some instances, destroyed; but let not your 
" angry passions rise " in consequence of the 
indignity. Imitate, as far as in your power 
lies, the e.Kample of your leader. Keep cool, 
work hard and vote early. Remember that 
abuses and curses, like young chickens, " come 
home to roost." When once the votes are in 
the ballot-bo.x, no appeal can be taken. 

lIoMEBEES. 

RANCHO TICKET. 

Through by Daylight! 
[Then followed the city ticket.] 

KANCIIO TICICET FOR THE COUNTY. 

'• All's Well that Ends Well." 
[Here followed the county ticket, on whicii 
Judge W. C. Wallace was elected District Attor- 
ney, and the late Presley Dunlap, County Clerk.] 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



In speaking of the first city and county elec- 
tion, the Placer Times of April 6, 1850, said: 

>' Last Monday was a great day for Sacramento, 
so far as excitement and fun were concerned. 
Notwithstanding the conflicting interests and 
the multiplicity of candidates, there was little 
else manifested but good humor, and a disposi- 
tion to have a good time, whatever the result. 
Mr. Biglow was elected mayor by a handsome 
majority, considering the many organizations 
with which he had to contend. Without wish- 
ing to say anything detrimental to others, we 
must be allowed to express the opinion that Mr. 
B. will make an excellent officer. His interests 
are identified witli those of Sacramento, and to 
promote her advancement toward that impor- 
tance and greatness which she is destined to 
reach will be his constant aim. We should not 
speak so confidently did not our personal knowl- 
edge of the new mayor warrant us in so doing. 
The other city and county officers, we believe, 
are all good men, and we doubt not will attend 
to the duties of their respective offices with 
promptness and fidelity." 

The number of votes cast tor mayor was 2,576, 
of which Hardin Biglow had 1,521, Joseph 
Grant 432, Thomas J. Henley 511, P. K. Haight 
112, and forty-six scattering. On the 3d Grant 
filed a protest against the officers qualifying, 
upon the ground that fraud and irregularity had 
entered into the election, but it does not appear 
that any action was taken on his protest. Big- 
low immediately assumed office, and sent in an 
able message to the council. In the Squatter 
Riots of that year he was severely wounded, and 
before recovering was seized with cholera, and 
died at San Francisco, Kovember 27, 1850, at 
the age of forty-one. He was a native of Michi- 
gan, and was a man of exceeding courage and 
fine executive ability. After his death, the 
president of the council temporarily acted as 
mayor. 

THE MAYORS. 

A special election was held December 14 
1850, to choose a mayor. In the early part of 
the day of election there was no excitement, but 



as the day advanced, although the rain fell in 
torrents, the excitement became intense. Bands 
of music paraded the streets, and every effort 
was used by both parties to seciire the success 
of their candidate. Horace Smith (Whig) was 
elected by a vote of 933, to 805 for J. K. Ilar- 
denbergh (Democrat), 183 for James McCiatchy, 
25 for Wesley Merritt and 19 for Joseph Grant, 
independent candidates. 

On May 5, 1851, J. li. Hardenbergh (Demo- 
crat) was elected mayor by a vote of 1,264, to 
1,224 tor Joseph H. Xevett (Whig). On the 
day of election an extensive fire broke out 
in San Francisco, which destroyed §7,000,000 
worth of property. The excitement consequent 
on the reception of this intelligence somewhat 
dampened the ardor of the voters. 

On April 5, 1852, C. I. Hutchinson (Whig) 
defeated Hardenbergh (D.) by a vote of 1,450, 
to 1,234. This election was particularly excit- 
ing. Mass meetings were held at dift'erent points 
in the city, and there was no end to the mud- 
throwing. 

Hardenbergh was again successful, however, 
at the election on April 4, 1853, defeating his 
Whig opponent, W. H. McGrew, by a vote of 
2,046 to 1.382. On March 28 the Whig Con- 
vention had nominated Dr. Volney Spaulding 
for the office, but he declined, and on the 30th 
the nomination was given to McGrew. 

On April 3, 1854, R. P. Johnson (Whig) was 
elected by a vote of 1,798 over Colonel John P.. 
Hall (Dem.), who received 1,693. 

James L. English (American) was elected 
mayor on April 2, 1855, by a vote of 1,523, to 
504 for Hiram Arentz (Anti-American) and 78 
I for R. P. Johnson (Whig). The latter, a few 
days before the election, published a card of 
withdrawal. 

On April 7, 1856, B. B. Redding (Democrat) 
was chosen mayor by a vote of 1,743, to 1,654 
for L. B. Harris (American). 

J. P. Dyer (Democrat) was elected to the of- 
fice April 6, 1857, by a vote of 1,955, to 788 
for Dr. R. B. Ellis (People's Independent) and 
501 for George liowland (Republican). Dyer 



HISTORF OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



lield the office nntil tLe succession by the presi- 
dent of the Board of Supervisors, under tlie 
Consolidation Act. 

On May 3, 1858, Dr. H. L. Nichols (People's 
Independent) was elected president of the Board 
of Supervisors, by a vote of 3,584, to 1,877 for 
J. L. Craig (Democrat). 

William Shattuck (Lecompton Democrat) was 
elected president, September 7, 1859, by a vote 
of 3,233, to 2,802 for B. B. Redding (A. L- 
Democrat), and 5 for George Rowland (Repub- 
lican). 

On September4, 1861, Shattuckwas re-elected 
on the Douglas Democratic and Settlers' tickets) 
by a vote of 3,633, to 3,258 for C. H. Grimm 
(Republican), 14 for E. P. Figg (Breckenridge 
Democrat). 

Since the adoption of the present city charter, 
mayors have been elected as follows: 

May 5, 1863, Charles H. Swift (Union) by a 
vole of 1,640, over William Shattuck (Democrat), 
who received 742. 

March 13, 1866, Charles H. Swift (Union) by 
a vote of 1,321, to 915 for William F. Knox 
(Democrat). 

March 9, 1869, Charles II. Swift (Republi- 
can), by a vote of 1,232, to 749 for Archibald 
Heidey (Independent), and 71 for P. H. Russell 
(Democrat). The latter withdrew on the morn- 
ing of election in favor of Henley. 

March 12, 1872, Christopher Green (Repub- 
lican), by a vote of 1,629, to 1,245 for John Q. 
Brown (Democrat). 

March 9, 1875, Christopher Green (Republi- 
can), by a vote of 1,815, to 1,271 for John Q. 
Brown (Democrat and Independent). 

March 12, 1878, Jabez E. Turner (Working 
man), by a vote of 1,203, to 1,063 for James I. 
Felter (Republican), 1,056 for Hugh M. LaRue 
(Democrat), and 726 for Ezra Pearson (Work- 
ingnian). 

March 8, 1881, John Q. Brown (Democrat), 
by a vote of 1,925, to 1,704 for Christopher 
Green (Republican). 

March 11, 1884, John Q. Brown (Democrat), 
by a vote of 1,912, to 1,871 for Joseph Steffens 



(Republican), and 344 for Dr. A. B. Nixon 
(Prohibition). 

March 8, 1887, Eugene J. Gregory (Republi- 
can), by a vote of 3,202, to 1,283 for John Q. 
Brown (Democrat), and 39 for F. II. L. Weber 
(Prohibition). 

The total number of votes cast in the city at 
elections where mayors have been chosen is as 
follows: 1850,2,576; 1850 (December special), 
2,032; 1851,2,488; 1852,2,684; 1853,3,428; 
1854, 3,549; 1855, 2,095; 1856, 3,397; 1857, 
3,242; 1858, 3,344; 1859, 3,702; 1861, 4,150; 
1863, 2,426; 1866, 2.240; 1869, 2,439; 1872, 
2,960; 1875, 3,138; 1878, 4,060; 1881, 3,695; 
1884, 4,147; 1887, 4,527. 

DEAD AND LIVING THIEF MAGISTRATES. 

Most of the men who have tilled the office of 
chief magistrate of the city are dead. General 
Winn was prominently identified with the Odd 
Fellows, and afterward founded the Order of 
Native Sons of the Golden West. He died in 
Sonoma County, August 26, 1883. Biglow died 
of cholera, as stated above. Smith died at Vir- 
ginia City, Nevada, December 4, 1863. Hard- 
enbergh afterward removed to San Francisco, 
and filled several Federal offices. He died at 
East Oakland, May 30, 1885. Hutchinson was 
for many years a member of the insurance firm 
of Hutchinson & Mann, of San Francisco, and 
died there September 22, 1884. Johnson died 
at the Bay, May 1, 1886. Redding was after- 
ward Secretary of State, and for many years 
land agent of the railroad company. He died 
at San Francisco, August 21, 1882. Shattuck 
died at Newcastle, October 10, 1885. Swift 
was for years president of the Sacramento Bank, 
and died at San Francisco, July 15, 1885. With 
the exception of Dyer all of the balance are now 
residents of Sacramento. 

CITY OFFICERS. 

Following is a list of the officers of the city 
of Sacramento, from 1849 to 1881, inclusive: 

1849.— A. M. Winn, Mayor; the Alcalde, Re- 
corder; N. C. Cunningham, Marshal; William 



UISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



GlaBkin, City Clerk and Auditor; J. A. Tutt, 
Assessor; S. C. Hastings, Treasurer; B. Brown, 
Collector; Murray Morrison, City Attorney; 
R. J. Watson, Harbormaster. 

1850. — *Hardin Biglow, Mayor; -j-Horace 
Smith, Mayor; B. F. Washington, Recorder; 
N. C. Cunningham, Marshal; J. B. Mitchell, 
City Clerk and Auditor; J. W. Woodland, As- 
sessor; Barton Lee, Treasurer; E. B. Pratt, 
Collector; J. Neely Johnson, City Attorney; 
George W. Hammersley, Harbormaster. 

1851. — James R. Hardenbergh, Mayor; W. 
H. McGrew, Recorder; VV. S. White, Marshal; 
L. Curtis, Clerk and Auditor; Samuel McKee, 
Assessor; W. R. McCracken, Treasurer; W. S. 
White, Collector; J. Neely Johnson, City Attoi-- 
uey; John Requa, Harbormaster. 

1852.— C. I. Hutchinson, Mayor; W. H. Mc- 
Grew, Recorder; David McDowell, Marshal; 
Washington Meeks, City Clerk and Auditor; 
William Lewis, Assessor; R. Chenery, Treas- 
urer; D. McDowell, Collector; John G. Hyer, 
City Attorney; John Requa, Harbormaster; 
AV. A. Selkirk, Superintendent of Schools. 

1853. — J. R. Hardenbergh, Mayor; N.Greene 
Curtis, Recorder; W.S.White, Marshal; John 
A. Fowler, City Clerk and Auditor; Samuel T. 
Clymer, Assessor; C. J. Torbert, Treasurer; 
W. S. White, Collector; L. Landus, Jr., City 
Attorney; Gordon Backus, Harbormaster; LL 
J. Bidleman, Superintendent of Schools. 

1854. — R. P. Johnson, Mayor; N. Greene 
Curtis, Recorder; W. S. White, Marshal; T. A. 
Thomas, City Clerk and Auditor; E. C. Win- 
chfell, Assessdr; W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; 
N. A. H. Ball, Collector; W. Cyrus Wallace, 
City Attorney; Frank Harney, Harbormaster; 
H. W. Harkness, Superintendent of Schools. 

1855. — James L. English, Mayor; N. Greene 
Curtis, Recorder; James W. Haines, Marshal; 
W. E. Chamberlain, City Clerk and Auditor; 
Prescott Robinson, Assessor; John C. Barr, 
Treasurer; J. T. Knox, Collector; Horace Smith, 
City Attorney; James W. Haines, Harbormas- 

» Wounded in the Squatter Riots, and died of cholera before he re- 
covered from his injuries. 
t Elected to fill vacancy. 



ter; Frank Tukey (resigned), Superintendent of 
Schools; F. W. Hatch (to fill vacancy), Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

1856.— B. B. Redding, Mayor; W.W.Price, 
Recorder; Thomas McAl pin. Marshal; John F. 
Madden, City Clerk and Auditor; W. C. Felch, 
Assessor; W. M. Brainard, Treasurei ; JohnH. 
Houseman, Collector; Henry Starr, City Attor- 
ney; George C. Haswell, Harbormaster; F. W. 
Hatch, Superintendent of Schools. 

1857. — J. P. Dyer, Mayor; Presley Dunlap, 
Recorder; James Lansing, Marshal; John F. 
Madden, City Clerk and Auditor; Alex. Mont- 
gomery, Assessor; James H. Sullivan, Treas- 
urer; John H. Houseman, Collector; George R. 
Moore, City Attorney; George C. Haswell, Har- 
bormaster; J. G. Lawton, Superintendent of 
Schools. 

1858.— H. L. Nichols, President of the Board ; 
*Justice of the Peace, Police Judge ; J. P. Hardy, 
Marshal; J. B. Dayton, City Clerk and Auditor; 
E. B. Ryan, Assessor; Morg. Miller, Treasurer; 
W. S. Manlove, Collector; R. F. Morrison, City 
Attorney; Dan. H. Whepley, Harbormaster; G. 
L. Simmons, Superintendent of Schools. 

1859.— W. Shattuck, President of the Board; 
Justice of the Peace, Police Judge; J. J. Wat- 
son, Marshal; J. B. Dayton, City Clerk and 
Auditor; E. B. Ryan, Assessor; Morg. Miller, 
Treasurer; W. S. Manlove, Collector; R. F. 
Morrison, City Attorney; Dan. H. Whepley, 
Harbormaster; G. L. Simmons, Superintendent 
of Schools. 

I860.— W. Shattuck, President of the Board; 
Justice of the Peace, Police Judge; J. J. Wat- 
son, Marslial; Thomas Letson, City Clerk and 
Auditor; E. B. Ryan, Assessor; C. L. Bird, 
Treasurer; Sylvester Marshall, Collector; Cor- 
nelius Cole, City Attorney; Dan. H. Whepley, 
Harbormaster; F. W. Hatch, Superintendent of 
Schools. 

1861.— W. Shattuck, President of the Board; 
Justice of the Peace, Police Judge; J. J. Wat- 
son, Marshal; Thomas Letson, City Clerk and 

^"M^rom 1H58 to 186S the city and county wae coneolidnted, and man- 
agcd by ii Board of Supervisors, one of which was president of the 
board. During this period the three city justices of the peace were, 
iu rotation of a week each, police judge. 



nrSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Auditor; E. B. Ryan, Assessor; V. L. Bird, 
Treasurer; Sylvester Marshall, CdlKrtor; Cor- 
nelius Cole, City Attorney; (). W. Whitney, 
Harbormaster; U. Taylor, Superintendent of 
Schools. 

1862.— W. Shattnck, President of the Board; 
Thomas W. Gilmer, Police Judge; J. J. Wat- 
son, Marshal; Josiah Howell, City Clerk and 
Auditor; E. 13. liyan, Assessor; C. L. Bird, 
Treasurer; *James McDonald, Treasurer; B. 
N. Pugbey, Collector; *Samuel Smith, Collector; 
"W. W. Upton, City Attorney; G. W. Whitney, 
Harbormaster; (i. Taylor, Superintendent of 
Schools. 

1863.— C. II. Swift, First Trustee and Mayor; 
n. T. Holmes, Second Trustee; Josiah Johnson, 
Third Trustee; S. S. Holl, Police Judge; f J. T. 
Clark, Chief of Police; Benjamin Peart, City 
Auditor and Clerk; James E. Smith, Assessor; 
W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; James E.Smith, 
Collector; E. H. Heacock, City Attorney; N. A. 
Kidder, Harbormaster; G.Taylor, Superintend- 
ent of Schools. 

186-1:.— C. II. Swift, First Trustee and Mayor; 
H. T. Holmes, Second Trustee; Josiah Johnson, 
Third Trustee; S. S. Holl, Police Judge; F. T. 
Burke. Chief of Police; Benjamin Peart, City 
Auditor and Clerk; James E. Smith, Assessor; 
W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; James E. Smith, 
Collector; E. H. Heacock, City Attorney; N. 
A. Kidder, Harbormaster; W. II. Hill, Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

1865.— C. H. Swift, First Trustee and iMayor; 
S. D. Smith, Second Trustee; Josiah Johnson, 
Third Trustee; S. S. Holl, Police Judge; V. T. 
Burke, Chief of Police; C. C. Jenks, City Au- 
ditor and Clerk; John C. Halley, Assessor; Har- 
vey Caswell, Treasurer; D. A. De Merrit, Col- 
lector; E. H. Heacock, City Attorney; S. C. 
Hall, Harbormaster; W. H. Hill, Superintend- 
ent of Schools. 

NoTi- Till- ritr ;rin-ernmont was chanped on tho SOth of .\pril, 
l^i'f >' • ■ " 1 ir,i MU't and held their flret seesion on the let of 
M > vrr since being Rovornod by three trnetoes— the 

In-' in.sidentof the ooard and mayor; tho si-cond 

trii~i: . , -1. .1 . ,.]Minisyiouer; and tho tliird trustee, Huperiutendenl 



1866.— C. H. Swift, First Trustee and Mayor; 
S. D. Smith, Second Trustee; Josiah Johnson, 
Tliird Trustee; L. li. Foote, Police Judge; F. 
T. Burke, Chief of Police; C. C. Jenks, City 
Auditor and Clerk; John C. Halley, Assessor; 
Harvey Caswell, Treasurer; D. A. De Merrit, 
Collector; E. II. Heacock, City Attorney; N. 
A. Kidder, Harbormaster; W. H. Hill, Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

1867.— C.H.Swift, First Trustee and Mayor; 
S. D. Smith, Second Trustee; David Kendall, 
Thii-d Trustee; L. II. Foote, Police Judge; F. 
T. P.urke, Chief of Police; John McClintock, 
City Auditor and Clerk; E. R. Hamilton, As- 
sessor; W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; D. A. 
De Merrit, Collector; M. C. Tilden, City At- 
torney; N. A. Kidder, Harbormaster; W. II. 
Hill, Superintendent of Schools. 

1868.— C. II. Swift, First Trustee and Mayoi , 
John Rider, Second Trustee; David Kendall, 
Third Trustee; L. U. F'oote, Police Judge; B. 
W. Martz, Chief of Police; John McClintock, 
City Auditor and Clerk; E. R. Hamilton, As- 
sessor; W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; I). A. 
De Merrit, Collector; M. C. Tilden, City At- 
torney; William Young, Harbormaster; W. H. 
Hill, Superintendent of Schools. 

1869.— C. II. Swift, First Trustee and Mayor; 
John Rider, Second Trustee; *David Kendall, 
Third Trustee; L. II. Foote, Police Judge; B. 
AV^. Martz, Chief of Police; John McClintock, 
City Auditor and Clerk; W. T. Crowell, As- 
sessor; W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; A.Leon- 
ard, Collector; S. S. IIoll, City Attorney; 
William Young, Harbormaster; W. II. Hill, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1870.— C. II. Swift, First Trustee and Mayor; 
John Rider, Second Trustee; James McCleery, 
Third Trustee; A. Henley, Police Judge; George 
Smith, Chief of Police; John McClintock, City 
Auditor and Clerk; W. T. Crowell, Assessor; 
W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; A. Leonard, 
Collector; J. K. Alexander, City Attorney; 
AVilliam Young, Harbormaster; W. II. Hill, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

•Died before the expiriition of his term. 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



1871.— C. H. Swift, First Trustee and Mayor; 
John Rider, Second Trustee; James McCleery, 
Third Trustee; A. Henlej, Police Judge; George 
Smith, Chief of Police; John McClintock, City 
'Auditor and Clerk; S. S. Greenwood, Assessor; 
W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; H. Montfort, 
Collector; Charles T. Jones, City Attorney; 
William Youn^, Harbormaster; W. H. Bill, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1872. — Christopher Grten, First Trustee and 
Mayor; John Rider, Second Trustee; James 
McCleery, Third Trustee; T.W.Gilmer, Police 
Judge; Matt Karcher, Chief of Police; E. M. 
Stevens, Captain of Police; John McClintock, 
City Auditor and Clerk; S. S. Greenwood, As- 
sessor; W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; H. Mont- 
fort, Collector; M. C. Tilden, City Attorney; 
William Young, Harbormaster; S. C. Denson, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1873. — Christopher Green, First Trustee and 
Mayor; John Rider, Second Trustee; Horace 
Adams, Third Trustee; T. W. Gilmer, Police 
Judge; Matt Karcher, Chief of Police; E. M. 
Stevens, Captain of Police; John McClintock, 
City Auditor and Clerk; Fred. A. Shepherd, 
Assessor; W. T. Crowell, Collector; Samuel 
Poorman, Treasui'er; M. C. Tilden, City At- 
torney; William Young, Harbormaster; S. C. 
Denson, Superintendent of Schools. 

1874. — Ciiristopher Green, First Trustee and 
Mayor; W. F. Knox, Second Trustee; Horace 
Adams, Third Trustee; W. R. Cantwell, Police 
Judge; Matt Karcher, Chief of Police; E. M. 
Stevens, Captain of Police; John McClintock, 
City Auditor and Clerk; Fred. A. Shepherd, 
Assessor; W. T. Crowell, Collector; Samuel 
Poorman, Treasurer; W. R. Hinkson, City At- 
torney; William Young, Harbormaster and 
Health Officer; Add. C. Hinkson, Superintend- 
ent of Schools. 

1875. — Christopher Green, First Trustee and 
Mayor; W. F. Kno.x, Second Trustee; James 
McCleery, Third Trustee; M. S. Horan, Police 
Judge; E. M. Stevens, Chief of Police; P. L. 
Hickman, City Auditor and Clerk; Fred. A. 
Shepherd, Assessor; AV. T. Crowell, Collector; 



Samuel Poorman, Treasurer; W. A. Anderson, 
City Attorney; William Young, Harbormaster 
and Health Officer; A. C. Hinkson, Superin- 
tendent of Schools. 

1876. — Christopher Green, First Trustee and 
Mayor; W. F. Knox, Second Trustee; James 
McCleery, Third Trustee: M. S. Hdnm, Police 
Judge; E. M. Stevens, Chief uf Police; P. L. 
Hickman, City Auditor and Clerk; Fred. A. 
Shepherd, Assessor; W. T. Crowell, Collector; 
J. N. Porter, Treasurer; W. A. Anderson, City 
Attorney; A. Brewer, Harbormaster; A. C. 
Hinkson, Superintendent of Schools. 

1877. — Christopher Green, First Trustee and 
Mayor; W. F. Knox, Second Trustee; James 
McCleery, Third Trustee; Thomas Conger, Po- 
lice Judge; E. M. Stevens, Chief of Police; E. 
H. McKee, City Auditor and Clerk; Fred. A. 
Shepherd, Assessor; G. A. Putnam, Collector; 
J. N. Porter, Treasurer; W. A. Anderson, City 
Attorney; N. A. Kidder, Harbormaster; W. H. 
Baldwin, Health Officer; A. C. Hinkson, Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

1878.— Jabez Turner, First Trustee and 
Mayor; AV. F. Knox, Second Trustee; James 
McCleery, Third Trustee; Thomas Conger, Po- 
lice Judge; E. M. Stevens, Chfef of Police; E. 
H. McKee, City Auditor and Clerk; Fred. A. 
Shepherd, Assessor; G. A. Putnam, Collector; 
J. N. Porter, Treasurer; H. L. Buckley, City 
Attorney; N. A. Kidder, Harbormaster; A. C. 
Hinkson, Superintendent of Schools. 

1879.— Jabez Turner, First Trustee; W. F. 
Knox, Second Trustee; Josiah Johnson, Third 
Trustee; W. A. Henry, Police Judge; E. M. 
Stevens, Chief of Police; E. H. McKee, City 
Auditor and Clerk; Fred. A. Shepherd, Assessor; 
George A. Putnam, Collector: J. N. Porter, 
Treasurer; H. L. Buckley, City Attorney; N. 
A. Kidder, Harbormaster; William Young, 
Health OtHcer; F. L. Laiides, Superintendent 
of Schools. 

1880.— Jabez Turner, First Trustee and 
Mayor; Jerome C. Davis, Second Trustee; 
Josiah Johnson, Third Trustee; AV. A. Henry, 
Police Judge; Matt Kaicher, Chief of Police; 



HISTOHT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



E. H. McKee, City Auditor and Clerk; Fred. 
A. Siiepherd, Assessor; George A. Putnam, Col- 
lector; W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; W. A. 
Anderson, City Attorney; N. A. Kidder, Har- 
bormaster; F. T. Phillips, Health Officer; F. L. 
Landes, Superintendent of Schools. 

1881. — John Q. Brown, First Trustee and 
Mayor; *Jerome C. Davis, Second Trustee; Jo- 
siah Johnson, Third Trustee; W. A. Henry, Po- 
lice Judge; Matt Karcher, Chief of Police; E. 
H. McKee, City Auditor and Clerk; Fred. A. 
Shepherd, Assessor; George A. Putnam, Col- 
lector; W. E. Chamberlain, Treasurer; "W. A. 
Anderson, City Attorney; N. A. Kidder, Har- 
bormaster; George R. Martin, Health Officer; 

F. L. Landes, Superintendent of Schools. 
1882.— John Q. Brown, First Trustee and 

Mayor; John Ryan, Second Trustee; William 
Gutenberger, Third Trustee; W. A. Henry, Po- 
lice Judge; E. H. McKee, City Auditor and 
Clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, Assessor; George A. 
Putnam, Collector; W. A. Anderson, Attorney; 
J. R. Laine, Superintendent of Schools. 

1883. — John Q. Brown, First Trustee and 
Mayor; John Ryan, Second Trustee; William 
Gutenberger, Third Trustee; W. A. Henry, Po- 
lice Judge; E. H. McKee, City Auditor and 
Clerk; Fred A. Shepherd, Assessor; George A. 
Putnam, Collector; Matthew Karcher, Chief of 
Police; W. A. Anderson, Attorney; J. R. Laine, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1884. — Same except that H. B. JSIeilson was 
Second Trustee and J. J. Buckley was Assessor. 

1885. — John Q. Brown, First Trustee and 
Mayor; Win. Gutenberger, Third Trustee; E. 
H. McKee, City Auditor and Clerk; J. J. Buck- 
ley, Assessor; George A. Putnam, Collector; W. 
A. Henry, Police Judge; O. C. Jackson, Chief 
of Police; W. A. Anderson, City Attorney; J. 
R. Laine, Superintendent of Schools. 

1886. — John Q. Brown, First Trustee and 
Mayor; H. B. Neilson, Second Trustee; W. R. 
Jones, Third Trustee; E. H. McKee, City Au- 
ditor and Clerk; J. J. Buckley, Assessor; Goo. 
A. Putnam, Collector; W. A. Henry, Police 

• Died October 5. H31, before expiratiou of term. 



Judge; O. C. Jackson, Chief of Police; E. C. 
Hart, City Attorney; M. R. Beard, Superin- 
tendent of Schools. 

1887. — Eugene J. Gregory, First Trustee and 
Mayor; John Ryan, Second Trustee; W. R. 
Jones, Third Trustee; E. H. McKee, Auditor 
and Clerk; J. J. Buckley, Assessor; George A. 
Putnam, Collector; Henry S. Buckley, Police 
Judge; H. F. Dillman, Chief of Police; E. C. 
Hart, Attorney; M. R. Beard, Superintendent 
of Schools. 

1888. — Eugene J. Gregory, First Trustee and 
Mayor; John Ryan, Second Trustee; H. C. Wolf, 
Third Trustee; E. H. McKee, City Auditor and 
Clerk; J. J. Buckley, Assessor; George A. Put- 
nam, Collector; Henry S. Buckley, Police Judge; 
Timothy Lee, Chief of Police; W. S. Church, 
City Attorney; M. R. Beard, Superintendent of 
Schools. 

1889. — Eugene J. Gregory, First Trustee and 
Mayor; William McLaughlin, Second Trustee; 
H. C. Wolf, Third Trustee; E. H. McKee, Au- 
ditor and Clerk; J. J. Buckley, Assessor; Geo. 
A. Putnam, Collector; Henry S. Buckley, Po- 
lice Judge; Timothy Lee, Chief of Police; M. 
R. Beard, Superintendent of Schools. 

FIRES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The first fire of any considerable e.xtent oc- 
curring in the city of Sacramento was on the 
morning of April 4, 1850, on Front street, be- 
tween J and K streets, when eight or ten build 
ings were destroyed, with their contents, within 
the short space of thirty minutes. The loss was 
about $100,000. Immediately a fire depart- 
ment was organized. November 9, following, 
a fire destroyed the New York, Eagle, St. Fran- 
cis and the Galena hotels, Llomeof the Badger, 
Rowe's provision store and other buildings. 
The Tehama Theatre was burned August 18, 
1851. 

On November 2, 1852, occurred the greatest 
fire that has ever afflicted this city, when fully 
seven-eighths of the place was destroyed and a 
good many lives were supposed to be lost. The 
total amount of loss was estimated at $10,000,- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



000. The Congregational Clmrchon Sixth street, 
although a frame structure, was the only one of 
many churches saved. Tliu fire did not e.xtend 
east of Ninth street or north of I street. A 
strong wind prevailing at the time of the out- 
break of the fire was doubtless tiie cause of the 
conflagration becoming so general. 

The second general conflagration in Sacra- 
mento's history took place on the afternoon of 
July 13, 1854, starting in a small frame build- 
ing in the rear of Newcomb's furniture store, 
near the center of the block bounded by J, K, 
Third and Fourth streets. It was caused by tlie 
upsetting of a spirit lamp used to warm a glue- 
pot. The flames almost immediately reached 
the Sacramento Hotel, and directly tiiere was an 
overawing blaze. Although the day was very 
hot, the tiiermometer being 100° in the coolest 
shade, the firemen turned out in force; but in 
spite of the most heroic efforts the terrible ele- 
ment proceeded to destroy the Oriental Hotel, 
American House, old Court-House, New Eng- 
land House, State House, Congregational Church, 
Sewanee House, Crescent City Hotel and No. 
■4's Engine House. The water- works had just 
got into operation, and were found very effi- 
cient, else the loss would have been much greater. 

When the fire threatened the State Capitol 
with destruction, Governor Bigler, who had been 
working from the beginning of the fire wherever 
an efficient hand was most needed, asked several 
by-standers to assist him in saving the furniture. 
They objected to this on the ground that private 
parties could not aftbrd to lose their property so 
well as tiie State. A full-length portrait of 
Washington was standing against the southern 
wall, and pointing to it Bigler said, "See! there 
is the portrait of the father of your country; 
will you permit it to be destroyed? " A general 
rush was made and the picture was saved. 

The Golden Eagle Hotel, a substantial brick 
structure, checked the fire until it was controlled. 
The Monumental Eugine Company of San Fran- 
cisco did their utmost to reach S:icramento in 
time, but could not arrive until the next morn- 
ing. The citizens thanked them C'trdially. 



The next fire of importance occurred July 3, 
1855, clearing the whole triangle between the 
levee, I and Sixth streets; but the buildings 
were generally' old rookeries, occupied mostly by 
Chinese. 

During the following nineteen years several 
fires occurred, each occasioning the loss of $10,- 
000 to 820,000. 

September 15, 1874, about 5:30 o'clock a. m. 
the Capital Woolen Mills caught fire and were 
destroyed, the loss being between $75,000 and 
$100,000. Contracts were immediately let for 
a new building. 

On January 9, 1875, in the afternoon, a fire 
started in the lamp-room of the AVestern Hotel, 
and spread with fearful rapidity. The fire de- 
partment was promptly on hand and succeeded 
in confining the fire to the hotel building, which 
was totally destroyed. Three lives were lost; 
two of the ill-fated were compositors in the 
Union office. Money loss, about $90,000. 

Sacramento claims the honor of having or- 
ganized the first fire company in California. 
This was the Mutual Hookand Ladder Company, 
No. 1. The primary steps toward organizing 
were taken on February 5, 1850. The following 
officers were elected: Deinas Strong, Foreman; 
J. S. Fowler, First Assistant; M. D. Ejre, Sec- 
ond Assistant; T. A. Warbass, Treasurer; H. 
G. Langley, Secretary; J. O. Derby, Steward. 
This company turned out to the fire of April 4, 
1850, using the fire engine belonging to Lewis 
& Bailey. They continued in active existence 
until October 30, 1859, when they were dis- 
banded by mutual consent, and their apparatus 
was turned over to the fire department. Com- 
panies 1 and 2 were supplied with hooks and 
ladders in the early part of 1853. The Mutuals 
occupied the same building with Confidence 
Engine Company, No. 1, and had twenty-six 
members when they disbanded. 

The Alert Hook and Ladder Company, No. 2, 
was organized September 27, 1852, by electing 
Thomas W. Noyes, Foreman; Charles W. Cook, 
Assistant Foreman; Alexander C. Folger, Sec- 
retary; W. B. H. Dodson, Trustee; John L. 



HISTOET OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Polheiniis and Joseph F. Cloutman, Delegates. 
The building of this company was located on 
Eighth street, between J and K, and was a two- 
story brick. Like the Mntnals, they received a 
new outfit of hooks and ladders in 1853. In 
1860 they had twenty-nine njembers, with M. 
McManus, Foreman. 

Confidence Engine Company, JMo. 1, was or- 
ganized March G, 1851, with these officers: W. 
H. Eakins, Foreman; William B. Hunt, First 
Assistant; John J. Balentine, Second Assistant; 
H. E. Urner, Secretary; and Leander Culver, 
Treasurer. Their l)uilding was erected on the 
east side of Third street, between I and J. It 
is two stories high. The company maintained 
its organization until the introduction of the 
paid fire department, when its membership was 
sixty-five. 

Protection Engine Company, No. 2, was or- 
ganized on March 22, 1851, by the election of 
the following officers: William Arents, Fore- 
man; Francis R. Folger, Assistant; and H. 
Burdick, Secretary. They had sixty-five mem- 
bers, and their house was located on the west 
side of Eighth street, between J and K, and the 
building is now the Exempt Firemen's Hall. 

Sacramento Engine Company, No. 3, was 
organized March 27, 1851, by the election of J. 
K. Beard, Foreman; II. J. Beams, Assistant 
Foreman; F. McGil very, Secretary; J. C. Free- 
man, Assistant Secretary. Two years subse- 
quently, a fine house was erected for this company 
on the west side of Second street, between K 
and L. In 1860 they had a membership of 
fifty-nine. 

Eureka Engine Conijiany, No. 4, was organized 
August 15, 1853, with W. H. Jones, Foreman; 
John H. Burgess, Assistant; Jacob Greenebaum, 
Secretary; II. P. Osborn, Treasurer. Their 
building was also a two-story brick, on Fifth 
street, between J and K. In 1860 they were 
rated at sixty-five members. 

Knickerbocker Engine Company, No. 5, was 
organized July 21, 1854, by electing H. Policy, 
Foreman; James H. Calvyn, First Assistant; 



P. Holland, Second Assistant; John F. Hall, 
Secretary, and John C. Keenan, Treasurer. 
Their building, also a two-story brick, was on 
the east side of. Fourth street, between K and 
L. They numbered fifty-eight members. 

Young America, No. 6, organized by residents 
of the Third Ward, June 21, 1855, with Eobert 
Kobinson, Foreman; E.Kimball, First Assist- 
ant ; Sylvester Marshall, Second Assistant ; An- 
son Perry, Secretary; Charles S. White, Treas- 
urer. Their house, a two-story brick structure, 
located on the east side of Tenth street, between 
I and J, is now used by the paid fire depart- 
ment. 

Tehama Hose Company, No. 1, the first iiose 
company in this city, was organized April 21, 
1853, but disbanded November 24, 1855. 

Neptune Hose Company, an independent or- 
ganization, was formed October 6, 1856, witli 
C. T. Ingham, President; P. Holland, Fore- 
man; Thomas Bartlett, Assistant Foreman; A. 
P. Norton, Treasurer; Alexander Badlam, Sec- 
retary. After considerable trouble, this com- 
pany was admitted into the department, and the 
city erected a building for it on the north side 
of I street, fronting Fourth street. Member- 
ship, twenty-five. 

Broderick Engine Company, No. 7, was or- 
ganized June 1, 1860, by electing Matthias 
Ault, Foreman; R. B. Bishop, First Assistant; 
Bernard Riley, Second Assistant; D. O. Brown, 
Secretary, and W. S. Iliggins, Treasurer. Mem- 
bership, sixty-five. This company, named after 
United States Senator Broderick, was a faithful 
company, attending all the fires; but it was not 
admitted into the department, and was disbanded 
immediately after the flood of 1861. Their 
house, a story-and-a-half building, was at the 
corner of Third and R streets, but it has since 
been removed to another place and converted 
into a dwelling. The engine, hose, etc., reverted 
to the department. 

Several other companies, of less note, were 
organized during the volunteer period. 

The following is a list of the chief engineers 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of the valantear tiro department, fr(jin its in- 
ception to the date of its dissolution: 

Hiram Arents from Jan. 25, 1851, to Oct. 1, 1851 

David McDowell.... " Nov. 5, 18.")1, " Aug. 2, 1853 

R. M.Folger " Aug. 2, 1853, " Aug. 1, 1853 

I.M.Hubbard " Aug. 1, 1853, " Aug. 7,1854 

.1, H. Houseman*.... " Aug. 7, 1854, " Nov. 1,1854 

J. B. Blauchardf " Nov. 1, 1854, " Dec. 15, 1854 

Henry Pulley " Dec. 15, 1854, '■ Aug. 7, 1855 

Hiram Arents " Aug. 7, 1855, " Aug. 4, 1857 

Joseph S. Friend...*. " Aug. 4, 1857, " Aug. 3, 1853 

Georsie H. Brickman " Aug. 3, 1858, " Aug. 7, 18()0 

R. J. Graham " Aug 6, 18G0, " Aug. 3, ]8«3 

Hugh Kelly* " Aug. 3, 1863, " Dec. 1,1863 

George Schraeiser... " Deo. 14, 1863, " Aug. 1, 1864 

David C. Wilson " Aug. 1, 1864, " Aug. 6, 1866 

John Donnellan " Aug. 6, 1866, " Aug. 5, 1867 

W. Gillan " Aug. 5, 1867, " Aug. .. 1868 

Frank Johnson " Aug. .. 1868, " Aug. .. 1H69 

A H Hapeman " Aug. .. 1869, " Aug. .. 1870 

William D. Farrell.. " Aug. .. 1870, " Aug. .. 1871 

George Schmeiser. . . " Aug. .. 1871, " Aug. .. 1873 

Many interesting incidents, both pleasant and 
unpleasant, we would relate had we space. 
Tournaments, races, presentations of banners, 
gossip, etc., were numerous enough to fill a 
large volume. As one amusing feature we 
refer to the time when a great complaint was 
made against the tire department for some 
years by the papers, called forth mainly by 
tiie rivalry of tlie companies. Some of their 
members were accused of laying plans for get- 
ting ahead of tlieir rivals by ringing a false 
alarm, having previously warned enough of 
their own company to secure their engine get- 
ting to the place of the tire first, and of course 
obtaining credit therefor tbe next morning in 
the papers! 

April 1, 1872, the Legislature created a paid 
tire department in Sacramento, consisting of a 
board of three tire commissioners, tlie lirst 
members to be appointed by the Governor and 
their successors to be elected by the people of 
the city, one each year at the regular city elec- 
tion. The city was authorized to issue bonds 
for §50,000, payable twenty years after date, 
with interest at eight per cent, per annum. 
The first commissioners were Sylvester Tryon, 
George Rowland and W. C. Felch, the latter of 
whom was elected president of the board. Un- 
der the provisions of this law there are at pres- 

• Resi|;ni>(l. t Firr^t assistant iictin<; ns chief during vacancy. 



etit three engine companies, and one hook and 
ladder company. 

Engine Company No. 1 was organized Sep- 
tember 15, 1872, with H. Burnham, Foreman, 
and O. Collier, Engineer, and twelve other men; 
but only the engineer, firemen and drivers were 
permanently employed. Their house is situated 
on Second street, between K and L, and their 
apparatus comprises a second-class steam fire- 
engine of the Amoskeag manufacture, one hose 
cart with 1,000 feet of carbonized hose, and one 
extra hose cart with 1,000 feet of hose. 

Engine Company No. 2 was organized at the 
same time as the preceding, with J. W.Thomp- 
son as Foreman and E. H. Williams as Engi- 
neer. Their house is on Tenth street, between I 
and J, and equipments about the same as those 
of No. 1. 

Engine Comjiany No. 3 was organized and 
placed in service April 1, 1888, at Nineteenth 
and L streets, with a new Clapp & Jones en- 
gine and a new hose cart. Hose Companj^ No. 
1, organized June 11, 1884, Jiad previously 
been located at tliat place and disbanded. 

Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organ - 
ized September 28, 1872, and at first employed 
four truckmen, who did duty only in case of 
fire. It now consists of a foreman, driver, 
steward and five extra men. The driver and 
steward are permanently employed. This com- 
pany occupies a new house, constructed for 
their purpose, on- Sixth street, between K and L. 

The present Board of Fire Commissioners 
comprises Messrs. W. D. Comstock, John Weil 
and J. F. Slater; and the officers of the fire 
department are: W. D. Comstock, President; 
H. I. Seymour, Secretary; M. O'Meara, Chief 
Engineer; H. A. Guthrie, Assistant Engineer. 
The chief engineers of the paid fire depart- 
ment since its organization have been: 

William B. Hunt lS72-'74. 

William H. H. Lee 1874-76. 

Harry Burnham 1876-'78. 

Wm.' H. H. Lee, four months 1878. 

Cornelius Sullivan 1878-'87. 

M. O'Meara, July, 1887, to the present. 



HISTORY OF SAGBAMENTO GOUNTT. 



EXEMPT FIREMEN S ASSOCIATION. 

The first organization of this kind was effected 
on August 14, 1865. At a meeting held on 
that day, twenty-two members of the association 
being present, the following officers were chosen: 
George Rowland, President; J. H. Houseman, 
Vice-President; J. J. Smith, Secretary; J. F. 
Crawford, Treasurer. This association had only 
a membership of si.xty-five in 1871, in which 
year it was abolished. This society was a chari- 
table one, but its charities were neither sys- 
tematic nor compulsory. The fund was under 
the control of the " Board of Delegates," which 
had been incorporated June 10, 18G8, and had 
a treasury of about $38,000 in 1872, which it 
turntd over to the new association. 

The latter, which is the present society, was 
organized in accordance with an act of the 
Legislature, approved in April, 1872, the exact 
date of its institution being December 4, 1872. 
The first officers were: W. L. Ilerndon, Presi- 
dent; A. H. Cwmniings, First Vice-President; 
Joseph Davis, Second Vice-President; John F. 
Crawford, Secretary; George A. Putnam, Treas- 
urer, besides a board of general trustees and of 
trustees of the charitable fund. 

Although there were but si.xty-five members 
in the old association in 1871, the new organi- 
zation began in 1872 with 324 members, and 
many others joined afterward. The objects of 
this organization are social and fraternal aid and 
pecuniary benefit. Tlie sum of $8 per week, in 
case of sickness or disability, $10 a month to 
widows of deceased members in case they are 
in need of it, and $100 for funeral expenses, are 
the pecuniary benefits given; and all additional 
friendly aid that the fraternity can bestow in 
case of sickness or distress is also cheerfully 
given. No one can obtain these benefits, how- 
ever, if his distress is the result of gross dissi- 
pation. By deaths and removals the number of 
members is nuw reduced to 151 — less than half 
the original number. The present officers are: 
James R. Crone, President; N. L. Drew, P'irst 
Vice-President; C. 11. Xrebs, Second Vice- 



President; George A. Putnam, Treasurer; Will- 
iam Avery, Secretary; Frank Swift, Janitor. 

The act creating the paid fire department of 
Sacramento provided that the Exempt Firemen's 
Association should have the privilege of select- 
ing one of the engine houses of the old volunteer 
department for its use. Accordingly, the old 
engine house on the west side of Eighth street, 
between J and K, was selected, and the property 
put up at auction, it being necessary that it 
should be sold. Of course no one would bid 
against the " Exempts," and the property was 
purchased by them for the sum of $100. The 
building was remodeled with suitable halls and 
stores, which have been advantageously rented. 
This change cost about $7,000, and the build- 
ing was occupied for the first time July 12, 
1875. 

WATER WORKS. 

The first institution in Sacramento that coula 
be called water-works was the five horse-power 
pile-driver engine of William P. Henry, which, 
near the foot of 1 street, pumped water by suc- 
tion up into a reservoir. From this carts were 
loaded and the water peddled out by the gallon. 
Soon after this was started, " Uncle Billy" An- 
derson began a similar enterprise at the junction 
of Second street with the slough. 

These parties in competition ran a profitable 
business until they formed a combination with 
A. A. Bennett, and erected more elaborate works 
just south of Henry's engine. Their tank was 
much higher and more carefully constructed. 

In the fall of 1852, George Gordon and the 
" Sacramento Water Company" each presented 
plans for a system of water-works, both of which, 
in December, were rejected by a popular vote; 
but at the same time the people voted a tax of 
three-fourths of one per cent, for works of some 
kind, to be thereafter determined. The City 
Council advertised for plans and specifications, 
and those adopted were presented by Mr. Kirk. 
The specifications called for a brick building, 
127x 50feetontheground,andthetopof the wall 
thirty-six and a half feet above the present grade 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of J and Front streets. The floor of the second 
story was to be sixteen feet above said grade of 
J and Front streets. Tlie reservoir was to be 
128x50 feet, and si.x and a half feet higii; the 
greatest depth of water, five feet. The pumping 
engine was to have a capacity of 20,000 gallons 
per hour. The price was to be §120,000, pay- 
able in city bonds, bearing ten per cent, interest 
per annum, payable in five, seven, ten and twelve 
years from January 1, 1854. Work commenced 
October 27, 1853; the building was completed, 
and the tank filled April 1, 1854. The occasion 
was celebrated by the citizens on the 6tb of 
April. This building is the same now known 
as the old water-works building. 

On August 12, 1853, the first bonds of the 
water loan were issued, the total issue under 
this loan being $284,495. The first superin- 
tendent of the new works was, appropriately 
enough, William P. Henry, the first man to 
introduce anything like pumping-works into 
the city. The first parties to take water from 
the new works were Adams & Co., who paid for 
fifteen days' supply at the rate of $12.22 per 
month. In April, 1854, there were seventy- 
eight customers; May, 155; June 260; and by 
November, 403. 

During the year 1855 there were laid two and 
one-fourth miles of water-pipes, which, with fifty 
hydrants and twenty-one stop-gates, cost $28,- 
600. The capacity of reservoirs was 200,000 
gallons; the pump capacity, 39,100 gallons per 
hour. The total length of pipe, March 1, 1856, 
was eight and one-fourth miles. A Worthing- 
ton pump was added to the works a few years 
later. As the system of pipes was extended, 
the pressure was decreased, until finally, during 
the summer season, the complaints from the citi- 
zens of the more remote portions of the city 
became both loud and deep of the scarcity of 
water. On April 6, 1870, the works suffered a 
bad break-down, shutting off for some time the 
supply of water. It now became evident that 
something must be done to better the condition 
of the works. On June 6, Superintendent Mc- 
Cleery presented to the Board of Trustees the 



plan of A. A. Bennett, architect, to raise the 
old buildings at a cost of §10,000. On June 22, 
1870, Turton & Knox commenced to raise tlie 
tanks fifteen feet; a new stand pipg was also put 
up at a cost of §250. Tue remedy was but 
temporary, though for a time it silenced the 
more clamorous of the complainants; but they 
soon recovered, and, finally, so much was said 
concerning the inadequacy of the olil works, 
that it became evident that nothing but a new 
set of works, or system, with greatly increased 
capacity, would satisfy their demands. 

From 1858 to 1872 several schemes were pro- 
posed and abandoned, among them the Holly 
system. Also, water from the various wells and 
the river was analyzed. An analysis of the Sac- 
ramento River water gave the following result : 
One hundred and twenty ounces of water taken 
from the April freshet of 1870, and evaporated to 
dryness, by James Bell, of San Francisco, left a 
residuum of 2.59 grains, composed as follows: 
Gypsum, 1.27 grains; epsom salts, 0.70; salt, 
0.21;silicateof potash, 0.13; silica, 0.25; iron, a 
suspicion only; loss, .03 grains. A special election 
was held July 20, 1872, by which it was decided to 
adopt one of the three plans offered by the Holly 
Company, namely, the one which would demand 
an outlay of $58,000. Then the west fifty feet 
of lot 4, between H and I streets, and First and 
Second streets, were purchased by the Capital 
Savings Bank and the National Gold Bank of 
D. O. Mills & Co., and the deed therefor pre- 
sented to the city. The trustees, on receiving 
this deed, passed a resolution to accept it, and 
to reserve from the bonds authorized to be issued 
$20,000, subject to such further legislation as 
might be had, for the purpose of paying said 
banks the money advanced by them, of which 
sum the Capital Savings Bank had advanced 
$8,000, and the National Gold Bank $7,000. 
Work on the n&vf building and works com- 
menced forthwith and was pushed with vigor, 
notwithstanding which the machinery was not 
in shape to receive its trial or test of capacity 
until July 17, 1873. The capacity was tested 
thoroughly, and proved to be fully up to the call 



166 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of tlie specifications, and, on the 28th, the works 
were accepted by the trustees. 

The amount of bonds authorized by the act, 
approved March 30, 1872, for tlie purpose of 
erecting these wurics was $191,307,50. The 
amount actually issued, $189,993.15. 

Time showed that the Holly rotary punips 
were nearly, or quite, worthless, and about nine 
years ago were taken out. The gang pumps 
put in by the Holly Company, but not claimed 
by thetn to be original, have done good service 
so far, and during the winter months supply the 
town with water. Early in 1878 a pump was 
built at the machine shops of the Central Pacific 
Railroad Company, and put into the Water- 
Works Building, on the west side. Tiiis pump 
is a double-acting piston pump, with large air 
chamber thirty-six inches in diameter by twenty- 
nine feet high, and, like the other pum])S, con- 
nects directly with the main, or water pipe. 
The engine is a high pressure, condensing, steam 
cylinder thirty-six iuches in diameter, water 
cylinders twenty-four inches in diameter, each 
having a stroke of eighty inches. The capacity 
of this pump alone is estimated to be over 
0,000,000 gallons of water per twenty-four hours, 
and cost, completed, $30,004.48. This is now 
paid for, and the whole debt against the water- 
works was extinguished in August, 1880. Up 
to January 1, 1880, the water-works of Sacra- 
mento cost, exclusive of repairs and interest, 
$514,492. 

Since 1880 there has been no material change 
made in the works, which are still of sufficient 
capacity for the city were there no waste of the 
water by citizens. 

GAS-WOEKS. 

Early in 1854 a Scotchman named William 
Glen obtained the franchise to establish and 
manage gas-works in the city of Sacramento, 
lie did not attempt to build the works, but sold 
his right to a joint-stock association, which or- 
ganized as the "Sacramento (ras Company," on 
the 18th of August, 1854, by the election of 
Angus Frierson, President, and N. W. Chit- 
tenden, Secretary. The capital stock of the 



company amounted to $500,000, and, by May, 
185G, $220,000 had been expended. The ini- 
tial step in the construction of the gas-works 
was taken by Mayor R. P.Johnson, who on the 
20th of October, 1854, turned the first soil for 
tlie excavation in which was to be placed the 
gasometer tank. The construction was prose- 
cuted with energy till the 7th of March, 1855, 
when they were necessarily abandoned because 
of the rise of the American River and the con- 
sequent submerging of that part of the city. 
Slater's Addition. On the 4th of August, 1855, 
work was resumed and prosecuted with vigor to 
a successful issue. The city was lighted with 
gas, for the first time, on the evening of De- 
cember 17 in the same year. At that time the 
officers of the company were: R. P. Johnson, 
President and Superintendent; R. B. Norman, 
Engineer; W. H. Watson, Secretary; D. O. 
Mills, Treasurer; James Murray, W. F. Bab- 
cock, L. McLean, Jr., R. P. Johnson and W. 
H. Watson, Directors. The retort-house was 
fifty-four feet long, fifty-one feet wide and 
twenty-one feet high to the eaves, being cov- 
ered by an iron roof. The purifying-house, 
which adjoined the retort-house, was thirty -five 
feet long, twenty-five feet wide and eighteen 
feet high, in the clear, with a water-tight cellar, 
built on an arch. The lime-house was in size 
25x14 feet and eighteen feet high. The meter, 
governor and offices occupied a building thirty- 
seven feet long, twenty-five feet wide and two 
stories higli, the lower story being fourteen and 
the upper twelve feet high, in the clear. The 
chimney was eighty-five feet high from the top 
of the foundation courses. 

In 1857 this company sold out, but most of 
the stock being bought by original stockholders, 
but few changes were made. In December, 
1867, high water washed away so much of the 
land west of the works that it was feared that 
the structure would be undermined. Quantities 
of cobbles were thrown into the river against 
the walls, and in that way was the invader efl'ect- 
ually checked. A special train engaged in 
bringing stone from Rocklin for the above pur- 



HISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



pose, while on its return trip, collided witli a 
wood-train near Antelope Station, severely iii- 
jiaring the engineer, Rodericli McRae, and 
Joseph Bryan, the collector of the Gas Com- 
pany. Tiiis accident claims tlie notoriety of 
having been the first collision on tiie Central 
Pacific Railroad. 

In 1872 tliere were filed the articles of incor- 
poration of the "Citizens Gas Light Company 
of Sacramento," with a capital stock of $200,- 
000. Tiie trustees were: Joseph W. Stow, H. 
B. Williams, W. H. Montague, C. T. Hopkins, 
E. B. Mott, Jr., G. W. Mowe, Julius Wetzlar, 
G. Cadwalader and J. F. Houghton. It was 
stated in the articles of incorporation that its 
term of existence was to be twenty-five years, 
but it does not appear to have existed that num- 
ber of days. 

Early in October, 1872, there was organized, 
in Sacramento, the "Pacific Pneumatic Gas 
Company," whose pnrpose was to manufacture 
gas from petroleum. For $5,000 this company 
purchased from the Johnston Brandy and Wine 
Manufacturing Company a lot of land, in what 
is called Brannan's Addition, just south of the 
south line of S street, running back to Front 
street, and having a wharfage privilege of 120 
feet. About the 10th of December last the 
property was sold to W. D. Knights. 

The articles of incorporation of the "Citizens 
Gas Light and Heat Company " were filed Jan- 
uary 8, 1872, the capital stock being $1,000,000, 
in shares of $50 each. Tiie trustees were: W. 
E. Brown, J. R. Watson, R. C. Terry, R. C. 
Clark, A. Gallatin, W. E. Perry, H. C. Kirk, C. 
H. Cutnmings, and James McClatchy. The 
first officers were: W. E. Brown, President; Rob- 
ert C. Clark, Vice-President; A. Galatin, Treas- 
nrer; and J. W. Pew, Secretary. 

On the 1st of January, 1875, the " Sacramento 
Gas Company" and the "Citizen's Gas Light 
Heat Company " consolidated, under the name 
of the "Capital Gas Company; " capital stock 
$2,000,000, in 40,000 shares of $50 each. The 
works of this company stand on that portion of 
Brannan's Addition which lies between T and 



U streets, and the river front and Front street, 
and is 500 feet deep by 2-40 wide. Lots Nos. 
1 to 4, in the block between S, T, Front and 
Second streets, also belong to this company. 
Their retort-house is of brick, in size 50x150 
feet. Each of the three gasometers will hold 
60,000 feet of gas. The ofiice is a brick struct- 
ure, forty feet square, having two stories and 
abasement. All tiie brick used in construction 
of these buildings are of first-class quality. 
The coal-shed is a substantial wooden structure, 
120 feet square, while the coke-shed, whicli is 
also of wood, is seventy feet long by forty wide. 
Tiie election of officers takes place in January 
of each year. 

In 1878 Smith & Co., of the Pioneer Mills, 
bought the retort-house of the Sacramento Gas 
Company, and made of it a warehouse, capable 
of holding 4,000 tons of grain. The railroad 
company bought the gasometer and the land on 
which it stood, and sold the former for old iron. 

The capital stock now consists of 10,000 
shares, at $50 a share, the stock being reduced 
when the present State Constitution was adopted. 
The present officers are: B. U. Stein man. Pres- 
ident; Oliver Eldridge, Vice-President; C. H. 
Cnmmings, Secretary and Treasurer; and J. C. 
Pierson, Superintendent. Directors : James 
Forbes, Frank Miller, B. U. Steinman, C. H. 
Cnmmings, of Sacramento, and Oliver Eldridge, 
John McKee and William Alvord, of San Fran- 
cisco. 

YOLO BRIDGE. 

By an act approved April 3, 1857, the Sacra- 
mento and Yolo Bridge Company was incor- 
porated, composed of Johnson Price, V. E. 
Geiger and George P. Gillis. The company 
was granted a charter, to run for twenty years, 
to erect a toll-bridge across the Sacramento 
River from Broad street, in Sacramento County, 
to Ann street, in Washington, Yolo County. The 
draw was not to be less than sixty feet wide for 
of vessels, and the bridge must be com- 



in two years. 
At 12 M., September 18, 1857, the first pile 
was driven for this bridge. The original bridge 



UISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



was 800 feet long, built on five piers, supported 
by 600 piles, at least twelve inches in diameter, 
and driven thirty feet to solid river bed. The 
bridge was of Leonard's patent, four spans of 
135 feet eacli, the draw opening two spaces of 
seventv-tive feet each. Tlic bridge was com- 
pleted June 27, 1S58, at a cost of $00,000. 

October 2, 1869, the California Pacific com- 
menced a new structure on the Howe Truss 
pattern. The draw to this bridge was 200 feet 
long, making the opening on each side clear 
seventy-live feet. The steamer Belle ran as a 
ferryboat in the interim while the draw was be- 
ing built. The bridge was completed and the 
engine Sacramento, William Rowan, Engineer, 
ran across it January 15, 1870. This bridge 
was again rebuilt by the Central Pacific Rail- 
road Company in 1878. The draw was swung 
into place, December 5, 1878, and the bridge 
was open for travel the next day. The railroad 
company had purchased the bridge of the Sac- 
ramento and Yolo Bridge Company in June, 
1878. 

CEMETERIES. 

The oldest burying-ground for Sacramento is 
the New Helvetia Cemetery, wliich lies directly 
south of and adjoining East Park, just east of 
the city limits, and embraces the original plat of 
Sutter's Fort. The first burial here was that of 
Major Cloud, a paymaster in the United States 
Army, who was killed in 1847 southeast of the 
Fort some distance, by being thrown from a 
horse; the second person whose remains were 
buried here was Miss Susanna Hitchcock, who 
died early in 1849 at the new diggings on the 
Stanislaus, and the third was James McDowell, 
who was shot in Washington, just across the 
river. 

Ten acres here were donated by Captain John 
A. Sutter to the city about the first of Decem- 
ber, 1849, for burial purposes. 

The present City Cemetery was located in 
1850, on the southern boundary of the city limits, 
on Tenth street, and comprises about twenty 
acres, beautifully ornamented with flowering 



hints, trees and shrubs. The Free Masons, Odd 



Fellows, Red Men, Firemen, Printers, Pioneers, 
Veterans of the Mexican War, and tlie State 
have plats within tiie enclosure. The cemetery 
is owned by the city, and controlled by a super- 
intendent elected by the Board of Trustees. 

Tiio Hebrew Cemetery is nnder the control of 
the Congregation B'nai Israel, but owned by the 
Hebrew Benevolent Society. A chapel has been 
erected on the grounds which are well enclosed. 
The New Helvetia Cemetery was established in 
1849 as a place for the interment of the dead, 
and was the first used for that purpose in Sac- 
ramento. It is situated near the Hebrew Ceme- 
tery, in the eastern part of the city, and is a 
private burial place. 

The St. Joseph's Cemetery belongs to the 
congregation of St. Rose's Church. It was con- 
secrated by Archbishop Alemany in 1865, and 
is located on Y and Twenty-first streets. 

THK CHURCHES. 

St. Rose's Church [Catholic). — August 7, 
1850, Rev. Augustine P. Anderson, O. S. D., a 
native of New Jersey, and for several years on 
the missions in Ohio, arrived in this city and 
commenced the organization of the Catholics. 
A building was procured on L street, between 
Filth and Sixth, which answered as a temporary 
chapel until the church, corner of K and Seventh 
streets, was built. On October 28, 1850, a deed 
was executed by ex-Governor Peter H. Burnett 
to Anthony Lauglois, in trust for the use of the 
Roman Catholic Bishop of California, for lot 
8, between J and K, and Seventh and Eighth 
streets, and on August 17, 1867, Governor Bur- 
nett deeded lot 7 in the same block to Arch- 
bishop Alemany. During the memorable season 
of cholera. Father Anderson labored unceasingly. 
He visited the cholera hospital several times 
daily, sought out the poor and afflicted in their 
uncomfortable tents, administered all the con- 
solation and relief within his power, and pro- 
cured medical aid for such as had no one to care 
for them. Overcome and exhausted by excessive 
labors, he contracted typhoid fever and fell a 
victim to his self-sacrificing charity and zeal. 




CATHEDRAL OK I'HK H(JLY SA(:RAMP:Nr, SACRAMEN'I'O. 



HI STOUT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



169 



He died November 26, 1850. At tiiis time the 
frame of the new church had been raised and 
the roof partially completed, but during a severe 
gale the building was blown down and many of 
the timbers broken into fragments. Rev. John 
Ingoldsby succeeded Rev. A. P. Anderson in 
the pastoral charge of Sacramento, and com- 
pleted the church, which was burnt in the great 
lire of November 2, 1852. This church was 
25 X 75 feet, and neatly lined and papered inside. 
After the fire, the frame building on the corner 
of Seventh street and Oak avenue was built and 
used as a place of worship, until the completion 
of the basement story of the brick church. Rev. 
John Quinn succeeded Rev. J. Ingoldsby in 
April, 1853. The corner-stone of the brick 
church was laid by Archbishop Alemany, Octo- 
ber 18, 1854, and service was performed in the 
basement, on the Christmas following. The 
dimensions were 60x100 feet; basement, nine 
and one-half feet in the clear, and cost $10,500. 
This building was completed in 1861, at a cost 
of nearly $50,000. The bell, weighing 2,079 
pounds, arrived July 13, 1859, and is now in 
the cathedral tower. 

During the pastorate of Rev. James S. Cotter, 
in 1866, who was assisted first l)y Rev. M. Mc- 
Grath and afterward (in 1868) by Rev. Patrick 
Scanlan, some improvements were made npon 
and in that building, to the extent of over 
$15,000. Cotter, who was a favorite among 
all classes, died in Sacramento, June 18, 1868. 
Rev. Thomas Crimmin, another priest over this 
charge, died also in this city, January 20, 1867, 
with paralysis, within a few honrs after the at- 
tack. 

Rov. James Cassin was the pastor in 1861-'62, 
assisted by Rev. N. Gallagher. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Thomas Gibney, 1868-'70. From 
that time Rev. Patrick Scanlan was rector, as- 
sisted by Rev. J. McSweeny. Since July, 1881, 
Father Thomas Grace, from Marysville, Califor- 
nia, has been the pastor, assisted by Father 
William Walshe until 1886, and since that tin.e 
by Father Leonard Haupts. 

In Sacramento and vicinity there are about 



5,000 Catholics. The Sunday-school, which is 
conducted by the Sisters of Mercy and the 
Christian Brothers, numbers about 300 pupils. 

In 1887 the lot occupied by the church was 
sold to the Federal Government for a site for 
tlie new postothce building, the church torn 
down, and the congregation has since worshiped 
in a temporary building on Twelfth street, be- 
tween J and K, while the magnificent cathedral, 
now to be described, is in process of erection. 

This most commanding structure. Eleventh 
and K streets, was commenced in May, 1886, 
very shortly after the erection of Sacramento 
City into an episcopal see. It had formerly 
been in the arch-diocese of San Francisco, and 
in that year it was definitely united with the 
former diocese of Grass Valley, of which it be- 
came the ecclesiastical center. The Right-Rev. 
Bishop Manozue (see sketch of his life else- , 
where) proceeded to erect a church more suitable 
to the Capital City than the one then existing. 
The general form of the cathedral is that of a 
Latin cross, with an octagonal dome at the in- 
tersection of the arms. The vestibule in the 
front forms a solid mass extending beyond the 
sides nearly as much as the transepts, and thus 
changing somewhat the general shape of the 
cross. This is further modified by the aisles, 
which are carried with lower roofs from the 
vestibule to the transepts and beyond the latter 
to the end of the main building. On the front 
is a central tower twenty-six feet square at the 
bottom, and extended to a height of 220 feet. 
This is flanked by two masses of brick work 
three stories in height to the main cornice of 
the church. Two smaller towers, sixteen feet 
square and 130 feet high, stand beyond and 
complete the front, which has a total width of 
108 feet. The length of the building is 206 
feet; its width across the transepts 116 feet, 
and across the nave and aisles 100 feet. 

The interior dome is circular in plan, and 
lighted from the top by a skylight twenty-one 
feet in diameter, and filled with stained glass 112 
feet above the floor. Tlie walls are arcaded all 



HISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



The general stjle of the church is Italian. 
The material is brick, covered with stone imita- 
tion. Total cost, about $250,000. 

The lajing of the corner-stone was attended 
by imposing ceremonies, in the presence of many 
thousands of people, whose local pride was 
aroused to the highest pitch by enthusiastic ad- 
dresses from citizens, both Catholic and non- 
Catholic. It was dedicated June 30, 1889, in a 
most magnificent manner, in the presence of vis- 
itors from all parts of the surrounding country. 

There are two large Catholic schools in Sac- 



ramento, which may be mentioned in this con- 
nection. 

At the " boys' school," or Sacramento' Insti- 
tute, corner of Twelfth and K streets, are 340 
pupils in attendance, under the supervision of 
Bro. Cianan. 

The " girls' school," of St. Joseph's Academy, 
Eighth and G streets, is conducted as a convent 
by tlie Sisters of Mercy. Mary Vincent, Superior. 
Here there are 300 pupils. The building is not 
yet complete, but is a large, commanding struc- 
ture. The ground comprises an entire square. 

St. PauVs Protestant Episcopal Church. — 
In order to gain a connected knowledge of the 
history of this church it will be necessary first 
to glance at that of Grace Protestant Episcopal 
Church, which preceded it and, in one sense, 
was the basis from which St. Paul's sprang. As 
already stated, Grace Church was the first church 
organization in Sacramento. The Rev. Flavel 
S. Mines, D. D., of San Francisco, visited Sac- 
ramento about the middle of August, 1849, and 
held the service of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church of the United States, for the first time 
in the city, the place of service being the black- 
smith shop on Third street, between J and K, 
which, from the fact of its connection with these 
earliest religious meetings, has acquired a his- 
torical reputation. 

On the following day, at the store of Eugene 
F. Gillespie, the parish was organized under the 
name of "Grace Church, Sacramento," by the 
election of the following officers: A. M. Winn 
(then mayor of the city, and who presided at 



the meeting). Senior Warden; F. W. Moore, 
Junior Warden; and Eugene F. Gillespie, 
Henry E. Robinson, E. J. Barreil, P. P.. Corn- 
wall, J. M. McKenzie, William Prettiman and 
J. F. Morse, Vestrymen. 

In the early part of September following, the 
Rev. R. F. Burnham,of New Jersey, visited the 
place and preached, and was called to the rec- 
torship of the parish. His healtii soon became 
delicate, and, after a lingering illness, he died 
in April, 1850. The parish was then placed un- 
der the charge of the Rev. Samuel P. More- 
house, who lield occasional services until about 
the middle of September, or the 1st of October, 
1850. 

In October, 1850, the Rev. Orlando Ilarri- 
man, of New York, assumed the care of the 
parish, but as he had an attack of typhoid fever, 
and was left for some time in a debilitated con- 
dition, he was able to officiate on a few occasions 
only. During his disability, the Rev. Mr. Pin- 
iiell, a clergyman of the Church of England, 

and the Rev. Augustus , of New York, 

held services a few times. The Rev. Mr. Ilar- 
riman left in March, 1851, and returned to his 
former home in the East. From this on there 
was an interregnum lasting until the year 1854, 
the causes being, first, the terrible fire of 1852, 
in which the church records were destroyed, 
and later the flood that covered the city for 
many months. 

In February, 1854, Right- Rev. Bishop Will- 
iam Ingraham Kip paid his first visit to Sacra- 
mento and preached morning and evening in the 
house of worship of the Methodist Church, 
South. 

On the 29th day of July, 1854, the parish 
was legally incorporated under the name of 
" Grace Protestant Episcopal Ciiurch, of Sacra- 
mento." The following day the vestry resolved 
to call the Rev. H. L. E. Pratt, of Perth Am- 
boy. New Jersey, to the rectorship of the parish, 
at a salary of $250 a month, who, having ac- 
cepted the call, arrived in Sacramento, and held 
services for the first time on Monday, the 19th 
day of November, following. 



UISTORT OF SAGM^UfENTO COUNTY. 



Ou the 24th of September, 1854, the bishop 
again preached morning and evening in the same 
Methodist Church and administered, at the morn- 
ing service, the Holy Communion to twenty-one 
communicants, it being the first time that sacra- 
ment had ever been administered in the city. 

There had been no church building erected 
at the time of Mr. Pratt's arrival, but just pre- 
vious thereto Hamilton Hall, on K street, be- 
tween Fourth and Fifth, was rented by the ves- 
try and conveniently furnished as a temporary 
place of worship. After holding service in that 
hall for about twelve months, the place of wor- 
ship was changed to Pioneer Hall, on. J street, 
between Front and Second. "While still occu- 
pying that place, in the spring of 1856, the 
rector resigned his rectorship, when the Rev. 
William H. Hill, then of Nevada City, Cali- 
fornia, was called to succeed him. Accepting 
the call, his connection with the parish began in 
May of that year, and continued tillJune 1,1870. 

During the summer of 185G, a brick edifice 
was built on the lot at the corner of I and 
Eighth streets, capable of seating 300 people, at 
a cost of about $15,000. The opening services 
in this house were held on September 7, 1856, 
the sermon for the occasion being preached by 
the Rev. Mr. Hill, Rector. 

In May, 1870, the Rev. J. H. C. Bonte was 
called to succeed Mr. Hill, whose resignation, 
previously tendered, was to take effect in June. 
Mr. Bonte, accepting the call, began iiis ser- 
vice as rector of the parish, June 15, 1870. 
After the first Sunday in March, 1871, the 
church edifice spoken of was abandoned on ac- 
count of the settling of the walls, and on April 
18, 1871, the corner-stone of the present build- 
ing was laid by Bishop Kip. 

At the timeof building the new Grace Church 
edifice, in 1871, which cost over .$26,000, ex- 
clusive of the lot, the property was mortgaged 
to the Odd Fellows' Bank of Savings for a loan 
of $10,000. The interest on that loan was regu- 
larly paid for several years, and $1,000 of the 
principal was discharged. But, in 1874, owing 
to the removal from the -city of some of the 



wealthiest parishioners, tlie virtual closure of 
the church for four or five months, on account 
of the absence of the rector, and the gradual 
lessening or falling off of the congregation, and 
the revenues of the church, without any corre- 
sponding lessening of the expenses, the debt 
began to increase, and had so far accumulated by 
1877 that the parish then became bankrupt, the 
mortgage was foreclosed, every species of its 
property was disposed of to satisfy creditors with- 
out fully accomplishing the purpose, and thus its 
name and organization became extinct. 

Seeing that such was the case, by means of a 
number of prominent laymen enough money 
was collected to buy in the church from the 
bank. As a result of this the new parish of St. 
Paul's was organized March 23, 1877, and May 
20, following, the Rev. E. H. Ward, then of 
Marysville, was called to take charge. On Jan- 
nary 1, 1882, Rev. Carroll M. Davis succeeded 
him, and in turn was followed, January 15, 1888, 
by the Rev. John F. von Herrlich, the present 
popular and successful young pastor. Under 
his charge the church has renewed its life and 
vigor, the membership has increased, and the 
church has been almost rebuilt. Already $1,300 
has been spent on improving and completely 
refitting and refinishing the basement, and the 
general painting in progress at time of writing 
will cost $900. The church is to be frescoed, 
at a cost of probably $1,500, from designs exe- 
cuted by the celebrated Moretti, of San Fran- 
cisco, and four stained-glass windows will be 
put in. One, the chancel window, is being made 
for Mrs. Charles Crocker, of San Francisco, as 
a memorial to Mrs. Colonel Fred. Crocker, and 
the large side window is being made for Colonel 
Creed Haymond. These will cost over $1,000 
apiece, and are being made by the Pacific Art 
Glass Works of San Francisco, and will perhaps 
exceed any stained-glass windows now in Cali- 
fornia in beauty of design and artistic taste. It 
is the intention of the present rector to have all 
the windows of the church of this character, 
having the promise of assistance in this direc- 
tion from wealthy friends. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



The present Vestrymen are: A. A. Van Voor- 
I'ies, Senior Warden; J. J. Brown, Junior War- 
den; George W. Railton, Treasurer; F. A. 
Crambbitt, Secretary; J. II. Parkinson, Fred. 
Cox, Harry W". Carroll, K. O. Cravens, A. A. 
Redington, C. C. Bonte, George A. Blanchard. 

F'irst Church of Christ in Sacramento [Con- 
gregational). — The first preliminary meeting was 
held September 16, 1849, in the original school- 
house, which stood near the northwest corner of 
Third and I streets. Rev. J. A. Benton was 
Ch^rraan, and liev. S. P. Blakeslee, Secretary. 
A number present being Presbyterians, the 
question of organizing a Presbyterian Church 
was raised, when the chairman announced that 
as he was not a Presbyterian he had no authority 
to organize such a churcii. They therefore 
organized the " First Church of Christ in Sacra- 
mento," purposely omitting the word " Con- 
gregational." Thus absorbing about all the 
Presbyterian element there was in the city, the 
latter did not organize separately until 1856. 
October 1, 1849, a confession of faith and a 
covenant were adopted, and temporary officers 
elected. Early the following year a manual was 
adopted and permanent officers chosen. May 5, 
that year, an " ecclesiastical society" was formed 
in connection with the church, when they be- 
came able to build a church on Sixth street, 
between J and K. Here, on the 6th of October 
following, a frame church building was dedi- 
cated. The laying of the corner-stone, Septem- 
ber 4, was said to be the first public cei'cmony 
of the kind in this State. But the great fire of 
July 13, 1854, swept the devoted structure 
away. The lot was sold for $1,300, and the 
present brick building was erected, directly 
across the street. The church and society were 
so popular that public sympathy aided them 
materially. Within the last few years about 
$3,000 have been expended upon the building 
in repairs. The church property is now esti- 
mated at about $20,000. 

It is remarkable that only three pastors have 
served this church from the organization until 
the present time, in continuous service — Revs. 



J. A. Benton, I. E. Dwinell and W. C. Mer- 
rill—the latter since 1884. 

The first officers of the church were: Rev. J. 
A. Benton, Pastor; James Gallup, J. W. Hinks, 
John McKee, Z. W. Davidson, A. C. Sweetser, 
Deacons; W. C. Waters, Treasurer; and J. C. 
Zabriskie, Clerk. The present officers are: A. 
C. Sweetser, Moderator and Treasurer; E. B. 
Hussey, Secretary; Trustees — Sparrow Smith, 
President, Llewellyn Williams, Frank Miller, S. 
E. Carrington, E. B. Hussey, J. M. Millikeu 
and William Geary. Mr. Carrington is also 
Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which 
numbers about 300 pupils. It was organized 
August 26, 1849, and thus was the first Sunday- 
school established in Sacramento. Charles 
Cooley superintends the Mission school, and 
Mrs. S. E. Carrington the Chinese school. The 
church membership at present is 275. 

First Baptist Church. — The first Baptist 
minister in Sacramento was Rev. J. Cook, who 
kept a boarding-house on I street and preached 
occasionally in the grove, in 1849. September 
9, 1850, Rev. O. C. Wheeler, of San Francisco, 
came and organized the First Baptist Church, 
assisted probably by Rev. Cook, at the resi- 
dence of Judge E. J. Willis, on H street, be- 
tween Sixth and Seventh. Judge Willis and 
John A. Wadsworth were elected Deacons; 
Madison Walthall, Treasurer; Leonard Loomis, 
Clerk; and Rev. J. W. Capen, Pastor. On the 
following day, the first public services were held 
in the court-house, on I street, between Fourth 
and Fifth. In tlie spring of 1851 a house of 
worship, costing $4,000, was erected on the cor- 
ner of L and Seventh streets. This building 
perished in the flames of November 2, 1852. 
In 1854, what was said to be the finest church 
building in the State was erected on Fourth 
street, between K and L, on the west side. The 
main building was 35x85 feet in area, with a 
vestry in tlie rear 15 x 32 feet. It was a mag- 
nificent structure for the price, $8,000. At the 
time of the great fire of July 13, 1854, it was 
only by the greatest exertions of the citizens that 
it was saved from destruction. In 1877 this 



HISTORY OF 8ACUAMENT0 COUNTY. 



strnuture was sold for the sum of $3,000, and 
was subsequently removed to the corner of 
Fourteenth and K streets, where it is now used 
by the United Brethren in Christ as a place of 
worship. 

The present beautiful frame building, situated 
on Ninth street, between L and M, was erected 
in 1877-'78, at a total cost, including that of 
the lot, of $18,230.48. The opening services 
were held on March 10, 1878, the corner-stone 
having been laid with Masonic ceremonies, 
August 20, 1877. 

September 2, 1855, Ah Mooey, a Chinaman, 
was admitted into the church and afterward 
licensed to preach. This was during the min- 
istry of Eev. J. L. Shuck, who was an accredited 
missionary to the Chinese here, and Ah Mooej's 
baptism was supposed to be the first of that 
nationality in the State. Mr. Shuck died in 
1863, in South Carolina. 

The following is a list of the successive Pas- 
tors to date: J."W. Capen, 1850-'51; JB. Brierly, 
1851; O. C. Wheeler, 1852-'54; J. L. Shuck, 
1854-'60; Frederick Charlton, 1860-'72; Harry 
Taylor, 1872-'76; H. E. Foskett, 1876-'78; A. 
L.'Coie, 1878-'79; A. J. Frost, D. D.; J. E. 
Hopper, 1887 to the'present. The present Dea- 
cons are: F. H. L. Weber, Thomas Sayles, S. L. 
W. Conner, C. B. Conlej, John Minford; Clerk, 
John Kidder; Sunday-school Superintendent, 
Dr. C. Mealand. At present there are 250 
members, Jorty-nine of whom were received 
into the church by Rev. Hopper. 

Calvary Baptist Church, a Mission Sunday- 
school, was organized October 17, 1869, at the 
residence of K. H. Withiugton, by Rev. Fred- 
erick Charlton, Pastor of the First Church. 
This school was held at a school-house until the 
necessity arose of having a building of their 
own, which they soon erected on 1 street, be- 
tween Twelfth and Thirteenth, 40x160 feet, at 
a cost of $1,000. Another building, 38x65 
feet, costing §2,000, was erected in 1870. This 
led to organizing a new church for that part of 
the city, of members from the parent church. 
The first Deacons were: W. R. Strong, R. W. 



Megowan, A. J. Barnes, R. H. Withington; 
Clerk, A. A. Byron. 

The present officers are: Deacons — W. R. 
Strong, R. H. Withington and G. O. Haylbrd; 
President of the Board of Trustees, P. E. Piatt; 
Sunday-school Superintendent, John Boden. 
Present membershij), 230. 

The Pastors have been: Revs. J. P. Ludlow, 
R. F. Parshall, H. W. Read, * * * S. B. 
Gregory, J. Q. A. Henry, 1881-84; S. A. Mc- 
Kay, 1884; A. C. Herrick, from Missouri, De- 
cember, 1884, to the present. 

The Siloam Baptist Church (colored) existed 
from 1856 to a recent period. 

Westminster Presbyterian Church. — The 
Presbyterians were the first to introduce the 
gospel into Sacramento. Revs. J. W. Douglas, 
A. Williams and S. Woodbridge held religious 
meetings here as early as March and April, 
1849; but, as before stated, the first Presby- 
terian Church in this city was not organized 
until 1856, the members having previously 
affiliated with the Congregationalists. This 
organization was called the "First Presbyterian 
Church of Sacramento " In an effort to raise 
funds for the purchase of Philharmonic Hall 
for a place of worship (1860-'63) the church 
failed, and disbanded; but the Sunday-school 
was kept alive, under the zealous supervision of 
W. S. Hunt. January 21, 1866, the present 
church was organized, under the name given at 
the head of this paragraph. This church has 
grown until it has attained a membership of 
230, and they have a large Sunday-school, a 
Chinese mission school, a young people's 
society, mite society, etc. 

The present Elders are: A. Aitken, James H. 
Johnson and Thomas S. Knight. Deacons — A. 
Aitken, James Neilson and James H. Johnson. 
Cliarles M. Campbell, Sunday-school Superin- 
tendent. 

The Pastors have been: Rev.s. William E. 
Baker, P. V. Veeder, A. Fairbairn, N. B. Clink, 
Joshua Phelps, J. S. McDonald, 1866-'69; 
Frank L. Nash, 1869-'72; Charles Schelling, 
1872-'74; James S. McCay, 1874-75; Henry 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



H. Rice, 1875-'86; J. E. Wheeler, D. D., from 
St. Louis, Missouri, 1886 to the present. The 
first five served during the first organization. 

The present house of worship, on the north- 
east corner of Sixth and L streets, was built in 
1860, at a cost of about $18,000. It was dedi- 
cated March 24, 1867, Ilev. Mr. Wadsworth, of 
San Francisco, preaching the sermon. 

Fourteenth Street Presbyterian Church. — 
The Sunday-school organized in July, 1868, by 
the Westminster Church, and maintained by it, 
under the name of the "Bethel Mission School," 
on Fourteenth street, between O and P, grew 
into a church in March, 1882, which now num- 
bers forty-eight members, and is self-sustaining 
and out of debt. It was instituted by Eev. Dr. 
Thomas Fraser, of San Francisco, assisted by 
Ilevs. H. H. Rice and Nelson Slater, and An- 
drew Aitken, of Sacramento. Ilev. A. II. 
Croco was pastor until July, 1883, when he re- 
signed, and Rev. George R. Bird, the present 
pastor, was called. The latter was serving the 
Hamilton Square Presbyterian Church in San 
Francisco, and before that had charge of the 
First Presbyterian Church in Seattle, Washing- 
ton Territory. His residence is at 1609 P 
street. 

The Elders are: Felix Tracy, William Ingram, 
Jr., Alexander Ingram and Scott Ingram; Dea- 
con, William Ingram, Sr. William Ingram, Jr., 
has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school 
for the past sixteen years. 

Sixth Street Methodist Episcopal Cliurch. — 
This was first organized under another local 
name, October 28, 1849, at Dr. Miller's store, 
by Rev. Isaac Owen, familiarly called "Father 
Owen." Seventy-two persons enrolled their 
names. Father Owen was the first missionary 
ajipointed by his church to California, and after 
suffering many hardships in crossing the plains 
with an ox team, was very nearly drowned by 
the carelessness of a drunken crew in capsizing 
a schooner in Suisun Ba}'. Escaping with only 
tlie clothes he wore, which were very rusty from 
constant use in crossing the plains, he came on 
to Sacramento, and preached October 23, 1849, 



under an oak near the corner of Third and L 
streets, and organized the church. 

Material for a house of worship, 24x36 feet 
in size, having been shipped from Baltimore, all 
the way round Cape Horn, by the Conference, 
it was promptly put up and the church finished 
for use. Although plain, it was the first church 
building in Sacramento and therefore seemed 
fairly elegant. It was situated upon a beautiful 
lot donated for the purpose by General Sutter, 
on the southeast corner of Seventh and L streets. 
As the building fronted the former, it was called 
the Seventh Street Methodist Church, and the 
society by the same name. Soon a comfortable 
parsonage was built by Mr. Owen. In the fall 
of 1850 he was succeeded in the pastorate by 
Rev. M. C. Briggs, who had the building en- 
larged, to accommodate the rapidly increasing 
congregation. In 1852 a neat brick structure 
52x80 feet, costing about $18,000, was erected. 
Directly after dedication, November 2, 1852, it 
was destroyed by the great fire. The society, 
however, pluckily hurried up a cheap structure, 
which they occupied until they could build a 
frame church, which they did on the site of the 
Baltimore House. In January, 1859, it was 
sold to the Jewish Congregation forabout $3,500, 
and then the society worshiped in a hall over 
the postoftice until they, within a few months, 
erected their present church, on Sixth street, 
between K and L. The name has since been 
the "Sixth Street Methodist Episcopal Church." 
This building is 52x100 feet in ground area, 
and originally cost from $23,000 to $26,000. It 
was not finished till 1874, when it was raised to 
a higher grade, and a tower and steeple built, at 
an additional cost of about $15,000. 

Pastors — Isaac Owen, 1849-'50;M.C. Briggs, 
1850-'51-, Royal B. Stratton, 1851-'53; Warren 
Oliver and R. Merchant, 1853-'55; N. P. Heath, 
1855; George S. Phillips, 1855-'57; J. W. Ross, 
1857-'59; J. D. Blain, 1859-'61; Jesse T. Peck, 
1861-'63; M. C. Briggs, 1863-65; J. W. Ross, 
1865-'68; J. II. Wytiie, 1868-'70; H. B. Hea- 
ock, 1870-'73; A. M. Hough, 1873-'75; M. C. 
Briggs, 1875-'78; R. Bentley,-1878-'81; T. S. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Dunn, 1881-'84:; E. R. Dille, 1884-'87; Arnold 
T. JSeedhani, 1887 to the present time. 

Stewards — C. A. Maydwell, Secretary and 
Treasurer; P. Bobl, L. S. Taylor, J. L. Huntoon, 
L. C. Jordan, G. M. Hajton, L. Anderson, C. 
H. Dunn, B. N. Bugbey, J. W. Reeves, Joseph 
Ough and Thomas A. Lander. Trustees — J. L. 
Huntoon, President; Peter Bohl, Treasurer; S. 
M. Kiefer, E. M. Leitch, J. E. Camp. 

The present membership is 322; probationers, 
twenty. TheSunday-school,which was organized 
March 29, 1850, has an average attendance of 
175, under the superintendency of Chauncey H. 
Dunn. A recent donation of a lot on the rear 
of the church, by P. Bohl, has enabled the so- 
ciety to build an addition to the church in which 
will be an alcove for the new pipe organ, a 
study for the pastor, and iin infant-class room 
for the Sunday-school. 

Central Methodist Episcopal Church. — The 
society was organized with seven members as 
the H Street Methodist Episcopal Church, De- 
cember 9, 1855, by Kev. N. R. Peck, Rev. N. 
P. Heath, Presiding Elder. The first Official 
Board comprised Martin Grier, J. L. Thomp- 
son, A. Fowler, H. Cronkite, L. Pelton and 13. 
Ward. During the first year of its history a 
•church building was erected and paid for at a 
cost of $2,000, and dedicated June 29, 1856, by 
Bishop Kavanaugh, of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South. Rev. N. R. Peck continued 
pastor until 1857, reporting thirty-nine mem- 
bers, and was succeeded by Rev. Pavid Deal, 
who continued in charge two years and also 
afterward served the church a second term. 

During Rev. Deal's pastorate a parsonage 
was erected at a cost of §1,500, and a goodly 
degree of prosperity was enjoyed. Rev. H. 
Baker was the next pastor and was succeeded 
by Rev. W. ^S. Urmy. During Bro. Urmy's 
pastorate occurred the great flood or floods of 
1861-'62 — two inundations in the same winter; 
water rose in the church eighteen inches above 
the pews, and the pastor and his family were 
rescued from the parsonage in boats. No serv- 
ice was held for several weeks. From the busi- 



ness depression that followed the flood and the 
exodus of people from the city the church suf- 
fered severely. At the Conference in 1863, it 
was proposed to unite the two charges of the 
city, but disapproved, and Rev. N. R. Peck was 
returned as pastor. Mr. Peck had a good year 
and reported an increase of eighteen members. 
Rev. J. A. Bruner was next appointed and 
served for one year. During 1865 and 1866, 
H Street and Sixth Street were under a single 
pastorate. This arrangement nearly destroyed 
the identity of the church and sadly decimated 
its membership. In 1867 H Street received its 
separate pastor again. Rev. J. M. Hinman, a 
supply, being assigned to the work. This was 
a pastorate of some prosperity. In 1869 Rev. 
George Newton was appointed to the charge and 
served it three years. Radical changes occurred 
during this administration. A success realized 
early in the pastorate seeming at the time to 
justify the action, the old church lot on H street 
and the parsonage were sold and the old church 
building moved to the lot corner Eleventh and 
I streets, of which the present church site is a 
part. The building was cut in two and fitted 
up for dwellings, an old building situated upon 
the property was remodeled and improved for a 
parsonage, and plans were laid for the erection 
of a large church building, as a "Memorial 
Church" for Bishop Kingsley, who had died in 
that year in Beyrout, Syria. The plans included 
the erection of a chapel- first. This only was 
erected and called "Kingsley, Chapel." At the 
close of Mr. Newton's pastorate the property 
was found to be so much involved that further 
procedure was impossible; the debt was about 
$8,500. The years immediately following were 
years of varying success and depression. They 
are full of records of heroic endeavor and sacri- 
fice by the members to maintain the church and 
dispose of the indebtedness. Many times they 
faltered, but despite an increasing debt and a 
decreasing membership, and a decaying and 
dingy church building they persevered. Tiiere 
were some gleams of light. A revival under 
Mrs. Van Cott augmented the membership dur- 



UI8T0RT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ing the pastorate of liev. J. L. Trefren, but be- 
cause of the adverse conditions obtaining most of 
these afterward went out to join other churches. 
Revs. Wells, Wickesand Deal were successively 
pastors of the church during this period and 
have left precious records of devotion and sacri- 
fice for the church in its darker hours. In 1882 
Rev. JVIcKelvey was appointed to the charge. 
During his pastorate, by indomitable persever- 
ance and eftbrt, the burdening debt was wiped 
out, but by the loss of all the property except 
the church building and the lot upon which it 
stands; and the old building, now dingy and 
out of repair, was remodeled and improved at a 
cost of $3,500, most of which was raised by 
Rev. McKelvey outside of tlie membership. The 
name of the church was changed from Kingsley 
Chapel to Central. The re-opening by Bishop 
Fowler showed a neat attractive church build- 
ing, well appointed and without debt. Rev. 
McKelvey was removed by limitation before en- 
joying the fruit of his labor, and the present 
pastor appointed. 

There has been a steady and healthy growth 
in all lines in the present pastorate. During 
the last year a fine pipe organ has been pur- 
chased and paid for, completing the equipment 
of the church. 

The present Official Board comprises: Local 
Preacher, Loyal T. Smith; Sunday-school Su- 
perintendent, D. W. Hoffman; Trustees — M. 
K. Barrett, "W". F. Cronemiller, B. F. Pike; 
Stewards— L. P. Smith, Charles Cox, W. F. 
Cronemiller, Albert Jones, L. E. Smith, M. K. 
Barrett, D. W. Hoffman, S. E. Hesser, D. C. 
Smith, B. F. Pike, J. H. Hillhouse, R. F. 
Rooney; Class-leaders — B. F. Pike, L. T. Smith, 
Mrs. S. E. Hesser. Rev. Thomas Filben, the 
Pastor, is ex officio the Chairman of the Official 
Board, L. E. Smith is Secretary, M. K. Barrett, 
Treasurer, and Charles Co.k, Collector. 

A German Methodist Church was organized 
in Sacramento in 1856, but a debt finally, in 
1866-'67, caused it to be broken up. 

St. Andreio''s Church, African. Methodist 
Episcopal., was organized in the fall of 1850, by 



Rev. Isaac Owen, formerly mentioned, at the 
residence of "Uncle Daniel Blue," on I street, 
between Fourth and Fifth. A house of worship 
was soon erected, on the site of the present build- 
ing, on the east side of Seventh street, between 
G and H. The latter, of brick, is a large build- 
ing, erected in the fall of 1867. 

The first officers were Daniel Blue, P. Jones 
and John Wilson. The first Pastor was James 
Fitzgerald, who occupied tliat position in 1851 
-'52. The successive Pastors to date have been : 
George Fletcher, 1852-'53; Barney Fletcher, 
1853-'54; Darius Stokes, 1855-'56; T. M. D. 

Ward, 1857-'64:; John J.Jenifer, ■; James 

H. Hubbard, 1870-'71; J. C. Hamilton, 1873 
-'74; J. F. Jordan, 1874-'75; James R. Dor- 
sey, 1875-'78; L N. Triplett, 1878-'80; James 
R. Dorsey, 1880-'85; Jordan Allen, 1885-'87; 
O. Sumniers, from September, 1887, to the 
present. There are forty-six members. The 
Stewards are: A. Giles, Albert Buchanan, J. 
Crosby, Jesse Slaughter and Isaiah Dunlap; 
Mr. Giles is also the Class-Leader, and Mrs. J. 
R. Dorsey the Sunday-school Superintendent. 

Methodist Episcopal Ghxirch^ South, was 
organized in April, 1850, by Rev. W. D. Pol- 
lock, who also was the principal man in the 
building of a frame church directly afterward, 
on the site of the present large brick structure, 
on the east side of Seventh street, between J 
and K. The latter was dedicated by Bishop 
Pierce, July 10, 1859. Cost of building, $4,000. 
The first building was burned November 2, 
1852. During the last year, 1888, $500 has 
been expended in repairs and improvements; 
but since the advent of the present pastor. Rev. 
A. C. J^ane, October, 1888, the congregation 
has so increased that the church has decided to 
sell the building and erect a more commodious 
structure. 

In the fall of 1850, Mr. Pollock, on account 
of ill-health, returned to Alabama, where he 
died in the following year. His successor, at 
Sacramento, was a Rev. Mr. Penman, who re- 
mained only a short time, when he abandoned 
the ministry and engaged in other pursuits. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Since then tlie successive Pastors to date have 
been as follows: 

W. K. Gobcr, 1851-'52; Joliii Mattliews, of 
Tennessee, from August, 1852-April, 1853; 1!. 
F. Crouch, appointed by Bishop Soule, 1853- 
April, 1855; A. Graham, April, 1855-October, 
1856; W. R. Gober, October, 1856-October, 
1858; Morris Evans, 1858-'60; J. C. Simmons, 
1861-'62; S. Brown, 1862-63; George Sim, 
1863-'65; E. K. Miller, 1865-'66; T. H. B. 
Anderson, 1866-'68; George Sim, 1868-'69; 
W. R. Gober, 1869-'72; T. L. Moody, 1872-'73; 
C. Chamberlain, 1873-'75; B. F. Page, 1875, 
to fill out Mr. Chamberlain's time; R. Pratt, 
1875-'76; M. C. Fields, 1876-'78; C. Y. Ran- 
kin, 1878-'79; T. H. B. Anderson. 1879-'82; 
F. Walter Featherstone, 1882-'83; H. C. Chris- 
tian,' 1883-'87; George B. Winton, 1887-'88; 
A. C. Bane, October, 1888, to the present. 

The present membership is 168. The Stew- 
ards are: T. A. Snider, George Wait, P. H. 
Russell, George D. Irvine, U. C. Billingsly, J. 
11. Wolf and J. R. Martyr. Local Preachers, 
W. M. Armstrong and F. M. Odom. The spir- 
itual life of the churcli has been greatly quick- 
ened since Mr. Bane has become the pastor, and 
the membership increased by about fifty. 

Eheneser Church, Eoancjelieal Association 
[German). — This was organized in 1881, and 
has now thirty six members. The present 
church building, on Tenth street, between O 
and P, is about 86 x 60 feet in size, and was 
built in 1882. The old building, owned by the 
" Trinity Church," Evangelical Association, was 
sold in 1887. That society was disbanded a 
number of years ago. 

The Pastors of the present church have been 
Rev. F. W. Fischer, who has gone to Japan, 
and Rev. August Heinhaus, since June 1, 1886, 
who is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is also 
the Class-leader and the Sunday-school Super- 
intendent, being assisted in these relations by 
John Bachofen. A fine parsonage is on the lot 
adjoining that of the church. 

United Brethren in (Jhrifit. — The first steps 
toward tlie formation of a church of tliis denom- 



ination in Sacramento were taken by the Rev. 
Alexander Musselman, in the years 1875-'76. 
The result of his preliminary prospecting was a 
series of meetings lield in the Calvary Baptist 
Cliurch on I street, between Twelfth and Thir- 
teenth, by Reverends J. 11. Becker and Mr. 
Field,. This was sometime in 1876. In the 
fall of that year the present organization was 
effected, and the old church building belonging 
to the Baptists, and known as the Fourth Street 
Baptist Church, was purchased for $3,000. For 
some reason the matter was delayed, and posses- 
sion of the property was not obtained- until 
November, 1877. In September, 1878, the 
house was removed to the corner of Fourteenth 
and K streets, when it was raised six feet, re- 
paired, painted, ;ind furnished, at a cost of about 
$2,800. On the lot adjoining west a parsonage 
was erected in 1884, at a cost of $1,600. The 
membership this year (1889) is sixty, of whom 
Mrs. S. E. Thompson is Class-leader, and Mr. 
Hagenbaugh, Steward. M. Moyer is the Sun- 
day-school Superintendent. 

Pastors — Revs. H. J. Becker, September, 
1877, to September, 1878; D. D. Hart, 1878 to 
1881, when he died, in the pulpit; H. J. Becker, 
for different periods; Revs. Field, Demondrum 
to 1883; Francis Fisher, two years; T. J. Ban- 
der, to September, 1888, and J. W. Baumgard- 
ner to date. 

German Lutheran Church. — In 1865-'67 Rev. 
Mr. Buehler, of San Francisco, and Rev. Mr. 
Elbert ])reached here a few times and endeav- 
ored to establish a church, but without success. 
Then Rev. Matthias Goethe, formerly of Aus- 
tralia, began work in this city, organized the 
church January 19, 1868, and purchased the 
old German Methodist Church building on the 
corner of Ninth and K streets, for $2,400. F. 
Klotz, H. Winters, H. W. Schacht, F. Hopie 
and A. Grafmiller were elected Trustees. This 
building was afterward sold, and the present 
Irame structure, 160 feet square, on the corner 
of Twelfth and K streets, was erected, in 1872- 
'73, at a cost, including the three bells, of about 
$15,000. The congregation has fiourished un- 



IIISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



til it has reached a membership of about 400. 
Attendance at Sunday-school, 200. In the pas- 
toral relation Mr. Goethe was succeeded by 
Kevs.T. Langehecker, Ur.C. Taubner, 1876-'87, 
and John Jatho, from Nebraska, since Novem- 
ber of the latter year. 

Christian Chvrch, or Disciples of Christ. — 
On the ISth of October, 1855, Elders J. N. 
Tendegast and Thomas Thompson conducted the 
iirst religious services of this denomination ever 
held in this city. The place of meeting was in 
the Methodist brick church, which still stands 
on the east side of Seventh street, between J 
and K streets. The officers then appointed 
were: John O. Garrett and li. B. Ellis, Elders; 
Kufns Rigdon and A. M. C. Depue, Deacons. 
The present neat chapel on Eighth street, be- 
tween N and O, was erected in 1S77, at an ex- 
pense of $4,500, including lot. For this en- 
terprise the church is mainly indebted to Elder 
J. N. Pendegast. The building has recently 
been greatly improved. There are now about 
150 members in the church fellowship. Tiie 
present Elders are T. P. Taylor and Jerry Bur- 
Ion; Deacons, W. Z. Clark, Hiram Garrett, J. O. 
March and Henry Garrett. Mr. March is also act- 
ing Clerk and the Sunday-school Superintendent. 

The Pastors have been: John G. Parrish, 

Stevenson (who published a paper here), J. N. 
Pendegast (editing the same paper), Peter Bur- 
nett, P. H. Cutter, Ale.\. Johnson, E. B. Ware 
(now in Oakland), R. L. McHatton (now at Eu- 
reka, California), and since July, 1888, L. N. 
Early. 

Seventh-Daij At/ventid Chtirch.— Tins body 
was tirst organized in Sacramento, February 6, 
1885, with ten members, by Elder E. A. Briggs, 
at that time a resident of Oakland. In Octo- 
ber, 1887, the name was changed from Pleasant 
Grove to Sacramento, etc., it having first bisen 
organized at I'leasant Grove, Sutter County. 
E. Banta is Leader and Deacon ; Mrs. E. Banta is 
Church Clerk. Membership, twenty-seven. T. 
W. Clark, Superintendent of Sunday-school. 
Stated meetings are held at the United Brethren 
Church, and prayer-iuceting Wednesday even- 



ings at the residence of Mr. Clark. The mem- 
bers of this church keep Saturday as the Sabbath. 
In March, 1872, a "Second Advent Churcli," 
who kept Sunday as the Sabbath, was organized 
by Elder Miles Grant, had at one time as many 
as thirty members, but went down in about four 
years. 

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ, of Lat- 
ter-Day Saints. — Tliis body (anti-polygamist) 
was organized in Sacramento in 1865; met for 
a time in the Chinese Chapel on Sixth street, 
between I and H, then in Graham's Hall, then 
in the lower hall of the Masonic Building, and 
finally, in 1884, built a neat frame church 34x44 
feet in dimensions, on the corner of Twenty- 
fourth and K streets, at an outlay of $2,100. 
The society, now comprising 180 members, is 
entirely out of debt. These people havebeen 
in a position to accomplish more toward the de- 
struction of polygamy than any other Christian 
body in proportion to their numbers, and have 
improved their opportunity. Victory is coming 
as fast as the laws of human nature will admit. 
The head of this church is Joseph Smith, Jr., 
now of Limoni, Iowa. 

The Elders who have served the society here 
in the pastoral relation have been : E. H. Webb, 
G. W. Harlow, J. H. Parr, since 1884, and per- 
haps others. The church is not yet lully organ- 
ized, but at present J. R. Cook is Traveling 
Elder; Owen Dinsdale, Local Elder; Mrs. Chris- 
tina Blair, Clerk. \ Sunday-school of about 
thirty pupils is maintained. Elder George W. 
Harlow, of Brighton, is President of this district. 
Preaching at 11 o'clock a. m. every Sunday. 

A small society of •' Brighamite" (polygamy) 
Mormons existed in Sacramento from 1872 lor 
a few years. 

Unitarian Church. — Rev. Brown, I'rom New 
England, preached the iirst Unitarian sermon 
in Sacramento, December 29, 1867, in the Met- 
ropolitan Theatre. The following spring the 
"First Unitarian Church of Sacramento" was 
formed, and increased to 100 members in a short 
time, but in 1873 went down. In 1887 it was 
reorganized, and it now has about tifty members. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



who worship in Pioneer Hall. A lot on Sixteenth 
street, between K and L, has been purchased 
whereon to erect a house of worship. Rev. C. 
P. Massey, the Pastor, preaches occasionally, and 
superintends the Sunday-sciiool, which is in a 
flourishing condition. J. M. Avery is Assistant 
Superintendent. 

Congregation B'' nai Israel. — Previous to the 
formation of the present society in 1852, there 
had been another organization, whose meetings 
were held at the residence of Mr. M. Ilyman, 
who kept a jewelry store on Front street. The 
officiating minister was Rev. Mr. Wolf. The 
first synagogue owned in this city was a small 
frame building which stood on Fifth street, be- 
tween N and O. It was alterward sold to the 
colored Baptists, and used by them as a house 
of worship until its destruction by fire in 1861. 
After this, the frame house on Seventh street, 
near L, was purchased of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church for $8,500, and converted into a 
synagogue. This, too, was destroyed by fire in 
1861, in October. In the early part of 1864, 
the congregation purchased their present build- 
ing on Sixth street, between J and K, previously 
occupied by the First Presbyterian Church, and 
since then greatly remodeled. Here they meet 
every Saturday and Sunday, maintain a school 
of children and religious services generally. Of 
the congregation, L. Elkus is President; Max 
Levy, Vice-President; S. Morris, Secretary; J. 
Ginsberg, Treasurer. They also own a neat 
buryingground. It is a strong society and in 
excellent financial condition. 

The Rabbis have been: Revs. Mr. Wolf; Z. 
Nenstadter, 1857-59; R. Rosenthal, 1859-'60; 
S. Peck, 1860-'61; R. M. Cohen, 1861-'62; M. 

Siiverstein, 1862-'65; Stamper, 1865-'68; 

II. P. Lowenthal, 1868--'79; S. Gerstman (who 
led in changing the society from "orthodox" to 
"reformed"), 1879-'81; J. Bloch, 1882-'83; 
G. Taubenhaus, 1884 to July, 1888. At this 
writing no one is engaged as rabbi. 
TUK sociKrrKS. 
All Masonic and Odd Fellows and Knights 
of Pytlii.is societies meet in their respective 



halls mentioned in the following list, unless 
otherwise indicated, while the places of meeting 
of all the other societies are mentioned in the 
respective sketches. The following is a list of 
the principal halls: 

Masonic Temple, southwest corner of Sixth 
and K. 

Odd P'ellows' Temple, corner of Ninth and K. 
Red Men's Hall, in Masonic Temple. 
Grangers' Hall, corner of Tenth and K. 
Pioneer Hall, east of Seventh street, between 
J and K. 

Union Hall, corner of Twentieth and O streets. 
Firemen's Hall, west side of Eighth street, 
between J and K. 

Armory Hall, southwest corner of Sixth and 
L streets. 

Y. M. I. (Young Men's Institute) Hall, east 
side of Seventh street, between K and L. 

Knights of Pythias Temple, northwest corner 
of Ninth and I streets. 

Sacramento Commander ij. No. 2, K. T.- — 
The commandery was organized July 5, 1853, 
with the following charter members and first 
officers: Isaac Davis, Commander; Jesse Mer- 
rill, Generalissimo; T. A. Thomas, Captain 
General. Other charter members were: C. I. 
Hutchinson, A. B. Hoy, John L. Thompson, 
Charles Dnncombe, J. P. Goucli and James 
M. Stockley. The membership is now 190. 
Stated meetings, the first Saturday of each 
month. The officers are: William B. Davis, 
Eminent Commander; William D. Knight, 
Generalissimo; John E. T. Pike, Captain Gen- 
eral; John W. Rock, Prelate; Richard P. Burr, 
S. W., Joseph Davey, J. W.; A. A. Van Voor- 
hies. Treasurer; A. A. Redington, Recorder; 
William R. Jones, Standard-Bearer; -lames E. 
Mills, Sword-Bearer; V. Dresher, Warder; 
Richard Vaughn, Harry Ingham and Charles G. 
Woodburn, Captains of the Guard; George F. 
Bronner, Sentinel. 

Sacramento Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M., was 
instituted October 5, 1852, with the following 
charter members and first ofticers: Isaac Davis, 
H. P.; J. II. i^.ullanl, K.; Joel Noah, S.; T. A. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Thomas, C. of II.; Charles Diineombe, P. S.; J. 
Ball, K. A. C; J. P. Gouch, M. 3d Vice; G. 
Haines, M. 2d Vice; J. Wilcoxsen, M. 1st Vice. 
Others who were charier members: A. B. Hoy, 
T. W. Thayer, John L. Thompson, Jesse Mor- 
rill, "William Eeynolds, I. N. Bricelaiid, A. 
Hnllnb, Cyrus Eowe. The chapter has at 
present 274 members. Present officers: Kufns 
B. Harmon, H. P.; John W. Kock, King; 
Richard P. Bnrr, Scribe; Edward Lyon, Treasu- 
rer; "William B. Davis, Secretary; Jacob Hyman, 
Jr., Captain of the Host; William E. Oughton, 
Prin. Soj.; Lewis B. Littlefield, II. A. C; John 
Hurley, M. 3d V.; Preston L. Lykins, M. 2d 
v.; James E. Mills, M. 1st V.; George F. 
Bronner, Guard. Meet the first Tuesday of the 
month. 

St. John Chapter, B. A.M. (colored), was or- 
ganized in 1875, and at present numbers twenty 
members. R. J. Fletcher, H. P.; I. Dunlap, 
King; Frank Butler, Scribe; Rev. J. R. Dor- 
sey, Secretary: "William S. Lee, Treasurer. This 
chapter meets the second Monday of each month, 
over Armory Hall. 

Sacramento Council, No. 1., R. cfc S. 31., 
was organized April 10, 1858, with the follow- 
ing lirst officers and charter members: Isaac 
Davis, T. L M.; John A. Tutt, D. L M.; Geo. 
I. N. Monell, P. C. of "W.; G. E. Montgomery, 
Recorder; N. Greene Curtis, Treasurer. Others 
who were also charter members: Jesse Morrill, 
T. A. Thomas, G. Haines, H. H. Hartley, O. H. 
Dibble, A. G. Richardson and J. "Wilcoxsen, 
none of whom are now active members. There 
are at present 207 members, who meet the last 
Monday of each month. Officers: John Hur- 
ley, Thrice Illustrious Master; "William H. 
Davis, Deputy Illustrious Master; Valentine 
Dresher, Principal Conductor of the "Work; 
"William R.Miller, Treasurer; "William B.Davis, 
Recorder; Harry Ingham, Captain of the Guard, 
William E. Oughton, Conductor; Richard 
Vaughan, Steward; George F. Bronner, Sentinel. 

Palestine Lodge of Perfection, No. 2, Scot- 
tish-Rite 3lasonrij. — This system of Masonry 
was first introduced in Sacramento in 1869, but 



not in a proper manner, and the lodge was per- 
mitted to go down about 1873. The present 
lodge was organized February 9, 1884, and now 
has about eighty members in good standing. 
The society includes the Council of Princes of 
Jerusalem, Chapter of Rose Croix and Council 
of the Knights of Kadosh, all of which confer 
certain degrees, numbering twenty-nine in all; 
that is, commencing with the third degree, that 
of Master Mason, they confer twenty-nine more, 
making a total of thirty-two. The officers are: 
C. LI. Denton, Thrice Potent; C. "W. "Wallace, 
Senior "Warden; A. F. Robinson, Junior "War- 
den, and Alexander Dunn, Secretary. Of the 
Council of Princes, H. A. Burnett is S. P. G. 
M.; of the Chapter of Rose Croix, Joseph 
Davey is M. "W.; and of the Council of Kadosh, 
Powell S. Lawson is Illustrious Commander. 
The meetings are held in Red Men's Hall. 

Tehama Lodge, No. 3, P". cfc A. M., was first 
opened under the name of Connecticut Lodge, 
No. 75, January 8, 1850, by Caleb Fenner, un- 
der the authority of the Connecticut Grand 
Lodge. In April following the Grand Lodge 
of California was organized, and the Sacramento 
blue lodge was given its present name; and it 
might have been numbered 1 with as much pro- 
priety as the first San Francisco lodge was so 
numbered. In November the Past Masters and 
Masters were numbered twenty-nine. This lodge 
being 'the oldest in Sacramento, if not in the 
State, has had a long and interesting history, 
which we would like to give did spate permit. 
The present membership is 102, and the officers 
are: Clarence M. Nelson, Worshipful Master; 
Theodore G. Filers, Senior Warden ; John E. T. 
Pike, Junior Warden; Alonzo Conklin, Treas- 
urer; William B. Davis, Secretary; William H. 
Davis, S. D.; William A. Gett, Jr., J. D.; 
George M. Woodburn and Charles G. Wood- 
burn, Stewards; Peter Durno, Marshal; and 
George F. Bronner, Tiler. 

The lodge meets the first Monday of each 
month. 

Washington Lodge, No. 20, P". c& A. II., was 
chartered May 5, 1852, the first preliminary 



BISTORT OF SACHAMENTO COUNTl'. 



meeting having been held February 19 preced- 
ing. Under the dispensation granted February 
21, 1852, tlie following were elected officers, on 
the 26th. Charles Duncombe, Worshipful Mas- 
ter; Jes^e Morrill, Senior Warden; J. L. Thomp- 
son, Junior Warden; George I. N. Morrill, 
Treasui-er; John R. Atkins, Secretary; James 
A. Bullard, S. D.; Joel Ball, J. D.; G. Haines 
and N. Greene Curtis, Stewards; IT. Thiol, 
Tiler. In May Mr. Curtis was elected Worship- 
ful Master. 

To-day there are si.xty-three members of this 
lodge, who meet the first Thursday of the month. 
Officers: W. A. Potter, Worshipful Master; C. 

E. Burnham, Senior Warden; R. U. Gay, Junior 
Warden; W. C. Felch, Treasurer; E. Glover, 
Secretary; C. E. Flye, S. D.; F. T. Johnson, J. 
D.; W. W. Marvin, Jr., Marshal; C. E. Wright, 
and C. R. Hayford, Stewards; E. Roth, Tiler. 

Sacramento Lodge, No. Ifi, F & A. M. — A 
dispensation was granted July 20, 1853; the 
lodge was organized July 26, 1853, and the 
charter granted May 6, 1854. The first officers 
and other charter members were: James L. 
English, W. M.; John A. Tutt, S. W.; John 
H. Goss, J. W.; John Q. Brown, S.; J. Wil- 
coxsen, T.; D. St. C. Stevens, S. D.; O. D. 
Chaffee, J. D.; A. F. Rodgers, B. F. Crouch, 
Jr., P. Edwards, R. B. Ellis, J. F. Montgomery, 
A. Asher, Isaac Davis, James H. Bullard, John 
Heard, W. W. Stovall, Jacob Kohlmanu, John 

F. Morse, O. C. Wheeler, James Anthony, W. 
P. Henry and H. Greenbaum. The present 
officers are: Jay R. Brown, W. M.; Rufus B. 
Harmon, S. W.; William F. George, J. W.; 
William M. Petrie, Treas.; Frank E. Lambert, 
Sec; Marshall Hale, Jr., S. D.; L. P. Scott, J. 
D.; Charles H. Denton, Marshal; J. W. Reeves 
and Adam Andrews, Stewards. The lodge 
meets the first Friday of each month. It com- 
prises 146 members. 

Union Lodge, No. 58, F. cfe A. Jf.— The 
organization was effected May 4, 1854, and the 
charter granted May 15, 1855. The charter 
members and officers were: J. H. Ralston, W. 
M.; G. Haines, S. W.; A. Waters, J. W.; A. 



Andrews, T.; E. Block, Jr., S.; S. Kohlmann, 
S. D.; L. Keller, J. D. ; H. G. Tiiiel, Tiler; 
William Agar, George Chorpening, F. Dattelz- 
weig, M. Einstein, John Fitz Patrick, M. Gold- 
stein, D. S. Graham, Joseph Harris, Thomas 
Hutchinson, Marcus Kohn, Morris Kohn, S. 
Kyburg, L. Lehmann, L. Lewis, Julius Lyon, 
A. Mayer, P. Mayerby, F. Mandlebauin, M. 
Marks, L. Openheim, S. Openheim, J. Wal- 
doner, Ed. AVise and E. J. Willis. None of 
these are now active members of this lodge. 
There are at present 153 members, and their 
time of meeting is the first Wednesday of each 
month. Lodge prosperous and enjoying, the 
best of feeling fraternally. Officers at present: 
W. H. Baldwin, W. M.; James Edgar Mills, S. 
W.; B. W. Flye, J. W.; A. Meister, Treas.; 
John McArthur, Sec; Harry Ingham, S. D.; 

A. W. Edwards, J. D.; John R. Watson, Mar- 
shal; Alphonse Dennery and Aaron Garlick, 
Stewards; J. O. Wilder, Tiler. 

Concord Lodge, No. 117, F. db A. M., was 
organized May 15, 1857, with the following 
charter members and first officers: J. L. Thomp- 
son, W. M.; J. L. Polhemus, S. W.; Levi 
Hermance, J. W.; J. B'riederichs, T. ; William 
Sinclair, S.; David Deal, C; L. H. Frazelle, S. 
D.; W. H. Baxter, J. D.; E. Jacobs and John 
Reny, Stewards; N. A. Kidder, Tiler. Other 
charter members: C. S. White, S. Friederichs, 
J. P. Thompson, P. L. Buddivent. The officers 
last January were: Joseph Davey, W. M. ; E. 

B. Carroll, S. W.; J. W. Guthrie, J. W.; John 
Gruhler, Treas.; W. H. Hevener, Sec; L. C. 
Schindler, S. D.; Richard Watkins, J. D.; M. 
Stine and H. Longton, Stewards; H. A. Heil- 
bron. Marshal; N. A. Kidder, Tiler. Stated 
meetings, the second Tuesday of each month. 
Seventy-seven members. 

Jennings Lodge, No. 4, and Sutter Lodge, 
No. 6, F. & A. M., organized in 1849-'50, sur- 
rendered their charters in 1853. 

Philomathean Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M. 
(colored), working under a charter obtained from 
England, was organized November 6, 1853, has 
at present about thirty members, and meets the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



lirst and third Mondays of every month, over 
Armory Hall. The officers at this time are: 



Isaiah Dm 



lap, 



Carter Jackson, S. W.; 



Ilev. J. R. Dorsey, Sec; F. M. Itay, Treas. 

Naomi C'Ii.apter\ No. 36, 0. E. S., was in- 
stituted May 3, 1879, with the following charter 
members and officers: Mrs. E. M. Froot, W. 
M.; J. N. Young, W. P.; Mrs. M. J. Cravens, 
A. M.; E. C. Atkinson, Sec; "W. H. Hevener^ 
T. ; Mrs. A.J. Atkinson, Chap.; Miss H. A. 
Palmer, C; Miss M. A. Stanton, A. C; Mrs. 
A. Coglan, Adah; Mrs. G. Van Voorhies, Ruth; 
Mrs. M. E. Parsons, Esther; Mrs. E. M. Hart- 
ley, Martha; Mrs. C. P. Huntoon, Electra; 
Mrs.'M. F. McLaughlin, W.; J. T. Griffitts, 
Sentinel. Within a few weeks there were forty 
members, but there are now 110 members, 
working in harmony and with satisfactory re- 
sults. The lodge meets the second and fourth 
Wednesdays of each month, in Masonic Hall. 
The officers are: Mrs. Hannah Wright, Worthy 
Matron; William B. Miller, Worthy Patron; 
Mrs. Ella Hatch, Associate Matron ; Mrs. M.J. 
Craven, Sec; Mrs. Kacliel Adams, Treasurer; 
Mrs. Sal lie White, Cond.; Mrs. Minnie Kolli- 
ker. Associate Conductress; Mrs. Mattie Hunt, 
AVarden; Mrs. Hannah Harper, Sentinel. 

Ada Chapter, No. 2, 0. E. S. (colored), was 
established in 1871, with twenty-nine members; 
now there are thirty-five, who meet the first and 
third Tuesdays of each month, over Armory 
Hall. The officers are: Mrs. Lillie Peck, W. 
M.; Rev. J. R. Dorsey, W. P.; Mrs. R. T. 
Johnson, A. M.; Mrs. Ella Dorsey, Sec; Mrs. 
H. Sioall, Treas.; Mrs. Jennie Lee, C; Mrs. E. 
Jackson, A. C; Mrs. A. Jackson, Warder; Mrs. 
C. Jackson, Sentinel; of the Central Star, Miss 
S. M. Jones is Ada; Mrs. E. Penney, Ruth; 
Mrs. Jennie Emory, Queen Esther; Mrs. Jen- 
kins, Martha; Mrs. H. G. Murrals, Electra. 

In this connection it may be mentioned that 
Dr. R. J. Fletcher, who has been the founder 
and chief spirit of Freemasonry among the 
colored people of SacramentQ, and founder of 
the order on the Pacific Coast, was instrumental 
in the establishment of the Grand Chapter, O. 



E. S. (colored), which was organized December 

27, 1882. Many of the details of its history 
must be omitted here, for want of space. The 
present officers residing in Sacramento are: 
Peter Powers, 1st G. P.; Mrs. -Virginia John- 
son, G. M.; Mrs. Lillie Peck, G. T.; Mrs. Rachel 
Johnson, G. S. 

The Chinese have a sign out at the street door 
on Second street, near I, in English letters, 
"Freemasons;" but as we did not understand 
Chinese, nor they Volapiik, we were unable to 
learn anything concerning their institution here. 
It is rumored that they have a few things in 
common with the secret service of occidental 
Masonry. 

Masonic Hall Assooiation. — To accommodate 
the many lodges in Sacramento with a good and 
well-furnished hall, steps were taken as early as 
1864 to erect au appropriate building. Sep- 
tember 17, that year, an association for the 
purpose was formally incorporated, with a capi- 
tal stock of $30,000. The building was com- 
pleted within a year, on the southwest corner of 
Sixth and K streets. It is 60x90 feet in di- 
mensions, having a basement and three stories. 
An addition was subsequently made to this, and 
the present structure is a substantial and im- 
posing one. These are the present officers: 
Trustees— William B. Davis, S. W. Butler, C. 
N. Snell, J. R. Watson, William R. Jones, 
William M. Petrie, William E. Oughton, Will- 
iam B. Miller, John W. Rock. The board 
organized by the election of J. R. Watson, Pres- 
ident; C. N. Snell, Vice-President; William B. 
Davis, Secretary, and William M. Petrie, Treas- 
urer. The association is now free of debt. 
Regular meetings the second Monday of every 
month. 

Sacramento Lodge, No. 2, I. 0. 0. F. — Gen- 
eral A. M. Winn has the credit of introducing 
Oddfellowship in Sacramento as early as Au- 
gust, 1849; but the complete organization of 
the first lodge was not eft'ected until January 

28, 1851, when the following became the char- 
ter members: Horatio E. Roberts, George H. 
Peterson, George G. Wright, Lucius A. Booth, 



HISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Samuel Deal, M. Kaliski, Robert Robinson, N. 
C. Cuniiingliam, M. C. Collins and William 
Childs. The following were installed as offi- 
cers: Horatio E. Roberts, N. G.; G. H. Peter- 
son, V. G.; Georgo G. Wright, Secretary; Lu- 
cius A. Booth, Treasurer. Meetings were at 
first held in the lodge-room of the Freemasons. 

Of this, the oldest lodge, there are now 235 
members, and the officers are: J. G. Cox, N.G.; 
M. C. Doherty, Y. G.; N. W. Robbins, R. S.; 

E. Hadix, P. S.; Joseph Bories, Treasurer; P. 

F. Herenger, J. F. G. 

The lodge meets every Saturday evening. 

Exireka Lodge., No. i, I. 0. 0. F. — On Janu- 
ary 7, 1852. Eureka Lodge, No. 4, was organ- 
ized, with the following charter members and 
first officers: George I. N. Monell, N. G.; 
Thomas Sunderland, V. G. ; A. P. Andrews, 
R. S. ; William H. Watson, Treasurer; John 
Turner, R. S. N. G.; R. Porter, L. S. N. G.; 
W. H. Tilley, R. S. V. G.; W. H. Hall, L. S. 
V. G.; Thomas M. Davis, Warden; A. J. 
Lucas, Conductor; also David Hall and Jesse 
Morrill. At present the membership is 153, 
and the principal officers are: B. C. Brier, N. 
G.; W. L. Gifford, V. G.; E. Glover, Secretary; 
M. Miller, Treasurer. Meetings every Wednes- 
day evening. 

El Dorado Lodge, No. 8, L. 0. 0. F., was 
organized September 24, 1852, with the follow- 
ing charter members and officers: J. F. Clout- 
man, N. G.; J. L. Polhemus, V. G.; L. D. 
Kelly, R. S. ; George W. Chedic, Treasurer; A. 
B. Armstrong, L. Korn, James Levi, Thomas 
B. Moore, Joseph S. Korn, James S. Scott and 
W. Prosser, in all eleven. There are now 190 
members, with the following officers: Andrew 
Carlaw, J. P. G.; James McCaw, N. G.; George 
P. Boyne, V. G.; B. Shields, Recording Secre- 
tary; L. Salomon, Permanent Secretary; M. A. 
Howard, Treasurer. Stated meetings every 
Monday evening. 

Schiller Lodge, No. 105, I. 0. 0. F.—On 
June 26, 1862, this lodge was organized with 
the following officers and charter members: S. 
J. Nathan, N.G.; Joseph Schawb, V.G.; Charles 



Schwartz, Secretary ; Charles Djhn, P. S.; L. C 
Mendelson, Treasurer; Lewis Korn, H. Thiel- 
bahrt, Anton Wagner, A. Meier, George Ochs, 
F. Gotthold, Jacob Klippell, Louis Greenebaum, 
Peter Kunz and George Guth. There are now 
172 members. Present officers: Charles G. 
Noack, N. G.; John Rolir, V. G.; P. Peikert, 
Recording Secretary; Emil Schmitt, Permanent 
Secretary; F. Mackfessel, Treasurer. The meet- 
ings are Thursday evenings. 

Capitol Lodge, No. 87, I. o'. 0. F., has 
elected officers for the ensuing term as follows: 
O. A. Lovdal, N. G.; E. G. Messner, V. G.; 
W. A. Stephenson, Recording Secretary; L. B. 
Yan Denberg, Permanent Secretary; R. Davis, 
Treasurer; W. D. Stalker, Trustee. 

Industrial Lodge, No. 157, 1. 0. 0. i^.— This 
lodge was organized April 24, 1869. The fol- 
lowing were the first officers and charter mem- 
bers: G. W. Carroll, N. G.; J. M. Ripley, Y. 
G.; J. A. Seaman, Recording Secretary; G. A. 
Stoddard, Permanent Secretary; John Rippon, 
Treasurer. The charter members were: G. B. 
Dean, T. P. Ford, I. C. Shaw, Charles Noyes, 
C. C. Ault, H. C. Wolf, J. M. Anderson, M. 
Phelan, B. F. Huntley, S. H. Gerrish, Royal 
Preston, W. F. Emmerson, R. McRae, J. L. 
Gerrish. P. Bolger, G. F. Pattisou, W. D. Ham- 
mond, J. S. Phillbrick, George Landon, M. 
Favero, E. E. Masters, W. C. Gent, John 
Thomas, Add. Crandall, J. C. Carroll and F. 
Woodward. Twelve of these are still active 
members. At the present time the lodge has 
just celebrated its twentieth anniversary, and 
the active members number 240. The value of 
property and funds of the lodge is $12,000. 
For the year ending December 31, 1888, $976 
was paid for benefits; $480 to widows, $129.20 
for charity; total amount of disbursements for 
the year, $2,500. The average age of members 
is thirty-four years. 

The lodge meets on Saturday evenings in Fra- 
ternity Hall, I. O. O. F. Temple, Ninth and K 
streets. It has a fine degree staff, and the evi- 
dence of its prosperity is indicated in the inter- 
est manifested by the members of this team. 



HISTORY OP SACBAMBNTO COUNTY. 



The officers of the first term of the year 1889 
are: C. M. ILuiison, N. G.; A. Felt, V.G.; J. 
L. Robinette, Recording Secretary; J. II. Fer- 
guson, Perinaiieiit Secretary; James Stewart, 
Treasurer. 

Pacific Eiicaiiipment, No. 2, I. 0. 0. F., 
was organized July 29, 1853, with eight char- 
ter members. These were: Matthew Parden, P. 
C. P.; 0. C. Hayden, P. C. P.; Thomas W. 
Davis, P. H. P.; W. H. Watson, P. H. P; John 
F. Morse, P. 'Robinson, A. J. Lucas and Walter 
Prosser. The chief officers this year are: P. S. 
Watson, C. P.; II. G. Hays, H. P.; A. Carlaw, 
S. W.; E. Glover, Scribe; S. B. Smith, Treas- 
urer. The members now number 116, and their 
times of meeting the first and tiiird Tuesdays 
of the month. 

Occidental Encampment., No. 1^2, 1. 0. 0. F., 
was instituted November 14, 1871. S. S. Nixon, 
P. L. Hickman, J. F. Clark, F. H. McCormick, 
R. Davis, Nelson Wilcox and W. M. Reese 
were the charter members. Death has removed 
one of the number; the remaining six are still 
members. Encampment numbers 100 members 
and its assets amount to $3,500. Nights of 
meeting, second and fourth Tuesdays in each 
mouth. Present elective officers are: H. F. G. 
Wultf, C. P.; W. W. Wright, H. P.; J. H. Fer- 
guson, S. AV.; E. B. Hussey, Scribe; Nelson 
Wilcox, Treasurer; and W. L. Brunson, J. W. 

Capital Lodge, No. 87, I. O. 0. i^'.— This 
was instituted June 10, 1859, by D. D. G. M. 
Samuel Cross, with the following first officers 
and charter members: E. F. White, N. G.; C. 
M. Mason, V. G. ; John McClintock, S.; Amos 
Woods, T. Other charter members: E. M. 
Ileiiston, G. A. Basler, C. B. Steane, Lewis 
Shuck, Thomas B. Byrne, James Bowstead, M. 
M. Estee and F. K. Ivrauth. C. B. Steaue and 
E. F. White are still active members 

The earlier records having been lost, we are 
indebted to the published notices of the lodge 
in the newspapers of that time for these facts 
and names concerning its institution. The pres- 
ent number of members is 306. The value of 
the property of the lodge at the present time is 



estimated to be about $20,000. About $3,500 
are expended annually for charitable purposes 
and in benefits, and since it was organized it 
has paid out over $100,000. Four grand mas- 
ters have been elected from Capital Lodge. 

As for its standing and intellect it is classed 
one oi the leading lodges of the State. Its repre- 
sentatives to the Grand and Sovereign Grand 
lodges have always been men well versed with 
the laws of the order and outside world. 

The officers for the first term, 1889, are: O. 
A. Lordal, N. G.; E. G. Meesner, Y. G.; Wm. 
A. Stephenson, Recording Secretary; L. B. Van 
Denberg, Permanent Secretary; Richmond Da- 
vis, Treasurer. Trustees: W. D. Stalker, Daniel 
Flint and P. E. Piatt. 

Grand Canton Sacramsnto, No. 1, Patri- 
archs Militant, I. 0. 0. _^.— June 14, 1875, 
fifty Odd Fellows organized Sacramento Battal- 
ion, Company A, nearly all of whou) are still con- 
nected with the organization. The first officers 
were: A. H. Powers, Commander; H. A. Bur- 
nett, First Lieutenant; A. Menke, Second Lieu- 
tenant; J. A. Hutch ings. Secretary; G. M. Mott, 
Treasurer; F. Hogeboom, First Sergeant; Jas. 
S. Scott, Second Sergeant; J. H. Miller, Stand- 
ard Bearer; P. E. Piatt and J. li. Stebbins, 
Color Bearers. 

At a regular session, the So\'ereiga Grand 
Lodge, in September, 1882, made a provision for 
the uniformed bodies of Odd Fellows and inau- 
gurated laws and regulations for the same to be 
■known as Degree Camp of Uniformed Patri- 
archs. On January 30, 1883, Sacramento De- 
gree Camp, No. 1, Uniformed Patriarchs, was 
organized with forty-three members and elected 
the following officers for the first term: Ed. M. 
Martin, Commander; Frank Hogaboom, Vice- 
Commander; Wm. A. Stephenson, Secretary; 
Nelson Wilco.K, Treasurer; II. A. Burnett, Offi- 
cer of the Guard; W. E. Piatt, Picket; F. P. 
Lowell, Banner; Charles Cooley, Guard of Tent. 

The first two initiates in the State were W. 
F. Norcross and J. Carlaw. 

In September, 1885, the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., re-organized the military 



HISTORY OF BACRAMENTO GOUNTT. 



branch and changed its name to "Cantons of 
Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F.," and also 
adopted a complete set of organic laws, with a 
complete set of military othcers, to be under the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge. 

On March 8, 1886, Grand Canton Sacramento, 
No. 1, Patriarchs Militant, I. O. O. F., was 
organized by General C. W. Breyfogle, with 
eighty charter members, and organized by elect- 
ing the following ottlcers: W. N. Sherbnrnj 
Commander; Elwood Bruner, Lieutenant; S. A- 
Wolfe, Ensign for Canton No. 1; O. W. Erie- 
wine, Captain; Charles Cooley, Lieutenant; and 
C. T. Noyes, Ensign for Canton No. 18, both 
cantons to compose Grand Canton No. 1, who 
elected W. A. Stephenson, Clerk; Nelson Wil- 
cox, Accountant. 

The canton is now in a prosperous condition, 
and with money in its treasury. It can also 
boast of representative members, men of good 
standing in the society. 

Rising Star Lodge, No. 8, Rubekah Degree, 
1. 0. 0. F., was organized December 22, 1871, 
with seventy-one charter members. The first 
officers were: P. G. William S. Hunt, N. G. ; 
Mrs. Ellen Gilman, Y. G.; Mar. ha A. Hunt, R. 
S.; Mrs. W. Eoth, P. S.; Julia Patterson, T. 
Of the charter members, four have died, namely, 
William Patterson, P. G.; Theodore Mass, P. 
G.; T C. Benteen, P. G.; and Peter Zacharias. 
There are now 190 members, with the following 
officers: Mrs. Delia D. Pettit, N. G.; Mrs. 
Emma Dodge, V. G.; George T. Boyd, Record- 
ing Secretary; Mrs. Julia Patterson, Treasurer. 
Meetings the first Tuesday of the month. 

Germania Lodge, No. 31, Eebekah Degree, 
I. 0. 0. F. — The organization of this lodge was 
effected April 27, 1876. It meets every third 
Tuesday in each month, in Temple Hall, Odd 
Fellows' Temple, corner of Ninth and K streets. 
The charter officers were: A. Ileilbron (P. G.), 
N. G.; Mrs. Anna C.Griesel, V. G.; Mrs. Julie 
Fisher, R. S.; Mrs. Fredericke Neuman, F. S. ; 
Mrs. Amilie Meckfe8sel,T.; also, C. E.G. Salle, 
I'. G.; F. Fisher, S. Morris, P. G.; Mrs. Dora 
Morris, Jolni Bolze, P. G. The membership 



has increased from forty-nine to ninety. The 
officers now are: Mrs. Kate Futterar, N. G.; 
Mrs. Elisabeth Kromer, V. G. ; Oscar Ilartig, 
Recording Secretary; Mrs. Emilia Johnson, Per- 
manent Secretary; Mrs. Philippina Schmidt, 
Treasurer. 

Union Degree Lodge, No. S, 1. 0. 0. F., 
was organized October 7, 1853, with a respecta- 
ble number of members, but it was discontinued 
a few years ago. 

The Veteran Odd Fellows' Association of 
Sacramento was organized in 1833, by a call of 
several veteran Odd Fellows in the city. To 
be eligible to membership in this organization, 
one must have been an Odd Fellow for twenty 
years, and be at the time a member of good 
standing in some subordinate lodge. An organi- 
zation of about forty signed the roll; the present 
membership is about 150. They hold annually 
a l)anquet, when they enjoy a hearty reunion 
and present to the retiring president a gilt 
badge, making liim a " Past President," The 
Past Presidents are: AV, B. Davis, Ezra Pearson, 
S. B. Smith, T. C. Jones, II. B. Neilson and A. 
S. Hopkins. The present officers are: W. B. 
Stalker, President; George B. Dean, Vice-Pres- 
ident; E. J. Clark, Secretary; John AVeil, 
Treasurer. 

Odd Fellows' General Relief Committee, con- 
sisting of three members from each lodge, 
attends to th'e wants of transient members of the 
order who may be in need. They meet every 
alternate Sunday morning, at 10 o'clock, in Odd 
Fellows' Temple. C. W. Baker, President; 
Benjamin Wilson, Secretary; H. B. Neilson, 
Treasurer. There are now twenty-two regular 
and twenty-five honorary members, comprising 
three from each lodge and the encampment. 
During the past year they have disbursed about 
$3,000. The fund is kept up by contributiotis 
from the lodges and encampment. 

Odd Fellows' Temple Association. — This was 
preceded by the " Hall Association," which was 
incorporated June 25, 1862, with a capital stock 
of $40,000— raised afterward to $80,000— and 
purchased the St. George Hotel building on 



HISTORY OF 8A0BAMENT0 COUNTY. 



the corner of Fourth and J streets, fitting up 
and keeping it for a number of" years as an Odd 
Fellows lodge and business block. July 26, 
1869, the trustees of the several lodges and 
encampment of the order in the city met and 
resolved to organize the present temple associa- 
tion, who should purchase a lot and erect a fine 
building. This structure, on the northeast 
corner of Ninth and K streets, was completed 
September 23, 1870, and dedicated May 10, 
1871. It has four floors. During the season 
of 1888, a $10,000 addition was made to the 
building. 

This association is composed of eleven direct- 
ors, elected annually by the trustees of the 
several lodges holding stock' in the enterprise. 
These directors elect their own ofiicers, who this 
year are: W. D. Stalker, President; S. B. Smith, 
Secretary and Agent; H. B. Neilson, Treasurer. 
The board meets monthly. The stock, $100,000, 
is divided into 1,000 shares, and is held as fol- 
lows: 

Sacramento Lodge, No. 2 300 

Eureka » " 4 90 

El Dorado " " S 170 

Capital " " 87 200 

Schiller " "105 75 

Industrial " "157 60 

Pacific Encampment, " 2 100 

Occidental " " 42 5 

The association also owns a large plat in a 
fine section of the City Cemetery. 

Sacramento Lodge, No. 2,189, 0. U. 0. ofO. 
F. (colored), was organized July 14, 1881, with 
thirty-one members. The first officers were: 
F. T. Bowers, P N. F.; E. Brown, N. F.; D. A. 
Johnson, P. N. G.; B. A. Johnson, N. G.; R. 
J. Fletcher, Y. G.; H. H. Williams, E. S.; R. 
II. Small, P. S.; W. H. Guinn, W. T.; R. C. 
Ferguson, W. C. There are now twenty-three 
members, of whom the officers are: E. A. Small, 
N. F.; I. T. Sanks, P. N. G.; F. Butler, N. G.; 
Rev. J. R. Dorsey, Y. G.; B. A. Johnson, P. 
S.; W. H. Guinn, W.T. 

This lodge meets the second and fourth Thurs- 
days of every month, in Pioneer Hall. The 
executive authority of this order proceed from 



the national body, under a sub-committee of 
management located at Philadelphia, and acting 
in harmony with the order in England. 

Sacramento Division, No. 7, Uniform Rank, 
K. of P., was instituted in October, 1882, with 
fifty-four charter members, and the following 
officers: James A. Davis, Commander; John 
W. Guthrie, Lieutenant-Commander; Theodore 
Schumacher, Herald; George II. Smith, Treas- 
urer; Frank H. Kiefer, Recorder; George B. 
Katzenstein, Sentinel; Joseph T.Keepers,Guard; 
Charles E. Leonard, Standard Bearer. There 
are now forty-seven members, and these officers: 
T. W. Stevens, Captain; J. J. Thackham, Lieu- 
tenant Captain; J. F. Deitrich, Herald; W. B. 
Oldfield, Recorder; Samuel Katzenstein, Treas- 
urer; A. B. Syme, Guard; Max Hornlein, Sen- 
tinel. The staff officers are: A. B. Cheney, 
Colonel; J. M. Wallace, Adjutant; Ira Ells- 
worth, Sergeant; Theodore Schumacher, Major; 
Samuel Katzenstein, Surgeon, with the rank of 
Major. The division meets the second and 
fourth Wednesdays of each month. 

The Knights have just erected a fine build- 
ing on the northwest corner of Ninth and I 
streets, which was dedicated on the 4th of July. 
It is 40 X 90 feet in ground area, four stories 
high in front and three in the rear portion. The 
first story is the drill and band room ; tiie second, 
concert and lecture room; the third comprises 
the lodge, reception and ante rooms; and the 
fourtii the banquet hall. It is an elegant build- 
ing, located in a neat, quiet locality, at the 
northwest corner of the beautiful Plaza. 

Sacramento Lodge, No. 11, Lv. of P., was 
organized December 2, 1869, with a large num- 
ber of charter members, the followitig being the 
ofiicers: G. W. Wallace; C. C; J. H. Sullivan, 
Y. C; S. Pearl, Prelate; Frank W. Marvin, K. 
of R. and S.; R. W. Jackson, M. of F.; J. E. 
Goods, M. of E. This has always been a very 
strong society, the membership being now 250. 
Present officers: F. T. Garrett, P. C. C; W. 
H. Weeks, C. C; J. Wilson, Y. C; E.G. 
Glick, Prelate; A. E. Coppin, K. of R. and S.; 
C. Wilke, M. at A. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



Cohimhla Lodge, No. ^3, K. of 1\ — This 
lodge was organized April 2i, 1S77, with J.W. 
Guthrie, P. C; A. J. Vermilya, C. C; P. J. 
Spacher, V. C; S. A. Wolfe, P.; John McFet- 
rish, K. of R. and S.; O. H. P. Sheets, Jr., M. 
of F.; Robert Pettit, M. of E.; W. E. Lugg, 
i; G.; and W. E. Ougliton, O. G.; also J. 
Stubbe, M. Udell, J. Goddard, William Neid- 
hart, and W. Kay. The present officers are: L. 
M. Schwoerer, P. C: H. A. Stober, C. C; M. 
Q. Meehan, V. C; John Lyman, Prelate; C. 

E. Kleinsorge, K. of R. and S.; A. Wulff, M. 
of E.; T. H. Waterland, M. of F.; A. J. Lloyd, 
M. at A. There are 118 members. Time of 
meeting, Friday night. 

Confidence Lodge, No. 7S, II. of /'., was 
instituted August 18, 1882, with the following 
officers: J. F. Lucas, P. C; J. A. Baker, G.C. ; 
A. V. Boyne, V. C.; F. H. Kiefer, Prelate; A. 
J. Plant, M. at A.; W. B. Rogers, K. of R. and 
S.; J. H. Smith, M. of E. Present officers: G. 
H. Tenbrook, P. C.; W. H. Hamilton, C. 0.; 

F. A. Reeves. V. C.; J. A. Haynie, Prelate ;-G. 

G. Bertschi, M. at A.; W. H. Greenlaw, K. of 
R. and S.; Isaac Christie, M. of E.; W. I). 
Powers, M. of F.; F. Eisenninger, I. G.; L. E. 
Vandercook, 0. G. There are now 137 members. 
Time of meeting, Tuesday jiight. 

Union Lodge, No. 21, A. 0. U. TF.— This 
lodge was instituted February 9, 1878. There 
were eighty-eight charter members. The first 
officers were: M. T. Brewer, P. M. W.; C. B. 
Kellogg, M. W.; T. W. Shelian, F.; George T. 
Bush, O.; E. J. Gregory, R.; Felix Tracy, 
Receiver; John F. Farnswortli, Fin.; Robert 
Frazee, Guard. There are at present 304 mem- 
bers, and the officers are: H. Bennett, P. M. 
W.; H. M. Burnett, -M. W.; W. J. Bryson, 
Foreman; E. F. Ash worth, Overseer; 0. W. 
Baker, Recorder; H. J. Norton, Financier; J. 
G. Davis, Receiver; S. J. von Ilirsch, Guide; 
W. B. Yan Gilder, L W.; Denis Hickey, O. W.; 
W. A. Briggs, M. D., Med. Ex. 

Sacramento Lodge, No. 80, A. 0. U. W., was 
instituted February 8, 1879. Tiiere was a large 
list of charter members. The first officers were: 



John F. Farnswortli, P. M.W.; James M. Hen- 
derson, M. W. ; Edward I. Robinson, O.; Geo. 
B. Katzenstein, R.; M. R. Beard, Fin.; C. H. 
Stevens, Rec'v. ; John W. Guthrie, G. ; W. H. 
H. Willey, L W.; AV. 1. Wallace, O. W. The 
lodge has a membership of 180. The officers 
installed January 4, 1889. are as follows: T. W. 
McAlpine, P. M. W.; L. M. Landsborough, M. 
W.; P. Genis, F.; J. H. Shorrock, O.; George 
B. Katzenstein, Rec; M. R. Beard, Fin.; O. F. 
Washburn, Rec'v.; W. A. Briggs, M. D., Med. 
Ex. The lodge meets every Tuesday evening, 
at Grangers' Hall. 

Lily of the Valley Lodge, No. 11, Degree of 
ILonor, A. 0. U. W., was organized in 1882, 
with thirty-three charter members; there are 
now sixty-nine, and the officers are: Miss Lizzie 
Smiddy, Past Chief of Honor; Mrs. John Brad- 
ley, Chief of Honor; Mrs. Mary Scroggs, Lady 
of Honor; Mrs. Jordan, Chief of Ceremonies; 
Miss O'Donnal, Usher; Mrs. George Guthrie, 
Recorder; Mr. Goethe, Financier; Mr. Roth, 
Receiver; Mr. Walker, Watchman. Meets the 
first Saturday of each month, at Grangers' Hall. 

The Ancient Order of United Workmen was 
organized for the purpose of paying $2,000 to 
the heirs or legatees of each member at death. 
In the State of California the order numbers 
18,000, and in Sacramento 500. Over $2,000,- 
000 has thus been paid in the State, and over 
$100,000 in tills city. 

Pioneer Assembly, No. 855, Iv. of L., the 
first in the State, was organized in this city ten 
years ago, and is still in existence. 

Sacramento Typographical Onio7i, No ^6, 
■was organized in June, 1880, with only thirteen 
members, and already there are ninety-five mem- 
bers. The Union is respected by all the print- 
ing offices in the city. The present officers are: 
E. L Woodman, Pres.; E. R. Tiel, V. P.; J. L. 
Robinette, Sec. (address 1520, Ninth street) ;C. 
A. Dorsey, Treas. ; H. P. Reece, Sergeant-at- 
Arms; Ex. Com. — W. H. Davis, J. D. Laing, 
P. T. January, Union meets last Sunday in 
the month, at 2 v. si., in Fireman's Hall, Eighth 
street, between J and K. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Walhalla Grove, No. 6, U. A. 0. J)., was or- 
ganized August 10, 1866, and incorporated June 
13, 1874. The charter members and officers 
were: Anton Menke, N. A.; C. H. Krebs, V. 
A.; Theodore Even, Sec; Jacob Keeber, Treas. ; 
C. C. Hayden, M. Kestier and J. Acker. The 
olficers at tliis writing are: J. L. Gomez, N. 
A.; N. McArtimr, V. A.; M. Wetzel, Treas.; 
I]. Meyer, Sec; M. Wilson, Cond.; A. Gonnet, 
1. G. ; J. Lewis, O. G. There are seventy-five 
members, and the finances of the grove are 
an- pie. 

Union Grove, No. 61, U. A. 0. D., organ- 
ized in 1885, has about sixty to sixty-five mem- 
bers, and is very prosperous. It meets every 
Monday, in Union Hall, corner of Twentieth 
and O streets. George Lemkee, Past Arch; 
W. L. Benuing, N. A.; M. S. Neves, Treas.; 
N. Harvie, Sec; Gus. Peterson, Cond.; D. G. 
Mannix, I. G.; M. Meshado, O. G. 

Capital City Grove, No. 66, U. A. 0. D., 
was organized April 14, 1887, with thirty-six 
in membership. Present otticers: S. F. Gou- 
lert, Noble Arch; Charles Sears, Vice Arch; 
William Schaller, Sec; J. J. JSTagele, Treas.; 
John II. Measure, Cond.; Antoine Patralie, I. 
G.; Sam Versacko, O. G. The other Past 
Arches are James McCaw, John Svelnich, J. J. 
Buckley and Harvey Moore. The Grove meets 
every Thursday night in Red Men's Hall. 

Fidelity Grove, No. 31, U. A. O. I)., organ- 
ized in 1878, was consolidated with Walhalla 
Grove, May 1, 1888. 

Sacramento Druidic Circle, No. 1, was a so- 
ciety for women, instituted April 7, 1872, but 
was soon permitted to dissolve. 

Cosumnes Tribe, No. H, I. 0. R. M., was 
organized October 19, 1867. The present mem- 
bership is 103, and the ofiicers are: A. M. Gault, 
Sachem; J. P. Counts, Sen. Sag.; C. F. Leigh- 
ton, Jun. Sag.; L. Faure, Prophet; E. H. 
Rivett, C. of R.; George Boyne, F. C; H. 
Winters, K. of W. The tribe meets every 
Thursday evening, in the Masonic Building. 

Red Jacket Tribe, No. 28, I. O. R. M., was 
organized October 7, 1869, with the following 



officers: S. Pearl, Sachem; M. T. Brewer, S. 
Sag.; F. Gushing, J. Sag.; W. T. Crowell, C. of 
R. ; George A. Putnam, K. of W. There were 
altogether nearly 100 charter members. At the 
present time there are 170 members. Place and 
time of meeting. Red Men's Hall, every Friday 
evening. Official Board: Martin White, Sachem; 
E. C. Roeder, Sen. Sag.; W. A. Eizler, Jun. 
Sag.; Jacob Mnrbach, Prophet; A. Dunbar, C. 
of R. ; James McCaw, F. C; J. J. Nagele, 
Keeper of Wampum; James McKay, IstSanap; 
Fred Myrick, 2d Sanap; F. F. Briggs, 1st War- 
rior; George Nichols, 2d Warrior; R. P. Car- 
rington, 3d Warrior; J. Haberkorn, 4th War- 
rior; E. G. Palmer, 1st Brave; S. Napper, 2d 
Brave; J. C. Sutherland, G. of W.; J. Wilson, 
G. of F. 

Owosso Tribe, No. 39, I. 0. R. M., was or- 
ganized March 25, 1871, with sixty-six charter 
members. The first officers were: Matthew E. 
Johnson, Sachem; Ed. M. Martin, Sju. Sag.; 
A. C. Freeman, Jun. Sag.; Will J. Beatty, C. 
of R.; Daniel E. Alexander, K. of W. ; George 
W. Yount, Fin. C; George A. White, Prophet. 
There are ninety-eight members at present, and 
the officers for the present term are: L. G. 
Nixon, Sachem; George W. Nichols, Sen. Sag.; 
Stephen J. FitzgeraJd, Jun. Sag.; Benj. F. 
Howard, Fin. Chief; John J. Buckley, C. of R.; 
J. Henry Runckel, K. of W.; A. C. Klenk, 
Prophet. The tribe meets every evening, at 
Red Men's Hall, in Masonic Building. 

Red Cloud Tribe, No. 1^1, I. 0. R. M., was 
instituted November 13 and 18, 1871, with over 
seventy names on the charter list. The officers 
were: Thomas Sullivan, Sachem; R. A. Ren- 
wick, Sen. Sag.; W. Harper, Jun. Sag.; J. J. 
Carter, C. of R.; William Huller, K. of W.; W. 
A. McNaughton, F. C. There are now about 
eighty members, who meet every Tuesday even- 
ing. The finances of their treasury are in good 
condition. At present, L. W. Grothen is the 
Sachem; George W. Whitlock, Sen. Sag. ; James 
Fletcher, Jun. Sag.; Thomas J. Eames, K. of 
R.; B. F. Johnson, K. of W. 

Wetionah Council, No. 3, Degree of Poca- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



hontas, I. 0. R. M., was organized in October, 
1887, with forty-one members. There are now 
sixty-five members, and the following are the 
officeis: Mrs. Nora Klenk, Pocahontas; Mrs. 
Minnie Spencer, Wenonah; Mrs. G. H. Smith, 
Prophetess; Mrs. Charles Kedinan, K. of R. ; 
L. W. Grothen, Powhattan; Mrs. L. W. Gro- 
then, Iv. of W. 

Juniata Coiincil, No. 5, Daughters of Poca- 
hontas, I. 0. R. J/., was organized July 9, 1888, 
with twenty-nine members, and is at this time 
flourishing. 

Sacramento Stamm, No. l^Jf, U. 0. R. IL, 
was organized October 18, 1868, with the fol- 
lowing charter members and officers: K. ¥. 
Wiemeyer, O. Ch.; F. Engelhardt, U. Ch.; C. 
Schmitt, B.Ch.; R.Nobel, Secretary; J. Suver- 
krup. Treasurer; George W. Dermann, A. Hil- 
lebrandt, W. Kuhnle, Charles Sold, George 
Sehmeiser, Charles Boettcher, W. Branu. Tliis 
year (1889) tiie membership is about eighty- 
eight, and flnancially the society is in excellent 
condition. The ofl:icers now are: August Wall, 
Over-Chief; G. Beathing, Under-Chief; F. 

Glueck, J!. C; D. Wilkens, Secretary; J. 

Gruhler, Secretary; J. Griesel, Treasurer. 

California Lodge, No. 1,580, K. of H., was 
organized by Harmon Gregg, April 28, 1879, 
with forty charter members, of whom the fol- 
lowing were elected officers for the first term: 
Grove L. Johnson, P. D.; Edward F. Aiken, D.; 
Norman S. Nichols, Y. D.; John N.Larkin, A. 
D.; Israel Luce, C; James M. Henderson, G.; 
P. L. Hickman, R.; Harrison Bennett, F. R.; 
George W. Callahan, T.; P. F. Dolan, Guard- 
ian; Frank Swift, Sentinel; Dr. George M. 
Dixon, Medical Examiner. At the present time 
there are 160 members, and the oflicers are: C. 
li. Stephenson, Past Dictator; L. A. Kidder, 
Dictator; Joseph Davey, Vice- Dictator; J. C. 
Carroll, Assistant Dictator; L. Bell, Ciiaplain; 
Carl Strobel, Guide; J. F. Carter, Financial 
Reporter; J. C. Medley, Reporter; F. W. Dunne, 
Guardian; Frank Swift, Sentinel; C.E.Adams, 
Treasurer; Dr. W. A. Hughson, Medical Ex- 
aminer; C. E. Adams, Representative to Grand 



Lodge. The lodge meets the firot and third 
Mondays of the month. 

Unity Lodge, No. 2,088, K. of 11., was insti- 
tuted March 1, 1880, with thirty-nine charter 
members, and the following officers: W. C. Van 
Fleet, P. D.; A. H. Powers, D.; D. O. Cook, V. 
D.; G. F. Lyon, A. D.; Frank Avery, R.; S. A. 
Palmer, F. S.; J. T. Carey, T.; E. M. Martin, C; 
J.F.Stephenson, Guide; A. F. Turner, Guard- 
ian; N. J. Toll, S. Tlie present officers are: C. 
Tietjen, Past Dictator; E. S. Rego, Dictator; C. 
H. Oester, Vice-Dictator; Charles Lenoir, As- 
sistant Dictator; W. D. Crowe, Reporter; T. A. 
Atwood, Financial Reporter; L. B. Sutliff, 
Treasurer; J. H. Humphrey, Guide; J. L. Orr, 
Chaplain; P. Brannon, Guardian; W. Woods, 
Sentinel; C. Mealand, Medical Examiner. The 
society meets at Grangers' Hall the second and 
fourth Mondays of each month. Present num- 
ber of members, 101. 

ILarmony Lodge, No. 399, K. c6 L. of //., 
has tliirty-eight members, who meet the second 
and fourth Fridays of each month, at Grangers' 
Hall. Officers: Mrs. J. C. Brown, Past Pro- 
tector; Mrs. C. May, Protector; Mrs. M. E. 
Grant, Vice-Protector; P. S. Lawson, Chaplain; 
Mrs. M. L. Jones, Secretary; Mrs. M. Keller, 
Fin.; J. C. Pierson, Treasurer; John Barrett, 
Guide; Frank Swift, Guardian; E. L. Greene, 
Sentinel. 

Equity Lodge, No. 1,219, K. cfe L. of //., 
has 115 members, whose place and time of 
stated meetings are Grangers' Hall, every 
Wednesday. Officers: O. W. Erlewine, P. P.; 
J. P. Counts, P.; Mrs. L. W. Grothen, V. P.; 
Mrs. Ida M. Russell, Sec; J. C. Medley, Fin. 
Sec; T. A. Lauder, Ti-eas.; Mrs. E. Y. Aiken, 
Chaplain; Mrs. L. A. Kidder, Guide; Mrs. T. 
A. Lauder, Inside Guard; Miss Lizzie B. Aiken, 
Outside Guard. 

Olive Branch Lodge, K.tbL. of LI. — Present 
officers: Mrs. A. Sturmer, Pres.; Mrs. M. Wil- 
son, V. P.; Mrs. Flora Knox, Rec. Sec; Miss 
Berck, Financier; Mrs. Annie Gill, Treasurer. 

Pioneer Council, No. 5^,, American Legion 
of Honor, was instituted December 18, 1879, 



190 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



with thirty-eight charter members, the iirst 
council instituted in the State. The first oiJi- 
cers were: J. M. Henderson, Commander; Mrs. 
N. S. Biittertieid, Vice-Commander; D. E. Al- 
exander, Orator; M. R. Beard, Sec; P. L. Hick- 
man, Collector; F. Y. Williams, Treas.; W. E. 
Strong, Chap.; E. F. Woodward, Guide; J. C. 
Tiibbs, Warden; W. T. Crowell, Sentry; and 
AV. M. Haynie, P. Commander. The present 
membership is fifty-four, and the ofiicers are: 

C. PI. Wattles, Commander; Wm. B. Miller, 
Vice Com.; M. R. Beard, Sec; J. C. Tubbs, 
Collector; W. R. Strong, Treas.; F. H. L. 
Weber, Chap.; N. Harvie, Guide; H. Fisher, 
Warden; J. F. Cooper, Sentinel. 

Court Capital, No. 6,7^'2, A. 0. F., was or- 
ganized Januaryl7, 1881, with forty-three mem- 
bers, and the following officers: Henry Long- 
ton, C. R.; R. B. Harmon, S. C. R.; O. N. 
Cronkite, Rec. Sec; Arnold Schulze, Fin. Sec; 
Thomas Bromley, Treas.;. J. Lyman, S. W.; J. 
Baekrath, J. W.; F. H. Joy, S. B.; M. Lamb, 
J. B. ; Dr. A. E. Brune, Physician. There are 
now 125 members, and the following officers: 

D. M. Cronkite, P. C. R.; Ed. Morris, C. R.; 
W. M. Thomas, S. C. R.; G. G. Ogg, Treas.; 
H. W. M. Ogg, Fin. Sec; G. C. Campbell, Rec 
Sec; Schrader, S. W.; J. J. Vance, J. W,; 

E. O. Walker, S. B.; A. Hubert, J. B. The 
court meets every Monday evening in the Odd 
Fellows' Building. 

Court Sacramento, No. 6.861, A. 0. F., was 
organized June 30, 1882, and has at present 
about 190 members, with the following as offi- 
cers: L. W. Nickell, P. C. R.; B. F. Parsons, 
C. R.; L. W. Smith, S. C. R.; C. 1!. Strong, 
Treas.; F. W. Geiger, Fin. Sec; John Morris, 
Rec. Sec; C. B. Hall, S. W.; L. A. Siujmons, 
J. W.; Walter Shiells, S. B.; W. H. Stone, J. 
B.; F. G. Fay, Physician. This court meets 
every Thursday evening in Odd Fellows' Hall. 

Court Sutter, No. 7,^1^6, A. 0. F., has forty- 
three members and the following officers: Fred 
Colgrove, Jr., Past Chief Ranger; W. S. Church, 
Chief Ranger; B. F. Nutting, Substitute Ciiief 
Ranger; M. L. Perkins, Treas.; O. A. Iloitt, 



Rec. and Fin. Sec; W. J. Terry, Senior Wood- 
ward; W. W. Robinson, Junior Woodward; J. 
Dolierty, Senior Beadle; E. S. Wilkerson, Junior 
Beadle; F. G. Fay, Physician. 

Friendship Council, No. 65, 0. C. F., was 
organized February 21, 1882, with about twenty- 
five members and the following as officers: 
Julius Asher, Councilor; F. H. Keifer, Sec; 
Theodore Schumacher, Treas. There are now 
about 100 members, and the following consti- 
tute the Official Board: C. C. Olney, Councilor; 
Mrs. S. E. Glover, Vice-Councilor; F. H. Kie- 
fer. Sec; John Watt, Treas.; Mrs. L. D. Olney, 
Prelate; Mrs. F. H. Kiefer, Marshal; Mrs. A. 
M. Tiel, Warden; F. H. Schardin, Guard; Miss 
G. D. Jurgens, Sentry; Dr. G. B. Clow, Med. 
Ex. The council meets every Thursday even- 
ing at Firemen's Hall. 

Sacramento Council, No. 96, 0. C. F., was 
instituted September 4, 1882, with about fifty 
members; there are now 165. Present officers: 
Charles H. Denton, P. C; AVilliam Longton, 
W. C; Mrs. George Howard, V. C; George 
D. Irvine, Sec; J. E. Parker, Treas.; Mrs. Le- 
land Howe, Prel.; Mrs. Irene Marsh, M.; Ed. 
G. Ostendorf, W.; Mrs. Annie Servoss, G.; S. 
B. Lnsk, Sentry; Drs. Brune and Clow, Med. 
Ex'rs. The Past Chief Councilors are Jacob 
Griswold, Fred W. Day, A. Sanborn, M. A. 
Howard, George A. Stuart, George Howard, 
William Longton and J. E. Parker, all of whom 
are still members of this council. Stated meet- 
ings every Wednesday evening, at Firemen's 
Hall. 

Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hiheriiians, 
comprises fifty-five members, with the following 
as officers: John Miller, Pres.; J. P. McGin- 
nis, V. P.; S. Dwyer, Treas.; W. J. Hamm, 
Sec The division meets once a month, in Pio- 
neer Hall. It was first organized January 31, 
1870, and reorganized. The officers for 1870 
were: P. A. Murphy, Pres.; P. F. Mohun, V. 
P.; D. C. Nealon, Rec. Sec; Matthew Bannon, 
Cor. Sec; James McGuire, Treas.; G. G. Mor- 
gan, Piiysician, and Charles Brady, Sergeant-at- 
Arms. 



HI8T0R7 OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Division No. 2 of this order was organized a 
few years ago, but was discontinued. 

The Sacramento Turnverein established it- 
self June 2, 1854, with Theodore Steudenian, 
Pres.; George Meyer, V. P.; J. W. Lehmann, 
Sec; Phil. Kitz, Treas.; II. Lux, 1st Turn 
Leader; J. Knauth, 2d Turn Leader; R. Nobel, 
Steward, and twenty-three other members. In 
1859 the society erected a brick building on the 
south side of K street, between Ninth and 
Tenth, 52 x 112 feet, at a cost of $14,000. This 
is called Turner Hall, aud is so planned and 
furnished as to afford accommodations for 
socials, gymnastic exhibitions, etc. The follow- 
ing are the present ofKcers: Fred. Biewener, 
Pres.; August Mayer, Rec. Sec; F. Brensting, 
Cor. Sec; J. Lang, Treas.; C. Iser, Collector; 
H. Fisher, 1st Turnmaster; E. Belger, 2d Turn- 
master; R. Mangold, Property Man; P. Fischer, 
Librarian; Charles Schmidt, Trustee; Oscar 
Hartig, Turnwath. 

Benho'w Lodge, No. 2^29, Sons of St. George, 
was organized in March, 1887, to take the place 
of the old "British Mutual Benefit and Social 
Society," that went down about six months pre- 
viously, aud which had been organized in 1877. 
This society admits into its membership English- 
men and the sons and grandsons of English- 
men. The present membership is eighty three, 
and is steadily increasing. They have about 
8600 in their treasury. Officers: T. W. L. Ce- 
cil, P. P.; W. H. Wright, P.; Thomas Harris, 
V. P.; Rupert Miller, Sec; R. S. Foizey, Treas.; 
J. 11. Stocker, Mess.; William Blackburn, A. S.; 
R. P. Webber, A. M.; John Skeltou, Chap.; Ed. 
Griffitts, LS.; Thomas Swift, O. S.; Trustees- 
James Knowles, N. J. Nathan, James Parsons. 

Victoria Lodge, No. 1, Daughters of St. 
George, is flourishing. Maggie Wilson, I'res. ; 
Annie Barrett, Sec. 

The Caledonian Association of Sacramento 
was incorporated in November, 1888, as the 
successor of the " Robert Burns Scottish Be- 
nevolent Association," which had been organized 
in November, 1871, for the purpose of assisting 
natives of Scotland who may he in need. There 



are now nearly ninety members. Stated meet- 
ings the third Tuesday of each month, at Pio- 
neer Hall. The present society admits to its 
care native Scotchmen and the sons and grand- 
sons of Scotchmen. The officers are: Dr. A. 
M. McColhim, Chief; W. A. Gett, Jr., 1st 
Chieftain; James Stewart, 2d Chieftain; Will- 
iam Wardlaw, 3d Chieftain; J. D. Warrack, 4th 
Chieftain; Directors — Tom Scott, John Morri- 
son, Peter Durno, James A. Stewart and W. E. 
Sims. 

Independent Order of Good Templars. — A 
multitude of organizations have attempted, at 
various times, to unite all the virtues of society 
as a barrier against the spread of the evils of in- 
temperance. Many of these, after a short period 
of success, have failed through some defect in 
their organization. Still, mankind felt the need 
of a stronger power to cope with the evil, and 
in 1851 the order of Good Templars arose in 
Central New York. Profiting by the errors of 
the past, and crystallizing the best features of 
former organizations, it was welcomed for its 
systematic effort and thorough discipline, and 
thousands fell rapidly into its ranks. It now 
exists in every State and Territory of the Union, 
and has crossed the seas and floats its banners 
throughout Europe. Its membership exceeds a 
half million. 

The order found its way to California by the 
organization of a lodge at Santa Cruz on the 
22d of February, 1855, which was known as 
Pacific Lodge, No. 1. The next lodge organized 
was Siloam, No. 2, which was instituted Sep- 
tember 16, 1856, in the city of Sacramento, 
where it has met weekly and uninterruptedly 
since the date mentioned. 

In 1860 a sufficient number of lodges were 
in existence (ten) to permit the formation of a 
Grand Lodge. A convention was called to 
assemble fur that purpose, in the city of Sacra- 
mento. May 29, 1860, the meeting was held 
and the Grand Lodge of California was then 
and there formally instituted. 

From the organization of tlie (4raiul Lodge 
the order in this State grew apace. The central 



niSTORT OF SAGBAMBNTO COUNTY. 



office and headquarters of the order were estab- 
lished at Sacramento, and have remained here 
ever since. Tlie succeeding ten annual sessions 
of the Grand Lodge were also held in Sacra- 
mento. The official organ of the order, the 
Rescue, is also published in Sacramento, George 
B. Katzenstein, Editor, and is now in the twenty- 
tirst year of publication. 

The twonty-ninth annual session of the Grand 
Lodge, L O. G. T., was held October 2-5, 1888, 
at Santa Rosa, when the membership was re- 
ported to be, in this State, 11,480, contained in 
230 subordinate lodges. The officers chosen 
were: O. C. Wheeler, D. D., LL. L)., P. G. C. 
T., No. 1653 Grove street, Oakland; Hon. J. 
M. Walling, G. C. T., Nevada City; Rev. L. C. 
Renfro, G. Counselor, Modesto; Miss J. S. 
Naismith, G. V. T., Oakland; George B. Kat- 
zenstein, Grand Secretary, No. 328 J street, 
Sacramento; Dr. Isaac S. Halsej, G. Treasurer, 
Vallejo; Julius Lyons, G. A. S., Los Angeles; 
E. Wood Culver, G. Messenger, Newcastle; By- 
ron Seeber, G. Marsiial, Oakdale; Mrs. Susie 
Fowler, G. D. M., Merced; Rev. E. B. Hatch, 
G. Chaplain, Salinas; Mrs. S. J. B. Richardson, 
G. Guard, AVoodland; J. C. Smith, G. Sentinel, 
Kingsburg; Mrs. M. E. Richardson, General Su- 
perintendent Juvenile Work, East Oakland. 

Tiie order in 1869 erected an orphanage 
known as the (Jood Templars' Home fur Or- 
phans, which stands upon an eminence, sur- 
rounded by twenty acres of land, near the city 
of Vallejo. Over $100,000 has been expended 
in the erection and support of this institution, 
which has sheltered and cared for upward of 
500 children in its ten years of history, ranging 
from infancy to the age of fourteen years. The 
title of the institution is not meant to convey 
any idea of e.xclusiveness, but, on the contrary, 
its portals are open to all orphan children. 

There are two subordinate lodges of the order 
in the city of Sacramento, and eight in the 
county of Sacramento. 

Siloam Lodge No. 2. 1. <). G. r.— This lodge 
meets every Monday evening in Unity Hall, 
Odd Fellows' Temple, Ninth street, corner of 



K. It was organized September 16, 1856, and 
has held uninterrupted weekly meetings since 
that date. 

The charter members were: Edwin II. 
Bishop, J. D. Carlton, A. C. Manning, Philo 
L. H. Dnston, F. King, E.G. Maguire, George 
W. Bohner, George Waterson, S. B. Elwell, 
George Wiseman, Robert Phillips, S. Rippon, 
W. H. Robinson, Mrs. Elvira Baldwin, Lizzie 
J. Walton, Esther A. Walton, Sa.-ah C. Walton, 
Anna C. Fountain, Anna E. Roberts, Caroline 
Robinson, L. C. Guinand and Sarah Sidgreaves. 
The only surviving and remaining charter mem- 
ber is Mrs. Elvira Baldwin, who still continues 
in active membership. 

The present officers of the lodge, installed 
November 1, 1888, are: Fred. U. Swift, P. C. 
T.; D. O. Parmeter, C.T.; Kate H. Russell, V. 
T. ; D. A. Davis, Recording Secretary; L. E. 
Vandercook, Financial Secretary; George B. 
Katzenstein, Treasurer; Rev. H. A. Mayliew, 
Chaplain; 11. A. Parmeter, M.; Mrs. Ida M. 
Katzenstein, D. M.; Mrs. Estella Rawles, Guard; 
Albert AY. Katzenstein. Sentinel; Mrs. M. J. 
Mayhew, L. D. 

Though not a beneticial institution, it has 
always cared for its sick and indigent members, 
and its charitable contributions aggregate thou- 
sands of dollars. 

Siloam Lodge is now the pioneer and oldest 
lodge of the I. O. G. T. upon the Pacific Coast, 
and, indeed, having been organized early in the 
history of the order, it may be said there are 
few older lodges of the order in existence any- 
where. 

Capital Lodge, JSTo. 51, I. 0. G. T.—On De- 
cember 12, 1861, D. S. Cutter organized a lodge 
of Good Templars, which was called Capital 
Lodge, No. 51, with the following charter mem- 
bers: W. V. Frazier, D. B. Stewart, T. A. Stew 
art, G. W. Brentner, Isaac Bradvvell, William 
H. Sharp, S. S. Nichols, C. G. Erwin, C. 1). 
Smith and Thomas Fallen; Mesdames E. W. 
Frazier, ,1. 11. Stewart, A. M. Pierce, H. C. 
Nichols and J. M. Erwin, also Misses L. Pierce 
and A. Coombs. 



UISTOIiT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



This lodge became extinct in 1876, and, on 
April 2, 1879, an entire new organization, with 
a new charter and different ineiiihers, was 
funned, wliicii, iiowever, assumed tlie same name 
and number. 

The present officers are: A. M. Aul)ertus, C. 
T.; Mrs. M. Brown, V. T.; Charles E. Brown, 
Secretary; Delia Sullivan, Financial Secretary; 
C. B. Huntoon, Treasurer; Mrs. L. Howe, Chap- 
lain; Mrs. C. P. Huntoon, L. D. 

/. 0. G. T. Bands of jFIoj}e. —Besides the 
foregoing, there are juvenile organizations under 
the fostering care and patronage of the I. O. G. 
T., which are known as " Bands of Hope." Of 
tliese there are in the State over 250 branches 
or bands, with an enrolled membership of over 
17,000, Mrs. M. E. Richardson, No. 1035 Ches- 
ter street, Oakland, being General Superintend- 
ent cf all. In Sacramento City there are three 
bands — Sacramento, No. 56, Mrs. F. E. Stinson, 
No. 902 N street. Superintendent; Capital, No. 
91, Mrs. H. M. Smith, No. 1317 Seventh street. 
Superintendent; and California, No. 163, M. W. 
Sullivan, No. 1330 F street. Superintendent. 

Several divisions of the Sons of Temperance 
and a Father Mathew Total Abstinence and 
Benevolent Society flourished here for a number 
of years, but they have been absorbed by other 
temperance organizations. 

Sumner Post, JVo. 3, G. A. R., was organized 
May 26, 1867, with the following first officers 
and charter members: W. L. Campbell, C; W. 
C. Guirey, J. V. C; and J. F. Sheehan, Adju- 
tant. Other charter members: D. A. DeMerrett, 
E. Ingram, E. S. Granger, T. J. Blakeney, W. 
L. Ustick, S. H. Robinson, George Lyons, 
Thomas Anderson, J. J. Cropping, J. Y. Gil- 
bert, George Gillpatrick, R. II. Harris, W. E. 
Chesley. A. D. Ilawley, W. H. (Jardner, E. D. 
Shirland, Porter Ilayden, S. T. Witham, II. L. 
Street and Horace AVelch. The present officers 
are: J. W. Reeves, P. C; C. H. Stephenson, S. 
V. C; G. W. Railton, J. V. C; J. R. Laine, 
Surg.; H. Bennett, Q. M.; A. T. Needham, 
Chap.; J. 0. Medley, O. D.; R. S. Frazee, O. 
G.; W. W. Coons, Adj. Council of Adminis- 



tration — C. II. Stephenson, G. "W. Railton, J. 
C. Medley. Stated meetings, the first and third 
Thursdays of each month, at Grangers' Hall. 
The memijership now numbers 130 in good 
standing. 

Wa7ren Post, No. 5^., O. A. R., has about 
twenty-three members in good standing, and 
financially is strong. It meets the second and 
fourth Thursdays of every month, at Grangers' 
Hall. Officers: L. W. Groghan, P. C; John 
W. Jackson, S. V. C; Francis Ritchie, J. Y. 
C; William Madden, Surgeon; George W. Herr, 
Q. M.; S. O. Hulbert, O. D.; E. D. Miller, O. 
G.; John Williams, Chap. 

Veterans of the Mexican War. — This society 
was organized at the Orleans House, in Sacra- 
mento City, on June 5, 1876. A committee 
on by-laws was appointed, and, on the 13th of 
the same month, the by-laws were reported and 
adopted. On the same evening the association 
elected as officers, for one year, John Domingos, 
Pres.; P>ed. Chamberlin, Y. P.; Peter Mc- 
Graw, Treas.; Joseph Sims, Sec. The present 
officers and members are: E. I). Shirland, Pres.; 
J. S. Cook, Y. P.; John Domingos, Sec. and 
Treas.; Peter McGraw, Marshal; G. J. Cross, 
Color Bearer; A. R. Abbott, W. L. Crane, J. 
N. Fuller, John Maguire, J. W. S. Hamilton, 
It. B. Hall, N. Hawk, F. Holzhauer, J. Hanson, 
John Jacobs, J. Kelley, Charles Miller, Antoin 
Mink, L. Preston, Wm. M. Siddons, Y. Siiane, 
H. Wittenbrock, A. Whitaker, C. A. Parson 
and P. Keongh. 

Fair Oahs Post, No. 120, G. A. R, was or- 
ganized in May, 1886. There are at present 
thirty-one members, and the officers are: H. P. 
Winchell, P. C; J. Handlin, S. Y. C; J. II. 
Cooley, J. Y. C; J. McMurray, Chap.; J. J. 
Trarbach, Treas.; W. H. Ennis, Adj.; W. II. 
Richards, O. I).; George G. Yoglegesang, O. 
G. Stated meeting.s, the second and fourtli 
Tuesdays of each month, at Y. M. I. Hall. 

Sumner Relief Corps. No. 11, organized in 
Marcii, 1884, meets the first and third Thurs- 
day evenings, also the second and fourth Thurs- 
day afternoons, of each month, at Grangers' 



HISTOar OF SACHAMBNTO COUNTY. 



Hall. The present officers are: M. Alice Ste- 
phenson. Pres.; Lncretia Olnej', S. Y. P.; Jennie 
Bell J. Y. P.; Miss Carrie G. Hancock, Sec; 
Rxchel Adams. Cor. Sec; Margaret Keller, 
Treas.; Mary Flemniing, Cond.; Louise Gonot, 
Ass'tCond.; Kate Mills, Guard; Maria Hussey, 
Ass't Guard. There are eighty-four members. 
Fair Oals Eelief Corj\% J'c. Jo, was estab- 
lished in May. 1884. and has about 125 mem- 
bers, who meet every Tuesday in Grangers' 
Hall. Officers: Mrs. Florence Miller. Pres.; 
Mrs. Inez Picks, S. Y. P.; Mrs. Cunningham, 
J. A''. P.; i[rs. Yoglegesaiig. Chap.; Mrs. Emma 
Bidwell, Sec; Miss Manning, Treas.; Miss 
Ella Tnbbs. Cond.: Mr. Teal, Ass't Cond.; 
Mrs. Burns, Guard. 

Clara Barton Cireh\ To. 11, Ladies of the 
G. A. B., was organized May 26, 1886, with 
about twenty-three members; there are thirty- 
three at present. Officers: Mrs. C. E. Shirland. 

Pres.; Mrs. , S. Y. P.; Mrs. Hannah 

Lindler, J. V. P.; Mrs. Caroline Yaughan, 
Treas.; Mrs. Belle Herr, Sec; Mrs. Leland 
Howe. Cond.; Mrs. Anna Paulk, Chap.; Mrs. 
Eliza Grothen, Guard. Regular meetings, the 
second and fourth Thursdays of the month, at 
Grangers' Hall. 

Crovernor Leland StanJ'o?'d Canij', JVo. 11, S. 
of v., was organized July 11, 1887, with eight- 
een members; at present there are thirty-eight 
members. Among the first officers, P. H. Dodge 
was Captain; Wm. Kellogg, 1st Lieut; and 
"Wm. H. Larkin, 2d Lieut. The present otticers, 
elected December 10, ISSS, are: "\Vm. H. Larkin, 
Capt.; Fred. Yan Horn, 1st Lieut.; George 
Burnett, 2d Lieut.; P. H. Dodge, J. L. Robi- 
uette and Wm. Matlock, Camp Council. The 
members are uniformed. Regular meetings, the 
second and fourth Mondays of each month, in 
Exempt Firemen's Hall. 

Satire Sons of the Gohlen ^Vest. — This order 
was originated in San Francisco, in 1875, by 
General A. M. Winn, who had thought, while 
acting as marshal of a procession on the -tth of 
July, 1869, that it would be an interesting part 
of the procession to have au e.xhibition of young 



Californians. The idea was what the times de- 
manded, as the rajiid growth of the order proved 
soon after its establishment. It soon became 
an important fraternal and beneficial society. 
The name "parlor" for each local organization 
indicates its social and refined character. They 
celebrate the anniversary of the admission of 
California into the Union. General Winn was 
the first mayor of Sacramento, and his remains 
were buried in the Sacramento City Cemetery, 
where on Thanksgiving Day, 1887, a niununioiit 
to his memory was unveiled. 

Sacramento Parlor So. 3, X. S. G. W., was 
organized March 22, 1878, with the following 
first officers and charter members: Benjamin 
O'Niel, Pres.; John C. Luce, 1st. Y. P.; Ed- 
ward B. Carson, 2d V. P.; James P. McGinnis, 
3d Y. P.; Edward R. Kno.x, R. S.; William Ri- 
der, F. S.; Clarence E. Parker, Treas.; David 
M. Maddux, Marshal; Henry Steinmiller, 
Thomas W. O'Niel and Martin Cofl'e^-, Executive 
Committee. Other charter members: H. C. 
Chipman, Joseph Maddux, George Steinmiller, 
Thomas O'Brien. William O'Brien, Joseph J. 
Maguire, Fred. Kidder, George Adams and John 
Feeney. There are now 120 members, and the 
officers are: W. A. Gett, P. Pres ; Charles A. 
Root, Pres.; Charles Meir, 1st Y. P.: J. M. 
Henderson, Jr., 2d A". P.; ,Ianus P. Leonard, 
3d Y. P.; Ed. II. Kraus, Fin. Sec; John F. 
Bronner, Rec. Sec; Henry ^'ichoiaus, Jr., 
Marshal; T. G. Eilers, Treas.; W. A. Briggs, 
Surgeon; W. B. Kurz, O. S.; J. B. Grammell, 
I. S. The parlor meets every Friday evening, 
at Grangers' Hall. 

Sunset Parlor, So. ~6, S. S. G. IF., was in- 
stituted January 24, 1884, with forty members. 
The membership is now eighty-one, and the 
officers are: C. E. Grunsky, Past President; A. 
G. Folger, Pres. ; J. Brenner, Jr., 1st Y. P. ; W. 
C. ReiUi, 2d Y. P.; F. A. Cramblitt, 3d Y. P.; 
J. A. Rutherford, Rec. Sec; George B. Cosby, 
Jr., Fin. Sec; F. E. Ray, Treas.; Yictor Hart- 
ley, Marshall; W. W. Marvin, C. H. Oatman, 
W. W. Cassett, Trustees. Meetings, every Sat- 
urday, at Pioneer Hall. 



lirsTOIlY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



California Parlor, No. 22, N. D. G. W., was 
organized in November, 1887, with 109 mem- 
bers; there are now (January, 1889,) al)Oiit 100 
members. Following are the officers: Mrs. 
Mattie K. Grunsky, Past President; Mrs. Mary 
Breckenfeldt, Pres. ; Mrs. Frankie Greer, 1st V. 
P.; Miss Regina Hassett, 2d V. P.; Miss Mc- 
Cleary, 3d V. P.; Miss Nettie K. Leake, Fin. 
Sec; Miss Mollie B. Johnson, Rec. Sec; Miss 
Mana Drake, Marshal. 

Etham Lodge, No. 37, J. O. B. B., was in- 
stituted June 23, 1859, by R. W. Grand Lodge 
Deputy Jacob Vogelsdorff, with the following 
otKeers: Joseph Davis, Pres.; J. Greenbaum, 
V. P.; M. Waterman, S. ; Louis Gerstle, F. S. ; 
M. Marks, T.; Z. Newstadt, M.; A. Ilamber- 
ger, A. M.; S. A. Levy, W.; C. Klapstock, G. 
The first organization of the " Hebrew Benevo- 
lent Association " was in December, 1851, which 
was incorporated February 10, 1854. There 
are at present 122 members. Stated meetings, 
every Thursday, at Unity Hall, in the Odd Fel- 
lows' Building. Officers this year: R. Stein- 
man, Pres.; S. Sinay, V. P.; S. Dombrower, 
Rec. Sec; L. Salomon, Fin. Sec; L. B. Buck, 
Treas.; B. Wilson, Monitor; M. Hirsch, Assist- 
ant Monitor; L Lesser, Inside Guard; M. Wil- 
son, Outside Guard. In treasury, §8,000. 

Sacramento Grange, No. 12, P. of II., was 
organized December 4, 1867, with the following 
charter members and officers: W. S. Maiilove, 
Worthy Master; I. N. Hoag, W. Overseer; E. 

F. Aiken, W. Lecturer; J. Holland, Steward; 

G. F. Rich, A. Steward; R. Williamson, Chap.; 
A. S. Greenlaw, Treas.; Wm. Haynie, Sec; R. 
S. Lockett, G. K.;,Mrs. W. S. Maulove, Ceres; 
Mrs. I. N. Hoag, Pomona; Mrs. E. F. Aiken, , 
Flora; Mrs. J. Holland, Lady Assisti 1 1 Stew 
ard. Other charter members: Amos Adams 
and wife, T. K. Stewart, William Kendall and 
A. P. Smith. There are at present 148 mem- 
bers, and the officers are: Joseph Sims, Mas- 
ter; M. L. Rich, Overseer; M. McMullen, Lect- 
urer; M. Sprague, Steward; W. W. Greer, 
Ass't Steward; W. Davenport, Chaplain; John 
Reith, Treas.; Alice Greenlaw, Sec; II. M. 



Sims, Lady Ass't Steward; Mrs. Joseph Sims, 
Ceres; Sophie Christman, Pomona; Kate Aiken, 
Flora; Lulu Rich, Organist. Regular meet- 
ings, the second and fourth Saturdays of each 
motith, at Grangers' Hall. 

Howard Benevolent Association of Sacra- 
mento. — Of all the organizations formed in Sac- 
ramento for benevolent or charitable purposes, 
none has been more purely unselfish, more really 
effectual, or more worthy of commendation and 
public patronage than the Howard Benevolent 
Association. Its history, covering, as it does, 
some thirty-two or three years, would fill a vol- 
ume with the record of noble deeds done in the 
name of humanity, and for no other recompense 
than the consciousness of having alleviated pain 
and given succor to the unfortunate. The first 
meeting lookii.g toward this organization was 
held as early as December 21, 1857, when N. 
A. H. Ball led off in this purely philanthropic 
enterprise. The officers elected for the first 
year were: George W. Mowe, Pres.; L. A. 
Booth, James P. Robinson, John McNiell, R. 
A. Pearls, James E. Perkins and N. A. H. Ball 
were elected Directors; James M. Kennedy, 
Sec; and John S. Bien, Treas. The income of 
the society is derived from membership fees, 
voluntary contributions, donations by the Leg- 
islature, and miscellaneous sources. No officer 
of the association, of course, receives any sal- 
ary, except the Steward, who has to be the prac- 
tical disburser at the depot, from 10 a. m. to 2 
p. M. every Tuesday and Friday. The depot is 
on the east side of Seventh street, first door 
north of L. They average a distriljution of 
about §4,000 per year, relieving about 130 in- 
dividuals per month. The Board of Directors, 
elected by the thirty active members, meet once 
a month and canvass the applications for relief. 
The officers this year are: Richard Dale, Pres.; 
A. Abbott, Treas.; A. S. Hopkins, Sec; John 
C. Medley, Steward; John McNiell. P. II. Rus- 
sell, G. W. Chjsley, P. E. Piatt, AY. H. B^atty 
and C. H. Hubbard, Directors. 

Catholic Li lies'' Relief Society, No. 1. — 
Emma Hughes, Pres.; Louise J. Conrad, Sec. 



IIISTOliY OF SACBAMENTO COUNTY. 



Sacramento Society fur Medical Improve- 
ment.- — Tliis society was organized March 17, 
1868, and incorporated June 29, 1878. The 
first ofiicers and members were: F. W. Hatch, 
M. D., Pres.; G. L. Simmons, M. D., Sec; 
Drs. W. E. Cluness. I. E. Oatman, J. M. Frey, 
H. W. Harkness, T. M. Logan, J. F. Mont- 
gomery, A. B. Nixon, G. J. Phelaii, G. G. Tyr- 
rell, Hofi'maii and H. L. Nichols. The ob- 
ject of the society, as its name indicates, is "the 
promotion of medical science and of good feeling 
among practitioners of medicine and surgery." 

The present officers are: Dr. J. K. Laine, Pres.; 
Dr. F. L. Atkinson, Sec. and Treas. Meetings 
are held at the offices of the city members, alter- 
nately, on the third Tuesday of each month. 

The number of members at present is twenty- 
two, namely: F. L. Atkinson, AV. II. Baldwin, 
W. Ellery Briggs, W. A. Briggs, A. E. Brnne, 
W. 11. Cluness, T. W. Huntington, J. K. Laine, 
M. J. Magill, Z. T. Magill, James H. Parkinson, 
G. C. Simmons, G. L. Simmons, F. B. Sutlifl", 
T. A. Snider, 0. B. Nichols, H. L. Nichols, G. 
G. Tyrrell, W. F. Wiard, G. A. White, J. A. 
McKee, H. Voeller. 

The past members who have died, moved 
away or withdrawn are: Thomas M. Logan, 
Joseph T. Montgomery, F. W. Hatch, A. B. 
Ni.\on, Gregory J. Phelan, Edward R. Taylor, 
Joseph M. Frey, II. W. Harkness, Samuel W. 
Blackwood, Augustus Trofton, Charles S. Has- 
well, S. P. Thomas, E. L. Poorman, W. T. 
Wythe, Joseph H. Wythe, H. W. Nelson, Alvis 
Graeltinger, J. II. Urieh, F. M. Curtis, Na- 
thaniel Williams, J. W. B. Reynolds, E. B. 
Harris, C. H. Fisher, Lucius McGuire, F. W. 
Hatch, Jr., S. A. Deuel, M. Gardner, G. W. 
Davis, S. D. Howard, A. II. Snider, E. R. Mer- 
rill, W. F. Finnie, A. B. McKee, Thomas 01m- 
stead, Ira E. Oatman. 

Although not composing a society, we may 
make a brief mention of the physicians of the 
" schools," as they are some times termed. 

The present homeopathic practitioners are 
George Pyburn, Charles E. Pinkham, W. A. 
Hughson, George M. Di.xon, Elliot D. Curtis, 



George Dart, H. C. Jessen and Charles H. 
Powers. Of these, Dr. Hnghson has been in 
Sacramento since 1873, thus being a resident 
here a greater length of time than any of the 
others. His predecessor was H. H. Ingerson, 
who practiced here 1862-'73, and located in 
San Francisco, where he died about 1881. J. 
K. Clark was here for a time, and also removed 
to San Francisco, where he died. Drs. Pyburn 
and Dixon have been county physicians, and 
when Jabcz Turner was mayor the homeopa- 
thists constituted the controlling element in the 
City Board of Health. 

The eclectic physicians now practicing in 
Sacramento City (none in the county outside of 
the city) are: M. F. Clayton (ever since 1858), B. 
F. Pendery, C. Mealand and F. G. Fay. N. S. 
Pendery came here with his brother, just men- 
tioned, about 1874, but after a time returned 
East and has since died. Dr. Summers prac- 
ticed in Sacramento for a while, removed to 
Walnut Grove and was killed there. C. P. V. 
Watson, here for a period, is now practicing in 
the southern part of'tlie State. Dr. Huntsinger, 
here in 1870-71, returned to Michigan. Dr. 
Wheeler was still another physician of this 
school who was located here for a time; and 
there have been several others. 

Dr. Joshua A. Burns, hydropathist, conducted 
for a number of years the Water Cure now 
owned by Dr. Clayton, sold it to him, and in 
1876 removed to Sonoma County. 

A numl)er of other independent or "irregu- 
lar" physicians are practicing the profession in 
Sacramento. Those not mentioned in the fore- 
going lists are : G. B. Clow, George Dart, G.V. and 
Elizabeth Ewing, J. C. Ford, Kelsay &Swanson, 
Mrs. A. F. Lower, J. H. Shirley and T. A. Snider. 
Yoking Men's Christian Association. — This 
association was organized October 3, 1866, by 
the election of the following officers: N. N. 
Denton, Pres.; H. B. Eddy, Sec, and M. L. 
Templeton. Treas. Twenty-six names were en- 
rolled at that time, and S212 contributed. 

At a subsequent meeting, held in the Con- 
gregational Church, October 22, 1866, the per- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



inanent organization was completed. Besides 
the officers named abovo (who retained their 
positions), the following gentlemen were elected: 
Sparrow Smith, Cor. Sec; George Wick, Libra- 
rian; H. W. Earl, Registrar; G. W. Briiff, Seth 
Babson, A. Aitken, J. M. Ripley, G. W. Bonner, 
Board of Managers; and the following were 
made Vice-Presidents: Frank Miller (Congre- 
gational Church), G. R. Forshee (Sixth Street 
Methodist Episcopal Chnrch), A. Aitken (Pres- 
byterian Church), C. Emery (Baptist Church), 
and Henry Garrett (Christian Church). 

The association died in 1877 or 1878, and 
shortly afterward revived. It is now a very 
strong and influential society, having on an 
average about 200 members. They have occu- 
pied their present neat and commodious rooms 
on the first floor, west side of Si.xth street, be- 
tween K and L, near the Si.xth Street Methodist 
Episcopal Church, since January, 1885. Previ- 
ous to that date they were in the St. George 
Building two years, and prior to that at 309 J 
street; but they have recently purchased a fine 
business lot, 526 K street, for $10,000, which is 
only two-thirds its real value, whereon they are 
erecting this year a splendid business block, and 
in this most convenient place they will hereafter 
liave their headquarters. The estimated cost of 
this building is $35,000, and the furnishing 
will cost $5,000. 

The present officers are: Directors — C. M. 
Campbell, C. A. Maydwell, W. S. Bassett, 
George O. Hayford, Chauncey H. Dunn, C. A. 
Beasley, W. C. McNeely, Benjamin L. Edwards, 
Walter Wylie and Alexander Ingram; C. M. 
Campbell, Pres.; W. S. Bassett, V. P.; Walter 
Wylie, Clerk; C. A. Maydwell, Treas.; C. H. 
Dunn, Auditor; A. C. Lovekin, Gen. Sec. The 
other Presidents have been: R. H. Hart and C. 
E. Parker. The first paid Secretary was S. D. 
Fuller, then Moore Hesketh, F. Z. Wilcox, A. 
C. Lovekin. 

Bath-room, gymnastic apparatus, books, news- 
papers, magazines, appliances for parlor plays, 
lectures, etc., are furnished by this philanthropic 
society. 



Young Men's Institute, Branch No. 11, was 
one of the first institutes to organize in the 
State, and that event occurred on the evening of 
August 8, 1885, in old St. Rose's Hall, which 
has since been torn down to make way tor the 
new Government building. There were fifty 
charter members, and it was not long before the 



membership incn 



to 100. The Institute 



present numbers 145, and is still increasing. 
Much money has been expended in benefits to 
sick and disabled members. 

The first officers were: D. J. Long, Pres.; 
R. E. Murray, 1st V. P.; Joseph McGuire, 2d 
V. P.; T. T. A^^isemau, Rec. Sec; M. J. O'Reilly, 
Cor. Sec; Benjamin Neary, Fin. Sec; James 
O'Reilly, Treas.; J.Genshlea, Marshal; Execu- 
tive Committee — J. McBride, A. E. Coolot, J. 
J. IlefFernan, C. Trainor and J. McGinnis. The 
present officers are: M. J. Burke, Past Pres.; 
J. G. Genshlea, Pres.; M. JSTelis, Ist V. P.; 
James Longshore, Jr., 2d Y. P.; D. McLaugh- 
lin, Rec Sec; W. F. Gormley, Fin. Sec; T. J. 
Pennish, Treas.; W. E. Kent, Marshal. 

This society is organized for intellectual im- 
provement, social enjoyment and the main- 
tenance of a beneficiary fund, giving $7 a week 
in cases of sickness, and $500 to the legatee in 
case of death. Regular meetings are held at 
the Y. M. I. Hall, east side of Seventh street, 
between K and L, the first and third Thursdays 
of each month. 

Branch No. 27, Y M. I., was organized in 
the Y. M. I. Hall, on Sunday, May 7, 1886. 
Thirty-one charter members were enrolled. To- 
day the membership numbers 115, and is stead- 
ily increasing. It prides itself, as Branch No. 
11 does, in having as members some of the best 
and most prominent young men in the city. 
The first officers were as follows: T. W. O'Neil, 
Pres.; J. F. Doody, 1st V. P.; E. P. Byrne, 
2d V. P.; A. S. Cohen, Rec. Sec; R. E Mont- 
gomery, Fin. Sec; J. L. Ryan, Cor. Sec; J. 
Miller, Treas. ; F. F. Martin, Marshal; Execu- 
tive Committee— James C. Kelly, J. T. McNiflf, 
W. Scanlan, Charles Farran, J. Fitzgerald. The 
present officers are: J. F. Doody, Pres.; J. F. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT T. 



McQueeney, 1st V. P.; Adolpli Kaufman, 2d 
V. P.; W. E. Connolly, Kec. Sec; E. Kraus, 
Fin. Sec; Thomas Carolan, Cor. Sec; John 
Miller, Trcas.; Frank Gall! gan, Marshal. Tiie 
Institute meets every Tuesday evening at Fire- 
men's Hall. 

Young Lad Iff)'' Institute, No. 17, lias the fol- 
lowing otHcers: Josie J. Regan, Pres.; Mrs. J. 
W. Willem, 1st V. P.; Miss Lizzie O'Brien, 2d 
y. P.; Miss M.mie Whyte, Fin. Sec; Mrs. M. 
A. Nagle, Cor. Sec ; Miss JMellie Boylan, Treas. ; 
Miss Mollie Brown, Marshal; Miss Ida Des- 
mond, Sentinel; James Parkinson, Physician. 

Pro Culto Literary and Social Cluh, limited 
to a membership of fifty, has at present forty- 
five members, who meet on alternate Fridays at 
Y. M. I. Hall. Officers: Warren Floberg, 
Pres.; William Kellogg, 1st V. P.; Ralph 
Lowry, 2d V. P.; George Clark, Sec; William 
Larkin, Fin. Sec; Charles Richardson, Marshal. 
The club was organized April 26, 1887. 

Vincent Circle, C. L. S. C, was started 
about si.K or eight years ago, and grew to such 
an extent that in 1884 a division was made, as 
noticed below. Ofdcers this year: M. K. Bar- 
rett, Pres.; George Hesser, Y. P.; Miss Mollie 
Johnson, Sec; Miss Anderson, Treas. There 
are now about fifteen pursuing the course. 
Many have graduated. 

Westminster Circle, C. L. 8. C, was organ- 
ized in 1884, by members from the older society 
just noticed, and have at present a membership 
of about thirty-five. S. G. Smith, Pres.; Mrs. 
C. N. Post, Sec; Mrs. J. L. Chadderdon, Treas. 

The Sacramento Scientific Association and 
the Ladies'' Museum Association are connected 
with the Crocker Art Gallery. 

The Sacramento Society of California Pio- 
neers. — In pursuance of a previous notice, about 
seventy persons met at Jones's Hotel, on J street, 
between Front atid Second streets, on Wednes- 
day evening, January 25, 1854, for the purpose 
of organizing a Pioneer Association in Sacra- 
mento. Jos. W. Winans was Chairman, and 
Samuel Colville, Secretary of the meeting. A 
committee, consisting of R. P. Johnson, Samuel 



Colville, J. W. Winans, and R. M. Folger, was 
selected, who, on the 27th of the same montli, 
reported a constitution, which was adopted, and, 
with some alterations, is the one by which the 
association is now governed. On the 31st of 
the same month it was decided that all who 
came to the State prior to 1852 should be eligi- 
ble to membership, and, having signed the con- 
stitution, should have the right to assist in the 
election of officers. The oiiginal intention was 
to limit tlie membershi]) to those who had come 
to California previous to 1850. On the 3d of 
February, 1854, the association met for the 
election of officei's, to serve until September 9, 
1854. The following persons were elected: 
Joseph W. Winans, Pres.; J. B. Starr, J. N. 
Nevett, D. J. Lisle, Richard Rust, J. B. Mitch- 
ell and William M. Carpenter, Y. P's.; Samuel 
Colville, Rec Sec; N. A. H. Ball, Cor. Sec; 
B. F. Hastings, Treas.; H. E. Robinson, Yolney 
Spalding, C. C. Sackett, R. P. Johnson, W. C. 
Waters, James Ilaworth, and George Rowland, 
Directors. 

Tlie following is a complete list of the Presi- 
dents of the society and dates of their terras of 
service, respectively: Joseph W. Winans, 1854 
-'56; A. C. Monson, 1856-'57; John F. Morse, 
1857-'58-'59; James Queen, 1859-'60; A. C. 
Monson, 1860-'61; John II. Carroll, 1861-'62; 
N. L. Drew, 1862-'63; Gregory J. Phelan, 
1863-'64; R. H. McDonald, 1864-'65; Justin 
Gates, 1865-'66; William F. Knox, 1866-67; 
Isaac N. Hoag, 1867-'68; James McClatchy, 
1868-'69-'70 ; Charles N. Ross, 1870-'71 ; 
Isaac Lohman, 1871-'72; Albert Leonard, 1872 
-'73; Edward F.Aiken, 1873-'74; Asa P. An- 
drews, 1874-'75; G. K. Yan Heusen, 1875-'76; 
ISr. D. Goodell, 1876-'77; George A. Putnam, 
1877 -'78; John S. Miller, 1878-'79; W. C. 
Felch, 1880; James McGuire, 1881-'82; A. H. 
Powers, 1882-'83; J. H. McKune, 1883-'84; 
George W. Chesley, 1884-'87; Powell S. Law- 
son, 1887 to the present. 

The officers at present are: P. S. Lawson, 
Pres.; John S. Miller, Sec; A. C. Sweetser, 
Treas.; S. Callisch, Janitor. At the first the 



niSToRY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



members were over 200 in number; there are 
now 126, besides fourteen honorary members. 
The association meets the last Saturday of each 
montli, in Pioneer Hall. This hall is in a build- 
ing erected by the association in 1868, on the 
east side of Seventh street, between J and K. 
Recently a building adjoining on the south has 
been purchased and neatly fitted up, — the first 
floor for a banquet hall, and the second for a 
parlor. The museum, although yet small, is a 
collection of rare merit. 

Capital Lodge, No. 5 J^, of the United Endow- 
ment Associates, a mutual benevolent associa- 
tion, was instituted November 9, 1888, with 
nineteen charter members, by D. D. G. C. Mrs. 
J. H. Struckmeyer. The officers are: Dr. E. 
A. Brune, P. 0.; Louis M. Schwoerer, C; Mrs. 
E. Bryan, V. C; Mrs. Yuhre, A. C; Mrs. C. 
G. Aukener, R. S.; Mrs. E. Schwoerer, F. S.; 
Mrs. I. Hillebrand, F.; Mrs. A. Labhard, G.; 
J. F. C. Knauer, Jr., I. G. ; Charles Schneider, 
S. ; Dr. E. A. Brune, Examining Physician. 
Stated meetings, alternate Thursdays, at Ein- 
tracht Hall. 

Pilgrim, Lodge Wo. 6, Independent Order of 
Good Samaritans and Daughters of Samaria 
(colored), was organized October 10, 1887, with 
twenty-eight members; the number is now in- 
creased to forty. E. A. Clark, Past Chief; Mrs. 
E. A. Fletcher, Past Presiding Daughter; A. 
L. Cady, Vice Chief; Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, 
Daughter of Fount; R. D. Reid, Rec. Sec; 
Mrs. C. Williams, Fin. Sec; Rev. J. R. Dorsey, 
Chap. Regular meetings, the first Wednesday 
of each month, over Armory Hall. 

There is a " Degree Lodge " of the above, of 
which R. J. Fletcher is Grand Master; Mrs. 
Ella Dorsey, Sec; Rev. J. R. Dorsey, Treas. Of 
this there are eighteen graduates or members. 

The " Champions of the Red Cross," " Kes- 
lier shel Barsel," "Caucasians," "Janissaries 
of Light," and many other influential societies 
of former times have been discontinued. 

Company No. 3, Italian SlMi'pskooters'' So- 
ciety of Mutual Aid, was founded in Sacra- 
mento, October 30, 1887. A. Mazzini, Pres.; 



A. Simoni and G. Delucchi, V. P.; P. Gabrielli, 
Treas.; D. Malatesta, Sec; G. C. Simmons, 
Phys. The membership is about 105 at pres- 
ent, and is constantly increasing. The present 
oflScers are: Pier Antonio Galgani, Pres.; V. 
Caselli and A. Simoni, V. Pres.; P. Gabrielli, 
Treas.; J. Morelli, Sec; G. C. Simmons, Phys. 
The society meets the first Sunday of every 
month, in Y. M. I. Hall, on Seventh street, be- 
tween K and L. 

The Forester Gun Cluh, named after " Frank 
Forester," one of theearliest sportsmen in Amer- 
ica and the celebrated author, was organized in 
1879, with some twenty members, for the pur- 
pose of encouraging field sports, protecting 
game, and renting lakes for shooting grounds. 
During the season in which game is protected, 
the club has a series of trap shoots. At pres- 
ent they have leased Gourley's and Clark's 
Lakes, about twelve miles below Sacramento. 
They change the scene of their play from time 
to time, and of course will have other lakes and 
resorts hereafter. The first officers were: Hora- 
tio Hurd, now deceased, Pres.; Captain J. D. 
Young, now Superintendent of State Printing, 
V. P.; John Hotz, since deceased, Sec; and 
Henry Gerber, Cap. Since that time one other 
member of the club has also died. The present 
officers are: Edward C. Chapman, Pres.; Dr. 
F. F. Tebbets, V. P.; H. J. Kilgarif, Sec; and 
H. Eckhardt, Treas. The stated meetings of 
the club occur the first Monday of every month. 
Present number of members, about twenty-five. 

The Pacific Sportsmen^s Cluh was organized 
April 1, 1881, with twenty members, and the 
following officers: T. D. Hopper, Pres.; Frank 
Kunz, V. P.; and Charles Flohr, Sec and Treas. 
The club now numbers thirty-eight members, 
and the officers are: J. M. Morrison, Pres.; 
Grank Kunz, V. P.; Fred George, Sec; Adam 
Damm, Treas.; Charles Flohr, Capt. ; George 
Chapman, Asst. Capt. At present the club has 
the use of Miller's Lake, below Freeport, for 
the winter, and during the warmer portion of 
the year they have regular monthly shoots. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTER XX 



PCiSTOFFICES. 
Directiou and Distaucfi from Sacramento. 







Miles. 




N.E. 
S. E. 

S. 
S. E. 

s.w. 

S. E. 
S. E. 

E. 

S. 

s. 

S. E. 
S. E. 
S.W. 
S.E. 

E. 

E. 
S.E. 

E. 

E. 

"e." 

S. 

S.W. 

E. 


12 


Clay 


28 




18 


Cosumnes 

Courtland 

Elk Grove 

Florin 

Folsom City 


18 
20 

l.T 

9 
22^ 
15 


Franklin 




7 


<ialt 

Hicksville 

Isleton 

Michigan Bar 


28 
20 
40 

28 




25 




19 


Perkins 


6 


Rentier Station 

Kassell 

Sacramento 

State Prison 


11 
9 

24k 


Unien House 


8 


Walnut Grove 


30 


WalsU Station 


9 



OTlIKIt POINTS. 

Aider Creek Station, three miles below Folsom. 

Arcade, five miles northeast of Sacramento. 

Ashland, opposite Folsom. 

Brighton, fonr miles southeast of Sacramento. 

Buckeye, nine and a half miles southeast of 
Cosninnes. 

Emmaton, fifty miles below Sacramento, on 
the river. 

Live Oak, five miles south of east of Cosumnes. 



McConiiell's, three and a half miles southeast 
of Elk Grove. 

Onisbo, one mile below Courtland. 

Salisbury, fifteen miles east of Sacramento. 

Sheldon, four miles northeast of Elk Grove. 

Sebastopol, four miles southeast of Cosumnes. 

Sutterville, three miles below Sacramento, on 
the river. 

White Rock, six miles soutiieast of Folsom. 

Wilson's, near Cosumnes. 

(See chapter on Nomenclature.) 

COUNTY NOMENCLATUKE. 

ThereportofGeneral Vallejo, made to the first 
Legislature — and an accepted authority on the 
subject of the derivation and definition of the 
names of the counties created by that Legisla- 
ttire — gives the following with regard to Sacra- 
mento: 

" Sacramento signifies Sacrament, or Lord's 
Supper. The streams known as Feather and 
Sacramento rivers were first respectively named 
by Lieutenant Moraga ' Sacramento ' and Jesus 
Maria; but the latter now assumes the name of 
Sacramento, whilst the former is called Feather. 
Sacramento is the principal river in all that sec- 
tion of country, and gives the name to the 
county. Several towns are springing up, but 
the chief one of the county is Sacramento City, 
situated on the eastern bank of the Sacramento. 



niSrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Tliis rapidly growing and flourisliing town, con- 
taining a permanent population of 12,000 in- 
liabitants, has sprung np in the short space of a 
year. It contains, besides, multitudes of tran- 
sient residents, constantly going to and coining 
from the 'placers;' steamboats and vessels of 
light and heavy draught are safely moored im- 
mediately abreast of the town." 

The name of Gait was suggested for that 
town, when it was laid out, by John McFarland, 
a pioneer resident of that locality, to the late 
E. E. Crocker, the land on which it is located 
then belonging to the railroad company. Mc- 
Farland, when quite a young man, lived in the 
town of Gait, in Upper Canada, and there served 
his apprenticeship as a joiner. The Canadian 
Gait was named after a man by that name. 

Folsom was named after Joseph L. Folsom, 
who in early days was a prominent man in the 
State, and who had large landed interests about 
the town which bears his name. He died at the 
Mission San Jose, Alameda County, oti July 
19, 1855. Folsom was for many years from 
1855 the terminus of the Sacramento Valley 
Ilailroad, extending from Sacramento up, and 
the ])ioneer railroad of the State. As most of 
the supplies for and travel to and from the mines 
passed over that road, the town was very flour- 
ishing. Afterward, when the Central Pacific 
was built, followed a time of great depression, 
and many of the large buildings fell into disuse 
and decay. Of late years, however, somewhat 
of a boom has been e.xperienced, and prosperity 
again reigns. 

Mormon Island was so named from the fact 
that a party of Mormons, who came to this 
country in the ship Brooklyn, in 1846, under 
the leadership of Samuel Braunan, settled there 
afterward, and engaged in mining. It has been 
claimed — and with some show of plausibility — 
that the discovery of gold was made there l>y 
the Mormons before the Marshall discovery. In 
1854 George M. Evans published an article in 
the Portland (Oregon) Tiines, in which he said: 

" When the Mormon battalion was disbanded 
in 1847, a number of Mormons came to San 



Francisco, and among them was one Hender- 
son Cox and one Beardsley, who boarded in the 
same house with me. They, having worked in 
the Georgia mines, told me, in conversation, 
that as they were about prospecting for a road 
(since called the Mormon Pass) for the Mor- 
mons to return to Salt Lake, in so doing, they 
would prospect the streams in their route (this 
was in the end of September or first of August, 
1847). In the following January, I returned 
to San Francisco, when I received an invitation 
to go to Mormon Island, so named afterward by 
Henderson Cox. On the 19th of January, 1848, 
I went there, and with the bounty they gave me, 
and what I worked out myself, I had §19,000 
on the 8th day of February, 1848. * * * 
The Mormons, wishing to keep their discoveries 
a secret from people not Mormons, worked out 
the gold and said nothing more." 

Natoma is an Indian word, meaning "clear 
water," and was the aboriginal name for that 
section of the country. A. P. Catlin first gave 
the name to a mining and water company. 
Afterward, in 1850, an agent of the PostotSce 
Department visited Mormon Island for the pur- 
pose of establishing a postoffice there, and he 
requested Mr. Catlin to furnish a name for the 
office, and the name "Natoma" was adopted on 
his suggestion. xVfterward the township took 
the name also. 

American Kiver was so named from the fact 
that a company of Western trappers lived on its 
banks for several years between 1822 and 1830. 

The Mokelumne River derives its name from 
a numerous tribe of Indians, the Mo-kel-kos, 
who formerly inhabited its lower banks and the 
adjacent country. The Spaniards spelled the 
word variously. Cosumne is also an Indian 
word. 

Hicksville was named from William Hicks, a 
pioneer resident, who died there June 29, 1884; 
and Howell's from Sid Howell, who still lives 
there. 

Sutterville was named from General John A. 
Sutter, who, with others, in 1844, made an ef- 
fort to build a town there. A survey was made 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



and a village commenced. The first house was 
erected by Sutter, the second by one Hiadel, and 
the third by the late George Zins. The last was 
a brick building, and is said to have been tlie 
first that was put up in Calitbriiia. The new 
town lagged, and in 1853 a party of capitalists 
endeavored to boom it up, and many costly 
buildings were erected, but the effect was but 
temporary, and the town died down. 

The name Florin was given to the locality 
about 18(34 by the late Judge E. B. Crocker, 
owing to the great number of wild flowers which 
grew in the vicinity, and in 1875 the name was 
given to the town when it was commenced. 

In 1850 James Hall and a family opened the 
Elk Grove Hotel on the original site of Old Elk 
Grove, and gave it that designation on account 
of having found elk horns in the grove near by. 
Mr. Hall was from Galena, HIinois, and died in 
Vallejo in 1876. The original Old Elk Grove 
Hotel burned down in 1857. 

The original name of Ashland was Big Gulch. 
In 1857 it was changed to Russville, in honor o* 
Colonel Russ. It was also sometimes called' 
Bowlesville, from an old resident named Bowles 
who claimed title to the land. In 1860 it was 
christened Ashland. 

In 1852 a company was formed, known as 
the Alabama Bar Mining Company, composed of 
twelve men. They located the bar which took 
that name, from the fact that most of the com- 
pany were from the State of Alabama. 

Andrus Island was named from George An- 
drus, who settled there in 1852. 

Onisbo was the name of a chief of the Dig- 
ger Indians. 

Georgetown was settled in 1856 by Andrew 
George, who opened a hotel there called the 
Franklin House. The place goes by both the 
names of Georgetown and Franklin. 

Sebastopol, a mining camp, was established 
in 1854, and the name was chosen by a vote of 
the miners, the Crimean War being then in prog- 
ress. 

Cook's Bar was named after Dennis Cook, 
who settled there in 1849. 



Michigan Bar was so named from the fact 
that the first settlers were two men from Michi- 
gan, who made the first discovery of gold there 
in 1849. 

Walsh's Station was named after J. M.Walsh, 
who opened a store there in 1873, and Routier's 
is called in honor of Senator Joseph Routier. 
who settled there in June, 1853. 

Rancho del Paso signifies Ranch of the Pass, 
Its other name — Norris Grant — is from Samuel 
Norris, who at one time owned it. 



1850. 1860. 1870. 1880. 

City * 12,800 16,283 21,420 

County. 9.087 24,142 26,830 84,390 
State... 91,635 323,127 499,424 864,694 

COURT-HOUSE. 

The first court-house that was erected at 
Seventh and I streets in Sacramento City, and 
in which the sessions of 1852 and 1854 were 
held, was commenced in June, 1850, and com- 
pleted on December 24, 1851. It was destroyed 
in the great fire of July 13, 1854, which con- 
sumed a large portion of the business part of 
the city. 

Immediately after the fire a contract was en- 
tered into between Joseph Nougus and the 
county officers for the erection of the present 
court house. As originally arranged the build- 
inganswered the following description: Extreme 
height, sixty-one feet ; dimensions, 80 x 120 
feet; with a portico supported by ten pillars, 
three feet six inches in diameter by thirty-one 
feet six inches in height. The ground floor 
was devuted to a county prison. On the same 
floor were two separate offices containing fire- 
proof vaults and occupied by the State Control- 
ler and State Treasurer. The second floor was 
devoted to a Senate Chamber, 37 x 30 feet, and 
an Assembly room, 72.8x41.4 feet, together 
with nine rooms for clerks and officers of the 
Legislature. The style of architecture is Ionic. 
The original contract price was $100,600, and 

♦April 1, 1849, less than 150; October 1 following, 1,300 votes. 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the subsequent contracts made the total cost of 
the building to the county $240,000. The cor- 
ner-stone was laid September 27, 1854, with 
Masonic honors, and the brick work was com- 
pleted November 9 following. The entire build- 
ing was finished January 1, 1855. It was rented 
to the State tor Capitol purposes at an aimnal 
rent of $12,000, and was used for that purpose 
from 1855 until the completion of the present 
Capitol. In Ajiril, 1870, the building was 
raised to the high grade, 400 jackscrews being 
used in the job. The original corner-stone was 
opened on the 22d and its contents transferred 
by the Boai-d of Supervisors into a new box. 
On that day the stone was relaid without public 
ceremony. 

THE STATE CAWTAL. 

The first State Constitutional Convention met 
at Monterey, September 1, 1849, and during 
the session fixed the seat of the State Govern- 
ment at San Jose. December 15 following the 
first Legislature accordingly met at that place, 
but, finding the accommodations too limited, 
resolved to accept a proposition from General 
M. G. Vallejo, removing the capital to his 
place. Meeting there January 5, 1852, they 
fared even worse than they had at San Jose as 
the General had undertaken to do more than he 
could, and was far behind with his contract. 
The Sacramentans then stirred themselves, and 
indorsed the Court of Sessions in ofi"ering the 
use of the new court-house to the Legislature, 
which body accepted the offer January 12, 1852, 
and the very next day arrived here, on the 
steamer Empire. The citizens welcomed the 
members by a grand ball, tickets to which were 
sold at $20. During this session the contest 
between the rival points contending for the lo- 
cation of the capital naturally grew hotter, and 
all sorts of legal technicalities were brought to 
bear in favor and against the competing places. 
During all this time the State records were at 
San Jose, and doubts were entertained as to the 
legality of T amoving them to Vallejo, where 
there was no safe place for keeping them, or to 



Sacramento, which was not yet made the seat of 
Government. 

Ajjril 30, 1852, the Legislature passed a bill 
declaring Vallejo to be the seat of Government, 
and ordering the Governor to remove the State 
records to that place. Next, General Vallejo 
procured a cancellation of his contract; then 
the following Legislature, meeting in January, 
1853, in Vallejo, soon adjourned to meet at 
Benicia, declaring it to be the capital. January 
2, 1854, the Legislature again met there. Gov- 
ernor Bigler submitted to them a communication 
from the mayor and council of Sacramento, 
tendering the free use of the court-house, with 
safes, vaults, etc., lo the State, together with a 
deed to the block of land between I and J and 
Ninth and Tenth streets. On the 9th of Feb- 
ruary, A. P. Catlin introduced a bill in the 
Senate, fixing the permanent seat of govern- 
ment at Sacramento and accepting the block of 
land. The Legislature then adjourned to this 
city. The members and State officers were re- 
ceived with a great demonstration. 

March 1, 1854, the Legislature met in the 
new court-house. On the 24th of this month 
they passed a law compelling the Supreme Court 
to hold its sessions here; but that body an- 
nounced their opinion that San Jose was the 
constitutional and legal cipital. Subsequently, 
however, by a change of judges of the Supreme 
Court, Sacramento was decided to be the legal 
capital. Accordiugly, with the exception of the 
flood year, 1862, all sessions of the Legislature 
since 1854 have been held in Sacramento. 

April 18, 1856, the Legislature provided for 
the issue of bonds to the amount of $300,000 
for the erection of a State House where is now 
the beautiful Plaza. The Board of Commission- 
ers, appointed to superintend the building, 
approved the plans of Reuben Clark for the 
structure, let the contract to Joseph Nougues, 
for $200,000, and broke ground for building 
December 4. But on the 15th of that month 
the commissioners refused to issue the bonds, 
because the Supreme Court had decided that 
the State had no authority to contract a debt so 



HISTOBY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



large. The contractor brought suit to compel 
the issuance of the bonds, but was beaten, and 
work was stopped and never resumed on that 
buildincr. The land was deeded back to the 
city and has been made a beautiful park. 

The building of a Capitol did not again re- 
ceive much attention until ISBO, when the 
supervisors deeded to the State the tract of 
land bounded by L and N and Tenth and 
Twelfth streets, and the Legislature appropri- 
ated $500,000 for the building. The plans of 
M. F. Butler were adopted, and Michael Fen- 
nell, of San Francisco, obtained the contract for 
furnishing the material and building the base- 
ment for $80,000. The corner-stone was laid 
May 15, 1861. Fennell, however, had dropped 
the contract April 1, and it was afterward let to 
G. W. Blake and P. E. Conner, who in turn 
dropped the task, having suffered severe losses 
in the great flood. The work was then placed 
in the hands of the commissioners, who had to 
" plod their weary way " along for several years, 
while the various Legislatures could not agree 
upon the amount of appropriations to be made. 
Indeed, the question of the location of the Cap- 
itol was mooted until 1867, when it was decided 
to discontinue the use of granite, and hurr}' the 
building on to completion, with l)rick. Thus 
the basement story only is built of granite. 
The brick, however, is of good quality, and the 
Capitol Building, whicli is modeled somewhat 
after the pattern of the national Capitol at 
Washington, is substantially constructed, and 
is modestly beautiful in its exterior. Cost, 
about $1,447,000; with grounds (ten blocks), 
$2,590,460.19. Height, from first floor to the 
lantern, 240 feet. From this point can be seen 
a magnificent city and rural landscape, bounded 
by mountains fifty to a hundred miles distant. 
See topographical chapter for a "description of 
the objects visible. At the center of the first 
floor is a large piece of statuary, cut from Italian 
marble by Larkin G. Meade, and representing 
Columbus before Isabella. It was purchased 
by D. O. Mills, at an expense of $30,000, and 
by him presented to the State. 



The completion of the Capitol in the fall of 
1869 was celebrated by a grand ball given by 
the citizens of Sacramento, and the rooms, as 
they were finished, were occupied during the 
months of November and December. The 
present constitution provides that the seat of 
the State Government shall not be removed 
without a popular vote. 



Like the Lower Mississippi, the lower portion 
of Sacramento River is, when the waters are 
high, above the level of the adjoining country. 
Hence floods, inundating many thousand acres 
of good land, sometimes occurred, until the 
levee was completed. The principal ones have 
occurred on the following dates: 

1805. — The inundation was so great this year 
that the Indians still reckon from it as an epoch. 

1825 -'26. — This was a very wet winter 
tlirou<;hout the State, and some of the oldest 
inhabitants still remember it. 

1846-'47.— High waters, but as yet there 
were scarcely any settlers here witli property to 
be destroyed. 

1850. — By this time Sacramento was a lively 
little town, and the flood well nigh carried it 
away. The people continued to hope that the 
water had about reached its highest point until 
it was too late to save their property. They 
were unprepared when the rush came upon 
them, and some were even drowned in- their 
beds! Women, children and feeble persons 
were found floating about upon loose material, 
and crying for help. The inmates of the city 
hospital, twelve to twen'y in number, narrowly 
escaped drowning. Only two of them ulti- 
mately recovered! It was during this flood 
that a Dutchman, employed to take corpses out 
in boats for burial, met with an accident, and 
on endeavoring to swim ashore with $2,000 in 
gold in his pocket, sank several times and was 
drowned. Many of the rougher class of men 
became horribly reckless, drinking, laughing, 
hurrahing and carousing generally, without 
turning a hand to save life or property. Of the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



300 or more men who were doing business in 
Sacramento, not more than a half dozen had 
sec-ond stori28 to their buildings, in which goods 
might l;e stored, or persons saved. 

After this flood subsided the weather was 
line and exhilarating for several weeks, and the 
people almost forgot that they had met with 
losses, when in March another fresliet arrived, 
and would have swept them away had it not 
l>een for the determined efforts of Hardin Big- 
low in leveeing the city, despite the scoffing of 
the multitude. 

1852.— March 7, at 1 a. m., there came a mad 
rush of waters from the American River, break- 
ing through the levee. The mayor summoned 
the citizens to the rescue, but in vain; it was 
too late to cast up levees. By daylight nothing 
could be seen upon the surrounding landscape 
but Sutter's Fort and the Ridge. The head of 
I street, near the Plaza, being the highest 
ground in the city, was densely covered with 
human beings. This terrible distress continued 
four days. 

1853.— January 1, the city was again com- 
pletely flooded, the water rising two feet higher 
than in 1850; but the water retired so rapidly 
that but little damage was done, and even the 
improvised boats and other craft were, many of 
them, left upon the ground. 

1861.— March 28, there was a sudden dash 
from the American River, inundating the city, 
but the subsidence was so rapid that compara- 
tively little damage was done; but December 9 
following occurred tiie most destructive flood of 
all. The first alarm was given at 8 a. m., and 
within one hour many persons living east of 
Eleventh street were surrounded, in imminent 
danger of their lives, and appealing for help 
with the most heart-rending cries. Many were 
indeed drowned during this siege, and many a 
harrowing story is told of pitiful cries for help 
whicli were unheeded by passing boatmen who 
could have rescued the suflferers, but would not 
because money to the extent of §10 to §75 was 
not forthcoming! 

By the 11th the waters had so far subsided 



that traffic was resumed. On the 23d the city 
was again partially inundated. 

1802. — January 9-13 occurred a destructive 
deluge, carrying away all or fiearly all the prop- 
erty of many farmers, as well as drowning some 
persons and destroying much property in the 
city. The Legislature was in session, and upon 
the third day of the flood the Senate adopted a 
re.=olution for the adjournment of the Legisla- 
ture to San Francisco for the remainder of the 
session. The House, however, did not concur 
until the 23d day of the month, and the next 
day they all embarked for San Francisco. 

1878.— February 1 came tlie last destructive 
freshet, as since then the levees have been 
strong enough to confine the waters to the chan- 
nel; but the loss of property was not so great 
as in 1862. 

LEVEKS. 

The history of the levees around Sacramento 
is one of great interest, involving, as it does, 
not only the psist but the present and future 
safety of the city. Previous to the flood of 
January, 1850, nothing had been attempted in 
the matter of protection from flood or high 
water. True, the subject had been discussed 
j/ro and con, one party holding that something 
should be done, and the other tiiat nothing 
could be done that would be of any real value, 
for, they argued, "suppose we do build a bank 
around the town, how long will the water stay 
outside? Granting that it cannot run over the 
top or break through the levee, it will, in a 
short time, find its level by percolating through 
the soil." This latter class, however, were 
suddenly converted by the flood of 1850, and 
became as ardent supporters of the levee move- 
ment as any of their former opponents. 

The waters had scarcely begun to recede from 
the city, when surveyors were employed to sur- 
vey lines for and make a location of the pro- 
posed levee. On the morning of January 29, 
1850, a meeting of citizens was held in the 
oflice of Priest, Lee & Co., for the purpose of 
providing means to protect the city from floods. 
Recommendations were made to the city coun- 



HISrOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



cil, which, through committees, arranged for 
building a levee around the city. For this pur- 
pose they proposed a tax of $250,000, which 
was accepted by a popular vote of 543 against 
15. Accordingly, a levee was built that year, 
but not sufficient to withstand extraordinary 
floods; for the very next freshet, that of 1852, 
broke over it in several places and inundated 
the city. 

Under the supervision of the city council, a 
levee was then built on I street to Sixth, and 



thence to the " Eidge." This 



aga 



n was found 



adequate, as the subsequent winter, 1852-'53, 



proved. The next year, at an expense of $50,- 
000, borrowed on scrip, the levee was widened 
and made higher, so tiiat it extended up twenty- 
two and a half feet above low-water mark. 

With occasional repairs of breaches and 
strengthening weak places, this levee has since 
stood, while that portion bounding the east and 
south sides of the city has been superseded by 
the river levee generally, built by the respective 
reclamation districts. The Y street levee, a 
comparatively new one, is a public drive-way for 
most of its extent. 



^,._ _--jife«„ 





HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 




CHAPTEK XXI. 



fOR the school statistics of each, see table 
at the close of Chapter XIV. 

ALABAMA. 

This township was established October 20, 
1856, and includes township 6 north, ranges 7 
and 8 east, and those portions of township 5 
north, ranges 7 and 8 east, which lie north of 
Dry Creek, and also a strip from the west side 
of townships 5 and 6 north, range 9 east, nearly 
a mile wide, in Sacramento County. It is 
bounded on the north by Lee and Cosumnes 
townships, on the west by Dry Creek Township, 
and ou the south and east by the county line, 
and was originally a part of Cosumnes Town- 
ship. 

The early settlers in this township were: John 
Southerland, who came into the township in 

1850, and was largely engaged in stock-raising. 
Hoberts & Chaplin settled on a ranch near the 
Southerland place in 1850. They were the first 
men who raised barley in this township, and 
were engaged principally in raising grain. 
Joshua and William Heweld, on an adjoining 
ranch to Roberts & Chaplin's, raised barley and 
hay. Captain Ed. Thompson, an old sea cap- 
tain, settled with his family in the township in 

1851, and sold a year or two later to the Good- 
win Brothers. Soon after selling his farm, he 
had a dispute with a laborer, and afterward 
called him out of the house and shot him, kill- 



ing him instantly. Thompson left the country 
and was never found. Dr. George Elliott set- 
tled, some time in 1851, at the crossing of the 
Stockton Road and Dry Creek. He kept the 
stage station and hotel, and also owned the stage 
line, which he leased to a man named Kelley. 
This place was known as Elliott's Station. A 
postofKce was established here in 1852, Elliott 
being appointed postmaster. "When ho sold out, 
in 1858, Mr. Mitchell was appointed, who served 
until the stage route was changed and olHce dis- 
continued. Martin Scott purchased Elliott's 
establishment and moved the hotel across the 
creek into San Joaquin County. James M. Short 
settled in the township in July, 1852. W. Lords 
moved into the township in the spring of 1852, 
and bought aranch on the Laguna. S. B. Lemon, 
a bachelor, settled on the Laguna, near the cen- 
ter of the township, in 1853. In 1854 he 
opened a hotel and bar, which he sold in 1858 to 
James Crocker, who, in 1859, sold to Thomas 
H. Fowler. Mr. Fowler closed the hotel in 
1861-'62. He did not keep a bar. E. H. Pres- 
bury settled on Dry Creek in 1854. Goodman 
Brothers, of whom there were three, farmed 
quite extensively for about si.x years. L. C. 
Goodman died about 1860, and the other broth- 
ers sold out and returned to Te.xas. William 
Mitchell, a large sheep-raiser, Richard White, 
William H. Young, William Gallon, John 
Bowen and Joshua Bailey are among the settlers 



Hisrour OF i<acramento county. 



prior to 1855. In 1858 Thomas Steele settled 
at the place now known as Clay Station, on the 
lone and Amador Branch of the Central Pacilic 
Railroad. A postoftice was established at this 
point Jnly 26, 1878, Mr. Steele being appointed 
postmaster. lie also started a store in October, 
1878, and a blacksmith shop in 1879. 

The soil of the bottom lands is a black loam; 
the upland is gravelly, with some adobe, and 
considerable red loam and sandy soil. There is 
very little timber in the township, a few scat- 
tering oaks, a small patch of black oak in a ra- 
vine near Dry Creek, and willow, oak, with an 
occasional asii tree, on the Dry Creek bottom. 
The mining debris seriously attected the value 
of the bottom lands. 

The chief industry in this township was 
stock-raising until the passage of the no-fence 
law, since whicli time the farmers have found 
it morb profitable to cultivate the land than to 
use it for grazing. In the spring of 1853 several 
herds of cattle were brought in.to the township 
by Thompson & James. They continued in tlie 
business until 1860. Mr. Hicks, of Ilicksville, 
also had a large number of cattle here. In 1858 
sheep-raising began in the township, and grad- 
ually increased until it became the largest in- 
terest in the township. Until 1877 barley and 
hay were the principal crops, it having been 
supposed that wheat could not be grown with 
success; this has been proved to be a mistake, 
and it now forms one of the principal crops. 
Very little fruit is raised in the township, the 
prevailing high winds and the necessity for con- 
stant irrigation making it unprofitablf. The 
Central Pacific Railroad formerly i)wned large 
tracts of land in this township, which they have 
sold. 

The first settlers established themselves on the 
water courses, which are the Laguna, dry in the 
summer, and Dry Creek, on the south bonudary 
of the township, which also has little or no water 
in it during the summer mouths. During the 
rainy season the Laguna rises and falls very 
rapidly, in some places spreading nearly half a 
mile wide. In 1862 the waters from the Anni- 



dor hills caused considerable damage, sweeping 
away fences and stock, but compared with the 
major portion of the county, Alabama Town- 
ship suti'ered very little from the great Hood. 
During the rainy season the Laguna furnishes 
ample water for stock; in the summer the farm- 
ers depend on wells, which furnish water at 
depths varying from twenty-five to eighty feet, 
according to the locality. 

The Sacramento and Stockton stages ran 
through this township, station and hotel on Dry 
Creek kept by Dr. George Elliott. The For- 
rest Line Stage Company began running in June, 
18G9, and was taken oft" in 1876. George IJrusie 
kept station and public liou^e. This line ran 
from Gait to Mokelumuj Hill, in Calaveras 
County. 

In addition to the two hotels mentioned above 
there were two others; one opened in 1854, by 
S. V>. Lemon, near center of township; closed in 
1861 or 1862. The other opened in 1863, by 
Calvin Bates, on what was then known as the 
Michigan Bar or Laguna road; closed in 1866. 

The first school held in the township was in 
1857, a private school, kept by George II. String- 
field, and only lasted one term. In 1858 the 
first public school building was erected by pri- 
vate parties; the lirst teacher was Miss Mary 
McCounell. 

AMERICAN. 

The first division of Sacramento County into 
minor political divisions was made by the Court 
of Sessions, on the 24:th day of February, 1851. 
There were eight townships established, known 
as Sacramento, Sutter, San Joaquin, Cosumnes, 
Brighton, Center, Mississippi and Natoma. On 
July 30, of the same year, the Court of Sessions 
cut oft" from Sacramento Township all that por- 
tion north of the American River, creating the 
latter into an independent division, by the name 
of American Township. The north and west 
boundaries were the county line and the Sacra- 
mento River, south the American River, and 
east the roads to Auburn, as far as its junction 
with the road to Muldrow's Ferry, to Nevada 
City, and the latter road to the county line. On 



HISTORY OF SACliAMENrO COUNTY. 



the 20tli day of October, 1856, the Board of 
Supervisors of Sacramento County established 
tiie boundary line of the difl'erent townships in 
the county as they now exist. The eastern line 
of American Township was established on the 
center line of townships 9 and 10 north, range 
5 east of Mount Diablo liase and meridian, from 
the intersection of said line with the north line 
of the county to the American River. In 1874 
tlie boundaries of Sacramento City were chanj^ed 
as follows: Commencing on the line of Thirty- 
first street at the intersection of the extension 
of A street; thence westerly alonj^ tiie north 
line of A street to the east line of Twenty- 
second street; thence along the east line of 
Twenty-second street to the north line of B 
street north; thence westerly along' tiie north 
line of 1) street north, to the center of the bed 
or channel of the American River. The land 
ilirown out of Sacramento Township by this act 
was attached to American Township. This town- 
ship is nearly all swamp and overflowed land, 
comprised in Old Swamp Land District, No. 1. 
The Central Pacific Railroad touches the south- 
east corner of the township, with a station at 
Arcade, nearly on the line between American 
and Center townships. 

The Six-Mile House was on the old load to 
Marysville, about six miles from Sacramento. 
It was built by Mr. Holmes in 1852 or 1853. 
He mortgaged his place, including 160 acres of 
land, to Mr. Hughes, who was obliged to fore- 
close the mortgage in 1857. At this sale it was 
bought by H. C. Harvey. It had not been used 
as a hotel for some time previous to this. Har- 
vey, who was at this time interested in a stage 
line from Sacramento to Marysville, kept it as a 
hotel and farm-house. The Star House was on 
the Nevada road, on the Morris grant. It was 
the favorite stopping place for teamsters. It 
was owned by a Mr. Pitcher in 1857. The 
Twelve-Mils House was a stage station on the 
Nevada road. The Arcade House was about 
two miles from the bridge. 

The land in the township is very rich, being 
for the most part deposit from the rivers. Dry 



Creek runs through the township. Tiiis has 
been filled with mining sediment, so that now 
it has no channel, but spreads all over the low 
grounds. There is no reclaimed land in tiie 
township, and a large portion of it is exposed 
to inundation each year of high water. When 
the land is safe it is very valuable, being held 
as high as $100 per acre, and renting at $15 to 
$25 per acre. The indications in this township 
are that at some previous time the water has 
been much higher than at any time since the 
American occupation. The flood of 1862 nearly 
ruined allof tiie farms that were overflowed, carry- 
ing away barns, houses, tools, and covering all 
up with sediment from two inches to two feet 
deej). 

On Thursday, March 'J, 1854, the community 
of Sacramento was more tlian ordinarily excited 
by reason of a report that a duel was on the 
tapis, and would take place on the afternoon of 
that day. Such an affair did really occur, and 
under the following circumstances: Philip W. 
Thomas, District Attorney of Placer County, 
had made some remarks concerning and deroga- 
tory to the character of J. P. Rutland, a clerk 
in the office of Dr. S. A. McMeans, State Treas- 
urer, which led Rutland to send Thomas a chal- 
lenge, which the latter refused to accept, alleging 
as a reason that he did not recognize the chal- 
lenger as a gentleman. Dr. Dickson, one of the 
physicians of the State Marine Hospital at San 
Francisco, appropriating the insult to himself, 
repeated *the challenge in his own proper name 
and person, which was accepted by Thomas, and 
a hostile meeting was appointed for 4 p. m. on 
the day above mentioned. The ptirties left the 
city at 2:30 i'. .m., and had gained a point two 
miles beyond Lisle's bridge, on their way to Oak 
Grove, when they found tiiemselves pursued by 
a deputy sheriff of the county. When that 
officer was discovered, it was arranged between 
the friends of the parties that a mock duel 
should be fought to mislead suspicion. Ac- 
cordingly, H. O. Ryerson and Hamilton Bowie 
took positions and exchanged shots. Ryerson 
was immediately arrested by the deputy sheriff" 



HI STOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



and brouglit back to the city, where he gave 
bonds for liis appearance. 

The real combatants then proceeded on their 
way to the appointed place of meeting, which 
was in American Township, not more than 200 
yards from the residence of H. M. La Rue. 
Hamilton Bowie acted as the second of Thomas, 
and Judge McGowan otKciated in like character 
for Dickson, who had the choice of the ground 
and the word. The distance originally fixed 
upon was ten paces, but by subsequent arrange- 
ments it was increased to fifteen, in the hope of 
saving the lives of the parties. The weapons 
used were dueling pistols. At the .vord given 
by McGowan both tired promptly, but Thomas 
an instant ahead. Dickson's hesitation for an 
instant, in all probability, saved Thomas' life, as 
his opponent's ball was in line, and went into 
the ground at the feet of his adversary. At the 
first fire Dickson fell, and was then brought to 
the city. The bearing of Thomas was that of 
one cool and collected, while his adversary be- 
trayed some excitement. The surgeons, Drs. 
Ogden and Williams, expressedthe opinion that 
the patient would die, having found that the 
ball had entered two inches anterior to the angle 
of the fifth rib of the right side, passing forward 
of the spinal column, and resting immediately 
under the skin and over the angle of the sixth 
rib on the lei't side. That night, at twenty 
minutes past midnight. Dr. Dickson died, being 
perfectly conscious of his approaching end. He 
was a native of Tennessee, thirty years of age, 
and had been in California about four years. On 
the 10th of Marcli, the day after tlie duel, the 
funeral of the unfortunate and lamented Dr. 
Dickson took place, at 4 o'clock, from Jones's 
Hotel (now Treraont), on J street, between Front 
and Second. A very large number of persons 
attended, including members of the Masonic 
fraternity, members of the Senate and Assembly, 
State officers, and many personal friends. A 
band of music headed the procession; the pall- 
bearers were J. W. Coifroth, Charles A. Leake, 
Charles S. Fairfax, B. F. Myers, A. C. Bradford 



and Captain Nye; and the body was laid to rest 
in the City Cemetery. 

The remaining participants were indicted. 
James H. Hardy was then district attorney, but 
through the exertions of Colonel P. L. Edwards, 
counsel for thedefendanta, the indictments were 
qua.shed. After the duel Thomas was twice re- 
elected district attorney of Placer, and in 1860 
he was elected to the State Senate, which posi- 
tion he resigned before the expiration of his 
term. He made an unfortunate marriage, be- 
came dissipated, and died in Auburn about 
1874 or 1875. 

BRIGHTON. 

This township as originally established by the 
Court of Sessions, February 24, 1851, was de- 
scribed as follows: Beginning at the southeast 
corner of Sacramento Township; thence along 
the eastern line of said township to the county 
line of Sutter County; thence easterly along 
said line three miles; thence in a southeasterly 
direction to Murray's Ranch and including the 
same; thence in the same direction to the in- 
tersection of San Joaquin, Sutter and Cosumnes 
townships; thence along the northern line of 
Sutter Township to beginning. This includes 
a part of what is now known as Center Town- 
ship. The Board of Supervisors, October 20, 
1856, established the lines of the township as 
follows: Beginning at the northeastern corner 
of Sutter Township; thence south along the 
eastern boundary ot said Sutter Townsiiip, be- 
ing also the center line of township 8 north, 
range 5 east, of Mt. Diablo base and meridian, 
to the township line between townships 7 and 
8 north, range 5 east; thence east along said 
township line to the range line between ranges 
6 and 7 east; thence north along said range line 
to the American River; thence southerly and 
westerly along said American liiver to the point 
of begiiming. 

The town of Brighton was started in 1849 by 
a party of Sacramento speculators; the town 
plat was made, lots staked oif, a race track, and 
the Pavilion Hotel, built by the originators of 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



211 



the enterprise. It was located on tlie soutli 
bank of the American River, nearly one mile 
north of the location of the present point called 
Brighton. During the years 184:9-'51 the vil- 
lage was a lively place. In 1851 the Pavilion 
Hotel burned down; another hotel was started, 
known as the Five-Mile House, John and 
George Berry being proprietors; this house was 
closed in 1856. There wei-e two stores and 
several dwellings in the town. In 1852 the 
town was abandoned, on account of land trouble, 
defective title, etc. 

The present Brighton is located on sections 10 
and 15, township 8 north, of range, 5 east, at 
the crossing of the Sacramento Valley and the 
Central Pacific railroads. The "town" was 
commenced in 1861, but now there is not even 
a postofRce directly at that point. T. C. Perkins 
kept the first store, which opened in 1861 and 
closed in 1866; and was also the first postmas- 
ter, a postoffice having been established herein 
1861. 

The "Washington Hotel, Mr. Pugh, proprie- 
tor, was built in 1874. S. II. Pugh started the 
first blacksmith shop in the village the same 
year. 

The Brighton Distillery Conipany, originally 
owned by Marcus Lowell, was established in 
1875. It was subsequently purchased by the 
above-named company. There are probably 
twenty shareholders. R. S. Lockett is Presi- 
dent and T. C. Perkins, Secretary and Treas 
ni'er. They n)anufactnre brandy })rincipally, 
turning out about 10,000 gallons annually. 
They expect to increase tliis amount next year. 
The grapes are purchased mostly from the farm- 
ers of Brighton Township, though some are 
bought from the vicinity of Elk Grove. 



Hoboken, or Norristown, was laid 



Samuel Norris, in February, 1850. (See chapter 
on the founding of Sacramento.) It was situ- 
ated on the south bank of the American River, 
about live miles from Sacramento, and the ad- 
vertisement in the Placer Times of that date 
states that the location cannot be surpassed for 
health or business. A map of the town was 



left in the office of H. A. Schoolcraft, of Sacra- 
mento. 

There seems to have been very little done to 
or heard of the town from this time until the 
high water of 1852, when, all teaming commu- 
nication having been practically cut off between 
Sacramento and the mining districts, the mer- 
chants of Sacramento were forced to tempo- 
rarily establish branches of their business on high 
ground so that their customers could get to them. 
This high ground was found at or near the site 
of Norristown, which was re-christened Hobo- 
ken. Previous to this time there was only one 
house there — a roadside I'nn, known as the Four- 
Mile Honse. On January 10, 1853, there were 
from thirty to fifty houses and tents of business, 
with a populaticjn of several hundred, including 
among their number nearly all the prominent 
business houses of Sacramento. January 15, 
1858, the first election was held for city officers. 
The candidates for mayor were. Judge E. L. 
Brown, J. B. Starr and Samuel Norris. 

The newspaper reports of the election state 
that the candidates, especially for mayor, were, 
early in the field, and " the sovereigns w-ere 
treated to the best of cheer." The vote for 
Mayor was: E. L. Brown, 613; Samuel Norris, 
546; J. B. Starr, 598. Mayor Brown made an 
inaugural address to the citizens of Hoboken 
through the medium of " the very common 
council," in which several suggestions were 
made as to necessary improvements, and prom- 
ising to execute the law faithfully "provided I 
am paid for it." On the subsidence of the 
waters, later on in the season, Hoboken was de- 
serted, and has since been used as farm land. 

Routier postoffice is situated on the Placer- 
ville Railroad, a trifle more than ten miles dis- 
tant from the Sacramento postoffice. The name 
was given to it in honor of Joseph Routier, 
who, with his family, settled on the place as the 
agent of Captain Folsom, in June, 1853, occu- 
pying the adobe house built by Leidesdorff in 
1846. On the death of Captain Folsom, in 1855, 
the executors of his estate retained Mr. Routier, 
and when the land was sold, in 1863, he pur- 



illSTOUY OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



chased 100 acres, and has planted it in fruit- 
trees and grape-vines. After spending much 
time and money experimenting on wine, Mr. 
Tvontier succeeded in miiking a wine, which, 
among connoiseurs, is considered superior. 

The first railroad station in this vicinity was 
at the American Forlv House, or Patterson's. A 
few years hiter the station was moved nearer 
town, and called Mayhew Station, from the 
agent's name. In 1866 Mr. Ron tier's fruit 
business had appreciated so much that the rail- 
road company built a platform for him. In 
1871 Patterson lost his new house by fire, and 
was induced to rebuifd and make a station at 
lloutier's, which proved to be a good invest- 
ment. In 1872 Mrs. Mayhew, then postmis- 
tress at Mayhew, resigned, and, on petition of 
the farmers in that vicinity, the office was re 
moved to Eoutier's, and called Routier postof- 
fice; A. D. Patterson was appointed postmaster. 

AValsh Station is situated on the Jackson road, 
near the center of the township. The postoffice 
was established in 1873, J. Walsh, Postmaster; 
he also opened a store the same year. A black- 
smith shop and the Enterprise Grange Hall were 
also started the same year; the latter was l)uilt 
by the business association, composed of mem- 
bers of the Enterprise Grange. 

Of the earlest settlers we have the following 
reminiscences: 

A. D. Patterson came to the township in 

1849, and started what is known as the Ameri- 
can Fork or Ten^Mile House, on the Coloma 
road, where he remained until 1871. N. J. 
Stevens settled near Patterson's place April 1, 

1850, with his family. He died about 1873. 
Charles Malby settled liere in 1849, and kept 
the Nine-Mile House on the Coloma road, next 
to Stevens's. James T. Day came in 1849. James 
Bowles settled in tlie township with his family 
in 1849 on the place adjoining Stevens's on the 
west. He died many years ago. Israel Luce 
came in the spring of 1850;. was in partner- 
ship with CharlesMalby. Mr. Luce now lives in 
Sacramento. James Allen settled with his 
family on the American River. He was driven 



out during the Squatter riots, an adopted son 
of his being killed during the riot. Allen after- 
ward returned and took possession of the land, 
sold out and moved away about 1861. W. P. 
Whitesides settled in the township in January, 
1850, joining ranches with Kippand Petit. He 
died in 1864. A. B. Hawkins settled here in 
1849; moved away many years ago. Mr. 
Crytes came in 1850, and moved away. A. 
Kipp and Charles Petit settled on the Allen 
place in 1851. When Allen returned, they gave 
possession. John Rooney settled in 1851, in an 
old adobe house, formerly a sheep ranch. lie 
is now living at Whitesides' place. Dr. Kel- 
logg settled in 1849 on the place north of Bo wies's ; 
sold out in 1853 to James Riley, who died in 
1869. W. S. Manlove settled in 1849 about 
one mile and one-half south of Day's ranch, 
where he still resides. Mr. Rush opened the 
Fourteen-Mile House on the Coloma road in 
1850. It was quite a large building. In 1854 
he sold to John Taylor, who has since carried on 
farming on the place. 

The Amei ican Fork House was established in 
December, 1849, by A. D. Patterson. The house 
was constructed principally of cloth, and was 
situated about ten miles from the city. The 
house soon became popular, and so fiourished 
that in 1850 a wooden house was built, costing, 
it is said, $40,000, owing to its being the cholera 
season. On Christmas eve, 1850, a ball was 
given at the house, the receipts amounting to 
$1,500, $250 of which Patterson paid to Lo- 
thian's Band for furnishing the music. 

lu 1853 the celebrated " Plank Road," built 
on the continuation of J street, reached Patter- 
son's Hotel, which was its eastern terminus, and 
the house immediately became a great place of 
resort. Patterson sold the property in 1872. 

The Magnolia, sometimes known as the Five- 
Mile House, was originally built in 1849. It 
was situated on the old Placerville and Jackson 
stage road, and vvas a place of considerable note 
in its day. The building was burned twice in 
1863, and vvas rebuilt the second time. The 
Twelve-Mile House was built in 1853 by a man 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



named Cadwell, and called at that time the An- 
telope Ranch. 

The Fourteen-Mile House, situated on the 
Coloma road, was built in. 1850, and sold to 
John Taylor in 1854. 

Enterprise Grange, No. 1^9, was organized 
December 12, 1873. The charter members 
were: J. M. Bell, Master; A. A. Nordyke, Over- 
seer; S. W. Haynie, Steward; George Wilson, 
Lecturer; H, A. Parker, Treasurer; M. Toomy, 
Secretary; R. S. Jamison, Assistant Steward; 
J. Campbell, Gate Keeper; G. I. Martin, Chap- 
lain; J. R. Gilliland, J. D. Rennett; R. J. Brown, 
A. M. Gunter, T. L. Williams, J. D. Morrison, 
Nelson Shaver, Al. Root, Ada M. Shaver, May 
M. Gunter, Mrs. Mary G. Nordyke, Ceres; 
Eti'unia Bell, Margaret A. Haynie, Lady Assist- 
ant Steward; Sarah Martin, Flora; Mrs. M. 
Parker, Pomona; and Mary M. Brown. 

This grange has iiad as many as 100 members. 



The original boundaries of Center Township, 
as established by the Court of Sessions, Febru- 
ary 24, 1851, contained, as near as we can ascer- 
tain, the eastern half of the present Center 
Townsiiip, and portions of the present townships 
of Brighton, Granite, and possibly Lee. On 
March 1, 1853, the Board of Supervisors changed 
the boundaries of Brighton and Center town- 
ships, forming one township out of the portions 
of both lying north of the American River, this 
township to be called Center Township. The 
eastern line of the township ran a southeasterly 
course, striking the American River east of 
Folsom; this included the westerly four-fifths of- 
the present Mississippi Township. 

October 20, 1856, the Board of Supervisors 
established tlie present boundaries of Center 
Township as follows: beginning at tiie north- 
east corner of American Township, and run 
thence easterly along the northern boundary 
line of the county of Sacramento, to the range 
line between ranges 6 and 7, east of Mount 
Diablo meridian; thence south along said range 
line to the American River; thence southerly 



and westerly along said American River to the 
eastern boundary line of American Township; 
thence north along said eastern line of Ameri- 
can Township to the beginning. 

Center Township is mostly all occupied by 
Spanish grants. The Rancho del Paso, com- 
monly known as the Norris grant, is mostly in 
this township, or about 30,000 acres of it. The 
Rancho San Juan has about 8,000 acres in 
Center Township. The latter ranch is, how- 
ever, now being sold in small parcels, and, for 
the benefit of the township, it is to be hoped the 
Norris grant may soon do likewise. 

The character of the land is essentially agri- 
cultural, and, where opporftuiity has been had 
to try its fertility, it has proved of good quality. 
The land lying around the edge of the Norris 
grant is nearly all under cultivation, or consti- 
tutes part of improved farms. 

The proprietors of the Norris grant have made 
three separate attempts to reach artesian water, 
or to find a flowing well, without, however, 
meeting with any success. The depth of the 
wells were, respectively, 900 feet, 640 feet, and 
2,147 feet. The last well was abandoned in 
1879. 

The Auburn road ran diagonally through the 
township, as it now is, from southwest to north- 
east, and along this road, at short intervals, were 
located houses for the refreshment of man and 
beast. The most prominent of these houses was 
the Oak Grove House, located on the Auburn 
road, about seven miles from the city of Sacra- 
mento. This house was quite a resort at one 
time — notably in 1851-'52, its situation being 
about the right distance from Sacramento to 
make the drive and return a pleasant trip. The 
house was kept by D. B. Groat in early times. 
This house is also noted for being the one in 
which the parties to the Denver-Gilbert duel 
took breakfast, the duel itself having taken place 
but a few yards from the house. This house 
has long since disappeared. There were several 
other houses along the road, none of which ap- 
pear to have been of any particular note. Most 
of tlie public houses were built in 1850, and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



were abandoned soon after the completion of 
the Sacramento Valley Railroad to Folsom in 
1856. 

Antelope is a small settlement, located on the 
Central Facitic Railroad, near the center of sec- 
tion 21, township 10 north, of range 6 east- 
The town was regnlarly surveyed in 1878. In 
1876 a large brick warehouse, 40 x 100 feet in 
size, was built by J. F. Cross at a cost of $3,000. 
This was the first building erected. The first 
store was started in May, 1877, by the Antelope 
Business Association, an incorporated company. 
The association sold out in the fall of 1878 to 
John Berry. The second store was started in 
1879, in the hotel bidding, by R. Astile. The 
postoffice of Antelope was established in 1877; 
Joel Gardiner, Postmaster. In 1878 he was 
succeeded by John Berry. This is the only 
postofiice in the township. Antelope is the 
shipping point for large quantities of grain, 
both to Sacramento and the mountains. 

Arcade is a flag station on the Central Pacific 
Railroad, situated nearly on the dividing line of 
American and Center townships. There are no 
buildings here or settlement; simply a section- 
house, owned by the railroad company. 

The floods of 1861-'62 brought down a large 
number of pine trees, stumps and roots and de- 
posited them on the banks of the river on the 
"grant," and the following summer five or six 
men did a profitable business by extracting the 
tar and resin from these trees and supplying 
the Sacramento market. This, so far as we 
know, has been the only work of the kind done 
in any part of Sacramento County. 

The Gilbert-Denver duel was one of the most 
noted that has ever occurred in the State. It 
originated primarily in a newspa[)er controversy. 
At this time, 1852, Denver was in charge of 
the supplies for overland immigration, and Gil- 
bert in his capacity as editor saw fit to comment 
very severely on the conduct of the expedition, 
accused members of the party of dishonesty, and 
finally' sent Denver a challenge to fight, which 
was promptly accepted by the latter. Denver, 
being the challenged party, chose rifles; the 



distance was thirty paces. On the evening pre- 
ceding the duel Mr. Gilbert dined at the resi- 
dence of R. N. Berry, in Sacramento. At 
sunrise on the following morning, August 2, 
1852, the parties were promptly on the ground, 
which was a few yards above the Oak Grove 
House, on the Auburn road, in Center Town- 
ship, some seven or eight miles from Sacramento. 
Both parties appeared calm and collected when 
on the ground. Gilbert wore a small green 
surtout coat, buttoned tightly across his chest. 
Denver had on a large cloak, which he threw 
off" before taking his position. In the choice of 
positions Denver secured the toss and placed 
his back to tlie rising sun. Ex-Mayor Tesche- 
macher was the second for Gilbert and V. E. 
Geiger acted for Denver. Dr. Wake Briarly 
was surgeon for both combatants. Just as the 
sun was rising the word "fire " vras given. Gil- 
bert fired at the word "two" and Denver at the 
word "three." The ball from Gilbert's weapon 
plowed the ground in an almost direct line with 
the body of his antagonist. The same remark 
will apply to Denver's shot. Before the next 
attempt was made Gilbert called a friend to him 
and told him if he was killed at the next shot to 
ask his partner, Keinble, to write to his mother, 
informing her of the circumstances of his death. 
Immediately after the firing of the second shot, 
Gilbert dropped into the arms of bis friends 
and expired almost without a struggle. He was 
shot through the bowels. The body was at once 
taken in a wagon to the Oak Grove House, where 
the party breakfasted. 

Edward Gilbert was born in Troy, New York; 
he was emphatically a self-made man, ard 
worked himself up from the printer's case to a 
seat in Congress. He came to California with 
Stevenson's regiment in 1847. , Before coming 
to California he was associate editor of the Al- 
bany Argus, though at the time of his death he 
was only thirty years of age. Gilbert early 
in 1849 combined the California Star and the 
old Californian, from which sprung the Alta 
California. He was regularly elected delegate 
to the convention to form a constitution for v 



HISTORY .OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



State of California, and was the first man to 
take a seat in Congress from the Pacitic Coast. 
The body of Mr. Gilbert was conveyed from the 
dueling ground to the residence of J. H. Nev- 
ett, of Sacramento. Impressive funeral services 
were lield by the Rev. O. C. Wheeler at the 
Baptist Church. The procession was headed by 
a battalion of cavalry, commanded by Captain 
Fry. • The body was taken to San Francisco, 
where the final ceremonies were held at Rev. T. 
Dwight Hunt's church; every newspaper editor 
and reporter in town attended the ceremonies. 

COSUMNES. 

Cosumnes Township, as established by the 
Court of Sessions, February 24, 1851, included 
all of Alabama Township, and parts of Lee, 
Dry Creek and San Joaquin townships The 
present boundaries were established October 20, 
1856, by the Board of Supervisors, and are as 
follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of 
Natoma Township; thence east along the south- 
ern boundary of said Natoma Township to the 
ea-tern boundar}' of the county; thence south- 
erly along the eastern boundary line of the 
county to the township line between townships 
6 and 7 north, range 9 east; thence west and 
along said township line to the southeast corner 
of Lee Township; thence north along the said 
eastern boundary to the beginning; embraced 
within the present limits of Cosumnes Town- 
ship are Michigan Bar, Sebastopol, Live Oak 
and Buckeye. 

Michigan Bar is so named from the fact that 
the first settlers were from Michigan. Gold was 
discovered here in the latter part of 1849; this 
is, at least, the first discovery that was made 
public. The founders of Michigan Bar were two 
men from Michigan, who probably made the 
first discovery of gold there. In the following 
spring some of their friends and acquaintances, 
formerly from Michigan, who had been mining 
at Placerville, and others direct from that State, 
joined them,aud commenced mining on the bar, 
and in the vicinity, and the town began to grow. 
This was the largest mining camp in tiie town- 



ship. The first claims were small, each man 
being allowed only sixteen feet; they were en- 
larged, by -several men uniting their claims, 
and wlien hydraulic mining began, the rule was 
changed, the miners here, as elsewhere, making 
their own laws on the subject of claims. 

In the autumn of 1851 the miners commenced 
working the gulches, hauling the dirt in carts 
to the river. This was the first dry miningdone in 
this locality. In the summer the mining was 
nearly all on the river and bars; in the winter 
the miners worked in the gulches with sluices, 
running from six to eight inches to a sluice. 
The Knightsomer Ditch was the first ditch 
built, in 1851; the Davidson Ditch, built in 
1854, both on north side of river. A small 
ditch was builton south side of river, by O'Brien, 
Dayton and others, in 1853. Hydraulic min- 
ing began in 1858; the gulch mining gradually 
decreased until, in 1862, it was practically aban- 
doned. This district was originally one of the 
best for placer-mining in California. Some 200 
or 300 acres have often been denuded to a depth 
of over twenty feet. 

Michigan Bar at one time had from 1,000 to 
1,500 population, and by some it is estimated 
that there were over 2,000. In the '50's it 
polled over 500 votes; there are now only ahout 
fifty voters in the precinct. 

The new iron bridge, 362 feet in length, 
costing $3,300, was finished April 9, 1887. A 
toll bridge, built by Samuel Putnam, existed 
here from 1853 to 1879 or 1880, when it was 
bought by the county and made free. Arkan- 
sas Creek, rising in Amador County, runs for 
about four miles through Cosumnes Township, 
emptying into the Cosumnes River at Flint & 
Raymond's. The old Amador & Sacramento 
Canal extends about sixteen miles from its 
source in the Cosumnes to Michigan Bar. 

The Michigan Bar Pottery was built in 1859 
iiy J. W. Orr and moved to a point about two and 
a half miles southeast of the village in 1862, 
where Mr. Orr discovered a bank of potter's 
clay supposed to be the best in the State for 
stoneware, and still known as Orr's bank. At 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO. COUNTY. 



present the San Francisco Sewer Pipe Associa- 
tion leases the sewer- pipe department. A. M. 
Addington owned it from 1865 to 1884, and J. 
M. Williams, wlio had leased it in 1881, from 
1884 to the present time. lie has discovered a 
deposit of " croll " (fire-sand) in the adjoining 
land of N. B. Gill, and has purchased forty-five 
acres of him. A measure of silicious sand also 
exists in it. In the autumn of 1888 he sent 
specimens of this sand to England, where the 
chemists pronounced it the best known for the 
purpose. Twenty-five acres of the new pur- 
chase has this sand on the surface. English 
capitalists are making overtures to Mr. Orr for 
a purchase. This material is specially well 
adapted to the manufacture of stoneware, tire- 
brick, sewer-pipes and white and yellow ware. 

Among the early settlers of Michigan Bar 
were the following: A man by the name of 
Prothro was the tirst settler, who brought his 
family with him. The family consisted of four 
sons and two daughters. Prothro afterward 
moved to Mendocino County. Larkin Lamb 
and wife settled at Michigan Bar in January, 
1851. 

Gold was discovered at Cook's Bar almost 
simultaneously with Michigan Bar. It received 
its name from Dennis Cook, who settled here in 
the latter part of 1849. He remained here until 
1855 or '56. He kept a trading-post, and also 
followed mining. Cook's Bar was located about 
a mile and three-fourths below Michigan Bar, 
on the Cosumnes Itiver. Quite a town was 
built up here at one time, having a large hotel, 
stores, saloons, and about 500 inhabitants. The 
town, as such, ceased to exist about the year 1860. 

Sebastopol, a raining camp, established in 
1854, is located on the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 16, township 7 north, range 8 east. The name 
" Sebastopol " was chosen by a vote of the 
miners, the Crimean War being then in prog- 
ress, and its famous namesake being very prom- 
inent in the daily papers of that date. From 
1854 to 1858 the camp thrived and the popula- 
tion and buildings increased. Mining, iiowever, 
being the main industry, with its decline the 



town gradually became deserted, till at the 
present time there are but four houses standing. 
During the lively times, from three to four hun- 
dred ounces of gold dust were sold weekly at 
this place. Since 1859 there have been no 
white men at work mining here. Some China- 
men, however, worked until 1876. 

At one time Sebastopol containtd one hotel, 
one general merchandise store, one dry-goods 
store, one saloon and bowling alley, one cigar 
store, butcher shop, blacksmith shop, shoe store, 
and dwelling-houses and minei's' cabins contain- 
ing about 200 inhabitants. 

Among some of the early settlers were 

Michael Davis, McEntire, T. P. Horn, Dr. 

Bowman, Lyon, McCabeand Francis 

Mitchell. The latter came when the town was 
established. There is some good agricultural 
land in the vicinity.. 

Katesvillk was a mining camp. The limits 
of the district were defined in 1855, and ex- 
tended three miles south of Arkansas Creek and 
three miles east and west from tlie foot of Big 
Ravine; it also embraced the strip of Mr. Dar- 
med's ground, between Arkansas Creek and 
Cook's Bar District; was established in 1854, 
though there was some mining done as early as 
1852. This place was never incoi'porated as a 
town, and in 1862 was deserted. At one time 
there was a hotel, boarding-house, store, black- 
smith shop, and several saloons and dwelling- 
houses. 

Live Cak is located on section 10, in town- 
ship 7 north, range 8 east; was established in 
1854, though there had been some little mining 
done in the vicinity previous to that time. 
Times were quite lively here for a few years, 
gold dust to the amount of $2,000 or $3,000 
per week being sold for several years. Wells, 
Fargo & Co. had an office here from 1858 to 
1861. The Hamilton Line of stages ran through 
Live Oak on the route from Sacramento to 
Michigan Bar. At one time there were three 
stores, two hotels, one livery stable, a blacksmith 
shop, butcher shop and four saloons in the town. 
The place went down in 1861. Among the 



BISTORT OF SAOItAMENTO COUNTY. 



early settlers were B. E. Robinson, Plenry Lan- 
caster, W. S. Crayton, Thomas Olive, J. C. 
Dunn, Patrick Gaffney, John Gafi'ney, George 
Freeman, R. D. Reed, Alfred Ball and Y. Perry. 

The early mining was entirely placer and 
gulch diggings, on the river and bars in sum- 
mer time and in gulches during tlie rainy sea- 
son. Tlie tirst water ditch constructed in Co- 
sumnes Township was the Knightsomer Ditch, 
about 1851, and was the oldest water right on 
the Cosumnes River. Tlie miners used to cart 
the dirt to the river and use the waters of the 
ditch to work the "Toms." This ditch was 
abandoned in 1862, owing to the flood filling it 
up. It was located on the north side of the 
river. Of the new irrigating ditch, about eight 
miles are in tliis township. The cost of "four 
inches " of water is 5 cents a day per acre, which 
would be $4.50 for a season of ninety days. 

George McKinstry caine to the State in 1847; 
opened a store and trading-post on the Co- 
sumnes River in 1849. He owned part of what 
was called the Sacayac grant (now called Pratt 
grant) on the Cosumnes River. He sold in 
1850 ranch and store to Emanuel Pratt, who 
ran the store until 1855, when he closed out 
the business. Pratt died in 1870. 

J. O. Sherwood settled on the south side of 
Cosumnes River in 1851. 

Jacob A. Hutchinson, Sr., crossed tiie plains 
with his family in 1846; settled in Cosumnes 
Township in 1849, on the Cosumnes River. He 
soon after started on a prospecting trip to the 
northern mines, and lias never been iieard of 
since. 

James Pollock came to the State with his 
family in 1846, and settled in Cosumnes Town- 
ship in 1853, on the river. 

Jared Sheldon, tiie owner of what is com- 
monly known as the Sheldon grant, bought a 
piece of land about one-half mile above the 
present site of McCabe's bridge, in 1851, and 
proceeded to erect a costly dam and dig a race 
about three-fourths of a mile long. The dam 
was built of square timbers, tied together with 
oak ties and filled in with rock; the height was 



about sixteen feet. The miners, learning of his 
intention, sent him a written protest against 
the construction of the dam, stating that great 
damage would be done to them by the overflow 
of their claims. Sheldon disregarded this pro- 
test and completed the dam. When the water 
began to reach the mining claims several meet- 
ings were held, botii sides being represented. 
Sheldon built a fort on a point of rocks which 
commanded the dam, and placed a cannon in it; 
he then employed a large number of men to 
protect the works at all hazards. On July 12, 
1851, the sentries were surprised and the fort 
taken, Sheldon at the time being absent. • He 
was sent for to come and let the water oflF, being 
told that he could do it with as little injury as 
possible to the dam. He arrived soon after 
with about a dozen men, and refused to let the 
water off. An ineffectual attempt was made to 
blow up the dam with gunpowder. On the 
failure becoming evident, one of the miners, of 
whom there were about 150 present, seized an 
a.\, and, calling on the others to protect him, 
walked out on the edge of the structure and be- 
gan chopping. Our informants diflPer as to 
which party flred the first shot, one account 
stating that Sheldon ordered one of his men to 
shoot the axman; the man and one other of his 
party immediately obeyed, whereupon the min- 
ers tired on them, instantly killing Sheldon and 
the two men, Johnson and Cody, who had tired. 
From the fact that the only miner who was in- 
jured, out ot the whole number present, was the 
one on the dam, he being slightly wounded, it 
is very probable that this account is the correct 
one. The dam was opened enough to let the 
water off, and entii'ely swept away by the high 
water of 1851-'52. 

Jordan H. Lowry settled at Michigan Bar in 
1854, where he still resides. 

This township seems to have been well sup- 
plied with hotels from 1850 to 1862. The 
Public House, built in 1849, on the Dry Town 
and Sacramento road, at Coats's Ferry, on the 
soutli side of the river, Lewis & Travers, pro- 
prietors, closed in 1858. There was another 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



hotel on the north side of the river, at the same 
place, started by Coats. He rented the house 
to Harvey Alvord. Both house and ferry were 
discontinued in 1857. 

The Hamilton House, started by Orville Ham- 
ilton in 1850, on the Sacramento and Dry Town 
road, near the river, on the land now owned by 
Oliver Flummer. It was destroyed by fire iu 
1853 and i.ever rebuilt. 

The Gold Spring House, on the Dry Town 
road, on the Gold Spring Ranch, built in 1849 
by Boyle and Page, afterward sold to J. O. 
Sherwood and J. A. Tread way, closed as a pub- 
lic house in June, 1853. 

The Mountain House, twenty-eight miles 
from Sacramento, on the Dry Town road, was 
started in 1850 by James Gordon, who sold out 
to Johnson, Warner and Dake in 1852. Gor- 
don's wife gave birth to twin boys in 1850; 
these were probably the first white children 
born in Cosumnes Township. 

The AVilbur Hotel, built by Y. S. Wilbur in 
1850. Wilbur sold to Larkin Lamb in 1851, 
who closed the house in 1858; located on the 
Dry Town road. 

The Ohio House, built by a company from 
Ohio in 1855. Dr. Woodford had the manage- 
ment; sold in 1856 or 1857 to James Cum- 
mings, who changed the name to Cummings' 
Hotel. It burned down in 1864, and was not 
rebuilt; located at Sebastopol. 

The Hamilton Hotel, at Sebastopol, opened 
in 1867 by J. H. Hamilton. 

The Prairie Cottage, situated about one and 
one-half miles above Sebastopol, on the Sacra 
mento and lone road, was built in 1851, closed 
in 1864. 

The Blue Tent House, on what is now known 
as the Buckeye Ranch, built in 1849 by Sage & 
Co., from Ohio; it was closed as a hotel in 
1870. 

Niagara House, opened in 1849, located on 
Willow Springs Creek, near the Amador County 
line, was built by Moore and Ball; closed as a 
hotel in 1856. 

Cook's Bar House, opened by Chenault and 



Hall in 1854, at Cook's Bar. They did a good 
business for several years; business was discon- 
tinued aljout 1870. 

There is very little agricultural land in Co- 
sumnes Townsiiip. Along the Cosumnes River 
the greater portion of tiie township can be 
classed among tiie mineral lands, most, if not 
all, being gold-bearing gravel hills. 

The first school in this township was organ- 
ized in May, 1853, the district including the 
whole township as then located. 

DRY CREEK. 

Dry Creek Township was originally included 
in San Joaquin Township, and was set off as an 
independent township in August, 1853, by the 
Court of Sessions, the order reading that "All 
that part of San Joaquin lying southeast of the 
Cosumnes River be erected into a township, to 
be called Dry Creek." The Board ot Super- 
visors modified the boundaries, October 20, 
1856, giving it the lines as they now stand, 
which are as follows: Commencing at the junc- 
tion of the Cosumnes and Mokelumne rivers, 
thence northeasterly, following the course of the 
Cosumnes River to its intersection witli the 
range line between ranges .6 and 7 east. United 
States Government survey; thence south and 
along said range line to its intersection with 
Dry Creek; thence westerly along said Dry 
Creek and the Mokelumne River to the be- 
ginning. 

This township is mostly included within the 
original lines of the San Jon de los Moque- 
lumnes, or Chabolla grant. 

Dr. W. L. Mclntyre came to the county in 
1849, with his family, and settled in Dry Creek 
Township in January, 1851. Mclntyre built 
the first frame building in the township, in 
April, 1851, near Gait. Mrs. Rosanna Mcln- 
tyre died at Gait, at the residence of Ephraim 
Ray, February 20, 1889, in her seventy-ninth 
year. 

Calvin T. Briggs, an old mountaineer, and 
Jolin Burroughs were engaged in the stock- 
raising business as early as 1850; they had 



BISTORT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



large herds of cattle on both sides of the river; 
they dissolved partnership in 1857, Burroughs 
returning East. Briggs built the second frame 
house in the township, in 1851; previous to 
this time the familj' and Burroughs had lived 
in an adobe hut. 

Kev. N. Slater and family moved into the 
township in 1851, engaged in the stock and 
dairy business. He removed to Sacramento in 
1867; sold his ranch, an undivided 500 acres of 
the Chabolla grant, in 1869. 

Grant I. Taggart and the Kinggold brothers 
took np a claim about one-half mile west of 
Mclntyre, in 1852; they remained only a few 
months. Taggart was subsequently clerk of 
the Supreme Court of the State of California. 

Willis Wright purchased part of their claim 
in 1853. 

Thomas Armstrong, a widower with two 
daughters, came into possession of a part of the 
Einggdld place in the fall of 1852, and engaged 
in the dairy business; removed to San Francisco 
some years later, and his son-in-law carried on 
the dairy business. 

Dr. Russell came to the township in 1850; 
owned a ranch about four miles west from Gait; 
was engaged in the cattle business, until his 
death in 1861. 

William H. Young and family were among 
the earliest settlers in the vicinity of Gait; he 
is a large land-owner in the township now. 

S. Fugitt and family settled on Dry Creek in 
1852; he built the fourth house in the town- 
ship. He kept a hotel for some years; was also 
engaged in stock business. 

Hiram Chase came to the township in 1852; 
returned to the East in 1856, coming back to 
Dry Creek Township in 1869. 

George M. Gray settled in the township in 
1850, James Short in 1853, Andrew Whitaker 
in 1852, and John McFarland in 1851. 

Evan Evans settled in Dry Creek Township 
in 1851, in that portion near Dry Creek known 
as the pocket; he bought out parties by the 
natne of Donaldson, and William and L. Mc- 
Alta. 



Henry D. Cantrell came to the township in 
1853, Thomas McConnell in 1855, Thomas 
Loriu in 1851, George Need in 1852, Peter 
Planet in 1852, H. Putney in 1853, Peter 
Williamson in 1852, and David Davis in 1853. 

P. Green and wife came to the township in 
1852 or 1853; Green died about 1859, and his 
wife returned to the East. Peter Riley came 
to the township in 1852; he died about three 
years ago; his children now live in the town- 
ship. Samuel Wriston settled in the township 
in 1852. Ephi-aim Ray came to California in 
1852; settled in Dry Creek Township in 1854, 
where he now resides, engaged in farming. 

The first death that occurred among the early 
settlers in the township was that of Mrs. Jack- 
son, who with her husband had been visiting at 
Dr. Russell's house. This death occurred Feb- 
ruary 14, 1851. The funeral took place next 
day. There was only one white woman present 
at the funeral, Mrs. Mclntyre; most of the 
people who attended were Indians. In the 
procession Mr. Jackson followed the coffin, lead- 
ing by the hand a little son, who had a white 
handkerchief tied round his head; he was fol- 
lowed by his thi-ee other children, his wife's 
brother, a cousin, Mrs. Mclntyre and two In- 
dian women, wives of white men, a few white 
men and the rest a number of Indians of both 
sexes. At the grave the Indians squatted 
around on the gronnd in different places, making 
a strange picture, that can be better imagined 
than described. 

In 1853 a Fourth of July celebration was 
held at Mclntyre's place. Men were dispatched 
to notify the settlers through the county, and 
people came from all parts of the county, and 
also from San Joaquin County. The celebra- 
tion was a success and passed otf in good style. 
A flag was made for the occasion by four of the 
ladies; it was composed of such material as 
they conlc^ obtain, the stripes being manufact- 
ured from red window curtains, and the center 
of a blue shawl formed the Union Jack. A Mr. 
Jewell read the Declaration of Independence, 
several national songs were sung by the choir, 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



composed of Dr. Russell, Hiram Chase, Mrs. 
Green, Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Slater. The 
dinner was furnished by the people, bringing 
their food in basket-picnic style. This was 
probably the lirst Fourth of July celebration 
held in the county outside of Sacramento. 

In the early history of the township, stoci<- 
raising and dairying were the principal, if not 
the only, industries; these interests gradually 
decreased until at present tliere is very little 
doing with either. The township is all agri- 
cultural, there being no mineral land. The 
principal grain grown is wheat; the amount of 
acreage sown each year is increasing very 
rapidly. 

Galt. — The town of Gait was laid out by 
Obed Harvey and the Western Pacific Kailroad 
Company, in 1869, on the southeast quarter of 
section 27, on what is known as the Troy place. 

The Gait House was opened in 1869, George 
Bubaker, proprietor. The building was an old 
one, built by S. Fugitt, and used as a hotel, and 
was moved to Gait when the place was started. 
This house changed hands several times, until 
it was discontinued, in 1872. 

The principal hotel of Gait is the Devins' 
E.\change, kept by Prouty & Devins. It is a 
large, substantial frame building, situated on 
Front street, opposite the depot, and of easy ac- 
cess for the traveling public. Tlie commercial 
trade of Gait is of considerable importance, 
situated as it is in the heart of a large and pro- 
lific grain-growing country, and on the line 
of the Central Pacific overland route running 
north and south, which makes it one of the 
principal local points on the line of the railroad. 
Here the weary traveler and pleasure-seeker can 
find a comfortable place to stop, tiie Exchange 
being run in a first-class maimer and under the 
personal care of tiie proprietors, who are social 
and accommodating gentlemen. The house is 
sup|)]ied with good sleeping apartments, which 
are kept cosy and clean, while the table is sup- 
plied with the best that the market attbrds, 
much of this material being shipped here from 
the larger cities. A good bar is run in connection 



with the house, while quiet and well regu- 
lated order prevails everywhere. 

The history of the hotel is quite a varied 
one, it being first built at Old Liberty, by C. C. 
Fugitt, in 1859, the contractor and builder be- 
ing J. H. Sawyer, now a prominent resident of 
Gait. After the town of Liberty went down 
and Gait was established, in the spring of 1869, 
the building was moved to its present location. 
It was there owned by Calvin Briggs, and was 
leased to John L. Fifield for about one year, 
after which other parties ran it for awhile. 
Among them was Thomas Briggs, the son of 
Calvin Briggs, who carried on the business and 
finally sold the property to C. W. Harvey. This 
latter gentleman was proprietor of the house for 
eleven years and did much toward improving it, 
he, in turn, selling out to Patton & Prouty. 

Patton's interest was then sold to William B. 
Devin, and the firm became Prouty & Devin, 
as it now stands. 

Simon Pkouty, a prominent business man of 
Gait, was born in Knox County, Ohio, Septem- 
ber 9, 1834. His father, Anson Prouty, was a 
native of New York State, and his wife, nee 
Elizabeth Helms, was a native of Pennsylvania. 
The family resided in Ohio until the fall of 
1846, when they moved to Jasper County, Iowa, 
and lived there until the spring of 1852. An- 
son Prouty and his son Simon received a sub- 
contract for carrying the first United States mail 
from Iowa City to Fort Des Moines, a distance 
of 120 miles, which they did on horseback, 
taking just a week to make a round trip. In 
the spring of 1852 the family started overland 
with ox teams for California. May 9 they 
crossed the Missouri River where Omaha now 
is. On reaching the Sweetwater, June 19, 
1852, Mr. Prouty was attacked with Asiatic 
cholera, which was so bad that year in certain 
districts. He was driving a team up to about 
10 o'clock in the morning, and at 4 he was a 
corpse! His death occurred near Independence 
Rock, at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Tne 
next day after he was buried five in one trtlin 
ahead of them died of that scourge; many also 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



died in trains corning after; but in this train 
the death just mentioned was the only one. 
The family then consisted of the mother, two 
daughters and five sons, wiio landed in Volcano, 
August 24:, 1852, and for a year afterward were 
located near lone, AmadorCounty. Mrs. Prouty 
remained there until her death. May 6, 1878, at 
the age of seventy- nine years. Mr. Simon Prouty, 
whose name heads this article, has remained 
there and been actively identified with the 
progress of that section. All the family had 
possession of land upon a Spanish grant, and 
afterward were compelled to leave it, not know- 
ing it was upon a grant. The men of the grant 
had the State order troops there to drive off the 
settlers. The soldiers, 300 in number, came 
and surrounded the place, and politely began 
ejecting them and their household goods. This 
of course made the settlers very angry, as they 
had bought the land and paid money for it, be- 
lieving that the purchase was a bona fide one; 
and then to be turned out and driven ofi' at the 
point of the musket was something that many 
of them resisted. Mr. Prouty has been a suc- 
cessful business man, having always exhibited 
good judgment in his financial dealings. He 
has speculated considerably in land and cattle; 
also has followed agricultural pursuits most of 
the time. For about fifteen years he was a 
resident of San Joaquin County, and came to 
Gait in June, 1884, when he purchased the 
hotel which he now owns, l^esides this prop- 
erty he has about 300 acres in Amador, San 
Joaquin and Sacramento counties. He was 
married in 1852 to Louisa J. JN'ewton, a native 
of Indiana, who died October 16, 1888, at the 
age of fifty-three years. She was the mother of 
four children: Hattie, wife of A. Whitaker, of 
Gait; William H., residing at Truckee; Josie, 
wife of George Connor, of Tulare City; and 
E. M. is on the ranch in San Joaquin County. 
Mr. Prouty is a member of the Masonic order 
at lone, and of the Golden Shore and the 
Knights of Pythias at Gait. 

■ Whitaker & Ray, general merchants at 
Gait, have been conducting their business here 



ever since 1869. Andrew Whitaker and Don 
Eay started in business in a small frame build- 
ing on Front street, which was one of the first, 
if not the very first, building erected in the 
town. It was located where Mr. Brewster's 
store now is, it being removed by him when he 
rebuilt. In 1871 the firm erected their present 
building, of brick, on the corner of Front and 
C streets. It cost over $20,000, and is the best 
building in town. They have a large assort- 
ment of goods for a general store, and plenty of 
capital to run it. Don Ray was born Septem- 
ber 2, 1848, in Marion County, Kentucky, son 
of F. G. and Elizabeth Ray, both natives also 
of that State. In 1851 they came to California. 
About 1862 they moved to the little place called 
Mokelumne City, at the head of navigation of 
the Mokelumne River. During the flood of 
that year their little house was completely 
washed away, never afterward being seen. They 
then moved up to Liberty, a little town in San 
Joaquin County, a mile and a half south of 
Gait. Here the senior Ray practiced medicine, 
and Don in 1865 obtained a position as clerk in 
the general store of William Allport, which he 
retained for nearly three years. In 1868 he 
married and spent about half a year in Nevada, 
first going to Utah with a surveying party under 
John F. Kidder, driving stakes in the survey of 
tho Virginia City & Truckee Railroad. Kid- 
der's division started for Reno, toward Empire 
City, through Carson City and AVashoe. At 
Empire City they met the other division. It 
required about three months to accomplish the 
task. Kidder then took Mr. Ray to a Mr. Yer- 
rington, nowone of the proprietors of the Glen- 
brook House, a fashionable resort on the east 
side of Lake Tahoe, and he employed him 
about three months at the bar. He resigned 
because he received news of his mother's death, 
and he came to Liberty. At this beautiful place 
he shortly afterward started a saloon and drug- 
store, the railroad being in process of construc- 
tion at that time. Nine months afterward he 
associated himself with Andrew Whitaker and 
started their little business in the store already 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO GOUNTT. 



spoken of, which was built by John F. McFar- 
land.- A sketch of what should follow here has 
already been given at the head of this article. 
Mr. Ray had no capital when he first came 
here, but by his business and land investments 
he has made a great deal of money, lie and 
Mr. Whitaker now have over 8,000 acres of 
land, and their trade extends to a distance of 
Hfteen 7iiiles in every direction. They also do 
a large business in wheat, buying, selling and 
storage, having a warehouse with a capacity of 
300 tons. Mr. Ray is the postmaster at Gait, 
having received his appointment in 1873. Mrs. 
Ray's maiden name was Alice Fugitt. She is 
a native of Iowa, and was brought to California 
when a child by her parents. There are four 
children in this f;nnily: Clyde, Charles, Kittie 
and Whitaker. 

The " Railroad House" ran in 1870^'73. A 
school-house was built in 1869, but the growth 
of the town demanded a larger structure in a 
few years, and in 1878 it was erected at a cost of 
$3,000. Whitaker & Ray opened the first store, 
in a liiiilding belonging to John McFarlnnd, 
some time in 1869. The next yeir tliey built 
a brick store, on Front street, where they are 
still conducting a substantial trade. The other 
principal business establishments are the general 
store and grain warehouse of Brewster & Co., 
the general store of Wright, Need & Co., the 
grocery of Brewster & Smith, the Gait Lumber 
Company (a branch of the Friend & Terry Lum- 
ber Company of Sacramento), under the man- 
agement of S. W. Falin, the real-estate office of 
I. M. Smith & Co., and the livery stable of J. 
K. McKinstry. 

The postoffice was established liei-e in ISfiO, 
with the starting of the town, and John Brew- 
ster was the first postmaster. 

The First Congregational Church of Gait, 
California, was organized October 13, 1877. 
The first services were held in the old public 
school-house, Rev. William C. Stewart, Pastor, 
some time in June of 1877. The first officers 
were James Ferguson and E. C. Morse. Pre- 
vious to the organization of this church, religious 



services had been held in the school-house, at 
irregular intervals, by different denominations, 
from 1869. In 1884 they erected a handsome 
frame church building, under the energetic 
auspices of Dr. Harvey and John McFarland. 

The Methodists, in 1879, took a school-house, 
built in 1872, and converted it into a church. 

The Christian Church, organized about a year 
ago, hold their services in Brewster's Hall; they 
intend building soon. Brewster's building, 
erected in 1881, has for its second story a very 
fine hall. 

The Catholics laid the corner-stone for their 
church October 12, 1885, that day being the 
393d anniversary of the discovery of America 
by Columbus, and the congregation is corre- 
spondingly named St. Christopher's Church. 
On the above occasion the officiating minister 
was Rev. P. W. Riordan, Archbishop of San 
Francisco. 

Phn(vix Lodge, JSfo. S39, I. 0. O'.F., was or- 
ganized December 29, 1875, with the following 
officers and members: W. O. Holmes, P. G.; S. 

D. Johnson, N. G.; G. Norton, V. G.; O. J. 
Atchinson, Sec; D. Ray, Treas. ; T. H. Fowler, 
A. S. Hamilton, P. Miller, A. Clough, J. McFar- 
land and H. Chase. This order is the strongest 
of airin Gait, the membership being now about 
ninety. Gait E ncampment. No. 65,1. 0. 0. F., 
was organized May 13, 1881. Rei liehekah, 
No. 132, was organized March 29, 1888. These 
lodges all meet in a hall of their own, in Whita- 
ker & Ray's Block. 

Tiie Freemasons established a lodge here in 
the fall of 1882, and meet in Brewster's Hall. 

The Knights of Pythias, meeting in the same 
hall, were organized February 12, 1883. 

Gait Lodge, No. 113, A. 0. U W., was or- 
ganized June 21, 1879. Charter members and 
first officers were: J. H. Sawyer, P. M. W.; 
John Brewster, M. W. ; G. W. Noble, Foreman; 
A. E. Brewster, O.; C. C. Clements, R'd'r; 
James Ferguson, Fin'r; J. C. Sawyer, Rec'r; N. 

E. Freeman, Guide; George Rhodes, I. W.; I. 
M. Smith, O. W.; Oliver Bartlett. Tiie lodge 
now meets in Brewster's Hall. 



IllSTOKT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



The Order of Clioseii Friends organized liere 
May 22, 1882. 

The Golden Shore Lodge, in May, 1889, and 
meet in Brewster's Hall. 

The Grand Army Post, July 12, 1888. 

The "Order of the Iron Hall" established a 
society here last year, is a flourishing lodge and 
meets in Odd Fellows Hall. Tiiis new order is 
an incorporated fraternity, first organized March 
28, 1881, to pay to its members $5 to $25 a 
week in case of sickness, and $100 to $500 in 
case of total disability. 

HicKSviLi.E, another village in Dry Creek 
Township, was named after William Hicks, one 
of the oldest settlers in the township. He came 
in 1847, and engaged iu stock-raising. In 1854 
a postofflce was established at his place, and was 
removed to the present site of Hicksville in 
1857. There is a Presbyterian Church building 
here and a good school. The town was started 
in 1863 by Patterson & Smith, who built a 
store in the same year; this store changed hands 
several times, and was finally closed in 1877. 
A hotel was opened iu 1864 by Patterson & 
Smith. 

FRANKLIN. 

Franklin Township was formed out of the 
original Sutter Township, by order of the Board 
of Supervisors, of October 20, 1856. The 
boundaries are as follows: Beginning at the 
southeast corner of Sutter Township, miming 
thence south through the centers of townships 
7 and 6 north, range 5 east of Mount Diablo 
base and meridian, to the township line between 
townships 5 and 6 north; thence east to the 
Cosumnes Kiver; thence south, following the 
course of said river, to its junction with the 
Mokelumne Kiver; thence in a westerly direc- 
tion along said river to the range line between 
ranges 4 and 5 east; thence north to the center 
line of township 5 north, range 4 east; thence 
west on said line to Merritt's Slough; thence 
northerly along said slough to the Sacramento 
River; thence along said Sacramento Iliver to 
the southern boundary of Sutter Township; 



thence east along said southern boundary of 
Sutter Township to the beginning. 

The lands of Franklin Township are all agri- 
cultural or marsh lands 

There are large quantities of wheat raised in 
the township; also of fruit, of all sorts. The 
fruit is grown principally along the river, and 
consists of apples, pears, peaches, plums, cher- 
ries, and all sorts of small fruits. There are 
also a few small vineyards in the township. 

The titles are derived from the United States, 
tiiere being no Spanish or Mexican grants in 
the township. 

The largest business enterprise in Franklin 
Township is the brick manufactory of Davis & 
Roberts, near the river. 

Joseph Sims came to the State in 1847, with 
Stevenson's regiment; settled in Franklin Town- 
ship in 1849; J. B. Green, in 1849; J. C. Beach, 
in 1850; Wm. H. Fry, in 1852; Joseph Green, 
in 1851; Truman N. Farsett. in 1852; George 
W. Heck, in 1855; R. Kercheval, in 1850; David 
T. Luflvin, in 1850; Jacob Miller, in 1853; 
John Reith, in 1855; Solomon Kunyon, in 1850; 
Myron Smith, in 1853; Adam Warner, in 1853. 

Union House was established in 1852, by 
Amos Butler. The house has changed hands 
several times; is now owned by Jacob Korn. 
There is a postoffice at this place, known as 
Union House. 

The Six-Mile House is the tirst house in 
Franklin Township from Sacramento; was com- 
menced by one Prewitt, iu 1853-'54. 

The Twelve-Mile House was built about 1850, 
by McHesser; it was located on the lower Stock- 
ton road, and until Georgetown was established 
was a favorite stopping place. The building 
was torn down many years ago. 

Feeeport is a point eight miles south of Sac- 
ramento, on the bank of the river, at a good 
landing. 

The Freeport Railroad Company was formed 
in 1862 or '63, for the purpose of building a 
road from Freeport, connecting with the Sacra- 
mento Valley Railroad at a point midway be- 
tween Sacramento and Folsom, the idea being 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



to divert the northern trade around Sacramento. 
Nine miles of this road were constructed in 1863. 
Freeport was hiid out, lots staked out and sold, 
and the town began growing rapid I3'. At the 
end of the first year there were 300 or 400 
people in the place. Most of the railroad em- 
ployes lived here. For three or more years the 
place was quite a shipping point. Goods for 
the mines and other localities were landed here, 
and produce was shipped from the point. The 
first store was opened by A. J. Bump, in 1863, 
changed hands several times, and is now owned 
by P. G. Eiehl. The first hotel was started by 
E. Grier, also in 1863. He sold to Thomas 
O'Toole, but the establishment was closed many 
years ago. The railroad was bought by the 
Central Pacific Railroad Company and discon- 
tinued, and Freeport rapidly decreased to its 
present proportions. 

Freeport Lodge, No. 2G1, I. 0. G. T., was 
instituted in January, 1884, under the leader- 
ship of J. W. Lee, since deceased, J. H. Beach, 
Thomas Kirtlan, Mrs. E. F. Fitch, Joseph Gos- 
ling, Mrs. Gosling and others, struggling against 
a formidable opposition. The order erected a 
two-story building, which with the grounds is 
valued at $1,200 or ^1,500. Only those who 
were friendly to the temperance cause were 
allowed to contribute. The first fioor is devoted 
to miscellaneous gatherings, while the upper 
story is the lodge-room. The society meets 
every Saturday evening. There arj now about 
thirty members, and the officers are: J. T. Black, 
C. T.; Nellie Bayles, V. C. T.; F. L. Baum- 
gartle, P. C. T. ; J. H. Beach, Deputy and Rec. 
Sec. ; Miss Nellie Beach, Fiu. Sec; P'rank 
Kirtlan, Treas. ; Fred. Kirtlan, Marshal; Mrs. 
E. F. Fitch, Guard; E. Greer, Sentinel. 

The Methodists have preaching at Freepart 
every two weeks. 

Franklin, formerly Georgetown, is situated 
on the lower Stockton road, fifteen miles from 
Sacramento. It was settled in 1856 by Andrew 
George, who the same year opened a hotel at 
the place, called the Franklin House. It was 
torn down in 1879. 



A school building was erected here in 1876, 
at a cost of $3,500, for the maintenance of a 
High School, and was kept np as such for two 
years; it was then abandoned, as too expensive. 
Most of the stock was signed over to the dis- 
trict, and the building has since been used by 
the district. 

Franklin Grange, P. of H., was organized 
January 9, 1874, with the following charter 
members; Amos Adams, Master; P. R. Beck- 
ley, Secretary; J. F. Freeman, William Johns- 
ton, J. M. Stephenson, J. W. Moore, Troy Dye, 
Thomas Anderson, Eben Owen, George W. 
Morse; Ladies — Mrs. W. Johnston, Mrs. Troy 
DyQ and Mrs. Miller. The present membership 
is thirty-four. They meet on the second Satur- 
day of each month. 

Franklin Council, No. 71, Order of Chosen 
Friends, has twenty-six members. 

Bryan's LANOiNa is a point on the river 
which each year is quite busy during the season 
for shipping produce. There never has been a 
town here. 

Richland, established in 1860 as a landing, 
comprises a large warehouse, a school-house and 
a few residences. The Richland Methodist 
Episcopal Church is a short distance above this 
point. Rev. Mr. Crowe is the present pastor. 

CoDRTLAND is situated on the lower end of 
Randall " Island," and is a landing place for all 
steamers. It was established in 1870, by James 
V. Sims. There are now a postofiice, telegraph 
ofiice, a Wells-Fargo express office and a store 
in the town. The wharf was built by Captain 
Albert Foster; it is now owned by Louis "Win- 
ters. December 24, 1879, a fire broke out in 
that portion of Conrtland known as Chinatown, 
and temporarily destroyed the whole settlement. 

Onisbo was first settled by A. Runyou in 
1849. A postoffice was established here in 
1853, which was moved to Courtland in 1857. 
A good school-house, costing, with the Masonic 
Hall over the school-room, $2,200, was erected 
here in 1860. The town was named after a 
chief of the Digger Indians, named Onisbo. 

Franklin Lodge, No. U3, F. c& A. M., was 



uisroiir OF sacramentu county 



organized in February, 18G1, with the following 
officers and charter members: George A. Blaices- 
lee, Master; Stephen T. Morse, S. W.; Reuben 
Kercheval. J. W.; J. Runyon, Treas.; Simon 
L. Reed, Sec; A. H. Hustler, Senior Deacon; 
Malachi Kanady, Tyler. The lodge meets in 
their hall, referred to in the preceding para- 
graph, on the Saturday on or before eacli full 
moon. 

GEORGIANA. 

Georgiana Township was originally a jmrt of 
Sutter Township, as lirst established. On Au- 
gust 14, 1854, tlie Court of Sessions ordered that, 
" So much of Sutter Township as lies south of 
a line commencing at a point about opposite the 
head of Steamboat Slough, on the line dividing 
the ranches of Messrs. Robb & Runyon, and 
running thence due east to the eastern line of 
Sutter Township, be, and the same is hereby 
organized into a luw towiisliip, by the name of 
Georgiana." 

October 20, 1856, the Board of Supervisors 
establisiied the present boundaries, which areas 
follows: Beginning on the Sacramento River, at 
the southwestern corner of Frantlin Township 
(the notes of Franklin Township call for the 
soutliwest corner to be on Merritt's Slough); 
thence east, and along the southern boundary of 
Franklin Township, to the range line between 
ranges 4 and 5 east of Mount Diablo meridan; 
thence south, and along said range line to the 
southern boundary of Sacramento County; 
thence southerly and northerly, along the south, 
ern and western lines of said county to the be- 
ginning. 

Georgiana Township is almost entirely com- 
posed of what are commonly spoken of as the 
Sacramento Islands, and includes the southern 
portion of Suiter Island, almost all of Grand 
Island, all of Andrns, Tyler, Twitchell, Bran- 
nan, Sherman and Wood islands. There are 
about 110 miles of levee in the township. A 
considerable portion of the bank land is now in 
a high state of cultivation. The present levee 
improvements, which are being rapidly pushed 
forward, will make Grand Island one of the gar- 



den spots of the earth. It is the home of fruits 
and vegetables, and lies bat-ween two great home 
markets and shipping pjrts, Sacramento anJ 
San Francisco, accessible to each by a good water 
route. Fruit raisers combine and furnish their 
own steamboats. Good water for domestic use 
is obtained by boring down 125 feet. The river 
abounds in salmon, codfish, sturgeon, etc. 

There are about 8,000 acres on Brannan Isl- 
and, nearly all under cultivation. The levees 
are in good condition. The island was all settled 
in 1852. The ranciies vary in size from 100 to 
1,000 acres, the average being about 200 acres. 
There is a wharf o.i this island. Sherman Isl- 
and isthe southern most pointof Sacramen to 
County. It was first settled by Robert E.Beas- 
ley about 1855. The island was all reclaimed in 
1873, and for some years the real estate was 
very liigh. The crofw were good each year, and 
everything seemed prosperous. The high waters 
of 1878 dispelled the golden dreams of the in- 
habitants by overtopping and destroying tiie 
levees, thereby swamping the whple island. 
Since that time some efforts have been made to 
rebuild the levees. There are two wharves on 
the island. Emmaton is the name of a small 
place about the middle of the Sacramento River 
side of the island. Twitchell Island is in a 
thoroughly demoralized condition, the levees be- 
ing destroyed and the island practically unre- 
claimed land. In 1869 it was purchased by the 
Tide Land Reclamation Company, and re- 
claimed by them in 1870. Andrns Island was 
named after George Andrus, who settled on the 
upper end of the island in 1852. The island 
contains about 7,000 acres, all of which is re- 
claimed. 

IsLETON, on this island, is forty-one miles 
from Sacramento and seventy from San Fran- 
cisco. The town was established by Josiaii 
Pool in 1874, and is now a thriving place, with 
better prospects for the future. The wharf was 
built in 1875. The principal local industry 
here for a time was the manufacture of beet su- 
gar, but it was discontinued about live years 
ago. It may be revived again. 



HI STOUT OF SACRAMBISTO COUNTY. 



A lodge of Good Templars and one of the 
Patrons of Husbandry formerly flourished here, 
but at present are dormant. 

Tylkr Island is situated east of Andrus Isl- 
and and was settled in 1852. The upper end 
only is leveed, the lower end being unreclaimed 
land. There are only a few cultivatea ranches 
on this island. Sutter Island is in process of 
reclamation, and some of it is now under culti- 
vation. 

Walnut Grove was first settled by John W. 
Sharp, in the fall of 1851. There has been a 
postoffice here for about thirty-three years. 
Walnut Grove is situated on the main land, at 
the junction of the Sacramento River and Geor- 
giana Slough, and is the shipping point for a 
large extent of country. There is a wharf, at 
which the steamers stop going each way, a 
school-house, a small hall, and a hotel. 

TnE I'E ARSON RECLAMATION DISTRICT. 

Of the famous thirty-five miles of orchard 
along the left banks of the Sacramento Iliver, 
extending from a point a few miles below P>ee- 
port to six miles below Isleton, there is no 
part that has attracted more attention than the 
stretch of nine miles from the Hollister to the 
Eastman ranch. It has been the subject of fre- 
quent favorable comment by the press and the 
people. But few, however, are aware how much 
of its beauty and productive value and conse- 
quent fame is due to a remarkable work of 
reclamation quietly done. The irregular curve 
in front is subtended at an average distance of 
about three and a half miles, by an immense 
levee about nine miles long, twenty-three feet 
high and twelve feet wide at the top, enclosing 
with the levee in front about 9,000 acres of land, 
including the orchards in front, which seldom 
exceed half a mile in depth. In 1878, the old 
levee, which was obviously inadequate, but 
which had been weakly relied upon, gave way 
before the rush of waters which soon turned the 
back land into an inland lake and seriously dam- 
aeed the fruit ranches in front. Through the 



financial disaster ensuing, the San Francisco 
Savings Union soon became owners of about 
4,000 acres of these overflowed lands. 

With a courage unusual in moneyed institu- 
tions, inspired perhaps by the far-seeing judg- 
ment of some sapient director, and carried to a 
successful issue by the management of Mr. P. 
J. Van Loben Sels, the Union proceeded to re- 
claim the land by the construction of the levee 
just described. The cost Las been about 
$180,000, of which nearly one-half fell on the 
Union for its comparatively worthless back 
lands. But they builded wiser than they knew, 
as every acre has been made available for culti- 
vation, and some small portions bring an annual 
rental of $14 an acre, and highly favored spots 
as much as $20. The erection of the levee was 
a, necessary beginning, which was quickly fol- 
lowed by an outlay of $130,000 for pumping 
works, with a capacity of 120,000 gallons a 
minute, and a system of drainage twenty-four 
miles in length. The central low-lying dis- 
trict, which in winter is a shallow lake, becomes 
in June a field of beans, yielding forty sacks to 
the acre in September. In 1887 Mr. Alexander 
Brown, of WaHiut Grove, the lessee of the whole 
3,830 acres now remaining in the ownership of 
the Union, raised two crops of barley on part of 
this land which but a few years since was a mere 
waste of waters. Probably two-thirds of the 
Pearson District is capable of producing two 
crops. Eleven thousand five hundred ;uid 
eighty sacks of potatoes have been raised 
on a thirty-two and a quarter acre piece of 
this no longer dismal swamp. Fifty-two 
sacks of barley, 300 sacks of onions and one 
and a half tons of beans are normal products of 
this new land of Goshen. There are three or- 
chards already planted, one of ninety acres and 
two smaller ones. Very neat, substantial im- 
provements in the way of barns and residences 
for workmen and sub-tenants are being put up 
by the Union, and the Pearson District is an 
excellent example of what may be done for the 
overflowed lands of Sacramento County, by in- 
telligent and efiicient reclamation. 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



GRANITE, 
Granite Townsliip was created by the Board 
of Supsrvisors on October 20, 1856, and for- 
merly was included in the boundaries of Missis- 
sippi Township. The boundary line runs as 
follows: Beginning at the southwestern corner 
of Mississippi Township, and running thence 
eastwardly and northwardly along the southern 



and eastern side of Mi 



ippi 



Towi 



which 



line is the American River, to the intersection 
with the range line between ranges 7 and 8 east, 
in township 10 north of Mount Diablo base; 
thence south and along said range line to the 
township line between townships 8 and 9 north; 
thence west and along said townsliip line to the 
range line between ranges 6 and 7 east; thence 
north and along said range line to the begin- 
ning. 

The land in Gi-anite Township is partly agri- 
cultural and partly mineral, being probably two* 
thirds mineral and one-third agricultural. The 
Natoma Water and Mining Company owns a 
large amount of land in the township, wiiich 
they are working according to the quality of the 
land, the mineral claims being leased, the com- 
pany furnishing the water. They also have ex- 
tensive orchards and vineyards, and manufacture 
wine. 

Nearly all of the laud in this township is in- 
cluded in the Leidesdorff grant. The grant was 
given to Leidesdortf by Micheltorena in 1844. 
James L. Folsoni bought the interest of the 
heirs of Leidesdorif, and by his e.xecutors secured 
its confirmation in 1855. This grant runs 
from the Sutter grant up the American River, 
which forms its northern boundary; the southern 
boundary is nearly parallel to the river and dis- 
tant therefrom four to live miles, and includes 
Folsoni. The land was pretty well taken up by 
squatters, who were compelled to buy the title 
to their possession or vacate. 



The history of Folsoni properly includes that 
of Negro Bar, which was the pioneer of the 
former place, and it is more than probable that 



had it not been for the fact that there was a 
mining camp of large proportions at Negro Bar, 
Folsom would have been located farther down 
the American Fork. Negro Bar received its name 
from the circumstance of negroes being the 
first men to do any mining at that point. This 
was in 1849. The Bar commences at Folsom, 
on the same side of the river, and runs nine- 
tenths of a mile down stream. Miners came 
flocking from all quarters, and in 1851 there 
were 700 ]ie()ple here. In the summer of 1850 
the Virginia Mining Company was formed for 
draining the river at this point; this company 
was composed of 240 members, with John Mc- 
Cormick for president. It took them two years 
to build the canal, which was intended to leave 
the old river-bed clear fur mining. The com- 
pany did not pay very well, but the canal was 
used for mining the Bar, by using " Long Toms." 
The Long Island Company was composed of 
thirty-eight men, Rjbert Reeves, President. 
The Tennessee Company, thirty members, Will- 
iam Gwaltney, -President. The Bar was splendid 
mining ground, and large quantities of gold 
have been taken out; there is still some mining 
going on here now. The product now is about 
$17,000 per month. 

J. S. Meredith opened the tirst hotel and 
store at Negro Bar, both being in the same 
building, in April, 1850. William A. Davidson 
opened the second store, but was shortly after 
bought out by A. A. Durfee & Brother. A few 
months later Rowley & Richardson opened a 
third store. These were the principal bnsiness 
houses until Folsoni was started. 

Among some of the ph3'sicians living at the 
Bar at that time were Dr. S. Lyon, now living 
in Folsom; Dr. Caldwell, who returned to Ten- 
nessee, and died ; Dr. Palmer, still a resident of 
the State; A. A. Durfee & Brother, both of 
whom have gone East, and Dr. Cline. 

Folsom was laid out by Theodore D. Judah, 
Richmond Chenery and Samuel C. Bruce, for 
Captain J. L. Folsom, in 1855. The lots were 
then sold on the 17th of January, 1856, at public 
auction, in the city of Sacramento, Colonel J. B. 



HISTORY OP .SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Starr, auctioneer. The lots were all sold at this 
sale. Purchasers cotiimenced buildinu;, and the 
town grew rapidly. On the 22d day of Febru- 
ary following, the Sacramento Valley Railroad 
was finished to Folsuin, and opened with free ex- 
cursion trains and a grand jubilee. This was the 
first railroad operated in the State. One of the 
operatives who assisted in taking out the first 
train is still in charge of the station at Foisoni. 
Mr. Joe Kinney, the station master, has been 
continuously in the employ of the railroad com- 
pany for twenty-seven years. At first he sold 
tickets under trees here. Then large brick 
, buildings were put up, machine shops opened, 
and 800 men at one time at work in them. The 
shops were afterward closed, and the work is 
now done at Sacramento. The company has 
just completed a small frame station house, neat 
and convenient, and supplying a want ielt for 
some time. 

In 1857 a road was projected to run from 
Folsom to Marysville, by a company called the 
California Central, of which Colonel Charles L. 
Wilson, now of Nord, was tlie principal mem- 
ber. In 1861 trains ran from Folsom to Lin- 
coln. Afterward the road was absorbed by the 
Central Pacific Company, and the track be- 
tween Folsom and Roseville was taken up. 
That portion of the road from Roseville to 
Lincoln is now a part of the California & Ore- 
gon Railroad. 

The Sacramento Valley Railroad built its car 
and machine shops at Folsom in 1861. The 
buildings consisted of a brick machine shop, 
60 X 110 feet; a car shop, also built of brick, 
40x80 feet, and a foundry — in all, employing 
about 1,500 men. The shops were closed and 
the machinery moved to Sacramento, December 
26, 18G9. 

In early mining days, and especially during 
the Washoe excitement, Folsom was a busy 
place; then it was almost stationary for a num- 
ber of years; but now it has entered upon an 
era of substantial prosperity. The population 
is about 1,000. 
Colonel Folsom, the projector of the town, 



died at the mission of San Jose, in Alameda 
County, July 10, 1855. 



Patterson & Waters' Hotel, afterward the 
Patterson House, was built in 1856. Patterson 
& Waters ran the house for about ten years; 
they were succeeded by Charles Watts; he, in 
turn, by Mrs. H. B. Waddilove, and the last 
managei' was M. Doll, who was in charge at the 
time of the fire of 1871. 

The Olive Branch was built in 1856 by Mr. 
Heaton, who kept the house until it was burned 
down. 

The Mansion House was built in 1857. J. 
Holmes was the proprietor; lie was succeeded 
by L. M. Dennison, who kept the house until 
the tire, in May, 1864. 

The Tremont House was built in 1860 by 
Mrs. Lucinda Smart; she sold to Ira Sanders, 
who managed the business until 1868, when 
the house was destroyed by fire. 

The Granite Hotel was built in 1858 by Cap- 
tain Hughes; he was succeeded by Martin 
Wetzlar. The house was burned in 1866. 

The Central Hotel was built by George Well- 
ington in 1859. This house changed hands 
several times, until, in the spring of 1879, Mr. 
Rand assumed the management. In the tire of 
August 13, 1886, it was burned down, and a 
better building replaced it. 

The American Exchange Hotel was first 
erected Ity Mr. Dresser, and used as a livery 
stable; next it was converted into two store- 
rooms. David Woldenberg, the first merchant 
in this building, returned to Gei-many, his na- 
tive land. The store was next conducted by 
Hyman & Alexander. In 1877 the biiildinif 
was purchased by W. C. Crosett and converted 
into a botel. Up to that date the bnilding was 
a one-story concrete structure; then a frame 
second story was added. The proprietors have 
been Mrs. Kate Hatnilton six or seven years, 
Mrs. Jane Williamson three years, and since 
then James A. Graham, who holds a ten-year 
lease. The property still belongs to the heir 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of Mr. Crosett, Mrs. W. C. Caples, who intends 
to build an addition 39. \ 40 feet and two-stories 
high, on account of the increasing patronage of 
the house. 

The business of the New Western Hotel was 
started in 1875, by Charles Zimmerman, who 
has ev^er since been the proprietor. He pur- 
chased the property of Dr. B. F. Bates. It 
consisted of two buildings, one for a hotel and 
one for a shoe shop, at the corner of Sutter and 
Wood streets. Mr. Zimmerman added about 
$800 in improvements; but the fire of August 
13, 1886, utterly consumed it. The insurance 
was $2,800. Mr. Zimmerman immediately re- 
built what is now known as the " New Western 
Hotel," having a frontage of ninety-five feet, 
and costing $7,000, including furniture and 
fixtures. The main building is 40 x 60 feet and 
two and tjjree-quarter stories high. 

NATOMA WATER AND MINING COMPANY. 

This company, the largest owner of water 
rights in the county, was organized in 1851, and 
was originated by A. P. Catlin, now living in 
Sacramento, and still the attorney of the com- 
pany. A. T. Arrowsmith, a civil engineer now 
residing at Oakland, was associated with him. 
Dr. John H. Veatch, long since deceased, was 
the first secretary; T. L. Craig, treasurer. The 
main canal was commenced in 1851, taking its 
water from the south fork of the American, two 
miles above Salmon Falls. The length of this 
canal is sixteen miles. For many years the 
water was used to a great extent for mining 
purposes, but it is all now used to render a tract 
of 8,454 acres, otherwise neirly valueless, as 
good as any in the county. There are now 300 
acres in orchard, and about 2,000 in vines. 

In the superintendency of the company's in- 
terests here Henry Shusler has recently been 
succeeded by Horatio Livermore, of San Fran- 
cisco. 

The company purpose the division of the 
large tract into smaller tracts of ten or fifteen 
acres each, to be disposed of to actual settlers. 
The land is fertile, water is abundant, much is 



already producing, railroad communication with 
market is complete and effective. Under such 
circumstances the small tracts present induce- 
ments offered by little property now upon the 
market. There are no problems to solve by ex- 
periment as to the productiveness of the land, 
and upon the erection of a house the home is 
complete, and an immediate income secured. 
Its settlement by a number of small farmers 
would raise its value very high, and improve 
the wjiole surrounding country, towns and all. 

THE FOLSOM. WATER-l'OWEK COMPANY'S CANAL. 

No enterprise in the State is at present at- 
tracting more public attention than the effort to 
utilize the water-power of the American River 
at Folsom. The scheme is not a new one, having 
been broached about twenty-two years ago by 
Mr. H. (j. Livermore, then president of the 
Natoma Water and Mining Company. Con- 
siderable work in building the necessary dam 
and canal has been done by both the Natoma 
Water and Mining Company and the Folsom 
Water-Power Company. Two contracts were 
made between the first company and the State, 
looking to the performance of the necessary 
work by convict labor, in return for land deeded 
to the State, and for a part of the water-power, 
and some work was done under these contracts. 
Serious disagreements arose as to the tenor of 
the contracts, and much litigation followed, re- 
sulting in a practical abandonment of the under- 
taking by the Natoma Water and Mining 
Company, without power on the part of the 
State to compel its completion. 

The property and water rights were there- 
after transferred to the Folsom Water Power 
Company (a corporation of $600,000 capital, 
divided into 6,000 shares of $100 each), which 
now owns the land on both banks of the Ameri- 
can River, and the mining patent covering the 
bed of the stream, for the whole distance to be 
traversed by the canal and for some distance 
above the dam. 

The first work toward the construction of the 
dam was doiu; in the fall of 1866, but it was 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



discontinued when the dam had been completed 
lip to low-water mark of the river. The results 
at the beginning of this year, 1888, had been 
the acquirement by the State of 483 acres of 
land, comprising the tract now used by the State 
Prison, upon one edge of which, close by the 
river bank, the prison l)uildings stand (upon 
which the State had only paid 11,000 days' 
labor of convicts), and the laying of a part of 
the necessary foundation of a dam, upon which 
aboiit $42,000 in money had been expended by 
the companies, and about 11,000 days' work of 
convict labor used, whicl) was furnished by the 
State as part of the consideration mentioned in 
the deeds for the land comprising the prison 
tract. 

About $100,000 was also expended in the 
work upon the canal and otherwise necessary to 
the enterprise, but not directly upon the dam. 
Such was the condition of affairs when Captain 
Charles Aull, the present warden at the Folsom 
prison, took charge in January, 1888. But 



many 



of the conditions had changed. 



Under the management of General McComb, 
the preceding warden, the buildings and grounds 
had been so nearly completed that it was no 
longer necessary to use the whole force upon 
them; and the number of prisoners being 
larger, the amount of labor available for such 
work as the dam and canal required was much 
greater than before. 

Captain Aull was perfectly familiar witii the 
events incident to the location of the prison at 
its present site, and of its selection because a 
water-power could be constructed there. He 
was acquainted with all the efforts to render it 
available, their failure, and the various questions 
which had arisen in connection therewith, and 
fully appreciated how valuable it would be to 
the State and to the community when fully de- 
veloped. These facts were submitted to Gov- 
ernor Waterman, who immediately gave the 
matter earnest and serious attention. 

In company with Secretary of State Hen- 
dricks, and Mr. Joseph Steffens, President of 
the Sacramento Board of Tiade, he visited Fol- 



som in April last, for the special purpose of 
investigating the practicability of at last ac- 
complishing the plans of those wiio had studied 
the question of the American River water-power 
for thirty years back. 

The advantages that would accrue to the State 
were pointed out, and the present agreement is 
that the State is to furnish all the labor to com- 
plete the dam, and the canal as far as the Rob- 
bers' Ravine Mud Sink, about 2,000 yards below 
the dam, and the company is to furnish all the 
free labor necessary, such as engineers, foreman, 
etc., and all the material and machinery. The 
work is already nearly completed. The dam is 
forty-five feet high, and forty-five feet thick at 
the bottom and twenty-five feet at the top. 
Tiiere are upward of 3,000 cubic yards of 
m Jsonry, of the heaviest kind, hiid in the best 
Portland cement. During the progress of the 
work the river is turned by a temporary wooden 
flume. The work is under the direction of P. 
A. Humbert, civil engineer. See a sketch of 
his life's career elsewhere in this volume. 

OTHER INTERESTS. 

Coners' Flouring Mill was built in 18G6, on 
the corner of Wool street and the railroad; the 
mill was operated about two years, when it was 
closed. The building, a three-story brick, was 
purchased by B. N. Bugby, and used by him as 
a wine cellar, the third floor being rented as a 
hall to the societies at Folsom. The building 
was burned about 1871. 

Natoma Mills were built by Edward Stock- 
ton, in June, 1866, using the three-story brick 
building formerly occupied by the Wheeler 
House. The power was taken from the Natoma 
ditch, and using two runs o^" stone. Discon- 
tinued. 

The first brewery in Folsom was built by 
Chris. Heiler in 1857, and was run for several 
years by Raber & Heiler. Tliis was destroyed 
by fire in 1868. 

In 1872 Peter Yager erected a brewery on 
the foundation of a large store which was de- 
stroyed in the destructive fire of 1870. The 



iiisronr of hacramento couhty. 



building was a substantial brick structure, had 
a daily capacity of about ten barrels, and the 
sales amounted to about 450 barrels. This 
brewery was burned in the conflagration of 1886. 

The railroad bridge across the American 
Kiver was commenced on May 31, 1858. This 
bridge was on the line of the California Central 
Railroad, was ninety-two feet above the water, 
with a span of 216 feet, cost $100,000, and 
was the only bridge left on the American River 
by the flood of 1862, caused by the elevation 
being tifty feet greater than the suspension 
bridge. The bridge was condemned in 1866, it 
having sunk in the center and been considered 
unsafe for sometime. It was subsequently sold 
and taken down some time after 1868. 

In 1854 a wooden bridge was built across the 
American River at Folsom. It was washed away 
by high water a few years later. 

Thompson & Kinsey then obtained a charter 
for building a bridge across the American River 
at Folsom in 1861. This was a wire suspension 
bridge. The flood of 1862 carried this bridge 
away on January 10. On March 7, 1862, the 
work of rebuilding commenced. This is the 
present structure; it connects Folsom with Ash- 
land, a little town across the river, and is called 
"The Folsom and Ashland Suspension Bridge;" 
is of the Halliday patent; length of span, 350 
feet between towers; has two cables, 800 feet 
long, and four towers; weight of bridge, seventy- 
live tons. Kinseyife Whitely were the builders. 
C. L. Ecklow purchased the bridge and franchise 
in 1871. 

Folsom has suflered heavily by fires at difi'er- 
ent times. May 8, 1866, a fire burned "Whisky 
Row," und a number of buildings on Sutter and 
Decatur streets, including the oflice of the Fol- 
som Telegraph. August 31, 1866, the Hotel 
de France and a number of contiguous buildings 
were burned. 

The Folsom Theatre was destroyed by fire, 
June 27, 1871. In 1871 a fire destroyed all of 
Chinatown, Fatterson's Hotel, and part of Ad- 
dison's lumber yard. May 6, 1872, a fire broke 
out in Smith, Campi)ell & Jolly's store, and de- 



stroyed all the buildings in the block, with the 
exception of the office of the Folsom Telegraph. 
Among these buildings were Meredith's drug 
store and Farmer's blacksmith shop. The loss 
was about $130,000. 

August 13, 1886, at 3 p. m., occurred a fire 
occasioning a loss of about $150,000. Of the 
business property only three buildings were left 
standing! In Chinatown they say that fires 
happen on an average about every two years. 

Young Ainerica, Ho. 7, was a fire company, 
organized in September, 1861. The company 
bought a hand engine, costing $1,800, and dis- 
played some activity for a year or so, but the en- 
thusiasm dying out, it was disbanded in 1863. 

The Folsom Hook and Ladder Company was 
organized March 3, 1857. The first oflicers 
were: H. B. Waddilove, Foreman: Charles 
Plannett, First Assistant; Frank Wheeler, Sec- 
ond Assistant; J. M. Arbuckle, Secretary; H. 
D. Rowley, Treasurer. The company owns the 
building known as Firemen's Hall, which was 
built in 1870, located on Sutter street. The 
average membership has been about thirty-five. 
Their hall is used for all public meetings and 
theatrical performances. 

In all Sacramento County there is probably no 
institution to the examination of which a day 
could be devoted with more pleasure and profit 
than the State Prison, two miles from Folsom. 

The first act of the Legislature concerning a 
branch prison was passed in 1858, and author- 
ized the Board of Prison Directors to select a 
site for the Branch State Prison. Much discus- 
sion was had, but nothing done until 1868, when 
an act of the Legislature was passed requiring 
the Board of Prison Directors to determine be- 
tween a proposed site at Rocklin and the pres- 
ent one of Folsom, before the 1st of July of that 
year. The present site was selected chiefly on 
account of the available water power, the value 
of which was even then fully recognized. In 
1868 the State secured 350 acres of land, and 
in 1874 obtained 153 acres more, together com- 
prising the present prison tract. In 1874 the 
State appropriated $175,000 for the construction 



histout of sagramento county. 



ofa prison, and in the fall of tliat year tiie work 
began. In 1878 a i'nrther siitn was ajipropriated, 
and in 1880 it was readj for occupancy. During 
all this time the key-note of all operations was 
the utilization of the water-power, though the 
schemes directed to that end all failed. Tiie 
present contracts and agreements between the 
State and the Folsoin Water-Power Company 
will doubtless accomplish the long-sought re- 
sults. 

The prison is in many respects a model one. 
The prison building is exceedingly well lightetl 
anil ventilated, though the cells are not quite so 
large as should be to conform to the sanitary 
laws regarding cubic feet of air per person en- 
closed. Tliere is cell-room enough now for 650 
prisoners. Tlie drainage and sewerage is per- 
fect, and all the cells are perfectly dry. Every 
spot about the prison building is most scrupu- 
lously clean. Thus in clean, dry cells, with 
good light and ventilation, and the air of the 
building kept pure by good sewerage and the 
tree play of the sunlight all the day long, are 
found the inain elements of health well pro- 
viikd for. Tlie Ef.cord representatives saw 
three meals prepared for the prisoners, going 
into every department of the kitchen, bakery 
and refectory. 

A sketch of the Folsom Telegraph is given 
in our chapter on the Press of the county. 

The lirst public school in Folsom was estab- 
lished in 1857, the tirst teacher being I. M.Sib- 
ley. The tirst trustees were: E. P. Willard, 
Dr. S. Palmer and J. S. Mereditli. A school, 
however, had been previously taught at Prairie 
City. The Folsom Institute was a fine private 
school which flourished from 1857 to 1869. 

Granite Lodge, No. 62, I. 0. 0. F., was or- 
ganized September 19, 1856, at the residence of 
Eli Nichols, by David Kendall, D. D. G. M., 
assisted by Brothers C. C. Ilayden, Samuel 
Cross, W. B. II. Dodson, (leorge I. N. Monell, 
G. K. Van Ileusen and George Nelson. The 
first officers were: J. E. Clark, N. G.; A. 
Hears, Y. G.; W. A. McClure, Rec. Sec; II. 
A. Hill, Treas. The charter members, in addi- 



tion to the above, were S. F. Manjuis, A. W. 
lieals, P. Kozminsky, L. Sampson, J. Crumber- 
ger, G. B. Hornish and E. A. Turner. 

Folsom Encampment, No. ^If., I. O. <>. F., 
was formed June 28, 1864, with A. C. Davis, 
Edward Christy, S. Zekind, S. M. Seely, John 
Eofl", John II. Seymour and E. O. Dana as 
charter members. 

Natovia Lodge, No. GJ,, F. tf; A.M., was 
organized in October, 1854, at Mormon Island, 
with M. Wallace, A. Spinks, A. O. Carr, L. 
Bates, G. W. Corey, S. Logan, H. A. Ilolcomb, 
D. McCall, B. II. Gmroy, J. II. Berry, W. 
Sheldon, C. S. Bogar, W. K. SpeiJicer, D. M. K. 
Campbell, J. Clark and M. Ilat-h as charter 
members. The first officers were: M. Wallace, 
W. M.; L. Bates, S. W.; A. O. Carr. J. W. It 
was chartered in 1855, and the ne.xt year trans- 
ferred to Folsom. The records of the lodge 
were destroyed by the fire in 1871. 

Fxcelsior Council, O. C. F., No. GJf, was in- 
stituted February 20, 1882. 

Folsom Lodge, No. 109, A. 0. U. W., was 
established June 6, 1879. 

Granite Parlor, No. 83, N S. G. W., was 
established April 9, 1886. 

Social L.odge, No. 5^, Order of the Golden 
Shore, was organized February 18, 1889. 

The Young Men's Lnstitute, No. 69, was 
organized in January, 1888. 

The first church services were held in the 
Hook and Ladder Company's hall in 1856 by 
the Rev. Dr. Hatch, an Episcopal divine, of 
Sacramento. About this time Father Quinn, 
of the Catholic Church, held services at the 
house of P. J. O'Neil, about two miles from 
P^olsom. 

St. John's Church {Catholic) was organized 
in 1856. The church edifice was erected in 
1857; in the meantime the society held its 
meetings in the darken College, Rev. Father 
Quinn, pastor. The original cost of the build- 
ing was $1,600. It was enlarged in 1859 at 
an additional outlay of $900. The earlier pas- 
tors have been the Revs. John Quinn (now de- 
ceased), James Gallagher, Neal Gallagher 



nisTonr of sacramento county. 



(deceased), Francis Kelley (deceased), and John 
Leahy. 

Trinity Church [Episcopal) was organized 
July 18, 1862; the church building was erected 
the same year, at a cost of about §4,000, and 
is a line frame structure. The first officers were: 
Vestrymen, William Timson, H. B. Waddilove, 
J. S. Meredith, Dr. A. C. Donaldson and George 
Bromley; Senior Warden, Dr. A. C. Donald- 
son; Junior Warden, William Moore; Clerk of 
the Parish, J. S. Meredith. 

The Congregational Church was organized 
in 1860; a church building of brick, 36x60 
feet in size, was erected the same year. J. E. 
Benton was the first pastor. The church ceased 
to exist many years ago. 

Prairie City is located two miles south of 
Folsom, in Granite Township, on the hills on or 
near Alder Creek. Mining commenced here in 
1853, on the completion of the Natoma Water 
and Mining Company's ditch to this point. 
The water reached Illiodes' Diggings, about one 
mile farther up the creek, early in June, 1853. 
The miners came flocking in from all directions, 
and Prairie City began to assume the impor- 
tance of a city in fact as well as in name. This 
was the business town for several mining camps, 
Rhodes' Diggings, Willow Spring Hill Dig- 
gings and Alder Creak. Rhodes' Diggings 
laid some pretensions to having a town of its 
own; John H. G ass and Colonel Z. llagan built 
a steam quartz mill in 1855, and a French 
company built a large quartz mill in 1857, 
costing §50,000; this mill paid wonderfully 
well for a time, and the stock could not be pur- 
chased for any reasonable price; this, however, 
did not last long; the stock ceased to pay divi- 
dends, went down, and finally became worthless. 

At Prairie City, in 1853, Jesse Dresser, E. 

A. Piatt, Eisner J. Chapman, Rosenthal and 

Meers kept stores; Dr. Rutherford, a drug 

store; Dr. White; "Marble Hall Hotel," kept 
by Michael Conothy. In 1854 J. & J. Spru- 
ance opened a store here, the largest in town. 
Elisha Waterman, carpenter and builder, erected 
most of the buildings. In July, 1853, the 



town contained about 100 buildings, fifteen 
stores, ten boarding houses and hotels, and 
about thirty families; emigrants arriving daily; 
two lines of stages running daily. 

Early in 1854 the inhabitants numbered over 
1,000, and the miners were reported as doing 
well, making from $5 to $20 per diem in one 
case, three men are reported to have taken out 
eighty-five ounces in one day. The town began 
to die out in 1860, and finally became entirely 
noil est. 

Thk Willow Si-rings Uill Diooixfis were on 
the hill or ridge between Alder and Willow 
creeks; this hill was about a mile long. Mining 
commenced along Willow Creek as early as 
1851. When the gulches were worked back to 
the ridge it was found that the dirt still con- 
tinued good pay, and claims were continued on 
the hill. Most of the mining was done on the 
north side of the ridge, there being a better flow 
of water there; by this time, 1853, the Natoma 
Ditch was furnishing water at this point. In 
the palmy days of this region there were twelve 
coin])anies or claims, employing sixty men. It 
is not known what amount of gold has been 
taken out of this region, comprising about 2,000 
acres, but it is estimated to have been millions 
of dollars, the eastern end of Willow Springs 
Hill being extraordinarily rich. 

Texas Hill was a mining camp just below 
Negro Bar, on the American River, and exten- 
sive operations were carried on there until 1855, 
under the superintendence of John A. Watson, 
afterward purchasing agent of the railroad coni- 
j Pany- 

! Beam's Bar, named after Jerry Beam, is half 
] a mile below Alabama Bar, on the south side of 
the American River. It was at first exceed- 
ingly rich, but all attempts to work it since 
1857 have proved unremunerative. In 1863 
Alfred Spinks, with a force of Chinamen, went 
to bed-rock, sixty feet down, but found no 
bonanza. 

In the summer of 1879 a man leased from the 
I Natoma Company all the land lying between 
I P'olsom and Alder Creek north of the railroad. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



The old miners liad dug down to what they con- 
sidered bed-rock and then stopped. This party 
bored through this crust, and found good pay- 
ing gravel underneath. The crust was composed 
of what appeared to have been black slime or 
deposit at the bottom of a lake, solidified ; it was 
full of shells. 

LEE. 

Lee Township was formed b^' the Board of 
Supervisors, October 20, 1856, and contains 
townships 7 and 8 north, range 7 east of Mount 
Diablo base and meridian, both townships be- 
ing full, and is bounded on the north by Granite 
Township, on the east by Natoma and Co- 
sumnes, south by Alabama, west by San Joaquin 
and Brighton townships. Of the original town- 
ships it contains part of what was San Joaquin 
Township, a large portion of the original Co- 
snmnes Township. The soil is what is known 
as red plains, agricultural land. All that por- 
tion south of the Cosumnes River is included 
witliin what is known as the Hartnell grant. 
North of the Cosumnes and to a line parallel 
with the general course of the same, distant 
therefrom about two and one half miles, lies the 
Sheldon grant. In the northern portion of the 
township the Leidesdorff grant occupies about 
3,800 acres. There were about 18,000 acres of 
Government land in the township, all of which 
is now owned by private parties. These grants 
are all sub-divided into small farms, most of 
which are under a high state of cultivation. 
Away from the Cosumnes River the soil is not 
so good for agricultural purposes, and is prin- 
cipally used for grazing, probably about twenty- 
tive to thirty per cent, of the whole area being 
under cultivation. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

One summer evening, in 1840, William Bay- 
lor, then in the employ of Captain John A. 
Sutter, while on a cattle hunt, rode to the bluff, 
or high hill, which overlooks tlie valley of the 
Cosumnes River, at a point near which now 
stands the residence of Digory Ilobbs. The 
valley at that time was thickly jjopulatcd with 



Indians, and Daylor not being desirous of making 
any closer acquaintance at that time, did not 
descend into the valley, but rode back to Sut- 
ter's Fort. He reported his discovery to his 
friend Jared Sheldon, who was at that time em- 
ployed by Sutter as a carpenter. Sheldon was 
a naturalized citizen of Mexico, and had certain 
claims against the Mexican Government for 
services in building a custom house at Mon- 
terey. He made an arrangement with Daylor, 
by which he (Sheldon), through his friend W. 
E. P. Hartnell (then Secretary of State and 
Government Interpreter for California under 
the Mexican Government), should obtain a 
grant of the recently discovered valley in liqui- 
dation of his unsettled claim. Daylor, with 
two or three companions, was t ) settle on the 
land, while Sheldon was to provide a number 
of cattle to stock the rancho, and the two were 
to become equal partners in the land and cattle. 
Sheldon, after taking the preliminary steps to 
secure the grant, purchased 300 head of cattle 
from Dr. Marsh, of Marsh's Landing, now An- 
tiocli, for which he was to pay in carpenter 
work, upon which he at once entered, sending 
the cattle through the then unknown country 
lying between the residence of Dr. Marsh and 
the Cosumnes Valley. These cattle reached 
their destination in du^ time, and the drovers 
found a corral for the cattle and a tent for the 
men, which improvements had been xiade by 
Daylor, assisted by Ned Robinson and a force 
of Indians. These latter were found to be as 
gentle and docile as the aborigines who wel- 
comed Columbus to the shores of Guanahani 
and Hayti. They were always ready, and even 
anxious, t5 perform any labor, considering a 
yard of "manta" (unbleached cotton cloth), 
with the game, deer, elk and antelope which 
the new-comers provided, as full payment for a 
week's work. By the aid of these Indians, a 
field of 100 acres was inclosed with a ditch and 
sown with wheat, the seed being obtained from 
Captain Sutter. For the first year, the diet of 
the new settlers consisted solely of venison. 
After the first crop of wheat was harvested, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



boiled wheat was added to the bill of fare. This 
was the unvarying me7iu nntil 1847. 

The new proprietors had found a fine mill 
site on the river, near where McCraken's bridge 
now stands, and in 1847 they constructed a dam 
and built a grist-mill, which continued in suc- 
cessful operation until the stampede of 1848 
that caused every industry of the kind to be 
temporarily abandoned. 

After the discovery of gold in 1848, Sheldon, 
Daylor and McCoon, taking a number of In- 
dians, established a mining camp at a point 
where the road to Placerville now crosses the 
Weber Creek, and remained there nntil the 
autumn rains set in, the result of their sum- 
mer's work being $20,000 for each partner. 

Daylor married in the autumn of 1846; Shel- 
don married in the spring of 1847, their wives 
being daughters of Thomas Rhoads, of San 
Joaquin County. Sheldon, not satisfied with 
the fine mill site on his land, which aff'orded 
him every needed facility for irrigation, bought 
a piece of land about four miles higher up the 
river, where he became involved in a quarrel 
with the miners along the river, and lost his 
life. An account of the circumstances will be 
found in the history of Cosumnes Township. 

William Daylor, a native of London, England 
came to Sutter's Fort in 1840. He died of 
cholera at Daylor's Ranch, Octol)er 30, 1850. 

Jared Sheldon, a native of Underbill, Ver- 
mont, came to the State overland from New 
Mexico in 1832. He was killed in a fight with 
miners in Cosumnes Township, July 10, 1851. 

Sebastian Kayser, a native of the Austrian 
Tyrol, for many years of his life a Rocky Mount- 
ain trapper, was iialf owner of the Johnson 
grant, at Johnson's crossing of Bear Creek. He 
was drowned in the Cosumnes River, January, 
1850. 

Perry MeCooii, a native of England, came to 
California about the year 1843. He was killed 
by falling from a horse near Cook's l>ar, in 
January, 1851. 

W. R. Grimshaw, a native of Xew Vork (Mty, 
a seafaring man, arrived at Monterey in June, 



1848, sailed in a coasting vessel, and came to 
Sutter's Fort in October, 1848. He opened a 
store and Indian trading post in partnership 
with W. M. Daylor, at Daylor's Ranch, No- 
vember 15, 1849. He now resides at Daylor's 
Ranch. 

W. D. Wilson came to California in 1848, and 
settled on the Cosumnes River, opposite Day- 
lor's Ranch; he died in Santa Clara County, in 
1875. 

John R. T. Mahone was a soldier in Doni- 
phan's regiment during the Mexican War. He 
married the widow of Jared Sheldon, and set- 
tled at the Slough House in 1852; is now 
deceased. 

HOTELS. 

Wilson's Exchange was built on the south 
side of the Cosumnes River, in 1850, by W. D. 
Wilson. In 1851 Wilson built a bridge across 
the Cosumnes at the same point. This bridge 
was swept away by the high water of 1852 ; it 
was rebuilt in the same year, was again washed 
away in 1862, and has nut been rebuilt. 

The Slough House was built by Jared Shel- 
don in the spring of 1850, and occujijed as a 
residence by himself and family until his death. 



The Slough House bridge was built by John- 
Mahone, in 1850, across Deer Creek; this bridge 
was washed away in 1862, and rebuilt. 

In 1862 J. C. Austin built a wire bridge 
across the Cosumnes River, located on the lower 
half of Division Thirteen of the Hartnell 
grant. In 1868 Austin sold to James D. Mc- 
Craken, ex-Governor Booth and Colonel James. 
The bridge is generally known as the wire 
bridge. 

EARLY INCIDENTS. 

In the spring of 1850 the justiceof the peace 
at the Daylor Ranch was an old fellow that 
■ went by the name of " Uncle Ben." His judi- 
cial career terminated very abruptly, in the 
following manner: 

A half-witted Hoosier had l)een caught in the 
act of driving oflf .some tame American oxen, 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



and was brought before the justice for trial. 
The accused was all but paralyzed with fear, and 
loudly declared his innocence of any wrongful 
intent, stating that he had been employed to 
drive the cattle to Sacramento. When the trial 
was ready to begin the prisoner was missing, 
and a party of men sallied out in search of him. 
He was found about 200 yards from the house, 
up to his neck in water, with his head under a 
projecting bush. He was brought hack to the 
house, if possible worse frightened than before. 
On being interrogated as to how he got away, 
he stated that he had given the justice his purse, 
with what gold dust it contained, who had 
allowed him to slip out of the hout^e the back 
way. This statement the justice strenuously 
denied. The accused then described his purse 
and the contents thereof, and, on searching the 
judge, a purse answering to the description, 
with contents as stated, was found on hip per- 
son. The purse and contents were returned to 
the original owner, and he was allowed to go 
on his way rejoicing. The judge was then 
triced up to the columns that supported the 
roof of the portico, and given twenty-five 
lashes 9a his bare back with a lasso, the substi- 
tute for a "cat-o-nine tails," an Indian officiat- 
ing as '' Bo'sen's Mate." He was then taken 
down and ordered to leave the place at once. 
He left. 

In 1850-'51 the inhabitants of Cosumnes and 
San Joaquin townships, which included Lee 
Township, were harrassed by horse and cattle 
thieves to such an extent that they proceeded in 
several cases to take the law into their own 
hands and execute justice, as it was then consid- 
ered, very summarily. 

In the early part of 1851 one Orville Ham- 
ilton was accused of being an accessory in 
several cases of horse-stealing. A number of 
citizens assembled at Hamilton's place, took 
him into custody, organized a court, and pro-- 
ceeded to try him on the charge. Among the 
members of the court were: Jared Sheldon, 
William Hicks, Charles Lewis, W. D. Wilson, 
S. P. Gage, Atvvood, Tryce and AUiuond. The 



defendant was found guilty, sentenced to be 
hung, and a committee appointed to execute the 
sentence. The committee proceeded to the 
room where the prisoner had been confined, but 
found the bird had flown. 

This fact being comhiunicated to the crowd 
caused great excitement, which was in no wise 
allayed on the discovery of a man wearing the 
defendant's hat. This man proved to be one 
Sage, a merchant of Sacramento and an inti- 
mate friend and former schoolmate of Hamilton 
in the State of Connecticut. It was immedi- 
ately proposed that Sage be hung as a substi- 
tute for Hamilton. This was voted down, after 
a heated discussion, and the punishment com- 
muted to a whipping, and he was ordered to be 
tied up. No one appeared to be willing to tie 
him, until Sheldon, exclaiming, " Some one has 
got to see to this thing," tied Sage to a tree, 
and an Indian administered several lashes on 
his hare back with a lasso. Sage returned to 
Sacramento and employed C. A. Tweed to com- 
mence suit against Sheldon, Hicks and others, 
but was nonsuited. By the time all of the above 
proceedings had been had it was some time 
after dark, and the crowd dispersed to return to 
their homes. 

Gage and Allmond occupied a cabin a mile 
and a half beli)W the Daylor Ranch, on the south 
side of the river, where they were engaged in 
herding horses. On their return home the 
night in question, they were informed by a 
teamster, who had stopped at their cabin, that 
two men were endeavoring to drive a herd of 
horses across the i-iver at the ford one-quarter of 
a mile below the cabin. This being an unusual 
proceeding at that hour of the night, the three 
men went to the bank overlof)king the ford and 
discovered the horses to be their own band, 
which two thieves were trying to drive oif in 
the absence of the owners. This attempt would 
undoubtedly have been successful if the horses 
had not been unwilling to leave their range in 
the night. Gage, Allmond and the teamster 
jumped down the bank and pulling the thieves 
from their horses, disarmed them and compelled 



HISTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



them to return to tlie cabin, where they were 
provided witli supper. The band of horses, as 
soon at they fonnd tlieinselves at liberty, ran 
into the corral at the cabin. After supper. Gage, 
leavino; his companions to guard the prisoners, 
started out to sunitnon certain of the neighbors 
to assemble and give the prisoners a trial on the 
ensuing day. Ilicks, Sheldon and Grimshaw, 
at the Daylor Tlaiicli, had gone to bed when Gage 
came with his summons. Gage rode on, and 
the three men, after consulting a few inoment.s, 
thought it would be well to attend to the mat- 
ter that night. About the time their horses 
were saddled, Gage returned, accompanied by 
some of the neighbors, who had reached the 
same conclusion as the Daylor Ranch men. 
When this party arrived at the cabin, they found 
awaiting them Jolin T. Rlioads, William B. 

Klioads, John Farker and Ford. It was 

proposed to organize a court at once and pro- 
ceed to trial. Jared Sheldon was appointed 
judge, when it was discovered that there were 
not men enough present to form the jury. Here 
was a quandary. At length one of the party 
arose, and after a short speech on the utter 
futility of regular trials to stop the fearful evil 
of horse-stealing, offered to be one of a crowd 
to take the prisoners out and hang them forth- 
with. This was at once assented to by those 
present. Candles were lighted, and the horses 
in the corral closely examined to avoid the pos- 
sibility of making any mistake. The prisoners 
were led nnder a tree, lassoes placed around 
their necks and over a limb of the tree, and the 
men informed that they had one-half hour to 
live, and, when the time expired, they were 
drawn up and left hanging all night. 

In the morning, one of the party, with two 
Indians, went to the tree and dug a grave. 
Some money which was found in their pockets 
was given to the Indians, and their bodies 
lowered into the grave. This action of the citi- 
zens put an effectual stop to horse and cattle 
stealing along the banks of the Cosumnes 
River. 

In this township occurred the mob execution 



of William Lomax, May 14, 1855. He was 
hanged for the murder of Frederick Bohle, who 
was killed on the 7th of that month. It seems 
that Bohle was a stock-raiser and occupied a 
cabin about a mile above the old Daylor Ranch. 
Some parties, who desired to buy cattle, sought 
Bohle and found him dead. He had been cut 
with a knife and cliopped with an ax, and the 
indications were that he had made a desperate 
struggle for life. They gave the alarm at 
Grimshaw's house. W. R. Grimshaw and Oli- 
ver Sanders went out and secured the body. 
LoTnax had been seen about the premises, and 
suspicion fastened upon him. He was arrested 
in the city of Sacramento and taken to the scene 
of the murder. A popular court was organized 
in front of the old Daylor house, and Lomax put 
upon trial. He asked for time to produce a man 
named Van Trees, with whom he said he had 
passed the night before the murder, at a ranch 
on the American River. Time was granted, 
hut the people of Michigan Bar and Cook's Bar 
took the accused, fearing that he might escape. 
They promised to brino him back when Van 
Trees would be produced. They fulfilled their 
promise. On the resumption of the triSl Van 
Trees stated that Lomax had been with him at 
his place, but that when he left he had stolen a 
mule. Lomax w..s convicted and hanged on a 
tree in front of Grimshaw's i)lace. This tree 
was cut down about three or four years ago. 
This was one of the earliest mob executions in 
the county outside of Sacramento City. 

MISSISSIPPI. 

Mississippi Township, as originally estab- 
lished by the Court of Sessions, on the 24th of 
February, 1851, included nearly the whole of 
the present township of tiiat name, and also all 
of what is now Granite Township. There were 
very few changes made until the present lines 
were established, except in the south line, which 
was subsecjuently made to be the Coloina road. 
I October 20, 1856, tiie Board of Supervisors 
' established the present boundaries, as follows: 
I Beginning at the northeast corner of Center 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Township, running thence easterly along the 
northern boundary of the county to the Ameri- 
can River; thence soutlierly and westerly along 
the said American liiver to the eastern bound- 
ary of Center Township; thence north along 



the said eastern bounda 



of C( 



Tow I 



ship to the beginning. 

The greater portion of the land is mineral, 
though the people are now turning tiieir atten- 
tion to agriculture, the better part of tlie min- 
eral lauds having been pretty well worked oiit. 
The soil is not well adapted for the growth of 
wheat, but for grapes and other small fruits it 
is as good as any other portion of the county. 
The North Fork Company's ditch, running 
through the entire length of the township, aftbrds 
facilities for irrigation during the whole year. 

The San Juan grant includes the greater por- 
tion of this township, there being but about 
5,000 acres outside of its lines. The lands in 
the grant are being sold off, thus affording an 
opportunity for settlers. The largest laud- 
owners are Clark & Cox, and S. C. Ilastings. 

Ciold was discovered in Mississippi Town- 
ship, along the banks of the American River, 
in 1849, about the same tin)e as at Mormon 
Island and Negro Bar. Mining along the river 
was vigorously prosecuted for several years, 
and abandoned only on account of the bars 
being worked out. Gold having been found in 
paying quantities on the higher benches, a 
company was formed to build a ditch to bring 
the water from the north fork of the Auierican 
River, from a point nearly opposite the town of 
Auburn, Placer County. Tliis company brought 
water into the township in 1855, the ditch 
being twenty miles long. From this time to 
the present there has been more or less mining 
going on, but the most vigor was shown be- 
tween the years 1855 and 1870. At the present 
time there are very few people making any at- 
tempt at mining, those that are being mostly 
Portuguese and Chinese. 

The Alabama Bar was situated in the northeast 
corner of the township, in the middleof the Amer- 
ican River. It was originally located in 1850. 



In 1852 a company was formed known as the 
Alabama Bar Mining Company, composed of 
twelve men, with John Smith as president, and 
Alfred Spinks, superintendent. The name was 
given on account of the fact that most of the 
company were from the State of Alabama. 
They located the bar and proceeded to work it, 
but were shortly after apprised of the fact of 
the previous location; they, however, retained 
the possession, and bought out the adverse 
claimants, where thej' could be found. The 
gold gave out in 1856, and the bar was aban- 
doned. This company employed about sixty 
men c'uring the summers, and it is estimated 
took out about §75,000 altogether. 

The Slate Bar was located just below the 
present site of the Branch State Prison, on the 
opposite side of the river. This was never a 
large camp. The mining, being of the variety 
called "crevice mining," did not offer the in- 
ducement that other bars did. 

The American liiver Ditch Company was 
incorporated November 27, 1854. The first 
trustees were: A. P. Catlin, A. T. Arrowsmith, 
A. G. Kinsey, Lucien B. iirooks, S. Palmer, 
John L. Craig and Eleazer Rulison. Work com- 
menced on the ditch September 18, 1854; it 
was completed to Big Gulch, the end of the 
niain ditch, January 1, 1857. The ditch is six 
feet wide on the bottom and four feet deep. 
The first dam was built to Tamaroo Bar, from 
which point to Big Gulch is tweuty-four miles. 
The portion of the canal extending from Big 
Gulch to Mississippi Bar runs through a 
country known as Orange Vale. 

The first dam was taken out by flood in March, 
1855; the second dam, costing §5,000, was 
washed out in 1857; thethird dam cost $11,000, 
and was destroyed by flood, 1862; the cost of 
rebuilding the dam and repairing the ditch was 
§29.000. This dam was taken out in 1871 or 
1872; was rebuilt and washed out the following 
winter. The present dam was completed Janu- 
ary, 1876. The water is used both for mining 
and irrigation, mostly the latter. 

The Orange Vale Colonization Company has 



HUSTOHT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



3,200 acresof good land, well fenced and provided 
with water, one mile from Fulsom and on the 
north side of the river. A number of neat cot- 
tages have been l)iiilt. i\. village is started, 
named Orange Vale. Ten-acre tracts, with eight 
acres of trees or vines, are offered to actual set- 
tlers on easy terms. 

The California Central Railroad Company 
built a road through this township, running 
from Folsom to Lincoln. A second road was 
commenced, with Auburn as its northern ter- 
minus. This road never was finished farther 
than Wildwood Station, a distance of ten miles. 
Eoth of these roads coming into possession of the 
Central Pacific Company the tracks were taken 
up and the road abandoned. 

Ashland. — The original name of Ashland was 
Big Gulch. This was changed to Russville in 
1857, in honor of Colonel Russ. It was also 
sometimes called Bowlesville, from an old resi- 
dent named Howies, who had, or claimed to 
have, a title to the land. It was christened Ash 
land in 1800. There are now about a dozen 
houses in the town. In early times there were 
a large number of cabins and a few saloons, but 
no hotels. 

In connection with the history of Ashland, a 
sketch of Colonel Russ may prove interesting, 
he having been for a time the central figure 
around which all others in Ashland appeared to 
revolve. We insert the following extract from 
the Folsom Telegraj>h of August 12, 1864: 

" In 1857 or 1858 the name of the village 
was changed from Big Gulch to Russville, in 
honor of Colonel Russ, whose advent was an 
era in the history of this quiet place. The Colo- 
nel was a man of remarkable traits in more re- 
spects than one. Being a speculative genius, 
he induced a number of San Francisco capital- 
ists to form a company for the jHirpose of min- 
ing the quartz rock for the gold it never had 
contained, and granite for building, and lor these 
purposes a splendid mill was erected. For some 
time the Colonel endeavored to plane granite, 
but his machine failed to reduce the obdurate 
rock to the necessary form and shape, and it was 



cast aside. Then tons of quartz were crushed, 
but, unfortunately for the Colonel and the stock- 
holders, the mill failed to produce the 'color,' 
for the very good reason that the color was not 
it) the quartz. During this period the Colonel 
erected a neat cottage on the summit of the 
highest hill in the neighborhood, which was 
crowned with a flag staf}". 

"The Colonel turning his attention to poli- 
tics, was elected justice of the peace of Missis- 
sippi Township. Whenever a case was to be 
tried, up went the ' Stai-s and Stripes ' on the 
flag staff, and the Colonel mounted the seat of 
justice, which was elevated about six feet. 

"There the Colonel sat, invested himself with 
the majesty of the law, and dispensed justice ac- 
cording to a code of his own; the statutes were 
of no use to him. From his court there was no 
appeal, and any one mentioning an appeal in 
that court was liable to be immediately fined 
for contempt. The Colonel's term expired, the 
quartz company exploded, the granite would not 
work, the Colonel's cash ran out, and he de- 
parted from Russville. Shortly after, the vil- 
lage was christened Ashland, and the only 
monument now remaining near Ashland of the 
Colonel's genius and enterprise, is a mining 
j shaft 250 feet deep, sunk lo find the bed-rock, 
I which some of those interested in the company 
succeeded in doing, though not in the shaft." 

Granite Mills. — The first mill run by water- 
power in the county of Sacramento was built 
by James Sinith, a native of Denmark; this was 
a saw-mill, erected in 1851. In 1852 Smith 
built a small grist-mill, being his own carpenter 
and millwright, and on the completion of the 
mill became his own miller. In 1854 Edward 
Stockton, of Sacramento, observing the great 
possibilities of this water-power, purchased a half 
interestin the mill and power. Themill was then 
enlarged to tiiree run of stone, with a capacity 
of 100 barrels a day. A flourishing business 
was established, and in 1861 the mill, then 
owned by Coover & Stockton, was enlarged to 
nine run of stone, the tail race being 500 feet 
long, equal in efl'ect to 4,000 horse-power. The 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



December floods of 1861 damaged tlie mill and 
power to the extent of $12,000. The third 
flood, January 10, 1862, carried away the three 
buildings composing the mill, causing their to- 
tal destruction. Mr. Stockton soon afterward 
formed a partnership with Carroll & Moore, of 
Sacramento, and they erected a mill which was 
fifteen feet higher and 250 feet farther from the 
river. The new building was 60x80 on the 
ground and four stories high, and contained nine 
run of stone, with a capacity of 700 barrels of 
flour per day. It was built of granite, and cost 
$140,000. In 1869 Stockton built a switch 
track to the mills. January 26, 1867, the build- 
ing was destroyed by tire, and has not since been 
rebuilt, Tliis uiagniflcent water-power is now 
lying idle. 

Granite quarries, of a very superior quality, 
have been in successful operation since 1856. 
The pioneer in this business was Griffith Grif- 
fiths. Prior to 1860, Colonel Russ erected a 
mill, at large cost, importing the machinery 
from the East fordressing tlie granite, the power 
being furnished by water from the North Fork 
Company's ditch; but his enterprise proved a 
failure. The blue granite for the eirlier build- 
ings in Sacramento was obtained from tlia quar- 
ries above Folsom, whore the State Prison now 
is, while the light-colored granite is from Rocklin. 

James Smith started the first store at Slate 
Bar, in 1850. Since then there have been sev- 
eral small stores there. 

NATOMA. 

This was one of the nine original townships 
established by the Court of Sessions, February 
24, 1851, and included nearly all of the present 
township, and a portion of the present townsliip 
of Cosumnes. 

In August, 1853, the Court of Sessions di- 
vided the township into two parts, all that portion 
south of the Coloma road being called Prairie 
Township. The present boundaries were estab- 
lished by the Board of Supervisors, October 20, 
1856, and are as follows: Beginning at the south- 
east corner of Granite Township; thence running 



north along the eastern line of said Granite 
Township to the northern boundary of Sacra- 
mento County; thence easterly and s^iutherly 
along the northern and eastern boundaries of 
the county to the center line of township 8 
north, of range 8 east of Mount Diablo base 
and meridian; thence west on the said center 
line of said township to the eastern boundary of 
Lee Township; thence north and aloiig said line 
to the beginning. 

The township is principally devoted to agri- 
culture and dairying, though there are still some 
few mining claims which are being worked. 

It was thought in early times that a farmer 
had a poor prospect of making a living, the soil 
not being considered productive. This idea 
has proved erroneons, the farmers generally 
having been fairly prosperous in their business. 

The southern portion of the township is de- 
voted to dairying and grain-growing, wheat and 
barley being the principal grains; the northern 
part of the township, hay and grain. 

The first prominent settlement, aside from 
Mormon Island, began in 1852. Previous to 
this time, the only settlers were located along 
the public roads, and kept public houses. 
A.mong ihe first to commence farming in the 
township were Jacob Broder, who came in 
1852; Oswald Broder, brother to Jacob, still a 
resident; Samuel Rieker and family, now living 
in the Eastern States; Charles Sliead, John Mc- 
Comber, Charles Bishop and George Peacock; 
all settled in the same year within a few miles 
of Mormon Island. William Jarvis and family 
opened the Valley House in the fall of 1852, on 
the Coloma and Sacramento road. Peter Hous- 
ton settled on a ranch on the Coloma road in 
1852, where he was joined by his brother in 
1854. The former returned to the East in 1857. 

E. B. Townsend settled near Mormon Island 
in 1852, engaged in the dairy and butcher busi- 
ness, and is still living there. R. K. Berry 
settled in the northwestern portion of the town- 
ship in the summer of 1852; he died in 1859. 
Dr. Morse settled on the ranch now owned by 
Charles W. Porter, in 1852. 



HISTOET OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



H. E. Barton and brother came about the 
same time. Joseph Woodward settled in the 
township in 1853 on what was known as the 
Illinois ranch, now known as the Gould farm. 
Jonn Wielde settled near Mormon Island in 
1851. W. H. Williams settled on section 5, in 
1852; the place was formerly owned by Walter 
Wall, who subsequently located Wall's Dig- 
gings. Wall settled in the township in 1850. 
Joseph Wilson came to the township in 1853; 

his ranch joined south of Van Triece. In- 

gersoll, Van Triece, J. Caples, J. F. Duval, 

W. J. Milgate, G. K. Nye, William Sales, 
Charles Sanl, A. W. Topper, A. H. Thomassen 
and Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson were all early set- 
tiers. George Lester settled in the southern 
portion of the township in 1852. His brother, 
A. J. Lester, came in 1850. 

Mormon Island. — In the spring of 1848 two 
Mormons, one of whom was Wilfbrd Woodruff, 
being on tlieir wa}' from Sutter's Mill, now Co- 
loma, to the Fort, found themselves near sunset, 
at the spot now known as Willow Springs, in 
Sacramento County. Concluding to go no far- 
ther that niglit, they shot a deer and made their 
way to tlie nearest point on the South Fork of 
the American River, where they could procure 
water for themselves and their horses. They 
descended the bluff bank of the river to a flat 
covered witii underbrush, and then cooked and 
ate their supper. After this was accomplished, 
it being still light, one of the men remarked: 
" They are taking out gold above us on tlie river. 
Let us see if we can find some at this place." 
They scraped off the top soil, took a tin pan 
which the}' carried with them for cooking pur- 
poses, panned out some dirt and obtained a 
" fine prospect." Being satisfied that gold 
abounded in tiiis vicinity, they went to the Fort 
the next day and communicated the news to 
Samuel Biannan, then of the firm of C. C. Smith 
& Co., proprietors of a small trading-post, where 
goods were bartered for hides, tallow and wheat. 
Brannan at that time was spiritual guide and 
director for the Mormon population of the New 
Helvetia and other districts of California. He 



proceeded to the spot indicated by Woodruff and 
his companion, set up a pre-emption claim and 
demanded a royalty of thirty-three and one-third 
per cent, on all the gold taken out on the Bar. 
So long as the Mormons were largely in tiie 
majority of those engaged in mining on the Bar, 
this royalty was rigidly exacted. In course of 
time, however, unbelievers flocked into the 
mines and refused to pay tribute to the pretended 
owner of the land, who was compelled to give 
up the collection. In the meantime, however, 
Brannan had accumulated several thousand dol- 
lars, with which he formed a partnership witli 
Melius, Howard & Co., of San Francisco, under 
the name of S. Brannan & Co.; and this laid the 
foundation of the large fortune acquired by him 
subsequently. This was the origin of Mormon 
Island. The extent of the village proper is now 
about eighty acres. As the news of the gold 
discoveries spread through the State, miners 
came flocking in from all quarters, till, in 1853, 
the town had a population of about 2,500 peo- 
ple, 900 of whom were voters. 

The first hotel, called the Blue Tent, kept by 
S. R. Caldwell, was opened soon after the Island 
began to be populated ; .was moved to another 
part of the town and name changed to Caldwell 
Hotel, in 1852, andentirelydiscontinuedinl854. 
Samuel Brannan opened the first store in 1818. 
He sold to James Queen, one of Sacramento's 
pioneers; he, in turn, sold to Captain Pool, and 
he to Dewitt C. Stanford, a brother of ex-Gov- 
ernor Stanford, who died in Australia while there 
on business; the business is now in the hands of 
Thomas Stephenson. J. P. Markham opened a 
hotel and store in 1850; hotel closed in 1854. 

There were two stage lines running to Mor- 
mon Island, established in 1850; one of the lines 
ran from Sacramento to Coloma, passing through 
Mormon Island; the other ran from Sacramento 
to the Island and return. These lines were both 
taken off ill 1856; during the same j-ear a line 
was started running from Folsom to Coloma, 
passing through Mormon Island. The postoffice 
was established in 1851; J. W. Shaw was ])roba- 
bly the first postmaster. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



The Miners' Hotel was opened in 1851, by 
Dallis & Kneass; the building was burned in 
1856, and was never rebuilt. The Mansion 
House was kept by Thomas Stephenson from 
1853 to 1856, when it was closed. The lire of 
1856 destroyed the southwest portion of the 
village, which has never been rebuilt. At one 
time there were four hotels, three dry-goods and 
live general merchandise stores, two blacksmith 
shops, Adams & Co.'s Express Office, carpenter 
shop, butcher shop, bakery, a livery stable and 
seven saloons in Mormon Island. Tlie total 
population at the present time is about 100. 
The decadence of Mormon Island began with 
the completion of the railroad to Folsom. A 
school was opened here in 1851; there is now a 
good school building at the place. 

Among the earlier settlers of Mormon Island 
not already noted were A. G. Kinsey, wlio 
came in 1849; A. P. Catlin, who came in 184:9, 
resided there until 1856; he removed to Fol- 
som, and tinally to Sacramento, where he is now 
practicing law. 

The principal bridge in the township is known 
as the Mormon Island Bridge. The Hrst struc- 
ture was built in 1851, by J. W. Shaw; this 
was a wooden bridge, which was washed away 
by high water in 1854. A new bridge was 
built the following summer by the same party. 
Tliis was a wire suspension bridge, and was 
also washed away by the flood of 1862, and 
au-ain rebuilt by Shaw; this bridge is still stand- 
ing. 

The first ball in Sacramento County was 
given at Mormon Island in the "jolly old days 
of 1849." A very long and humorous descrip- 
tion of it was published in the Record- Union 
of June 21, 1873. 

A large number of public houses existed in 
early years along the main-traveled roads. It 
has been impossible to get full accounts of all of 
them, though they would undoubtedly prove of 
interest, more especially to those who were tlie 
early pioneers of tiie county. 

The Smith Exchange, located on the Sacra- 
mento and Coloina road, near Mormon Island, 



was built by a man named Smith, in the sum- 
mer of 1853. This was the largest public house 
in the township at the time. Smith sold out in 
the fall of 1855 to Cox & Hamilton. Tliey sold 
to William Jarvis in 1858. Jarvis afterward 
sold to a man by the name of Lee. The hotel 
business was discontinued for one year, wiien 
Freeman McComber became the proprietor. 
He retitted tlie house and conducted the business 
until 1864, when the house was finally closed. 

The Union Tavern was probably started as 
early as 1850 by Mr. Turle. The house was 
closed in 1855. 

The Half- Way House was built by Briggs & 
Hoffman in 1852. They kept the house about 
one year and then sold to a man named Martin, 
who in turn sold to John E. Butler. Tiiis house 
is located on the Placerville road. 

SAN JOAQUIN. 

San Joaquin was one of the original town- 
ships, and included Dry Creek and parts of 
Alabama, Franklin, Brighton and Lee town- 
ships. Dry Creek Township was set off in 
1853, and October 20, 1856, the Board of Su- 
pervisors established the boundaries as they at 
present exist. They are as follows: Commenc- 
ing at the soutiiwest corner of Brighton Town- 
ship, and running thence east along the southern 
boundary of said Brighton Township to the 
range line between ranges 6 and 7 east of Mount 
Diablo meridian; thence south along said range 
line to the Cosumnes Iliver; thence southerly 
and westerly along the Cosumnes River to the 
township line between townships 5 and 6 north, 
range 5 east of Mount Diablo base and meridian; 
thence west along said line to the eastern boun- 
dary of Franklin Township, being a line drawn 
througli the middle of range 5; thence north 
along said eastern boundary of Franklin Town- 
ship to the beginning. 

The land in this township is entirely agri- 
cultural. The titles, with the exception of that 
portion in the southern part of the township 
included in the Hartnell grant, amounting to 
about 10,000 acres, come from the United 



UIHTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



States. At the tirst settlement of this township 
there was considerable timber growing. This 
has been gradnally cut off, till now there is but 
little left, the largest grove being on the Graham 
farm. 

EAKLY SETTLERS. 

Martin Murphy, Jr., and wife settled on tiie 
Cosumnes River in 1844; the place was called 
the Murphy grant; Thomas McConnell now 
owns the farm, and his house is within a few 
rods of where Murphy lived. Murphy died in 
1854, and his wife returned to Ireland. Ed- 
ward Perrin and family settled on part of the 
present MeConnell place in 1849. 

The W^ilder Brothers, Asa, Benjamin and 
John, came to the township in 1849, and were 
largely engaged in stock-raising. Asa and John 
died many years ago. Benjamin Wilder mar- 
ried one of the Donner girls. T. Keno, one of 
the Donner relief party, came to the State about 
1846, and took up a claim subsequently on the 
Cosumnes River, in San Joaquin Township. 
He subsequently removed to Stockton. 

Gabriel Gunn settled on the place since owned 
by A. Woodward, on the Cosumnes River, in 
1850; he died several years ago. 

John Whittick settled in the township in 
1850. David P. Crook settled on the Cosumnes 
River in 1851; he moved to Nevada some years 
ago. P. Hull and family settled on the Co- 
sumnes in the fall of 1851; they moved to Ne- 
vada in 1866 or '67. Enoch Madder settled 
about three miles northwest of Elk Grove, on 
the Wilder Ranch. Jacob Marshall and family 
came to the township in 1852, and located on 
the river; they moved to Latrobe some years 
later, where he died. Jacob Swigert and family 
settled on land adjoining that of Marshall, in 
1853, and died some years ago. Albion Clark 
settled on the upper Stockton road, near Old 
Elk Grove, in 1850; he was one of the first men 
to raise grain in San Joaquin Township, and 
was also engaged in .stock-raising, principally 
horses and hogs. In 1857 he sold out and 
moved to Mendocino County, where he died 
shortly after. Johnson Little came to the town- 



ship in 1852, and settled near Old Elk Grove; 
he returned to Pennsylvania in 1855. Robert 
Parrot opened a hotel, in 1852, on a farm ad- 
joining Old Elk Grove; he continued in the 
business five or six years, and then returned to 
the mines; he died twenty years ago. Norman 
i. Stewart came to the State in 1852, and set- 
tled on his present place in 1854, near Old Elk 
Grove. G. Harvey Kerr, a well-known fruit- 
grower and wine-manufacturer, settled in the 
township, near Elk Grove Station, in January, 
1854. He reports but a small portion of the 
land under cultivation at that time, and this 
was mostly all bottom lands along the Cosumnes 
River. In San Joaquin, as in other parts of 
the county, it was supposed that wheat could 
not be successfully grown; that this was an 
error is shown by the fact that at one time the 
yield of wheat averaged twenty-five to thirty 
I bushels per acre, the barley crop at the same 
time amounting to thirty or forty bushels per 
acre. Along the river-bottoms used to grow a 
fine quality of grass, which made good hay; this 
has all disappeared, killed by the mining debris. 

Old Elk Gkove. — The place of this name 
was originally located on the Graham ranch, 
being subsequently moved to Bucknei"'s ranch, 
the two locations being about one mile apart. 

James Hall and family came to California in 
1850, and opened a hotel on the original site of 
Old Elk Grove. He gave it its name, on ac- 
count of having lived in Missouri in a town of 
the same name. Mr. Hall died in Vallejo in 
1876. Major James B. Buckner built a hotel 
in 1850, called the Buckner Hotel. He sold to 
Phineas Woodward; he ran the business for a 
time, and sold to Mrs. J. Erwin, widow of 
Jared Erwin; she kept the house three years, 
and sold to Nicholas Christophel. The original 
Old Elk Grove Hotel burned down in 1857. 
Buckner and Woodward both returned East. 
This was the first postoffice established in San 
Joaquin Township, James Buckner, Postmaster. 
James Hall was the first justice of the peace. 

Elk Gkove. — ^This is a live town of about 
400 inhabitants, on the line of the Central Pa- 



IIIiiTORY OF SACKAMENTO COUNTY. 



cific Railroad, sixteen miles from Sacramento. 
In 187G J. Everson, a practical farmer, came to 
the conclusion that there was a large business 
which had heretofore gone elsewhere, that could 
be stopped at Elk Grove. Not being possessed 
of sufficient capital to establish such a business 
as he thought the place would support, he 
agitated the idea of forming a building associa- 
tion. The company was incorporated in Janu- 
ary, 1876, under the name of the Elk Grove 
P;7i!ili[i>rr'i>nii>Miiy,a"<l iinmeiliately commenced 
Work Oil the first l)nilding, which was thirty feet 
in front by sixty feet deep. In August of the 
same year it was occupied by Chittenden & 
Everson, who opened with a large stock of 
general merchandise, and in the lirst sixteen 
months reported their sales as amounting to 
over §52,000. 

There are two hotels at Elk Grove, the Rail- 
road House, built by M. H. Davis in 1876, 
William Hicks the present proprietor, and the 
Elk Grove Hotel, built by the Building Com- 
pany in 1876, bought subsequently by J. W. 
Martin, the present proprietor. 

The Elk Grove Elouring Mills were built in 
1876, by H. S. Hill. It has three run of stone, 
with a capacity of eighty barrels of flour per 
day. It is I'un by steam-power, and is now 
leased to Beaty & Leslie, of Sacratnento. There 
are two general merchandise stores, one of which 
we have already mentioned; the second is in 
the depot building, J. N. Andrews, proprietor. 
Mr. Andrews is also agent for the Central Pa- 
cific Railroad Company, Wells, Fargo & Co.'s 
Express and the Telegraph Company; one 
hardware and tin store, opened in 1877, A. J. 
Longenecker, proprietor; one meat market, J. 
W. Martin, proprietor; one furniture matiu- 
factory, D. J. Nelson, proprietor; two drug 
stores. Dr. C. S. Bradford and A. W. Vance the 
respective proprietors; one harness shop, Clar- 
ence Parker, proprietor; one variety store, W. 
II. Talmadge, proprietor; one warehouse, a 
frame building, 80x100 feet, fitted to receive 
grain and hay, built by Lewis Bower in 1877, 
at a cost of $5,500; it has a storage capacity 



of 2,000 tons of grain and 600 tons of hay; 
one dress-making establishment, Mrs. A. J. 
Longenecker, proprietress; two millinery stores, 
Mrs. F. M. Jones and Mrs. Marr respectively, 
proprietors; one boot and shoe store; one 
carriage and wagon manufactory, John D. Hill, 
proprietor; one blacksmith shop, James T. Chin- 
nick, proprietor. 

Elk Grove District Methodist Episcopal 
Church. — This church was organized by A. M. 
Hurlburt, in 1858 or 1859. The church build- 
ing and parsonage were erected in 1876, at a 
cost of $3,000. This society is still in a flour- 
ishing condition. 

Elk Grove Presbyterian Church. — This 
church was organized February 12, 1876. The 
first services were held as early as 1856, in the 
Old Elk Grove school-house, on the Sacramento 
road, by the Rev. J. C. Herron, and in the 
present Elk Grove school-house, by the Rev. J. 
S. McDonald, during 1875 and 1876. The 
church building was erected in 1876, at a cost 
of $2,700. George H. Kerr was elected ruling 
elder at the time the church was organized, and 
now holds tiie office. The first pastor was Rev. 
William II. Talmadge, who supplied the pulpit 
from 1871 to April, 1879. The church is still 
sustained. 

Elk Grove Lodge, No. 173, F. & A. M., was 
organized at Old Elk Grove, August 6, 1864, 
the first meetings being held at the house of O. 
S. Freeman. The charter members were: A. S. 
Ferris, James B. Hogle, A. J. Painter, O. S. 
Freeman, G. W. Chaplin, Thomas MeConnell, 
B. F. Weathers and W. B. Sullivan. 

Elk Grove Lodge, Wo. 27^, I. 0. 0. F., was 
organized May 2, 1878, with the following 
charter members: John Wittich, Henry Hill, 
J. D. Hill, E. W. Walton, W. E. Everson, W. 
T. Wilson, A. Cofi"man, I. Higgins and N. W. 
Rollins, all of whom are now active members. 
The first officers were: Henry Hill, N. G.; John 
Wittich, V. G.; W. E. Everson, Sec; A. Cofl"- 
man, Treas.; J. D. Hill, Warden; E. W. Wal- 
ton, Con.; N. W. Rollins, I. G ; I. Higgins, 
O. G. 



HISTonr OK SACRAMESTO COUNTY. 



Elk Grove Lodge, JSTo. 110, A. 0. U. W., was 
organized June 16, 1879, with W. E. Eversoii, J. 
Everson, L.Foiter, N. W. Rollins, J. C. Tnrley, 
K. J. Ferguson, W E. Ulman, A. Ross,C. S. Brad- 
ford, C. P. Bartholomew, F. M. Shultz, as char- 
ter members. Tlie first officers were: AV. E 
Everson, M. W.; C. S. Bradford, G. F.; Alex- 
ander Ross, O.; R. J. Ferguson, G.; F. M. 
Shultz, Rec; J. C. Turley, Financier; N. W. 
Rollins, Recorder; AV. E. Ulman, I. \V.; L. 
Foster, O. W.; J. Everson, F. M. W. This so- 
ciety has been discontinued. 

Elk Grove Lodge, No. U9, I- 0. G. T., was 
organized November 9, 1872, W. E. Carothers, 
M. A. Sherwood, G. W. Fox, H. B. Ulman, 
Lizzie Babcock, J. H. Kent, L. H.Green, G.L. 
Babcock, Susie Fox, W. S. Corwiii, L. Ilowland, 
St B. Green, Ed. Corwin, M. A. Kent and Miss 
L. C. Nelmes being the charter members. The 
first officers were: W. E. Carothers, W. C. T. ; 
M. A. Sherwood, Y. C. T.; W. S. Corwin, W. 
Chaj)lain; G. W. Fox, AV. S. ; Lizzie Babcock, 
AV. O. S.; H. B. Ulnran, AV. F. S.; J. H. Kent, 
AV. Treas.; G. H. Green, AV. M.; E. A. Corwin, 
AV. D. M.; Lizzie Fox, AV. I. G.; G. S. Babcock, 
AV. O. G.; Lizzie C. Nelmes, AV. R. H. S.;S.B. 
Thompson, AV. L. H. S.; R. S. Greer, P. AV. C. 
T. This lodge has been suffered to go down. 

Florin. — This is a small town on the Central 
Pacific Railroad, about eight miles from tiie 
Sacramento postoffice, and on the dividing line 
between Brighton and San Joaquin townships. 
The name of Florin was given to the locality 
about 1864, by Judge E. B. Crocker, owing to 
the great number of wild flowers which grew in 
the vicinity, and the name was given to the vil- 
lage in 1875, when it was commenced. The 
railroad station was established in 1875; a post 
office was also established the same year, F. Sug- 
den. Postmaster. Johnson & Sugden opened 
the first store, general merchandise, in 1875; 
Fred Sugden, successor, in October, 1879. A 
school-house was built here in 1877. The only 
hotel in Florin was opetied by Leonard Goddard 
in 1875. 

The soil in and around Florin, for about four 



miles wide and ten miles long, lies upon a for- 
mation of hard pan, averaging from four to five 
feet in depth. It is well adapted for the raising of 
small fruits, but it is necessary to irrigate them. 

Florin Grange, No. 130, P. of II.-^TWi^ 
grange was organized Deceniher 17, 1874, with 
the following officers and charter member.s: 
Caleb Arnold, M.; J. J. Bates, O.; AV. A.Smith, 
L.; David Reese, S.; Charles Lee, A. S.; AV. 
H. Starr, C; L Lea, T.; AV. Scholefield, Sec; 
G. H. Jones, G. K.; Mrs. M. J. Castle, Ceres; 
C. A. Taylor, Pomona; T. A. Buell, Flora; C. 
A. Starr, L. A. T.; Mrs. E. Reese, D. H. Buell, 
Daniel Buell, Mrs. P. Arnold, Charles Jackson, 
C. A. Phillips and E. J. Taylor. This grange 
still flourishes. 

Elk Grove Parlor, No. ^1, N. S. G. W., was 
organized in September, 1884. The following 
are the officers: P. Williams, Past P.; AV. J. 
Elder, Pres.; C. C. Bass, 1st V. P.; Frank 
AVardrobe, 2d V. P.; George McConnell, 3d V. 
P.; P. AVilliams, Treas.; AVilliam Sims, Sec; 
L. Freeman, Marshal; Charles Kelly, I. S.; C. 
Bandy, O. S. ; Dr. Charles Powers, Surgeon. 

" SuELDO.M," as a town, never existed; a black- 
smith shop, the inevitable saloon, and two or 
three houses were the extent of its being in its 
most palmy days. It is now deserted. 

McConnell's is a station on the Central Pa- 
cific Railroad. At the present time there is 
nothing there but a station house. 

The first school district in San Joaquin Town- 
ship includes nearly all of Dry Creek Township, 
as well as San Joaquin, it all being known at 
that time as San Joaquin Township. The school 
was established in 1853. The first teacher for 
the term of 1853 and 1854 was a Mr. Sullivan; 
the second term, 1854 and 1855, was taught by 
Harvey Kerr. But the first school in Sacra- 
mento County was taught Ijy Mr. O'Brien, at 
the house of Martin Murphy. 

SUTTER. 

The original boundaries of this townsiiip, as 
established in 1851, were as follows: Beginning 

at the soiitliwost ciiriicr of Sacrami'uto (}ity,and 



jntiTOKi' OF l>AVliAMh:ATO VOUNTi: 



thence running east Jiloug the southern line of 
said city to the southeast corner thereof; thence 
easterly- to tiie road from l>rightou to Dayior's 
luuu'h; thence along said road in a southeast- 
erly direction three miles; thence in a t^outherly 
and southwesterly direction to the intersection 
of Cosumnes and San Joaquin rivers, excluding 
all ranches and settlements on the banks of the 
Cosumnes lliver; thence down tlie San Joaquin 
IJiver to its junction with the Sacramento 
IJiver; thence along said river or western 
boundary of the county to the beginning. 

On August 14, 1854, (icorgiana Township 
was set otf from the southern portion, and Oc- 
tober 20, 185(1. tlie Board of Supervisors estab- 
lislied the present boundaries, as follows: Be- 
ginning on the Sacramento Kiver, at the south- 
western corner of Sacramento City; thence 
southerly along the Sacramento lliver to the 
line between townships 7 and S north; thence 
east and along said township line to the south- 
east corner of section 33 and southwest corner 
of section 34, township 8 north, range 5 east of 
Mount Diablo base and meridian; thence north j 
and through the center of said township 8 north, 
range 5 east, to the American Kiver; thence north- ; 
erly and westerly along the American liiver to 
the northeastern corner of Sacramento Town- 
ship; thence southerly and westerly along tiie 
eastern and southern boundaries of said Sacra- 
mento Township to the beginning. 

Sutter Township is situated so directly around 
Sacramento that it is ditficult to separate their 
histories. The township is almost ail under | 
cultivation, having many. tine places and farms. \ 
There are many vineyards, some of them of 
good size, and the number is increasing yearly. 
Growing bops is also a source of revenue to the 
inhabitants of Sutter Township. 

For an account of Sutterville. see chapter on 
the Founding of Sacramento. 

Smitu's Ct.\kdkxs. — A. P. Smith, in December, 
184i>. purchased from John A. Suttertifty acresof ; 
land on the south bank of American Kiver, about I 
three miles from Saci-amento. and iininediatelv 



proceeoe^ 



ded to iin 



pro 



At thi 



the location the ground was considered high, and 
was open, the only timber being a few oaks and 
cottonwoods on the banks of the American. 

Smith commenced by raising vegetables, 
planting at the same time such fruit trees and 
seeds as he could procure. As fast as possible 
lie imported other and choice varieties of fruit 
and shade trees, ornamental plants and tlowers 
of all kinds. The grounds were laid out with 
about two miles of walk, the entire length be- 
ing tilled in with shell brought from San Fran- 
cisco. This shell walk can now be found by 
digging down from one to three feet. 

Four acres were laid out into a flower garden, 
which were soon tilled with rare plants. 

The rest of the ground was planted with fruit 
trees of ail sorts. It is said that there were 
nearly 1,000 varieties growing at onetime. Tl^/B 
approadi to the residence was reached by a 
winding avenue, nearly a mile in lengtli and 
shaded by trees on each side. There was also 
a drive through and about the grounds. 

Mr. Smith discovered very early that irriga- 
tion would be necessary, and imported a "Worth - 
ington steam pump, throwing about 300 gallons 
per minute and capable of irrigating 150 acres. 
Pipes were laid down and hydrants put in at 
such intervals that the whole garden co\ild be 
irrigated with hose. 

The tlood of 18l)l-"l)2 spread devastation over 
this beautiful place; the An>erican Kiver cut in 
i>n its southern bank, encroached 500 feet on 
the gardens, swept away the family residence, 
and left a deposit of sediment over the whole 
grounds of from one to six feet in depth. The 
proprietor estimated his loss by that tlood at 
$100,0(^0. In 18t)2, when the new levee system 
was adopted, Smith made strenuous endeavors to 
have his place included, but failed. High water 
has visiteii the place several times since then, and 
though the gardens are still there, they are 
only the wi-eck of their former magniticence. 

OTUKK POINTS. 

The Tivoli House is situated about where the 
railroad turns to tlie north to cross the .Vmericna 



UI8T0UY OF SACUAMENTO COUNTY. 



River. The Tivoli is a pioneer institution, 
where the meetings of the Swiss Rifle Club, the 
Turners, Sharpshooters, etc., were held in early 
years. The place is still frequented, though not 
the resort it was in former years. 

East Park is a suburban place of resort, situ- 
ated just outside of the city limits, having its 
frontage on the east line of Thirty-first street, 
the whole park containing thirty acres. The 
land was purchased in the fall of 1871, and has 
been improved with 'buildings and drives, trees 
and shrubbery, and is a popular place of resort 
for picnics and pleasure parties generally. The 
street railroad cars run to the gates, thus afford- 
ing cheap and easy transit to and from the 
grounds. 

Riverside is situated on the east side of the 



Sacramento River below the city, distant by 
water seven or eight miles from the landing, and 
by the turnpike about five miles from the court- 
house. It was formerly known as Hooker's 
Ranch, and was a favorite place of resort for 
boating parties in early times. The tract of 
eighty-five acres was purchased in 1872 by the 
Riverside Hotel and Turnpike Company. The 
company had an act passed by the Legislature 
in 1872, authorizing it to establish a toll-road, 
the rates of toll to be regulated by the Board of 
Supervisors of Sacramento County. Grading 
began in April, 1872. There are along the line 
of road five tanks, holding about 4,000 gallons 
each, used for furnishing a supply of water, 
with which the road is sprinkled during the 
summer months. 




IllSTOUr OF S.WUAMENTO COUNTY. 




J BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, m 



tP. (JATLIN.— Since tlie pioneer days of 
Sacramento County no iiaine has been 
® more closely identified with its history 
than that with which this sketch C'imniences; 
thus it is, that supplementary to the chapter on 
the bench and bar of the county, this article, 
giving a brief outline of his life and labors, be- 
came necessary. He was born on the Livings- 
ton Manor, Dutchess County, New York, at 
Tivoli, then known as Red Hook, January 25, 
1823. Tiie founder of the family in America, 
Thomas Catlin, came from Kent, England, in 
1643, and located at Hartford, Connecticut; 
Litchfield, in the same State, finally became the 
family seat, and five generations of the family 
were born there, down to and including the 
father of the subject. His grandfather, David, 
was a captain in the Connecticut militia during 
the Revolutionary War, and was at Dan bury 
when General Wooster lost his life resisting the 
attack of the British General Tryon. He lived 
to pass his ninety-third birthday. The parents 
of the subject were Pierce and Annie (Wine- 
gar) Catlin. The father was in early life a 
school-taacher, afterward a wagon-maker, and 
finally a farmer. In 1826 the family removed 
to Kingston, New York, where A. P. Catlin 
grew up, and attended the Kingston Academy, 
where he was graduated. He had also attended 



school for a time at Litciifield, Connecticut, 
making his home during that time with his 
grandfather. Captain Catlin. When in his 
eighteenth year he entered the ottice of the law 
firm composed of Judges Jamies C. Forsyth and 
James O. Lindern)an, both of whom were in 
the front rank of the legal profession of eastern 
New York. On the 12th of January, 1844, he 
was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court 
of New York, at Albany, and four days later to 
the Court of Chancery. He )>racticed law four 
years in Ulster County, frequently meeting in 
forensic battle such antagonists as John Currey, 
afterward Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; 
William Fullerton, the Judge Fullerton after- 
ward distinguished as counsel in the Beecher 
trial; t.nd T. R. Westbrook, later one of the 
judges of the Supreme Court of New York. 
While practicing in Ulster County, he success- 
fully conducted an important litigation in which 
he had for his client the Spanish Consul, resi- 
dent at New York. He pleaded the consular 
privilege of answering only in a federal court, a 
privilege which was vigorously disputed, but he 
succeeded in ousting the State court of juris- 
diction. In 1848 he removed to New York 
city, and formed a partnership with his cousin, 
George Catlin, with office at No. 14 Pine street. 
On the 8th of January, 1849, he sailed in the 



HISTORY OF SACltAMBNTO COUNTY. 



brig David Heiisliaw for San Francisco, arriving 
at tliat port on tlie 8th of the following July. 
Ife had brought with him a costly outfit of 
mining machinery, and after a month at San 
Francisco, proceeded to Mormon Island, where 
lie was soon engaged in mining. He passed the 
winter at that occupation, also practicing law 
before the alcalde of that district. In May, 
1850, he formed a law. partnership with John 
Currey and opened an office in Sacramento. 
They w"ere iAociated but a short time, Mr. 
Currey being compelled to retire to San Fran- 
cisco on account of his health. Mr. Catlin was 
a witness to the squatter riots, and took a deep 
interest in tlie matters then in controversy. In 
the fall of 1850 he closed his Sacramento office 
and went again to Mormon Island to attend to his 
own mining interests, and to settle up the afl'airs 
of the Connecticut Mining and Trading Com- 
pany, successors to Samuel Brannan. While 
there, "William L. Goggin, agent of the post- 
office department for the coast, visited Mormon 
Island for the purpose of establishing a post- 
office, and Mr. Catlin was requested by him to 
furnish a name. He suggested Natoma. the 
name he liad already given to the mining com- 
pany he had organized and signifying " clear 
water." Goggin adopted the name and that 
section of Sacramento County was officially 
named " Natoma Township." In 1851 he was 
nominated by the "Whigs for the Assembly, but 
was, with the whole ticket, defeated. In the 
following year he was nominated for State Sen- 
ator, and was elected on the ticket when General 
Scott was a candidate for President. He served 
in that capacity for two years, in the sessions at 
Valiejo, Benicia, and Sacramento. He was the 
author of the homestead bill, the same as that 
afterward adopted, but defeated at the time by 
the casting vote of the lieutenant-governor. The 
location of the seat of government at Sacra- 
mento was accomplished by Mr. Catlin, after 
that result had been given up by all others, by 
a remarkable piece of parliamentary strategy, 
invented by himself and referred to more fully 
in the proper chapter of this work. During the 



session of 1853 he rendered important service 
to the city of San Francisco, in contributing 
largely to the defeat of the scheme toe.Ktend the 
water-front of that city GOO feet further into 
the bay. He wrote the report of the select 
committee having the matter in charge in such 
a forcible manner as to virtually kill all chance 
of the project. This powerful argument is to 
be found in the published journals of the fourth 
session of the Legislature. He had meantime 
continued his mining operations, and on Christ- 
mas day, 1851, located a mining canal, starting 
two and a half miles above Salmon Falls, and 
carrying the water of the south fork of the 
American River to Mormon Island and Folsom. 
This undertaking was completed early in 1853. 
It was then a very important work, as indeed 
it is now, though used for a diflferent purpose — 
that o*" irrigation. He continued mining until 
1865, when he permanently moved to Sacra- 
mento. During the interim, however, he had 
taken an important part in other affairs than 
those of mining. In 1854 he was tendered the 
nomination for Congress on the Whig ticket, 
but declined. During the height of the success 
of the Know-Nothing movement, in 1855-'56, 
he was practically retired from politics. In the 
Slimmer of 1856 he and Robert C. Clark (after- 
ward county judge and later superior judge) 
were nominated by a convention of some forty 
persons, composed of old-line Whigs and e.\- 
Know-Nothings, as candidates for the Legisla- 
ture, and having been prevailed upon to run 
against apparently strong odds, both were elected. 
John H. McKune was also elected at the same 
time on the Democratic ticket. That session of 
the Legislature, which commenced .January 1, 
1857, was a very important one. During this 
session Henry Bates, State Treasurer, was im- 
peached, and it was through Mr. Catlin that 
this result was brought about, and the gigantic 
raids upon the treasury of the State were brought 
to light. In March, 1872, Mr. Catlin was ap- 
pointed one of three members of the State 
Board of Equalization, and served as such until 
April. 1876. The nu.st effective powers con- 



HI STOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



lerrcd on the board by the Legislature were, 
after a long contest, declared unconstitutional 
by three of the five judges of the Supreme 
Court, and this led to the abolition of the board. 
In 1875 he was brought forward as a candidate 
for Governor before the Independent State Con- 
vention, but was defeated by the combined 
votes of the supporters of John Bidwell and 
M. M. Estee, which on the final ballot were cast 
for General Bidwell. In 1878 he was nomi- 
nated by the joint convention of the liepublicans 
and Democrats of Sacramento as delegate to 
the constitutional convention, but declined. In 
1879 he was one of the nominees of the Repub- 
lican party for one of the seven judgeships of 
the re-organized Supreme Court, but was de- 
feated with all but one on his ticket. Mr. Cat- 
lin has had an extensive and varied practice in 
the United States Circuit and District Courts in 
this State, in the courts of San Francisco, in 
Sacramento and other counties, and in the Su- 
preme Court of California. He was also, in 
times past, for considerable periods, at intervals, 
editor of the old Sacramento Union. He was 
thus employed from September, 1864, at the 
commencement of Lincoln's second campaign, 
until April, 1865. His political articles were 
generally recognized as fair by the opponents of 
the war, against whom they were aimed. His 
editorial on the execution of Maximilian, headed 
" The End of a Tyrant," attracted wide atten- 
tion and was copied in Spanish in the leading 
Mexican papers. During ten years he success- 
fully defended the Union in eight different ac- 
tions for libel. His successful prosecution of 
the celebrated Leidesdorff ranch case, was one 
of his most brilliant legal victories. When the 
Government eventually appealed the case to the 
highest legal tribunal in the land, and it came 
up for argument before the United States Su- 
preme Court, in December, 1863, Mr. Catlin 
proceeded to Washington and was admitted to 
the Supreme Court on motion of Judge Jere. 
Black. He was heard for the greater part of 
two days, and his argument won six of the nine 
judges, and carried the case. His further con 



nection with events in Sacramento County is 
omitted here to avoid repetition of matters else- 
where mentioned in this volume. His partners 
in law practice since John Currey, have been: — 
Judge T. B. McFarland, David A. Hamburger, 
Lincoln White and his present associate. Judge 
George A. Blanchard. Mr. Catlin was married 
May 1, 1860, to Miss Ruth A. C. Donaldson, a 
I native of Iowa. She died in February, 1878, 
leaving four children, viz: Alexander Donald- 
son, John C, Ruth B., and Harry C. Mr. Cat- 
lin is a member of the Sacramento Society of 
California Pioneers, of the San Francisco His- 
torical Society, and of the Bar Association of 
San Francisco. No man who has figured in the 
history of Sacramento has a more honorable 
record than has Mr. Catlin. 



l^T. REV. PATRICK MANOGUE, Bishop 
f^ of the Diocese of Sacramento, Catholic. 
^^ The great spiritual see over which this 
gentleman presides embraces the twenty-five 
northern and central counties of California and 



the whole of the western and most 



populous 



portion of the State of Nevada, and was practi- 
cally created for him in the year 1886, as will 
be more fully seen later on. For the laborious 
duties entailed upon the Bishop of a field so 
extensive and including the wild mining regions 
of the Sierra Nevadas, probably no one could 
be better fitted than the affable Bishop Manogue, 
on account of his life and training and his sin- 
gularly clear judgment of human nature. He 
was born in the County of Kilkenny, Ireland, 
in 1831. At the city of Callan, Kilkenny, he 
pursued his early studies, and there resided 
until in 1849 he came to America. After a few 
years spent in the Eastern States, he continued 
his studies at the University of St. Mary's of 
the Lake at Chicago. During the cholera sea- 
son of 1854 in that city he wore out his health 
in the arduous labors of the time, and for the 
purpose of recuperating he for fourteen months 
lived the hard life of a miner in Nevada County, 



HISTOltY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



California, learning by actual experience the 
privations and hardy pleasures of this rouglier 
but sturdy phase of human life. In his own 
words, copying a report of an address delivered 
by him at the time of the laying of the corner- 
stone of the grand Cathedral of the Holy Sac- 
rament in this city, he -'held a drill when at 
every stroke of the hammer the lire flew from 
the flinty quartz. Whenever hard work was to 
be done he referred to his associates (who had 
been his partners in the mines) to prove that he 
was ready to take a hand in its performance." 
But those were the days when the thrift, the 
brawn of the State, was in the mountains. In 
all, he lived for three years at the mines, and 
then proceeded to Paris, where at the grand 
Seminary of St. Sulpice he completed his studies 
by a course extending over four years, and in 
1861 was ordained as a priest by Cardinal Mor- 
lot, especially for work in the archdiocese here. 
Passing through Virginia City, Nevada, on his 
way to this State, he was appointed to his first 
mission there, and for twenty years occupied 
that field. For fifteen years previously to his 
being appointed Coadjutor Bishop of the dio- 
cese, he was Vicar-geiieral of the whole diocese. 
Sharon, Mackay and Fair were personal friends, 
who left monuments there which will not equal 
those left by the Bishop. He had erected the 
first Gothic building in Virginia City, costing 
$80,000. During his priesthood at Virginia 
City, he built three churches, a convent, and a 
hospital, at a total cost of about $300,000, all 
of which large sum was collected by himself, 
and paid for. His residence there is remem- 
bered with the veneration, love and alFeetion of 
every one in that section irrespective of church, 
the kindness of heart and ready hand of Father 
Manogue aiding multitudes through seasons of 
distress. In 1880 he was appointed Coadjutor 
to Bishop O'Connell, of the Grass Valley Dio- 
cese. In 1884 he was appointed to succeed 
Bishop O'Connell, who, by reason of advancing 
years and long labor in the vineyard of the 
Church, was permitted to retire. In 1886, ow- 
ing to Bishop Mauogne's representations of the 



decadence of Grass Valley in its importance as 
a center, due to the slackening of mining mat- 
ters, and the growing consequence of Sacra- 
mento as the political liead of the State and a 
distributing point for trade. Pope Leo XIII de- 
creed that hereafter what had before been known 
and recognized as the Catholic Diocese of Grass 
Valley should be styled and acknowledged as 
the Diocese of Sacramento, with the seat of the 
episcopate in Sacramento city. At once he set 
personally at work, utilizing to the fullest that 
rare combination of business qualifications and 
theological attainments by which Bishop Man- 
ogue is characterized, to better the state of the 
diocese. Recognizing the necessity for a more 
representative house of worship than then ex- 
isted, he bent his energies to the task of another 
edifice. The result is the grand " Cathedral of 
the Holy Sacrament," located at the corner of K 
and Eleventh streets, completed and dedicated 
in the summer of 1889. On another page is 
presented an engraving of tliis splendid struct- 
ure, which is fully described elsewhere. For 
grandeur, architectural magnificence, and ar- 
tistic finish, it has no equal in the West, and is 
a noble addition to the attractions uf California 
from a scenic standpoint. Further, it should 
be stated that under the vigorous hand of Bishop 
Manogue_ new life has been infused into the 
veins of what has been heretofore the somewhat 
sluggish city of Sacramento. Yet not alone in 
a business and material sense has the episcopate 
of Bishop Manogue aroused life and activity. 
Every branch of faith has likewise stirred at 
sight of the vigor of the Church. Other church 
edifices are projected, the cause of charity meets 
a ready response, and cognate organizations are 
moving with renewed effort. Such in brief and 
imperfect form is a sketch of one of whom (to 
copy from a local paper) " little can be said that 
is not known wide and well the broad Pacific 
Coast over, throughout its hills and valleys, its 
mountains and plains, wherever pioneer Chris- 
tian labor was to be performed. Nor has an 
abiding love and veneration for him found lodg- 
ment alone in the Catholic heart; for if current 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



history be reliable he niinibers among his most 
ardent admirers and dearest friends men of all 
creeds and countries, — Protestant, Jew, Gentile, 
pagan and heathen; moneyed men and traveling 
tramps alike revering the Bishop for his quali- 
ties of head and heart." 



tON. WILLIAM MONROE PETRIE has 
lieen a res^ident in this city for over thirty 
years. He was born at Warren, Herki- 
mer County, New York, November 24, 1833. 
In 1845 the family removed to Illinois, where 
his father located upon a farm in Lake County 
not far from Waukegan and no very great dis- 
tance froni Chicago, which was then but a 
petty village. Mr. Petrie gained a thorough 
fundamental education in all the brandies taught 
in the common schools of his neighborhood, but 
had early to push for himself and make his own 
way. When fourteen years of age he became a 
clerk in a dry-goods store in Waukegan. This 
was in 1849. He continued it steadily for ten 
years, or until the spring of 1859, when he 
came with his wife to California, reaching Sac- 
ramento, September 7. The journey was made 
via Salt Lake City, and that far in safety. 
Upon starting out in the morning, they had 
barely rounded the point when they met a band 
of Indians iiastily driving stock before them 
and carrying plunder. They pushed out to 
" City of Rocks," where they were met by other 
emigrants and learned that the Indians they 
had seen iiad robbed a train of emigrants in a 
deep ravine in Sublette's cut-oif to the north, 
and made their way for safety into the timber 
west of Salt Lake. This train was from Mis- 
souri, and its fate was one of the sad incidents in 
the history of the Indian troubles on the plains. 
This circumstance caused the trains on tiie 
road to join together, and when they tlnally 
crossed the dangerous portions of the way they 
formed a train no less than six miles long. The 
tragic incidents of these times were rehited to 
tiie writer by Mr. Petrie in a most vivid manner 



and showed strikingly the dangers of those early 
days. Upon reaching Sacramento, Mr. Petrie 
shortly entered into business for himself, open- 
ing a clothing and furnishing store. In this 
business he has remained almost constantly ever 
since, the last ten years having been at his well- 
known stand, No. 622 J street. He is the 
owner of the property, which presents upon 
the lower floor an unusally well stocked and 
furnished store, and on the upper floor the resi- 
dence of Mr. Petrie and family, an improvement 
consummated during the past season. In 1883 
he was appointed one of tiie school directors of 
this city to till an unexpired term, and at the 
two following elections was chosen by the peo- 
ple for the same position. In the fall of 1888 
he was brought forward by his party as their 
candidate in the Eighteenth District for the 
State Legislature. He was elected by a major- 
ity of over 700, being well in advance of the 
ticket and displaying fully the confidence re- 
posed in him and his great personal popularity. 
Of course it goes without saying that he is a 
Republican, being staunch and unreserved in his 
views, yet broad and liberal. Since he has been 
a member of the House, Mr. Petrie has taken a 
prominent part in the practical and profitable 
legislation of the session. He is a member of 
the Committees on Education, Retrenchment, 
and Water Rights and Drainage, all of great im- 
portance. He was prominent in securing an appro- 
priation of funds for the grading and improve- 
ment of the Capitol Park and Fifteenth street, in 
this city, something that has long been needed, 
and also in several other important measures. 
Mr. Petrie is a member in very higli stand- 
ing of the Masonic order, iiaving filled all of the 
subordinate offices and many of the most ele- 
vated; has been a prominent delegate to grand 
lodges. He is Past Grand Commander of the 
Grand Commandery of California, having filled 
the high post of Grand Commander in 1884. 
He was also Grand Master of the Grand Coun- 
cil of Royal and Select Masters in 1878. Ii» 



1882 he was Gr 
Chapter of Roy: 



,1 H 



Priest of the Gi 



Arch Masons; and is a mem- 



UISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ber of the Tliirty-third Degree Scottish Rites, 
Southern Jurisdiction. Of course he has passed 
all chairs in subordinate lodges. In 1880 at 
Chicago, again in 1883 at San Francisco, 
1886 at St. Louis, and in October, 1889, at 
Wasiiington, Mr. Petrie attended the National 
Conlaves of the order. Mr. Petrie was mar- 
ried ill 1855 to Miss A. L. Leigli, who is a 
native of Steuben County, New York. They 
have but one daughter, born in California. 

^-^^--^ 

Ig^ON. FINDLEY R. DRAY, State Senator, 
IiM) ^^^ '^°''" ^" Bedford County, Pennsylvania, 
^ October 23, 1833. His father, Moses 
Dray, was a carpenter and millwright, and 
having lost his health, came overland to Cali- 
fornia in 1850, accompanied by his son, Findley 
R., the subject of this sketch, then a youth of 
seventeen years, who has from that time made 
this "Golden State" his home, although his 
father returned in 1853, and has since died. 
Hangtown (now Placerville) was the first point 
struck, July 17, where for a little time mining 
was carried on. From there he went to Dry- 
town, in Amador County, and in September of 
the same year came to Sacramento. He next 
went to Laporte, Sierra County, in the Rabbit 
Creek mines, being one of the first to go to that 
camp, and iinding snow luUy three feet deep to 
welcome him. In 1852 he returned to this 
city, and after remaining a short time went in 
the fall of 1852 to the mines at Shasta. Tiie 
next spring he returned again to Sacramento, 
and found it under water. For about twelve 
months he was employed in a store carried on 
by Joseph Pratt, at McCourtney's Crossing, on 
Bear River, and afterwards by McCourtney. 
He continued this until 1855, when he came 
down and went to farming about five miles below 
this city. In 1858 he returned again and en- 
gaged in clerking for William Hendrie. In 
1803 he went to the Reese River mines, Nevada, 
but in the fall of that year again came back, and 
accepted a position in the sheriff's office under 



the late James McClatchy, who hail just been 
elected to that position. After the close of Mr. 
McClatchy's term he was public administrator 
one term, and then county assessor, a position 
which he held to the complete satisfaction of all 
for a period of no less than eight years. Next 
he was appointed by Judge Clark as a supervisor 
to complete the unexpired term of H. 0. Sey- 
mour, deceased. After this he went into the 
real estate and insurance business, continuing 
this successfully until, in 1875, he became con- 
nected with the Sacramento Bank. From that 
time until the present he has been a director, 
and as surveyor has had charge of all the outside 
business of the bank in connection with its loans, 
etc. It is not saying too much to state that his 
indefatigable zeal and watchfulness has aided 
materially in advancing the welfare and pros- 
perity of that leading financial institution of 
this city. Two jears ago he was elected by the 
votes of the people to represent this city and 
county in the State Senate, and again this year 
(1888) was re-elected for another term, so 
highly were his efforts in behalf of this section 
appreciated. Mr. Dray was married January 1, 
1861, to Miss Mary F. Orrick. Eight children 
have been born to them, of whom seven are still 
living. Their names are as follows: Laura E., 
now the wife of George H. Perry, Esq., of San 
Francisco; Carrie E., now the wife of W. O. 
Terrill, Esq., also of San Francisco; Mary F., 
since deceased; Annie B.; Alice M.; Arthur F.; 
Frank R., and Bruce L., the latter live l)eing all 
at home. 



tON. H. 0. BEATTY, Sacramento, has been 
a resident here since 1852, with the ex- 
ception of one short period. He was born 
in Kentucky, May 31, 1812; resided many 
years in Ohio, 'where he was admitted to the 
bar; and, arriving in Sacramento in February, 
1852, immediately began the practice of his 
profession. In 1863 he moved to Virginia 
City, Nevada, where he was soon elected Chief 



UISTORi' OF HACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Justice of the State Supreme Court, and his 
son, W. H., chosen at the same election to be 
the District Judge of that State. Tlie latter is 
now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of 
of the State of California. At the end of his 
terra the former returned to Sacramento, 
where he has been prominently identified with 
its public interests. In 1872 he prepared a 
bill, which was passed by the Legislature, estab- 
lishing the Board of Funded Debt Commis- 
sioners — of which he has been a member from 
the first — whose duty is to aid in the i-elief of 
the city of Sacramento from its enormous debt. 
They have collected 8212,000, with which they 
have bought up about $1,400,000 of the out- 
standing obligations, leaving only about $1,- 
700,000 of indebtedness, including coupons not 
yet due. At the present rate the debt will be 
entirely extinguished in ten years. Judge 
Eeatty was also director and manager of the 
smelting works from 1874 to 1876, when they 
were discontinued. He has also owned a vast 
amount of city property. He was married in 
Ohio, in 1836, to Miss Runyon. Their chil- 
dren are: W. H., whose sketch appears else- 
where; and Mesdames Judge Denson and 
Willis, in Sacramento, and Mrs. George E. 
Bates, in San Francisco. 



fn. CUMMINGS, one of the pioneers of 
California, and an honored citizen of 
* Sacramento, is a native of Massachusetts, 
born in Palmer, Hampshire County, on the 
15th of May, 1828. His father, Benjamin 
Cummings, was also a native of Massachusetts. 
He was a farmer until middle life, and after- 
ward a manufacturer of cloth. The Cummings 
family is an old one in the old Bay State, the 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch liav- 
iiig been a Revolutionary soldier, and at the 
surreiider of Burgoyne. The paternal great- 
grandfather was also a native of that State. The 
mother of our t^ubject, whose maiden name was 
Lucy Paige, was also born in Massachusetts. 



C. H. Cummings was reared on his father's 
farm to the age of nineteen years, then went to 
Boston to take a situation in a mercantile estab- 
lishment. He afterward went into business at 
Charlestown, and was so engaged there and at 
Cambridge until the fall of 1849. On the 12th 
of November of that year he sailed from New- 
buryport, on the bark Domingo (Captain Bray), 
bound for California. The vessel put into port 
twice on the voyage, once at St. Catherines, 
where she was in harbor eight days, and again 
at Juan Fernandez, where she stopped for three 
days. The vessel landed at San Francisco on 
the 7th of April, 1850. Mr. Cummings re- 
mained in the city until October, then came to 
Sacramento, where he lias resided ever since. 
He was acquainted with Mr. Mace, of the firm 
of Mace, Loveland & Co., who were then in the 
wholesale grocery trade oh J street, between 
j Second and Third, and he soon made an en- 
j gagement with the firm. He remained with 
j them until they discontinued business, and then 
went with Meeker & Co., who were doing busi- 
ness at the present site of Hammer's drug 
store, Fourth and K. He was employed by 
them from 1853 until 1856, and then became a 
member of the firm, the membership of which 
was thereafter David Meeker, A. W. Bell and 
C. H. Cummings. The firm closed out by limi- 
tation March 1, 1858, and then Mr. Cummings 
went with the firm of Stanford Bros. & Meeker, 
composed of Josiah and Leland Stanford and 
David Meeker. Within a year thereafter Mr. 
Meeker sold out his interest in the business, 
but the firm continued until the election of Le- 
land Stanford as governor in 1861. After his in- 
auguration, Mr. Cummings was appointed stamj) 
clerk in the Secretary of State's oltice, the date 
being January 10, 1862. Upon the death of 
the tlien Secretary of State W. H. Weeks, A. 
H. Tuttle took the office, and Mr. Cummings 
became Deputy Secretary of State. He held 
this position until the election of B. B. Redding 
as Secretary of State, and for three months 
thereafter he was clerk in the office. He was 
then in the Sacramento postoffice a year and a 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



half, and in August, 1865, became cashier of 
the Sacramento & Placerville Railroad. This 
office he held until the consolidation of that 
railroad with the Central Pacific system, and 
since then he has been assistant paymaster of 
the Central racitic. He lias been secretary and 
treasurer of the Capitol Gas Company since 
1876. Mr. Cummings was married in Massa- 
chusetts to Miss Mary Ann Cole, a native of 
Maine, and daughter of Hiram and Lois (Young) 
Cole, both of whose parents were born in the 
State of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have 
had tiiree children, of whom one, Charles Au- 
gustus, died in September, 1852. Those living 
are: Quincy Cole, who was born at East Cam- 
bridge, Massachusetts, in 1849, and is now with 
the Central Pacific Railroad at San Francisco; 
and Henry A., who was born in Sacramento in 
May, 1854, and is in the ofiice of the treasurer 
of the Central Pacific at San Francisco. Mr. 
Cummings is an honorary member of tlie Sac- 
ramento Society, California Pioneers. He served 
four years as a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion, having been elected in 1872. In politics 
lie is a Republican. Mr. Cummings lias been 
identified with Sacramento since her early days, 
and has always ranked among her best citizens. 

'^■^■^ 

|P^ON. L. L. LEWIS was born in Genesee 
|M\ County, New York, in 1831, about thirty 
^ll miles from Buffalo, although the family 
soon afterward removed to Arcade, in AVyoming 
County, adjoining. His father was a farmer, 
and it was from the rough but beneficial train- 
ing that falls to the lot of a farmer's son that 
Mr. Lewis has drawn the diligent and indepen- 
dent elements in his character that iiave helped 
to make iiim so successful in after life. In 
1844 the family removed to Belvidere, Illinois, 
and thence in 1848 Mr. Lewis went to Iowa, 
where_ his father, being still alive, at an ad- 
vanced age, still resides. From here Mr. Lewis 
returned to Arcade to learn his trade as a tin- 
smith and plumber, and tliei-e lie worked at it 



until in 1859 he came to California via Pana- 
ma, arriving in this city in the fall. He was 
preceded here by his brother, Mr. S. G. Lewis, 
now a leading fruit-grower and ranchman of 
Nevada County, and formerly a journalist of 
standing and success, who started the Foot-Hill 
Tidings of Grass Valley, and has occupied 
many prominent positions. As soon as he 
reached Sacramento, Mr. L. L. Lewis took a 
position in the same establishment of which he 
is now the head and sole proprietor, acting first 
as a tinner, and gradually working himself up 
until in 1872 he became proprietor, and extend- 
ing the business until it is now the chief house 
in its line in this portion of the State. Mr. 
Lewis also became interested in mining proper- 
ties in the foot-hills and elsewhere, engaging 
quite extensively in this business and spending 
a considerable portion of his time there. He 
was there during the period of the war of the 
Rebellion, and as he was a firm Union man, he 
had most interesting experiences. However, 
in 1872 he finally came down from the mines, 
and has since been actively engaged in business 
here. Among the enterprises with which the 
name of Mr. Lewis has been identified should 
be mentioned at some length the building and 
loan societies of this city. He is now the presi- 
dent of the Occidental Building and Loaning 
Association, and a director of the Union Build- 
ing and Loaning Association. Two series of 
shares issued by these companies have already 
been wound up, and there are ten series in all, 
a showing of great success and a vast benefit to 
the city in the way of assisting people to ob- 
tain homes. In October, 1887, Mr. Lewis be- 
gan to move, in connection with others, in the 
matter of electric street railroads. The result 
of the action taken is the successful completion 
of a line that runs from the depot to J street, 
and thence to the Oak Park addition to Sacra- 
mento, which lies to the southeast, and which 
comprises 300 acres of the highest groufld ad- 
joining the city, and has unexceptionable drain- 
age, the best oi water, etc. As u natural 
consequence it is attracting the attention of 



HISTORY OF SACIiAMENTO COUNTY. 



home-seekers and investors, and is being rapidly 
disposed of, now that it has ready communica- 
tion with the city by the electric road. The 
franchise of this road comprises some twelve 
miles in the city, of which four miles are built. 
The system adopted is that of " storage," and 
was proving an admirable success, with the ex- 
ception of one feature of the machinery, the 
cars being trim, handsome and easily handled. 
Until the above difficulty can be overcome, the 
company will use horse power. This road has 
already given a marked impetus to the exten- 
sion of the city, and has proven a great boon 
to the citizens. The gentlemen associated with 
Mr. Lewis in this matter are Messrs. E. K. 
Alsip, Solomon Ilunyon and Robert T. Devlin, 
of this city, and Mr. W. J. Landers, of San 
Francisco. Mr. Lewis is also a director of the 
Board of Trade of this city, one of the most 
efficient bodies of its kind in the State, and a 
director and charter member of the Sacramento 
Improvement Association, which has done so 
good work for the city. His standing in the 
community is the highest, and he commands 
the respect, confidence and esteem of every one. 
Mr. Lewis was married in 1866 to Miss Lerisa 
Corriger, of Sonoma, and they have three chil- 
dren, whose names are Mabel, Edna and Alice. 



I^ON. GEORGE C. McMULLEN, who owes 
^m\ more to the capital embraced in a fine 
*^/ physical organization and a well-poised 
brain than to the inherited wealth of a line of 
ancient ancestors, was born in Perry County, 
Ohio, January 27, 1838, his father being a 
prosperous farmer in that section. In 1855 his 
parents removed to Missouri and thence, two 
years later, set out for California, making the 
trip by ox teams without serious mishap. Mr. 
McMuUen resided first in Solano County, until 
the fall of 1874, when he came to Sacramento 
County and purchased a fine ranch of 240 acres 
known as "Lizzie's Vineyard," situated within 
a short distance of Brighton, which he con- 



ducted for a number of years and brought to a 
high state of perfection. Of late Mr. McMul- 
len has been trading and dealing extensively in 
land, and devoting himself to the breeding and 
raising of the finer grades of horses and stock. He 
at present farms a snug place of some seventy- 
six acres near Brighton, and situated about five 
miles east of the city For four years, begin- 
ning in 1884, Mr. McMullen represented the 
Fourth Supervisors' District of this county, and 
at the election of November, 1888, was chosen 
to the most responsible position of sheriff of the 
county; an office he is peculiarly well fitted to 
fill efficiently on account of his wide acquaint- 
ance in this section, his quick and ready judg- 
ment, his unhesitating determination. The 
Board of Supervisors, of which he was a mem- 
ber, has made an honorable record for itself in 
the great amount of public improvements it 
has accomplished, in the way of laying out and 
improving roads, the building of bridges, etc., 
etc., — more than was effected in the twenty 
years previously; and what is still more credit- 
able, the rate of taxation has been at the same 
time materially lowered. Mr. McMullen is a 
Republican of decided convictions. For many 
years he has been an active Pati-on of Hus- 
bandry. Mr. McMullen was married Septem- 
ber 25, 1859, to Miss Rlioda E. White. They 
have five children: George Ebner, Irvine H., 
Lida A., Winfield E., and Edith, the youngest, 
all residing at home. 



v^., 



fllARLES MEALAND, M. D. Although 
a resident in this city but a comparatively 
short time, having arrived in Sacramento 
but a little over three years ago. Dr. Mealand 
presents a capital instance of what may be ac- 
complished by skill and attention to business, as 
he has already stepped well to the front in his 
profession and has won a practice of most re- 
spectable dimensions. Dr. Mealand is a native 
of Coventry, Warwickshire, England, whei'e he 
was born February 3, 1846. In his native town 



ULSTOMY OF SACRAMENTO 000 NTT. 



he received a thorough scholastic training and 
a iitting for the general business of life, though 
without proceeding to the study of a profession. 
Upon arriving at his majority in 1807, he de- 
termined to come to America, making his way 
iirectly to the State of Illinois. Having always 
had a taste for the study of medicine, he began at 
once to prepare himself for the duties of a phy- 
sician, graduating at Bennett Medical College, 
Chicago,and locating at Elgin, Illinois, where he 
remained until he decided in 1886 to come to this 
State. As has already been stated, he has built 
up a good practice, having had excellent success 
in its course. Dr. Mealand is an active member 
of the Baptist Church, holding a place upon the 
executive committee of the Sacramento Bap- 
tist Union, and is an enthusiastic worker in the 
Sabbath-school. He has been deeply interested 
in both church and Sunday-school matters since 
he was seventeen years of age. During his 
residence of twenty years in Elgin, he was 
always busily employed and for several years 
acted as superintendent and chorister of the 
Sunday-school in connection with tbe Baptist 
Church there. He also acted as superintendent 
here in the Ninth Street Church, of which he 
is a member until the calls of a laborious pro- 
fession compelled him to give it up. He is a 
member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, of 
the T. O. O. F., and of the Sons of St. George, 
having acted for some time as examining 
pliysician for Benbow Lodge of the latter body 
for some time, as also of the Knights of Honor. 
He possesses a snug ranch of twenty- four acres 
at Loomis, not far above this city, which is set 
out in pear, apricot, cherry, peach and other 
fruit trees. He also owns a section of timber 
land near Visalia in this State. Dr. Mealand 
was married September 9, 1866, in Coventry, 
England, to Miss Jane Baxter of that place. 
They have four children, two sons and two 
daughters, whose names are as follows: Charles 
Baxter, Clarence Herman, Grace Elizabeth and 
Gertrude Beatrice. His mother is still alive at 
the good old age of seventy-nine, and still resides 
at Coventry. Dr. Mealand has the peculiar for- 



tune to be a seventh son, a fact that perhaps 
contributes to his great success as a physician. 
He has one brother in the sheep business in 
Australia; another an artist in Massachusetts, 
and a third retired from active business in 
England. 

— ^^(§!"!i)^-^ — 

fRANKLIN G. FAY, M. D., who is ranked 
as one of the most successful of our younger 
physicians, has been a resident of this city 
for the past three years, during which time he 
lias gained an enviable reputation for skill and 
success in his practice. He was born in Elgin, 
Illinois, March 22, 1865. He received a thorough 
preliminary education in the schools of his native 
place, graduating at the Elgin Academy in 1881. 
He immediately began the study of medicine at 
Bennett Medical College, Chicago, graduating 
there in March, 1886, having taking the Eclectic 
course, and fitting himself for the best practical 
work by choosing the best methods of all schools 
of physicians. Immediately upon graduation. 
Dr. Fay came to Sacramento, and has had good 
success from the lirst. His office is central, 
being located at -No. 627 J street, being the 
northwest corner of Seventh and J streets, and 
his residence is at No. 171i M street, in the 
heart of the residence portion. He is an active 
member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, 
being court sui-geon of courts Sacramento, 
Capital and Sutter, of that order. 



*g->^^^ 



Jg^ON. ADD. C. HINKSON was born De- 
iW| cember 19, 1837, in Potosi, Washington 
^(fi County, Missouri. The familj' removed 
to this State in 1852, arriving in Sacramento 
September 2, immediately after the occurrence 
of one of the disastrous fires that swept the city 
in the early days. Shortly afterward they went 
to Feather River, where young Hinkson en- 
gaged in mining. Later he went to Amador 
County, and followed several vocations, becom- 



Ul STORY OF SACMAMENTO COUJ\TY. 



ing one of the best known and most popular 
men of the county. In 1865 he was elected to 
the position of auditor and recorder of the 
county, holding the office for two years. He 
was then elected county clerk, continuing to 
occupy that post until in the early part of 1870, 
when he removed to this city. During the lat- 
ter part of his last term as county clerk of 
Amador County he had prosecuted the diligent 
study of law, and was admitted to practice in 
January, 1870. lie immediately opened an 
office here in partnershipwith Judge Armstrong, 
now Superior Judge of this county. Mr. liink- 
son has tilled a large place in the history of the 
public schools of this city at a period of critical 
importance. He was at one time urged by his 
friends to accept the nomination for superin- 
tendent of schools, but having an agreement 
with hie partner, Judge Armstrong, nut to enter 
into politics, he declined. The people pressed 
the matter, and hnaljy persuaded Judge Arm- 
strong to urge it also, when Mr. Hinkson con- 
sented and was elected by a largo majority, 
although on the Democratic ticket, and the city 
was decidedly Republican. This was in 1873. 
In 1875 and in 1877 he was elected again, thus 
serving in all three terms. After that he posi- 
tively refused the position again, as he desired 
to devote his attention to private business. At 
this time feeling ran very strongly upon the 
subject of the admission of colored children to 
the public schools. The law, as it stood, for- 
bade the admixture, but notwithstanding this 
fact the Board of Education allowed their en- 
trance. The sentiment of the people was de- 
cidedly opposed to this, and hence when Mr. 
Hinkson carried out tne law he was warmly 
upheld by them. Tiiere was a very troubled 
state of affairs for a time, the Board of Educa- 
tion pulling illegally for an indefensible idea, 
while Mr. Hinkson, as superintendent, firmly 
acted according to the law. Suffice it to say, 
that in the end he won his side completely, and 
even his bitterest opponents at the time admit- 
ted the correctness of his actions, and became 
his warmest teachers. At the time of tiie oc- 



currences public attention was called to the 
matter all over the country, and a great deal of 
interest excited. Mr. Hinkson was much liked 
by the teachers over whom he had the direction. 
At the close of his last term in 1879, they com- 
pletely surprised him by presenting him with a 
magnificent gold watch, suitably engraved, and 
this is the time-piece Mr. Hinkson now carries. 
They had previously presented him a petition, 
signed by every one, to allow his name to be 
brought forward for the fourth time. Upon the 
establishment of the Free Public Library in 
1881, he was chosen one of the trustees of that 
institution, and still holds that office. He lias 
labored indefatigably for its welfare, and the 
result of his efforts is plainly shown in the 
admirable selection of books and in its general 
popularity. Mr. Hinkson was married in Ne- 
vada City on September 13, 1871, to Miss Hunt, 
the daughter of Dr. Hunt, a well known profes- 
sional gentleman of that part. They have one 
son. Add. C, Jr., a promising young man now 
in attendance at the Military Academy in Oak- 
land. He has one sister, now the wife of Judge 
Armstrong, and another, the wife of M. T. 
Littlefield, Esq., of Amador County. He has 
also two cousins. Misses Mary Hinkson and 
Lucy Hinkson, engaged in the teaching profes- 
sion in this county, while an uncle, Mr. M. A. 
Hinkson, is a prominent resident of Modesto. 
Both Mr. Hinkson's parents died in this State, 
after a life of active and worthy accomplish- 
ment. 

fROF. J. C. BAIN BRIDGE, though little 
over twenty-seven years of age, is at the 
head of one of the most prosperous com- 
mercial colleges in America. A description of 
the college appears at another page of this 
volume. It is but just to say, however, that 
Prof. Bainbridge owes somewhat of his success 
to the unusual energy and abilities of his wife, 
a sketch of whose life follows this article. 
Prof. Bainbridge was born November 23, 1861, 
in Lincoln County, Missouri, but when young 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



removed with his parents to the city of St. 
Louis, in that State. When he was twelve 
years of age the family came to California, set- 
tling in San Joaquin County, where his father. 
Dr. J. A. Bainbridge, a well-known physician 
of those parts, still resides. Young Bainbridge 
received his education in the schools of Oak- 
land and Berkeley, and took a business course 
in the Stockton Bnsin^ls College. After re- 
turning from the University he accepted a posi- 
tion in the Stockton Business College, Mr. Clark 
being then the proprietor, which he held for 
three years. At the end of that time he bought 
Mr. Clark out, and conducted the school him- 
self until in the fall of 1887 he sold out, came 
to Sacramento and founded the Bainbridge 
Business College and Normal School. Its really 



wonderful success ha 



prov( 



Mr. Bainbridge'! 



peculiar fitness for the work he has undertaken, 
and mark him deservedly one of Sacramento's 
prominent citizens. He was married in July, 
1885, to Miss Belle C. Rogers, of Stockton. 
They have no children. Since taking up her 
residence in Sacramento, Mrs. Bainbridge has 
taken a leading position among musical people 
of this city, and as a teacher, whether of voice 
or piano, she is singularly successful, a result 
due not less, perhaps, to her wonderful vitality 
and inexhaustible energy than to her splendid 
training and practical methods of imparting 
knowledge. She is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, 
her father being still a resident of Akron in 
that State, but lived in New York State during 
most of her childhood and youth, beginning 
her musical education in tiie city of New York 
under Prof. Taylor. Later she went to Boston, 
and continued the study of music under Prof. 
J. D. Parker, now a teacher in the Boston Con- 
servatory of Music. In 1881 she accepted the 
position of teacher of music in the Stockton 
Business College in this State, and came out 
immediately to fill it. There she met Prof. 
Bainbridge, and the acquaintance ripening into 
love, they were married in July, 1885. While 
in Stockton Mrs. Bainbridge was organist and 
leader of a choir of forty voices at St. John's 



Episcopal Church in that city, and occupied 
there the same leading position in all matters 
musical that she possesses here. Not satisfied 
with lier knowledge of harmony or of music, 
whether vocal or instrumental, Mrs. Bainbridge 
took courses of lessons, including the very 
severest work, with Ugo Talbo, the distinguished 
tenor of San Francisco, and also with Prof. 
Hugo Mansfeldt, of the same city, who is ac- 
knowledged to be the best instrumentalist on 
the coast. Upon coming to Sacramento, Mrs. 
Bainbridge was not content to follow the ordi- 
nary hum-drum of a professional life, but at 
once set to casting about for some suitable per- 
son who could aid her in the establishment of 
an institution of greater pretensiont- than any 
existing in this city, or indeed upon this coast. 
In Prof. Charles Heywood, now well known in 
this city, she found the required ability, ^and in 
the popular St. Cecilia Club we see the be- 
ginning of the institution referred to. This 
club began with about twenty puiiils, gi.tteu 
together by Mrs. Bainbridge's indefatigable 
efforts. Prof. Heywood is the leader, and Mrs. 
Bainbridge the accompanist. Now the club 
has fifty members. Miss Mary W. Bainbridge, 
or more familiarly known by her many friends 
as Mamie, the teacher of Elocution in the Bain- 
bridge Business College, is the sister of the 
principal, and a young lady of very superior 
talent. She is a graduate of the California 
School of Oratory, her diploma dating May 11, 
1888. She has acquired considerable reputa- 
tion as a skillful reader and reciter, and is not 
only a popular young lady when such talents 
are in demand, but is also a great favorite in 
social circles generally throughout the city. 



tON. LEROY S. TAYLOR was born July 
23, 1827, in Delaware County, Ohio. In 
1835 his parents removed to Illinois, 
where the son resided for the succeeding fifteen 
years. At Chicago he spent a number of his 
younger years, having published a directory of 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUXTY. 



that city in 1847, when it had a population, all 
told, of onh- 20,023, and theie he also entered 
upon the study of law with Horn & Skinner. 
Next he became a member of a party who called 
themselves the " Illinois Company," and set out 
for the long journey across the plains. When 
approaching Salt Lake City, some of the boys 
found an old wagon and utilized a portion of a 
wheel for making pack saddles. The noted 
Perley P. Pratt, of Mormon notoriety, happened 
along, and seeing the opportunity for extortion, 
seized quickly upon it. He claimed the owner- 
ship of the wagon and demanded heavy damages 
for the broken wheel. They refused his claim and 
he brought suit against them at Salt Lake City. 
Mr. Taylor was chosen to defend; but, seeing 
there was no hope of a fair trial they paid $40 
to settle the matter. Fortunately they had no 
other serious trouble on the journey, except se- 
vere suffering from the alkali upon the desert. 
Finding a stray Mexican steer, they killed it 
for food. Eating of this caused the most viru- 
lent diarrhoea. This clung to Mr. Taylor for 
years, and at one time threatened to cause his 
death. They reached the " classic " shades of 
Hangtown August 19, 1850. Mr. Taylor was 
glad to take the first thing that came to hand, 
and agreed to work for a man who was digging 
a prospect hole, to be paid according to the re- 
sults. At the end of one day, however, the man 
threw up the undertaking, paid one dollar only 
for the work done and sent Mr. Taylor off. 
With two others he then went to Coloma and 
washed for gold, taking out about $4 a day for 
a little time. From there he went to George- 
town, and thence to Canon Creek, where he did 
well, but was so reduced by the diarrhoea, already 
spoken of, that he gave entirely out and was 
carried by conveyance to Coloma, and lay sick 
for a long time. Upon becoming able to go 
around again, he went to Secret Ravine, and 
from there to Ox-bow Tunnel, near Grey Eagle, 
where, after long and arduous toil in damming 
the river, etc., got nothing at all. Afterward 
he mined at various other points, with varying 
success, having spent in all about three years 



mining in El Dorado County. After this he 
went to Solano County, engaged in merchandis- 
ing, and for about a year held the position of 
deputy district attorney. He then went to 
Santa Cruz Count}', where, in the red-woods, he 
was engaged for some time in superintending 
the construction of mills. Finally, in 1857, Mr. 
Taylor returned to Sacramento, where he has 
resided ever since. He first became a clerk in 
a general store, but soon began the study of law. 
In July, 1858, he was admitted to practice, and 
has ever since that time been in the successful 
pursuit of his profession. Mr. Taylor is a man 
who makes no display of his powers. His high 
character and his uniform success has proved 
the value of his services to his clients. It is 
not alone as a lawyer, however, that he has made 
his influence felt in this community. For a 
long time he was county commissioner in this 
county, and during the term ending in 1889, 
represented the Nineteenth Assembly District 
in the Legislature. During the last session he 
was chairman of the Ways and Means Commit- 
tee, probably the most important of all the 
committees in the House. He is a stanch Re- 
publican. Mr. Taylor is a married man, and 
has two children, a son and a daughter. The 
son, E. D. Taylor, is a leading searcher of rec- 
ords, having his office in the' same building as his 
father. Mr. Taylor is Past Grand Master in 
the Odd Fellows order. 



^ON. J. L. HUNTOON, Treasurer of Sa- 
^^ cramento County for the second term, is 
^ftS one of the best known and most esteemed 
officials of the county, having resided in this 
city since the spring of 1855, and been pro- 
prietor of prosperous hotels since that time. He 
was born in Groton, Vermont, in 1822, where 
his father was a farmer, but removed with his 
parents to Craftsbury when only a lad of six or 
seven years. Until he reached the age of nine- 
teen he resided at home, working hard upon the 
farm during the summer and attending school 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



during the winter. In 1843 he went to Ports- 
inDiitli, Kew Hampshire, and obtained employ- 
ment as driver of a baker's wagon. This he 
continued lor tliree years and then engaged in 
traveling for tlie lirm of II. S. Doane & Co., of 
Boston, Massachusetts, in the sale of brushes 
tlirougliout the State of Maine. Later he was 
employed- in tlie sale of confectionery and cigars, 
and later still he traveled over the New England 
States for the New York house of Curtis & 
Perkins, the agents for the sale of Mrs. Wins- 
low's popular soothing syruj". Those were the 
days before railroads went to every little town. 
He was given a team and a light wagon, and he 
drove over the country -roads from town to town, 
li\ing hard and working laboriously, as it often 
happened, and exposed to all sorts of weather. 
Tiring ot this at last, in the fall of 1855, Mr. 
Huntoon set out i'or this State, proceeding to 
Panama by the steamer George Law, which 
carried so many Californians, and finally reach- 
ing this city in the spring of the following 
year. First he purchased and conducted tiie 
Telegraph Hotel on J street, between Twelith 
and Thirteenth streets, long a popular hostelry. 
After three years he leased the house, bought a 
band of sheep and drove them down to Solano 
County. Selling these out two years later, he 
j-eturned to Sacram^to and took the Fountain 
House on J street, above Tenth, and carried it 
on successfully until 1865. He then went east 
for a visit, making the journey again via Pana- 
ma. Upon this trip lie was absent from Febru- 
ary to September, and had an enjoyable time. 
Upon his return he engaged in the furniture 
business, and also carried on the manufacture 
of mattresses, upholstering, etc., continuing in 
this until 1883. From that time until his 
election as treasurer of the county, Mr. Hun- 
toon acted as an administrator, being engaged 
in the settlement of estates, etc. He has always 
taken an active and intelligent interest in poli- 
tics, and is well known as a stanch Republican. 
Mr. Iluntoon was married in 1851 to Miss 
Charlotte P. Cunningham, at the town of Wash- 
ington, near Augusta, Maine. They have had 



four children, of whom one, a daughter, is de- 
ceased. The names of the others are as follows: 
William F., the cashier of the Peoples' Savings 
Bank, of this city; Eva May and Joseph Edgar. 
Mr. Iluntoon has also two brothers living, who 
reside in the State of Massachusetts. 



tEV. A. C. HEPtRICK, pastor of Calvary 
Baptist Church, has, with one exception, 
been settled in charge of this influential 
society a longer time than any other Baptist 
minister in California, his charge beginning in 
1884. He was born at Sedgwick, Maine, in 
May, 1834, his father being a sea captain who 
was lost at sea when the subject of this sketch 
was but twelve years of age. By this sad 
calamity he was left an orphan, as his mother 
had died some time previously. He was pre- 
pared for college at Hebron, Maine, where is 
the oldest Baptist Academy in that State, and 
in 1857 was graduated at Colby College in 
Waterville, Maine. For one year Mr. Herrick 
acted as principal of Orono High School, and 
then for two years occupied the same position 
at East Corinth Academy. In 1860 he went 
to Europe, visiting notonly the points of usual in- 
terest to the tourist, but also spending some time 
in the Holy Land, Egypt, etc. Returning from 
this journey, Mr. Herrick was principal of He- 
bron Academy ten years. During this time he 
took a course of three years' duration at the 
Union Theological Seminary in New York, 
graduating in 1866. This he was enabled to 
accomplish by the kindness of a friend to whom 
he entrusted the management of the academy 
while his studies necessitated his absence in 
New York. Was pastor of the Hebron Baptist 
Church one year. In 1871 he was settled in 
charge of the Baptist Church at Canton, Maine, 
holding the charge until 1876, when he became 
pastor of the Freeport Baptist Church. Wiiile 
at Canton he was ordained to the Baptist min- 
istry, in October, 1872. In the same year he 
made a short trip to Europe, visiting St. Peters- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



burg, Russia, and other parts of the less cus- 
tomary routes of travel. It was in this way 
that Mr. Herrick gained the material for the 
illustrated lectures on the Holy Land, Europe, 
the United States, etc., that have made his 
name well known in the lecture field. Mr. 
Herrick was married in 1867 to Miss Kate 
Powers, of Amenia, New York. She is one of 
a family that has made itself felt in more than 
one direction in this country. One of her 
brothers is the Rev. H. N. Powers, D. D., an 
eminent and popular Episcopal clergyman on 
tiie Hudson, New York. Another brother is 
Dr. F'red. Powers, a prominent physician of 
Connecticut; while other brothers occupy lead- 
ing positions as lawyers and civil engineers. 
Mrs. Herrick is herself a lady of high artistic 
talent, conducting a large and successful class 
in art, in this city. They have two daughters, 
Jennie, aged fifteen, and Katie, aged fourteen — 
both attending the High School here. Since 
Mr. Herrick was settled in charge of Calvary 
Church in 1884, it has known a period of en- 
largement and progress. In 1886 a vestry was 
built, at a cost of $1,200. Again, in 1887, a 
mission was opened in Washington that has 
now 100 members, and of which Mr. Herrick 
has charge. During his pastorate of Calvary 
Church no fewer than 127 persons have united 
with the church, and now active steps are being 
taken to erect a new church edifice on the cor- 
ner of Sixteenth and I streets, at a cost of 
$20,000, thus keeping pace with the growth of 
spiritual interests. Calvary Church also opened 
the Sabbath-school at the Orphans' Home, and 
has now a young man preparing for the minis- 
try at the Rochester, New York, University; 
another, of Mexican birth, studying here with 
a view to teaching in Mexico, while a young 
lady is diligently preparing herself for mission- 
ary labor on the Congo. Mr. Herrick is a pas- 
tor beloved by his people, and a minister 
esteemed by the people at large. He is an 
orator; sound, clear and deep in his arguments. 
There is no more active and energetic worker 
than he, in all causes that tend to the moral and 



spiritual good of man. Finally, he is personally 
a hearty, whole-souled man of engaging pres- 
ence. He has also had some experience in 
political life, as he represented in the Legisla- 
ture daring one term (1867) the Oxford Dis- 
trict in Maine. 



J^ON. SYLVESTER TRYON, well known 
|B\ as the chief mover in the manufacture of 
^s¥ woolen goods in Sacramento, is worthy of 
special mention. The Capitol Woolen Mills 
were built and the company incorporated in 
1868, with a capital of $100,000, Mr. Leonard 
Goss being the first president, and Mr. Tryon 
one of the heavy stockholders. A man named 
Tatterson, supposed to be experienced, was im- 
ported from the East to act as superintendent. 
He inaugurated a period of great extravagance, 
and consequently the mills did not pay. Finally 
in 1870 the superintendence of the mill was 
turned over to R. T. Brown, who held that 
position until 1872, but also without satisfac- 
tory results. In that year, at the request of 
his fellow-stockholders, Mr. Tryon, who was 
president at the time, also assumed tiie man- 
agement and devoted the whole of his attention 
to the mills. He started wisely by starting 
slowly and allowing the business to suggest its 
own extensions, and as a result succeeded in 
making a paying concern of it. The ground 
occupied comprises two entire blocks, situated 
in the northern portion ot the city, adjoining 
the line of the Central Pacific. A fire had con- 
sumed the mill in 1875. Immediately there- 
after the buildings were reconstructed, with all 
the improvements that Mr. Tryon's long experi- 
ence could suggest, and as a consequence the 
establishment was in tip-top shape and running 
nicely with a force of employes ranging from 
fifty to seventy-five men, when the last fire of 
1886 caught them without insurance. Though 
by no means a crippled man, Mr. Tryon felt 
himself so discouraged that he has not as yet 
rebuilt, but contemplates doing so at an early 



HlarOBT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



date. In connection with the mills he always 
conducted a tailoring and sales department at 
No. 822 J street. This is still continued, 
although now of necessity' from goods other 
than his own u.anufacture, and enjoys a fair 
share of the business in that line in the city. 
It should be stated before leaving this portion 
of the subject that after the first fire the com- 
pany was rein corpora ted witii a capital stock of 
$200,000, and the new factory comprised a 
complete four-set mill. The life of Mr. Tryon 
luis been one of great variety and incident, and 
presents an apt illustration of what may be 
accomplished by energy, application and the 
following of right principles. He was born in 
1827, in the State of Ohio. Upon the dis- 
covery of gold in California he set out for the 
trip across the plains. The journey, lasting six 
months, proved a very long and tedious as well 
as perilous one, although happily made without 
cerious accident. He reached Sacramento Au- 
gust 22, 1850, bringing with him a band of 
iiorses and mules for trading purposes. Dis- 
l^osing of his stock, he went to El Dorado 
County, and during two years was busily and 
successfully engaged in mining. He returned 
to this city July 1, 1852, and immediately 
entered into business on his own account as 
keeper of a livery stable and dealer in grain and 
hay. He had taken up a ranch on the Cosumnes 
River, where he cut several hundred tons of 
hay. As it chanced, in the great tire that swept 
tlie city in November, 1852, almost the entire 
stock was consumed excepting that of Mr. 
Tryon, and the result was that he coined a 
great deal of money out of his happy venture. 
Tryon's stable was one of the well-known estab- 
lishments of the early days, being situated on 
Tenth street, not far from the Plaza, and where 
the brick portion still remains, being still a 
prosperous undertaking, although rented out to 
others. A tire, to be noticed later, destroyed 
the wooden buildings which weie necessary to 
meet the large business demands of the days 
when Mr. Tryon conducted it in person. In 
relating the circumstances of the flood of 1862, 



Mr. Tryon recounts some thrilling instances of 
the excitements and troubles of the times that 
appear in our history of that period. He has 
always been an active Republican f.nd Unionist. 
During the days of the Rebellion he was ap- 
Tointed enrolling officer lor SHcramento by 
President Lincoln, and necessarily incurred the 
hatred of the rebels, who were nuiiierous in 
California in those days. Not content with 
bravado, they set tire to his stables, burning the 
wooden buildings to the ground, with great loss 
to Mr. Tryon. During all these years he was a 
most pronounced worker for the good of his 
country, taking an active interest also in poli- 
tics and aiding more than a little in keeping 
California in the Union. AVhen he became 
president of the Woolen Mills Company he 
found it necessary to devote himself chiefly to 
lis interests, and has since that time ceased to 
busy himself so actively with politics. He was 
one of the old volunteer Fire Department and 
was one of the organizers of the present efficient 
department, and is a member of the Exempt 
Firemen of this city, an account of whose or- 
ganization will be found elsewhere. It will 
thus be seen that Mr. Tryon has been one of 
the active movers in all good causes in tliis 
city, of which he has always been a citizen of 
prominence and itnportance, taking a part in 
every undertaking thai promised to be of gen- 
eral benefit. He is a large property-holder and 
a heavy tax-payer in the city, and has been such 
from the first, and as a public-spirited and valu- 
able member of the community ranks as high 
as any. Mr. Tryjn was married to Miss Mary 
Merrill, a native of Massachusetts, in 18G9. 
They ha.'e two children, named respectively 
Arthur Lincoln and Willia.ii. 

tG. TRYON was born February 4, 1825, 
at Middletown, Connecticut, his father 
® being a well-to-do and highly respected 
citizen of that place. The family has had an 
honored history of importance. Mr. Tryon re- 



UISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ceived a good practical education in the schools 
of his native city, but, being naturally of a 
business turn of mind, he went when but four- 
teen years of age to Lancaster village, South 
Carolina, where he assisted a brother-in-law in 
a store. The climate proved injurious to him, 
and four years later he returned again to his 
native State, at that time a tall and delicate 
stripling of a youth. In 1846, however, he 
went again to South Carolina and spent two years 
at Camden in that State. In 1849, together with 
his younger brother, Mr. A. S. Tryon, he joined 
a company of sixteen men all told, in the pur- 
chase of a schooner called the "Julius Pringle," 
of which they owned one-eighth. They set 
sail August 28, 1849, from New London and 
finally reached San Francisco, February 14, 
1850. Of the company the other fourteen were 
all old sailors and navigated the vessel. The 
voyage was made without mishap, although off 
the Rio de la Plata they encountered a six days' 
storm, and undertaking the passage through 
the Straits of Magellan they experienced head 
winds that delayed them eighteen days in it. 



On Jf 



luary 



1 tl. 



ey 



at Valparaiso, where 



they stopped for water and provisions. The 
voyage up from there was made in forty days, 
reaching the Golden Gate on the date men- 
tioned. They immediately came up the river 
to Sacramento, arriving here in the latter part 
of the month uf February, 1850. The two 
brothers then purchased an additional interest 
in the schooner, and in company with some of 
the others traded on the river for the course of 
two months, running her in connection with 
Starr, Benson & Co., a well-known lirm of early 
days. They then sold out and went up to 
Coloma, where they mined for a little while, 
but soon started a store, where they kept on 
hand a stock of general miners' supplies.' This 
business was continued for five years, A. S. sell- 
ing the goods at Coloma and attending to the 
store, while A. G. came to this city, did the 
buying, and freighted them to his brother at 
Coloma. By this time, however, from being a 
delicate young man lie had grown to be very 



strong and robust. In 1856 the brothers dis- 
continued the business at Coloma. A. S. re- 
turned to the East and now resides at Leroy, 
New York. The subject of this sketch, how- 
ever, came to Sacramento city and has lived 
here constantly ever since, with the exception 
only of the numerous pleasure trips which the 
gentleman has made and is still making to dif- 
ferent parts of the world. Since he has resided 
here Mr. Tryon has engaged extensively in the 
buying and selling of real estate and in lend- 
ing money. He has been one of our most pub- 
lic-spirited and energetic citizens, and his large 
means has enabled him to accomplish a great 
deal. As an example of his character, one in- 



may 



be cited. At the time of the 



raising 



of the grade of I street from Seventh to Tenth, 
the amount levied for the work was the enor- 
mous sum of 35 per cent, of the assessed valu- 
ation. Every one of the property-owners 
interested, with the exception of Mr. Tryon, by 
taking advantage of a technicality, escaped pay- 
ing, although they were the very parties who 
had petitioned to have the work done, while Mr. 
Tryon paid up promptly and fully. The levee 
tax has always been the great burden of the 
city, amounting in 1862 to 7^ per cent. Mr. 
Tryon was a member of the old Tehama Hose 
Company in the early '50s. "While on a visit 
to the East in 1855, however, the company dis- 
banded. He was married March 12, 1863, in 
San Francisco, to Mrs. Amanda Eugenia Gris- 
sim. She died in 1879. They had no children. 
Her two children by a former marriage reside 
with Mr. Tryon. The Tryon family is one of 
the oldest Connecticut families, tracing its 
pedigree back to ancestors wlio sailed from Eng- 
land before the Revolutionary days, and going 
still further back to an honorable origin in 
Flanders. When they first arrived in America 
they settled at Glastonbury, on the Connecticut 
River, where portions still reside. It is a very 
long-lived family, as is shown by the great age 
of Mr. Tryon's immediate relatives. He ban 
two sisters now I'esiding in Connecticut, at the 
ages respectively of eighty-four and seventy-six 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



years; and one at Leroy, New York, now 
eighty-two. Of his brothers, two are now aged 
Beventy and sixty-eight, in Middletown. His 
mother reached the age of eighty-four before 
her death. Personally Mr. Tryon is as active 
and yoniig in appearance as most men at fifty, 
and bids fair to live to be as old as any of his 
kin. He has been a great traveler. In 1862 
he visited Europe, spending considerable time 
in making a complete tour of England, Scot- 
land, Wales, France, etc. There is hardly a 
portion of our continent that he has not visited 
and of which he is not able to give an accurate 
description, from Alaska and the Yellowstone 
National Park to the large cities of the East or 
the picturesque wilderness of Mexico. Indeed 
he is, at date of this writing, about to start on 
a trip to the city of Mexico, in which doubtless 
there will be much hunting and an enjoyable 
time. The last time he was East was in 1882. 
The comfortable home of Mr. Tryon is situated 
at No. 912 Sixth street, in this city. 



fll. W. A. HUGHSON has resided here for 
over fifteen years, during which time he 
has won the confidence and esteem of all 
classes and enjoys a high reputation for success 
and careful attention to patients. He was born 
January 18, 1845, near London, Canada, his 
father being Rev. W. D. Hughson, one of the 
most revered and prominent clergymen of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in that Province. 
The family is one of the older families of West- 
ern Canada, and is of high standing. Dr. Hugh- 
son's grandfather was one of the first settlers 
upon the" site of the flourishing city of Hamil- 
ton, one of the most important manufacturing 
centres of the Dominion. Several of the prin- 
cipal streets are named after the family, as 
Hughson street, John street, James street, etc. 
Dr. Hughson was brought up in his native 
town, gaining his preliminary education there 
and living the active life of boyhood and youth. 
He attended the medical department of the 



University of Victoria College, and graduated 
in 1868, after a three years' course, and at once 
began the active practice of tlie profession in 
the town of Dresden, Canada. Two years later 
he removed to Delavan, Wisconsin, where he 
built up a practice of considerable dimensions. 
Desiring to seek a milder climate. Dr. Hughson 
determined to come to California, and accord- 
ingly, in 1873, removed to this State. For six 
mouths he practiced in Marysville, but not be- 
ing satisfied with the prospects of that city, 
came to Sacramento, where he has resided since. 
Dr. Hughson is a leading homeopathist. He 
was president of the Sacramento I'oard of 
Health during the term of Mayor Turner. Dr. 
Hughson was married in 186'J to Miss Libbie 
McGee, a native of Canada. They have three 
daughters, all living at home, and named re- 
spectively Edith, Ira and Beth. Dr. Hughson 
owns a ranch of 160 acres just east of Florin, 
upon ivhich he has set out 100 acres in grapes, 
fruits, berries, etc. It is one of the most com- 
plete ranches in Sacramento County, being 
fitted and supplied with steam engine, pumps, 
and all modern conveniences. 



fOLONEL E. E. HAMILTON, who has 
been the cashier of the Sacramento Bank 
since its foundation in 1875, and has held 
many other positions of trust, was born in 1832, 
in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and there spent his 
childhood and early youth. In 1848, when 
sixteen years old, he went to Pittsburg, and be- 
came an apprentice to the trade of steamboat 
coppersmith. He served the full term of four 
years, perfecting himself in the trade, receiving 
during that period the wretched pittance of only 
fifty cents a week and board, and yet having to 



clothe himself ! Having finished hi 



appr 



ticeship, he followed his trade until April, 1853, 
when he crossed the plains, making most of the 
distance on foot behind an ox team. At last, 
September 23, 1853, he reached Sacramento, 
footsore and weary, a strange boy in a strange 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



267 



land, witli only two bits in money in his pocket, 
l)ut witli a stont liciirt and lionest purpose in his 
breast. He got a job at once to shovel dirt into 
China Slongh for a contractor who was then 
grading K street. Having no money wherewith 
to buy blankets he slept in a pile of straw. For 
two weeks he kept at this, when he rose a step 
on the ladder, securing employment as a porter 
in the store of Mr. E. Ayres. There he worked 
until January, 1854, when he went to San Fran- 
cisco and resumed his trade of coppersmith, 
receiving as wages $6 a day. Mr. Hamilton 
continued there until the fall of 1855, when he 
set out in business for himself in the stove and 
ironware trade at Placerville, in partnership 
with Mr. J. L. Smith, lu 1857 he sold out 
and came to Sacramento, forming a partnership 
with a Mr. Purdin, continuing in the stove busi- 
ness until 1866. In that year he was elected 
city assessor upon the Ilepublican ticket, Col- 
onel Hamilton liaving been all his life a con- 
sistent and hard-working member of that party. 
In 1867 lie was proffered the appointment of 
casiiier of the Sacramento Savings Bank. Ac- 
cepting this, he lias continuously since that date 
been connected with that institution, receiving 
the like appointment of cashier of the Sacra- 
mento Bank upon the liquidation of the former 
and the founding of the latter bank. Colonel 
Hamilton has honorably earned the title he 
wears. At the commencement of the M-ar he 
organized a company of sharp-shooters, and was 
afterward chosen Colonel of the Fourth Regi- 
ment of Infantry, l^fational Guards, of Cali- 
fornia. He has been twice married, and has a 
son and a daughter. The son, E, G., is learning 
a trade. 



-^^ 



l^-.^- 



^Oi\. EDWARD M. MARTIN.— This gen- 
^m\ tleman was born at Muscatine, State of 
^Is Iowa, in the year 1845. Seven years later 
the family removed to California, crossing the 
plains by o.\ teams, and finally arriving in tliis 
city September 24, 1852, atter a tedious trip, 



but fortunately without serious mishap. Mr. 
Martin was educated first in the public schools 
of this city, and afterwards proceeded to take an 
academic course at Napa College, but he was 
compelled to abandon this before graduation, 
owing to a lack of funds to complete both it and 
his legal studies, upon which he had deter- 
mined. Accordingly he became a student in 
the othce of Messrs. CofFroth & Spaulding, the 
eminent attorneys of former days in this city. 
On October 21, 1867, he was admitted to prac- 
tice before the Supreme Court of this State, 
immediately hung out his shingle and began 
the successful practice of law in this city. Mr. 
Martin has always taken an active interest in 
politics, — as a worker, however, rather than 
as an office-seeker, — and is a stanch Repub- 
lican of broad and liberal views. For a time 
he held the position of court commissioner, 
and is now and has been for several years 
a member of the Board of Education. He 
is an active worker in all good canses that aim 
to promote the general good, and has thus 
naturally taken a prominent part in social and 
beneficiary orders. He is a Past Noble Grand of 
Capital Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F., a Past Chief 
Patriarch of Pacific Encamjiment, No. 2, First 
Past Commander of the Patriarchs Militant, 
Canton 1, Sacramento, is a Past Sachem of 
Owosso Lodge, Imp. O. R. M., No. 39, and is 
also a member in good standing of the A. O. 
U. W., and of the Knights of Honor. Mr. Mar- 
tin comes of a long-lived family, his father, Mr. 
George W. Martin, the well-known builder and 
contractor of this city, being still a hale and 
hearty business man, although of the advanced 
age of seventy-two years. In another place will 
be found a sketch of the latter's life. Three 
brothers and a sister reside at Moscow, Idaho 
Territory, while two younger half-brothers live 
with their father in Sacramento. Mr. Martin 
was married to Miss Emily E. Jones, sister of 
Hon. C. T. Jones, of this city, reference to whom 
is made elsewhere. She died about four years 
ago. Of their three children i>ut one, a son 
named Albert Baker, is now living. Such in 



268 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



brief is a sketch of tlie life of one who holds a 
position of no little importance in the legal pro- 
fession of Sacramento, lie is a public-spirited 
citizen of this place, of which he has been a 
resident since boyhood, and it is not the less to 
his credit that his present position of promi- 
nence has not come to him by chance or fortune, 
but is the result of great natural ability coupled 
with indefatigable diligence and a close atten- 
tion to business. 



fUSTAVUS LINCOLN SIMMONS, M. D. 
Dr. Simmons was born in liingham, 
Plymouth County, Massachusetts, March 
13, 1832. His paternal ancestor in America was 
Moyses Simmons, one of the Pilgrim colony of 
English that sailed in the ship Fortune; the 
vessel which followed the Mayflower, and which 
reached Plymouth in 1G21. His maternal an- 
cestor was a Lincoln, who went from liingham 
in England, and founded Hingham in America, 
and whose descendants have furnished to the 
country numerous examples of ability and 
patriotism. Toung Gustavus received his pre- 
liminary education in the schools and Derby 
Academy of his native town, and when but a 
boy of seventeen years old, in 1849, sailed from 
Boston, in the brig Curagoa, and rounded Cape 
Horn to Join a brother-in-law, the late Dr. 
Henry B. May, in San Francisco. After a 
lenthy passage of nearly nine months he reached 
California, while the State was yet in its Terri- 
torial condition; and after a few months' stay 
in San Francisco he removed to Sacramento, 
during the terrible epidemic of cholera, and 
while the excitement incident to the squatter 
riots was still intense. Here he engaged him- 
self with his medical relative in the business of 
the old Boston drug store, which was then 
located on the north side of J street, between 
Front and Second streets, at that early period, 
owing to want of accommodations elsewhere in 
town. A large number of the prominent physi- 
cians examined their ofiice patients in the little 



cloth ante-rooms attached to the establishment, 
and as the location was quite near all the large 
gambling houses and hotels, it was a common 
sight at that pioneer period to see here not only 
victims of cholera and kindred diseases, but also 
those who had been shot or stabbed, and who 
needed surgical treatment. In this kind of a 
practical school young Simmons began his in- 
terest in the profession of medicine, and for 
several years did a large amount of work in con- 
nection with the care of the sick and wounded. 
He afterward returned to the East and entered 
the Tremont Street Preparatory Medical School 
in Boston, and subsequently the medical de- 
partment of Harvard University, I'eceiving liis 
degree of Doctor in Medicine and Surgery from 
that famous institution in 1856. Soon after 
graduating he returned to Sacramento, where he 
has since been successfully engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession, excepting only the time 
spent in two extended trips to Europe, taken 
with a view to observing the hospital practice 
of the Old World. Dr. Simmons is a member 
of the American Medical Association and served 
on the committee of arrangements at the great 
gathering of that body in San Francisco in 
1871. He is also a member of the California 
State Medical Society; of the Massachusetts 
State Medical Society, and one of the charter 
members of the Sacramento Society for Medi- 
cal Improvement. For over twenty years he 
served as a commissioner in lunacy and as a 
member of the Board of Health; also for a 
term as County Hospital physician and as 
United States Pension Surgeon, and was the first 
secretary of the City Board of Education that 
acted as school superintendent. He is now the 
president of the board of trustees of the Mar- 
guerite Home for old ladies, founded by the 
munificent charity of Margaret E. Crocker. 
Dr. Simmons was married in 1862 to Celia, 
daughter of the Rev. Peter Crocker, formerly 
of Richmond, Indiana, and Barnstable, Massa- 
chusetts. They have three living children: 
Gustavus Crocker, Celia May and Samuel Ewer. 
The eldest son, Gustavus, is a graduate, like his 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



369 



father, of Harvard University, receiving his 
medical degree in 1885. He is now in Europe 
taking a post-graduate course in the Vienna 
liospitals. 



.^.. 



fLIJAH CARSON HART.— The legal 
fraternity is well represented in Sacra- 
mento; and among its members are 
some of the most intelligent men and most 
effective workers for the city's advancement to 
be found among her citizens. Communities, as 
individuals, may possess great material wealth, 
the accumulated prolits of shrewd, keen, com- 
mercial transactions of years, and still have but 
poorly developed the best impulser of the heart, 
— the greatest powers of the mind, the deep 
appreciation of the true, the beautiful, or the 
good, or the ambition which aspires to them. 
The subject of this sketch, Hon. Elijah Carson 
Hart, was born in 1856, and first saw the light 
of day in an emigrant wagon on the banks of 
Carson River, while father and mother were cross- 
ing the plains, after which place he was named. 
His parents were from Indiana, where his father 
had been a practicing attorney. After the birth 
of young Hart, the family proceeded to Nico- 
laus, in Sutter County, where his father engaged 
in various pursuits and where Elijah received 
his earliest education. At the age of twelve, the 
family removed to Colusa County, Elijah secur- 
ing employment in the ofiice of the Colusa Sun, 
where he learned the printer's trade. In 1878 he 
was elected city clerk of Colusa, but refused the 
office for the reason that he had been offered 
editorial control of the Oroville Mercury at 
about the same time he desired to accept. He 
controlled the editorial chair of the Mercury 
from May, 1878, to December, 1878, after which 
he purchased the Willows Journal and ran it 
until 1884. He then came to Sacramento and 
commenced the study of law with his brother, 
ex-Attorney-General A. L. Hart. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1885 by the Supreme 
Court of the State. He was elected city attor- 



ney in March, 1886. In November, 1888, he 
was elected to the Assembly, receiving the 
largest Republican majority ever given a Re 
publican in the Nineteenth Assembly District. 
At the session of 1889, just passed, he introduced 
the celebrated Glenn County bill and advocated 
its passage in a most persistent manner. In 
making his speech on the introduction of the 
bill he was heartily applauded and his brilliant 
speech was a feature of the occasion. Mr. Hart 
was married in Colusa, May 20, 1878, on the 
same day he left to take control of the Oroville 
Mercury. His wife's maiden name was Miss 
Addie Virian, a grand niece of the celebrated 
Kit Carson. A remarkable coincidence is that 
he married the grand niece of the man after 
whom the Carson River was named, the river 
on whose banks he was born and after which he 
was given his middle name. Mr. Hart is en- 
gaged in the practice of law in Sacramento and 
has as his associate Judge G. G. Davis. In 
conclusion we would state that to all who have 
had the pleasure of his society he is a most 
pleasant companion, and to those admitted to 
his friendship he is a wise counsellor and a firm 
friend. 



^ON. ELWOOD BKUNER, District Attor- 
^m\ ney, was born September 27, 1854, in 
^Is Zanesville, Ohio, his father being the Rev. 
J. A. Bruner, a minister of the Methodist 
Church, now one of the oldest, as he is one of 
the most venerated and beloved, of the clergy- 
men of that church upon this coast. His father 
is still living, at a good old age, at West Berke- 
ley, California. Rev. Mr. Bruner, although now 
si.\ty-eight years old, is cari-ying on his ministe- 
rial labors at that point. In 1856 the family 
removed to this State, arriving here in October 
of that year. From 1860 to 1865 they were 
settled in Sacramento, at which time they were 
transferred to other parts. Young Elwood pur- 
sued his higher academic studies at the Univer- 
sity of the Pacific at San Jose, graduating there 



UrSTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



in the class of 1874, and inunediatelj began the 
study of law in the office of Messrs. Moore, 
Laine, Delinas & Leib, all names distinguished 
in legal circles upon this coast. April 10, 1877, 
Mr. Bruner was admitted to practice before the 
Supreme Court of this State, and at once opened 
an ofHce. From the first he has been considered 
one of the most brilliant of the young lawyers 
of this section of the State. In 1881 he was a 
partner of Judge W. A. Cheney, the eminent 
jurist, now of Los Angeles. In 1879 he was 
elected a member of the Legislature from this 
county, this being the first chosen under the new 
constitution of the State. In 1883 he was 
elected a public school director of this city, and 
finally in 1886 was chosen by the suffrages of 
his fellow citizens to till the important office of 
district attorney; and this he has filled with 
such general satisfaction that at the late election 
in 1888 he was sent back to the same position. 
He has always been an active worker for Re- 
publican principles. During tiie late election 
he canvassed the county for the ticket, contribu- 
ting not a little to the general result. Mr. 
Bruner is a member in high standing of the 
order of Odd Fellows, being elected in May, 
1887, the Grand Master of that order in Cali- 
fornia. During his year of oflice he personally 
visited a large number of lodges, and has the 
satisfaction of looking back upon a most suc- 
cessful year in the growth of the order. Mr. 
Bruner was married to Miss Lillian J. Flint, of 
this city, in March, 18S0. They have three 
children, all girls, lleferencc has already been 
made to his parents. He has also four brothers 
and one sister living. Of the brothers, two are 
practicing attorneys in Alturas County, Idaho. 
The one, P. M., has been district attorney of 
tliat county, and the other, J. Allison, is a lead- 
ing member of the Idaho Legislature, being 
chairman of some of the most important com- 
mittees. Personally, Mr. Bruner is a gentleman 
of literary and scholarly tastes, a most etfective 
and eloquent public speaker, as is emphasized 
by his selection to represent this city on many 
public occasions, notably upon the completion of 



the Oregon & California Eailroad and of the 
extension of the railroad to Placerville, and is 
one of the best known and most popular men in 
the city. 



fD. GOODELL, one of the best known 
and highly esteemed citizens of Sacra- 
** mento, has been a resident here ever 
since August, 1849, when he went into camp 
under a great oak tree where the car shops now 
are. He was born April 18, 1814, in Belcher- 
town, Massachusetts, where his father was a 
well-to-do farmer. At tlie age of eighteen years 
he went to Amlierst, near by, to learn the trade 
of carpenter and joiner; after practicing there 
awhile he spent a year in the same business at 
Springfield. Returning to Belchertown, he 
entered the business for himself, with signal 
success, erecting some of the finest buildings in 
the place, among others the town hall. After 
his marriage there he built for himself one of 
the finest residences in town. Ho then began 
the systematic stiidy of architecture, perfecting 
himself in the art. As a large part ot his 
business lay at Ware village, adjoining Belcher- 
town, he removed there. Next he took a large 
contract for building three large factories and 
several hundred houses for a large cotton manu- 
facturing firm, and did his .vork so well that he 
was retained by them for five years. Setting 
out from New York, in company with eleven 
others, he being president of the company, 
March 29, 1849, on the brig Everett, he ar- 
rived at Panama, April 23; was delayed there 
nearly a month, and then came on to San Fran- 
cisco, on the little brig Copiaco, arriving here 
after a tedious voyage of ninety-five days. At 
first he tried his hand at mining and prospect- 
ing around Mormon Island, Hangtown and other 
places, but, meeting with small success, he re- 
turned to Sacramento, March 29, 1850, to pur- 
sue his favorite calling; and since that date he 
has been identified with the city's best interests. 
He then found business livoly, buildings going 



uisTonr OF sacramento county. 



271 



up rapidly, and lie obtained work at $16 a day, 
though not as an arcliitect, for at that time the 
demand was only for cheap and hastily built 
houses. By the years 1862-'63 the city had so 
far advanced that a higher order of architecture 
bej^an to be demanded; and Mr. Goodell built 
the fine jewelry store of Mr. Wachhorst on J 
street, from plans of his own design. From 
that time orders poured in, and a mere list of 
the many structures put up by him would alone 
fill many pages. Among them are such fine 
residences as those of James Carolan, John 
Carroll, Frank Ebner, Theodore Milliken, Gen- 
eral Reddington, Albert Gallatin, Charles Scud- 
der and others, at costs ranging from $15,000 
to $40,000; also the county hospital, his plans 
being selected where there was considerable com- 
petition. Several lumdred of the buildings of 
this city and vicinity, great and small, are also 
Mr. Goodell's work, as also some of the more 
elegant and complete business blocks, such as 
that of Waterhouse & Lester, the Grangers' 
Hall, Mrs. Gregory's building on Second street. 
Green & Trainor's warehouse on Second street, 
the grammar-school buildings, etc., etc. Mr. 
Goodell has been a member of the Pioneer 
Association from the first, a director tor twenty 
years, and its president in 1877-'78 when he 
secured fo. the society the commodious build- 
ing on Seventh street, which they now occupy 
an J wliere he has his offices. He is a true type 
of an American, a champion of free thought 
and mudern reform and is highly esteemed by 
all classes. He was married May 2, 1838, to 
Miss Sarah Pease, at Gran by, Massachusetts, 
and they have two daughters. At their golden 
wedding in 1888, an immense throng of citizens 
turned out to do honor to the worthy couple. 



fR. WILLIAM W. LICmT, of Sacramento, 
was born July 29, 1819, upon a farm about 
two and a half miles from the little town 
of Bethel, Claremont County, Ohio. It was in 
this same county and only six miles away that 



the illustrious General Grant was born. They 
were boys together, attended the same school at 
Bethel, and when Grant received the appoint- 
ment to West Point, young Light was there to 
congratulate him. When eighteen years of age 
he began the study of medicine in Cincinnati, 
and at the same time carried on a chemical 
laboratory in that city, in company with his 
brother George, the firm name being G. & W. 
W. Light. Although never proceeding to a de- 
gree. Dr. Light became in this way a physician 
and surgeon of practice and experience. In 1840 
he began also the study of dentistry, fitting him- 
self thoroughly for the profession, which he now 
carries on quietly but successfully. He was 
associated in Cincinnati with Dr. J. S. Liggett, 
a well-known dentist at that time. Dr. John 
Morehead, his preceptor, manifested so great 
interest in young Light that he willed him the 
whole of his valuable medical library. January 
1, 1849, Dr. Light started for California, com- 
ing by way of New Orleans and the Isthmus, 
having to wait two months at Panama for a ves- 
sel. Two of the party became impatient and 
returned to the States. During this time, how- 
ever, the Doctor was kept busily employed as a 
physician to the many poor wretches that he 
found sick at Panama. Finilly he obtained 
passage on the old whaler Humboldt, with 362 
other passengers, and they lived on jerked beef, 
hard tack and water contained in old whale-oil- 
soaked barrels during a voyage of 102 days to 
San Francisco. They reached the Golden Gate 
August 30, the Doctor being eight months on 
the journey from Cincinnati. But the remark- 
able part of the life of Dr. Light begins with 
his residence in California. He came directly 
up to Sacramento and found employment almost 
immediately with the Ormsbys, who had set up 
a mint and were coining gold. Not knowing 
how to do the annealing, however, they were 
making bad work of it and were glad to employ 
the Doctor at $50 a day to superintend the 
works; but he shortly afterward quit that situ- 
ation and tried mining at Weaverville, near 
Hangtown, with but trifling success. He went 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



thence to Shingle Springs, where lie made 
money, and there he met a Spaniard who in- 
duced him with others to go to Dark Gulcli, 
near Sonora, where he reported that gold was 
very plentiful. On arriving there, however, the 
Spaniard skipped out and they discovered, wlien 
too late, that it was all a game gotten up by a 
storekeeper of that part to sell his goods to the 
men who should flock to the gulch. Dr. Light 
then went to the Stanislaus River, and in 1851 
returned to Sacramento. In partnership with 
Drs. Ames and McKenzie, he conducted an ex- 
tensive medical practice, continuing it during 
the terrible cholera visitation in 1852. One of 
the most effective remedies of the time was 
" Light's Cholera Remedy." After the flood of 
1852 he began the practice of dentistry, con- 
tinuing until 1863, and having as partner for a 
while a Dr. Pearson. In 1861 Dr. Light had 
become interested in mining properties in the 
State of Sonora, Mexico. James Roundtree, a 
relative of his wife, had located the Deus Padre 
mine at Alamos, Sonora, making Dr. Light a 
'part owner. He wpnt there to inspect the 
property for himself and the others interested, 
and in 1863 he was sent there by his associates 
to act as metallurgist at the mine. Contrary to 
his judgment and strongly expressed opinion, 
they sent down expensive mills and other ma- 
chinery before developments would justify it; 
and when the results proved Dr. Light correct 
in his views they determined to sell out in San 
Francisco at a fictitious value, and to do so 
wished the Doctor to prepare bogus assays for 
them. This he refused, whereupon they de- 
clared him mistaken and proceeded to make the 
sale at all hazards. lie was induced to give a 
power of attorney of his share that the sale in 
San P"'rancisco might be completed. The sale 
was carried out and Dr. Light's share, $55,000, 
placed in the hands of the agent, who immedi- 
ately departed for Germany between the night 
and morning, and has not since been heard of. 
The Maximilian catastrophe took place during 
these years, and Dr. Light acted as surgeon ibr 
the soldiery, who were numerous in that part of 



Sonora, and thus won their friendship. One 
day a soldier came to him with a piece of rock, 
asking what it was. It proved to be ore of al- 
most fabulous richness. Guided by the soldier, 
he went to the spot and saw that it was truly 
rich as a dream. Later he located the mine, 
calling it the Dos Hermanos, erected smelting 
works and began operations. The mine was 
equal to its promise and he made money, carry- 
ing his bullion to Hermosillo, where it was 
turned into coin. Of course, it was necessary 
in that lawless country to exercise the greatest 
caution lest a band of roving Yaqui Indians or 
bandits should find out he had money and raid 
him. All went well, however, until one day the 
Doctor befriended two deserters from the Amer- 
ican army. They must have leagued themselves 
with the Yaquis; for one afternoon when A. A. 
Light, the Doctor's brother, had gone to a dis- 
tant stream to bathe and the Doctor was seated 
at his door with his nephew, a band of Indians 
appeared and began to speak to him. Suddenly 
he was seized from behind and at the same time 
felt the sting of a bullet wound. X tussel be- 
gan, for the Doctor is a man of nerve and sinew 
like steel. Again and again he was wounded, 
when he made his way to the door, thrust it 
open against the efforts of the deserters inside, 
and found that his weapons had been thrown 
upon the floor from the wall where they had 
hung. Groping for them with eyes half blinded 
by blood, he fortunately found a rifle and car- 
tridges, and then began a terribly unequal bat- 
tle. The roof of the adobe was set on fire 
and other damage done, but in the end victory 
remained with the Doctor, though he was 
wounded in five places and was there alone. His 
nephew had been stretched dead at the first vol- 
ley, and the brother had been killed at the 
river; but five of the •Yaquis fell to the Doctor's 
unerring aim, and his fame as a marksman de- 
terred tiie wretches from another attack. The 
burned roof fell in upon the house, covering up 
money and all other valuables, and a rain next 
day converted all to ruins. Undaunted, Doctor 
Light stayed by the place, although suffering 




■.^^-^£1^ /^^^^^^^ 




x^^^Z'^ ^ 



^ 



IHSTOnr OF SACIiAMENTO COUNTY 



painfully from his wounds and having to keep 
his gun beside liira night and day and be inces- 
santly watchful. He had an Indian boy, who 
alone remained with him, gather up the rubbish 
in the house which contained his money and 
valuables, and wash away the dirt; and even him 
he had to threaten with deatii and make liim 
strip naked to keep him from stealing. Dr. 
Light tinally left the mine to be worked by 
others on commission, who remained however 
but a short time. He came to Sacramento to 
form a company of trusty people and return to 
his mine; but, failing to iind men he wanted, 
he abandoned the enterprise. He was the luore 
readily induced to do this as our Government 
was then preferring claims against Sonora which 
it was thought would lead to the annexation of 
that State. Amongst these is Dr. Light's 
claim, reckoned at $500,000. Dr. Light was 
married to Mrs. C.M.Weber, a lady of unusual 
talent as a writer, artist and botanist. Unfor- 
tunately, a considerable portion of the fruits of 
the labors both of the Doctor and his lady were 
destroyed by the fire of 1852. She died in 
Mexico. Dr. Light is a man of peculiar and 
independent views, a true friend to the suf- 
fering and the poor, for whom many an act of 
charity has been performed, quietly and unosten- 
tatiously. He is a capital story teller. His 
snug home on I street is a museum of curious 
and instructive things. He is a member of the 
Masonic order, and holds pronounced views 
against the use of tobacco and liquors, and is a 
belicrer in " free-thouffht." 



l^OWELL CLARK, a prominent member of 
§W\ the Sacramento Society of California Pio- 
^SH neers and an eminent citizen of the Capi- 
tal City, was born in Genesee County, New 
York, June 3, 1811. His father was a farmer 
and when the subject of this sketch was but two 
years old the family removed to Ohio, and two 
or three years afterward to Wood County, in 
West Virginia, on the Ohio River, whei-e they 



lived four years. Subsequently they moved to 
Fountain County, Lidiana, among the earliest 
settlers on Osborn's Prairie, at the same time 
that Jesse Osborn first settled there. Later 
they removed into Vigo County, near Terre 
Haute. Young Clark, the second eon, contin- 
ued to work on the farm and in a saw and grist 
mill until he became of age. About this time 
his uncle, Chester Clark, of Philadelphia, started 
extensively in the mercantile business, having 
at one time seven stores along the Wabash 
River; and in one of these he gave his nephew 
a position as clerk and soon afterward the entire 
management of the business of that house. Two 
years afterward he and a man named Asa Geer 
bought an interest in one of these stores, and fin- 
ally Mr. Geer retired from the business. Mr. 
Clark then continued the store alone, and also 
shipped produce, principally corn, on flat-boats to 
the'New Orleans market. These and other enter- 
prises occupied his attention during the years 
1846-'48, when, his health becoming impaired, 
he secured his brother, Jere Clark, to take 
charge of his business affairs, and started for 
California, hoping to improve his health. The 
party which he joined was made up in Clark 
County, Illinois, consisting of fifteen persons, 
with five wagons and two yoke of oxen to each 
wagon; and they left Darwin, that county, 
April 2, 1849, for the golden West. At St. 
Louis they purchased their provisions, and also 
at the United States Arsenal at that city car- 
bines and holster pistols for their five horses, fit- 
ting themselves out as dragoons, for defense in 
case of emergency. They journeyed up the Platte 
River and through the South Pass to the north 
of Salt Lake by what was called the Sublette 
cut-off, thence by the head-waters of Snake 
River to those of the Humboldt and down the 
latter to the Lassen cut-oflT, which led to the head- 
waters of Pit River, near tlie Oregon line. Thus 
far they had no serious trouble with the Indians; 
but here, after getting over the backbone of the 
mountains, the Indians one dark night stole or 
killed about lialf of their oxen. To this point 
tliey had hauled a good supply of side bacon, 



HISTOUY OF HACUAMENTO OOUJ^Tr. 



cotfee, Hour, etc., wliicli they could take no 
further in its entirety. Tliey tlieretbre took 
wliat they conveniently could and stacked up 
tlie rest by the side of the roail, putting a notice 
upon it for all persons to help themselves. The 
company had from the start a captain and a 
treasurer — offices lield by the subject of tliis 
sketch — and their general method was to stop 
each day early enough to give their cattle time 
to eat before dark. Tliey formed their wagons 
in a circle around their camp, and at dusk they 
brought their o.xen in and tied them to the out- 
side wheels of the wagons. One man would 
guard the cattle until midnight, another until 
morning, and then a third while they were feed- 
ing. Two men did all the cooking for one week, 
and two others the next, and so on. After their 
loss on Tit River they proceeded southward by 
the foot of Lassen's Peak, emerging from the 
mountains at Deer Creek near Teter Lassen's, 
in tiie Sacramento Yalley, October 13, 1849, 
after having been si.x months on the journey. 
After resting and feasting a few days on tender 
beef, etc., at $1 a meal, the company dissolved. 
Mr. Clark with one or two others went to 
Long's Bar, a short distance above where Oro- 
ville now is, on the Feather Kiver, where they 
stopped during the winter and spring of 1849- 
'50, following mining along the banks of the 
river. In the spring Mr. Clark went seventy- 
live or 100 miles up into the mountains, near 
tiie middle fork of Feather Kiver, and estab- 
lished a trading post and herding ranch in 
American Valley, where now is located Quincy, 
the county seat of Plumas County. In this en- 
terprise a partner from Missouri named Thomas 
Thing took what money Mr. Clark had and a 
horse, and went down the Sacramento to pur- 
chase supplies, — which was the last ever known 
of him or the horse. Mr. Clark had paid $200 
for the horse. He conducted the business alone, 
and in two or three months cleared about $1,000. 
lie was the first and only resident of that valley 
in 1850. Eeturning to Long's Bar on the 
Feather River, he entered mercantile business 
with one J. T. Elliott for that winter. The 



next spring he formed a copartnership with a 
cousin, Lewis Clark, from Beloit, Wisconsin, 
and established a store at Gray Eagle, on the 
middle fork of the American River, in El Do- 
rado County, and later at Battle Hill, near 
Georgetown, same county. They purchased 
considerable real estate in and near Sacramento, 
and in 1856 they closed business and returned 
East by the Isthmus of Panama to New York. 
A year- and a half afterward Mr. Clark came 
again to California, and has made his home here 
ever since. He has been twice married, first to 
Miss Marietta Parsons, in 1844, and again to 
Anna E. Gallou|i, a native of Rhode Island, and 
brought up in Leominster, Massachusetts. His 
elegant house was built six years ago on ground 
which he has occupied ever since 1856. Thirty 
years ago he set out with his own hands a mag- 
nificent vineyard here, mostly of Mission grapes, 
which is still in its prime. He is now seventy- 
eight years of age, and though his life has been 
a checkered one, he is as well preserved and 
active as most men who are twenty years 
younger. Since he came to California he has 
held many positions of trust, although never a 
politician. He has been adeputy United States 
Marshal and a member of the commission to 
secure lands for the building of the railroad 
shops. On his father's side liis genealogy can 
be traced six generations back, to one Edmund 
Clark, who came from London in 1035, in the 
ship Speedwell (mate of the Mayflower, Joe 
Chapell, master), and settled in Lynn, Massa- 
chusetts. 



§ON. JOHN W. ARMSTRONG, Judge of 
the Superior Court of Sacramento County, 
was born in 1834, in Fountain County, 
Indiana, and his parents moved to Missouii in 
1839. His schooling was obtained during the 
short sessions of a country school and from the 
careful training of good patents. Having in- 
herited a somewhat rheumatic tendency in his 
right leg, he soon perceived that a farmer's 



HISTOKY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



life, which was that of his father, could never 
serve hiiii as a calling, and accordingly, when 
twelve years of age, he bound himself as an 
apprentice to a blacksmith in the neighbor- 
hood, his father having died in the meantime 
without leaving much property. His master in 
the shop proved to be an unpleasant one and 
picked a quarrel with young Armstrong; and 
the latter was too independent and self-reliant 
to submit to such an ill-nature. On the follow- 
ing morning his mother gave him a lunch and 
he started afoot for St. Joseph, the nearest large 
town. Reaching there, he seated himself upon 
the railing of the public fountain, ate his lunch, 
washing down with a basin of water, and, hear- 
ing the ring of a blacksmith's anvil near by, 
sought out the slio]i and in an hour \\%A his apron 
on and was at work. Later he learned plow- 
making at another shop, was engaged at iron- 
ing wagons at a third place, and in the summer 
of 1851 was employe 1 at mill work at Colum- 
bus. He then determined to come to Cali- 
fornia, although he had but $10 money besides 
what he had packed upon liis back, and started 
afoot. Reaching the mouth of the Piatt River, 
he found a drove of some 500 head of cattle 
belo iging to Martin Pomery & Co., waiting to 
cross. Drivers being wanted, he was employed 
to drive loose cattle. Reaching the North Platte 
it was necessary to cross that river by making 
the cattle swim; but they would not enter. 
Young Armstrong then proposed that he should 
be given a yoke of oxen with which to swim 
the river first, when the rest of the cattle would 
follow. The plan was successful, young Ann- 
strong swimming the cold river no less tiian 
twenty-one times! That night he lay out on an 
island, and in the morning woke with a dis- 
abled right leg. He was therefore carried in a 
wagon or rode upon a mule until they came to 
Truckee, where most of the men, including Mr. 
Armstrong, were discharged, without provisions 
or means to buy any. Mr. Armstrong's leg had 
swollen to a great size, and to ease the continual 
pain he opened it witii iiis knife, wliile on the 
Mary's river (now the Humboldt), letting out a 



great volume of morbid matter. Desperate, he 
set out with two companions, John Scott and 
John Hannan, over what they understood was a 
short cut to Marysville. After two days' travel- 
ing, without meetingany one, he was so exhausted 
and the pain so unbearable that he threw him- 
self on the ground and begged the others to 
leave him! They manfnlly refused, declaring 
they would carry him first. Nerved by this, lie 
started again, and to their joy soon after they 
saw a flag appearing over the trees, and were 
soon at the. hotel at Rough and Ready camp, 
kept by John Magruder. He was generous 
and took care of the penniless wayfarer until he 
was able to go out. He first secured a job as 
dishwasher in a mine boarding house, but in a 
short time was promoted to be blacksmith, 
taking the place of a man who had gone off on 
a drunken spree. "With $40 earned there, he 
came by way of Marysville to Sacramento, ar- 
riving in the fall of 1852. After a time he 
obtained employment at his trade of plow- 
making, at a shop at the corner of Sixth and K 
streets; but the flood of that year drove him 
both out of work and out (^f the city. He then 
worked at his trade in San Francisco for a time. 
The disadvantages of his imperfect early educa- 
tion were very manifest to him, and, like Elihu 
Burritt, he had set himself to study while an ap- 
prentice boy by his forge, perfecting himself in 
English branches and gaining a fair amount of 
Latin. Having fortunately discovered his elder 
sister in San Francisco, who had preceded him 
to California in 1844, with the famous Murphy 
party, and was happily married, by her assist- 
ance he was enabled to go to Santa Clara and 
take a course of study at the University of the 
Pacific. The name of his sister appears in the 
first census ever taken of San Francisco, in 
1846. She was married first to a Mr. Mont- 
gomery in Missouri ai^d later to Senator Wallis, 
of Santa Clara. Her son, T. II. Wallis, is 
now State Librarian at Sacramento. Return- 
ing to San Francisco, Mr. Armstrong began the 
study of law, spending portions of his time in 
different ofiices, amonij otiiers those of F. A. 



uinTonr OF sacuamento county. 



Fabens and Oscar L. SJiafter, a former Judge of 
the Supreme Court. In 1855 be was admitted 
to practice before the Supreme Court of this 
State and for a time practiced with some success 
in San Francisco. He tlien followed his rofes- 
sion for over eleven years in Jackson, Amador 
Countj', with signal success, for a portion of the 
time with the late Senator Farley; and finally, 
in the fall of 1868. ho came to Sacramento 
where he has since resided, building up a good 
practice, establishing himself firmly in the 
esteem and confidence of the people. He was 
first appointed judge in 1883 by Governor 
Stoneman to fill an unexpired term, and in 
1886 he was appointed to fill the tame po- 
sition It is a coincideiice worthy of notice that 
he was first appointed by the first ofiicial act of 
Governor Sfoneman and the second time by his 
last official act. The Governor then remarked, 
" The first shall be last and the last shall be first." 
At the last election Judge Armstrong was chosen 
by the people for the same position. As a 
judge he is dispassionate and irreproachable. 
Politically he has always been a consistent 
Democrat; but to his present position he was 
practically elected by llepublican votes, as the 
county has a Republican majority of 1,500, 
thus showing his great popularity. He was, 
first married August 29, 1863, but during the 
succeeding year his wife died. September 29 
1866, he married Miss Annie E. Hinkson, a 
native of Missouri. They have no children. It 
should be further stated that Judge Armstrong 
served for twelve years as trustee of the State 
library, which institution he was chiefly instru- 
mental in building up. 



^-^ 



fEORGE WASHINGTON HACK is a na- 
tive of the State of New York, born April 
25, 1846, his parents being George and 
Mary (Jenkinson) Hack. His parents emi- 
grated from England immediately after their 
marriage in 1844, and were residents of New 
York State for about four years. In 1S49 they 



moved to Calhoun County, Michigan, where 
Mr. Hack bought eighty acres of land which he 
cultivated until 1852, when he came to Califor- 
nia, leaving his family behind until he should 
have tried his fortune here. He followed min- 
ing for t\T0 years, and then went to making 
shingles in the redwood country one year. In 
1855 he bought forty acres of fruit lard on the 
Sacramento below Freeport, and brought out 
his wife and three children. Four children were 
born to them in this county. The mother died 
in 18S2, aged sixty-two years; the father, born 
in 1818, is still living. George W. Hack re- 
ceived a rather limited education in the district 
school, as he began to assist upon the farm at an 
early age. He has plowed more or less from 
the age o^" eleven. At twenty-one he was 
placed by his father in charge of 160 acres 
bought in 1865, near .the Six-mile House on the 
Lower Stockton road, which he has since paid 
for and enlarged by other purchases to 515 
acres, to which he has given the name of Pleas- 
ant Farm, and on which he has erected a hand- 
soiYie two-story brick residence. He does a 
general farming business, in which wlieat is the 
chief ]iroduct. Mr. Hack was married in No- 
vember, 1869, to Miss Berdenia Frances Keys, 
a native of this county, daughter of William 
and Harriet (Beach) Keys, both families being 
American for several generations. Her father 
died in 1870, aged forty-nine; the mother, born 
in 1827, is still living. Grandfather Beach 
lived to the age of eighty-one, and grandmother 
Beach was about eighty when she died. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hack are the parents of one daughter, 
Clara E., born in 1870. She has received a dis- 
trict school education, and private lessons in 
music. Instead of a higher school education 
she prefers the quiet but effective tutelage of her 
parents in the calm seclusion of her happy 
home. Mr. Hack has more than supplied the 
deticiancy of his early education by private 
study and extensive reading, and is to-day a 
well educated man much above the average. 
He is a member of Sacramento Grange, No. 12, 
meeting in Grangers' Hall, Sacramento; also 



IIlSTORr OB' 8ACIIAMENT0 COUM'T. 



of Sacramento County Pomona Grange, No. 2, 
which meets in the same hall. In tlie former 
he has lield four otiiees ranging from the lowest 
to the liighest, having been master in 188G, and 
district lecturer in 1888; and has also been dis- 
trict lecturer of Pomona Grange. He is now a 
director of the Co-operative Business Associa- 
tion of Sacramento Valley, which has its head- 
quarters at Tenth and K streets, Sacramento, 
having been elected to that office in January, 
1889, for three years; and of the Farmers' Mu- 
tual Fire Association of Sacramento County, 
serving his second terra. The family are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which 
meets every Sabbath in the Pacific School build- 
ing, five miles south of Sacramento on the 
Lower Stockton road; and in its Sabbath- 
school Mr. and Mrs. Hack are zealous teachers. 



iRS. PRISCILLA POLLOCK, ranch- 
owner, in Cosumnes Township, was born 
in Pennsylvania, June 22, 1828, her 
parents being David and Mary '(McMillan) Mc- 
Kee — Scotch-Irish by birth or descent. Both 
grandmothers of Mrs. Pollock were quite old 
when they died. In 1833 the family moved to 
Illinois, and in 1885 to Iowa, where they settled 
on a farm near Montrose. In 1845 they moved 
to Council Blufls, where both parents are buried. 
The subject of this sketch was married at Coun- 
cil Bluffs, December 3, 1846, to James Pollock, 
born in Ireland about 1810, liis parents being 
Thomas and Rebecca (Simpson) Pollock. The 
father died in County Tyrone, Ireland, and the 
mother, in Stark County, Illinois, in 1841. 
James Pollock has been twice married and had 
one surviving child by each wife. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pollock remained one winter in Council 
Bluffs, and in 1847 set out for California, but 
spent some months in Salt Lake City, where 
tiieir first child, John, was born, December 4 
1847. When the babe was two montiis old 
they resumed their journey and spent the win- 
ter of 1848-'49 at what is now Placerville. In 



1849 they went to Mormon Island, where Mr. 
Pollock was engaged with others in digging the 
race or new channel for the American Eiver. 
The winter of 1849-'50 was spent at the new 
diggings in Amador County. He had by this 
time accumulated $16,000 iu gold dust, which 
he loaned to Mayor Bigelow with Barton Lee 
as security. By the untimely death of the for- 
mer and the failure of the latter, Mr. Pollock 
lost his money. He tried mining again on 
Mormon Island without success, and in 1851 
went to farming on a portion of the Sheldon 
grant, where he remained about four years. In 
1855 he bought the ranch, 200 acres of which 
are still owned by Mrs. Pollock, on the Ply- 
mouth road, twenty-three miles from Sacra- 
mento, extending back to the Cosumnes. In 
1858 he built near the river a two-story stone 
residence of nine rooms, and a large barn with 
stone basement, used at present by the renter 
of the ranch. There are about ten acres of 
orchard, and the rest is devoted to grain and 
alfalfa. The family resides in a modern two- 
story frame house of nine rooms, built by Mrs. 
Pollock in 1886, and surrounded by a nice 
flower, fruit and vegetable garden. Mr. Pol- 
lock died February 28, 1875, leaving five chil- 
dren by this marriage; and their mother, whose 
oldest child, John, had died January 13, 1868. 
The surviving children, all born in this State, 
are: Mary Jane, born March 14, 1849, now 
Mrs. Philip Waggoner, of this township, has 
two children, Elizabeth, born June 25, 1879, 
and Philip, born December 20, 1883; Robert, 
born May 13, 1851, was married to Miss Alice 
Goodwin, a native of Oregon, and has one child 
living, Frank, born December 25, 1878, now 
living with his grandmother; Rebecca M., bOrn 
February 10, 1854, now Mrs. William Frank 
McFadden, of Sacramento, has one child, Mabel, 
born April 14, 1877; William Henry, born 
February 20, 1856, died unmarried January 26, 
1884; Priscilla Ann, born July 13, 1862, lives 
at home, a very special help and comfort to her 
mother in her declining years; Ilughjene, born 
January 16, 1866, also makes his home with 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



Lis mother, varied with occasional employment 
elsevvliere. One child, Samuel, born January 
30, 1861, died in his infancy, February 15, 1861. 

f LIVER SANDERS was born in Wood- 
stock, Connecticut, December 25, 1825, 
his parents being Oliver and Nancy 
(Paine) Sanders. His grandfather Sanders was 
also named Oliver, and a native of Rhode 
Island, where his father also was born, in Glou- 
cester. His maternal great-grandfather fought 
in the Eevolutionary war, and his grandfather, 
Amos, was known as Major Paine. He died 
about 1842, aged eighty-two. His father was 
a farmer inConnecticut, and the subject of this 
sketch lived on it, with occasioi.al absences on 
coasting voyages, until 1849. He received a 
common-school education, supplemented by a 
course in the local academy. February 17, 
1849, he iel't New York city for California, by 
way of Cape Horn, in the ship Henry Lee, of 
the Hartford Union Mining and Trading Com- 
pany, and arrived in San Francisco on Septem- 
ber 17, being seven months, less four days, at 
sea. He mined only one month, when, being in 
what is now Sacramento, on an errand, he was 
offered by Charles Howlett, a comrade of the 
late voyage, $300 a month to join him in the 
butchering business for Robinson, Van Cott & 
King. Robinson aftei ward died Supreme Judge, 
at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. The flood of 
that winter closed the deal, and he then joined 
two others, one being John Gilbert, another 
comrade of the voyage, all three engHging in 
the business of draying, with two or three 
teams, according to the pressure of business. 
They hauled more lumber and other building 
material than any concern in that line. He 
went through the cholera of 1850 in safety, but 
not being very well he was advised to go to the 
Napa Valley Mountains for the benefit of his 
health. He went, accompanied by seven others, 
of whom one, George Davis, died of cholera, 
and brought back a lot of venison for Thanks- 



giving, November 29, 1850, besides a slaugh- 
tered bear, for which they received $375, and 
$8 apiece for the four quarters of the skin, 
which were bought at that price, merely to or- 
nament the harnesses of some opulent draymen. 
Once they brought in a load of nineteen deer, 
most of which was thrown into the Jack River, 
there being no sale on account ot cholera, the 
city being deserted. Money was so flush that 
on July 4 of that year he and one of his part- 
ners were paid $50 for the forenoon's work in 
unloading and hauling for Webster & Co. It 
was said that the cashier of that firm was paid 
$1,200 a month for his services. Mr. Sanders 
and his brother were paid $100 for playing 
their violins for one night for a dancing party 
at "Buckner's." In 1851 Mr. Sanders sold 
out his interest in the teaming business, and 
came out to the Cosumnes, expecting to go into 
partnership with Reynolds, a rancher, in the 
hay-cutting business. That arrangement having 
fallen through, he went to work for $150 per 
month wages, and received a possessory title to 
160 acres for his pay. The title was contested 
and he sold out to the owner of the land-grant 
title, Emanuel Pratt, being promised $1,000, 
but actually receiving only $600. In 1853 he 
went to butchering at Michigan Bar, where he 
remained until 1857. He was a member of the 
police force of Sacramento for about two years. 
He had bought a squatter's possessory right to 
160 acres in the Hartnell grant, and in 1858 he 
bought of Hartnell's agent, for $1,000, one-half 
mile by four miles (more or less) frontage on 
the Cosumnes, and four miles deep, covering 
the 160 acres already bought. His father having 
died in May, 1858, he went East in April, 1859, 
and returned by way of the Isthmus, leaving 
New York about February 5, 1860, and arriving 
in Sacramento in March, 1860. Mr. Sanders 
was married in December, 1862, to Miss Emma 
Sauze, a native of London, her father being 
French and her mother English. They had 
emigrated to Salt Lake City in 1854, Mrs. San- 
ders being then only seven years of age. Find- 
ing themselves deceived, the father stole away. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



279 



and the mother and children fuUowed in 1855, 
under the protection of Colonel Steptoe, of the 
United States army. Mr. Sanders farmed on 
his place until about 1882, when he sold 1,310 
acres at $30 per acre, and purchased an adjoin- 
ing ranch of over 2,000 acres, which he still 
holds. In 1878 he bought, near the wire bridge, 
a small tract of five acres, on which were a 
number of buildings, where he lives, working 
Ins ranch, at some inconvenience, from there. 
He lived in Sacramento from November, 1878, 
to March, 1880, in order to give his children a 
better schooling. He has been constable for 
twenty-five years, with brief interruptions. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sanders are the parents of six 
living children: Amos Anthony, born in Octo- 
ber, 1863; Tlieodore Nelson, in April, 1865; 
Edward Stebbins, in March, 1871; Harry Bras- 
tow, in May, 1873; Oliver, in February, 1876; 
and William, in April, 1879. 



-. Ml .g.. ■-. 

tEVI PAINTER was born in Lawrence 
County, Indiana, January 14, 1833, his 
parents being Aaron and Rebecca (Hick- 
son) Painter, natives of Tennessee, and there 
married. They first moved into Indiana, and 
after several years' residence moved to Mis- 
souri, where the father became owner of 160 
acres. Both parents were brought to this coast 
in 1873 by their son. The father died in 1876, 
aged seventy four, and the mother survived him 
five years, dying at the home of her daugliter 
in Indiana, in 1881, aged seventy. Grand- 
mother Painter was eighty when she died. Levi 
Painter came to California in 1853, leaving St. 
Joseph, Missouri, April 18, and arriving at 
Placerville, August 23, a member of a small 
party of twenty men, two women and two chil- 
dren. Of the outfit he owned two horses. He 
mined during the winter of 1853-'54:, and came 
down to the Sacramento Eiver April 14, 1854, 
going to work for §50 a month and board on 
the ranch he now owns. Five months later he 
went across the river and chopped wood for four 



months, making $75 a month. In 1855 he re- 
turned to ranch work on Sutter Island, and in 
December of that year he settled on his ranch 
of 123 acres, bought a few months before, at 
what has since become known from his name as 
Paintersville, about twenty-two miles below 
Sacramento, on the river. For ten years he. 
raised but little of anything except vegetables, 
but since 1865 he has given attention to fruit- 
growing, gradually increasing in that direction 
until he now has about thirty acres in orchard 
and ten in vineyard. He has not, however, 
entirely relinquished the raising of vegetables, 
and has varied his interests in other directions. 
About 1877 he built a large two-story building 
which was first used as a boarding-house for the 
employes of the salmon-canning establishment 
then in operation at tliat point, and afterwards 
as a dance hall for some years. This he has re- 
cently removed and raised on a brick founda- 
tion, at the lower end of the village, near his 
warehouse, refitting it for his own residence. 
In 1879 he divided three and three-quarter 
acres into building lots, on which the hamlet of 
Paintersville has since arisen. About 1880 he 
began to breed horses and mules, and is still 
actively engaged in that line. In earlier years 
he gave some attention to cattle and hogs, but 
in the flood of 1862 he lost some 200 head of 
these, of which about eighty were ready for the 
market, and he has never since taken any in- 
terest in hogs. Cattle-raising he has also dis- 
continued, keeping only one cow for family 
use. Levi Painter was married in 1860, near 
Roseville, in this county, to Miss Mary McDer- 
mott. She died in June, 1867, leaving three 
children: Louisa, born May 2, 1861, now Mrs. 
Victor Falkenberg, of San Francisco; Mary 
Jane, born August 2, 1862, died of pneumonia, 
aged seventeen; William, born August 29, 
1865, is employed on the steamer Modoc, in the 
engineer's department. Mr. Painter was again 
married on Tlianksgiving day, November 24, 
1887, in Sacramento, to Maggie Van Auken, 
born in Parma, Monroe County, New York, 
March 18, 1833, daughter of Louis and Jane 



uisroBT OF sacrjLmento county. 



(Westfall) Yan ATiken, both now deceased, tlie 
mother in 1870, aged eighty-one, and the father 
in 1880, aged ninety-three, living together in 
married life sixty-five years, lacking two weeks. 
The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and 
the mother of New York. Of their children 
six sons and one daughter, besides Mrs. Painter, 
are still living: Anthony G., James M., Elmer 
and Edwin B., all four farmers in Shiawassee 
Connty, Michigan; Edmund B., twin brother cf 
Edwin B., is living at Salmon City, Idaho; and 
Andrew Jackson, now in the employ of his 
brother-in-law, Mr. Painter. Jane, the only 
livi-^g sister of Mrs. Painter, is the wife of 
George W. Gale, a farmer residing near Ypsi- 
lanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan. 



f^LFPtED SPOOJNER, rancher of Cosumnes 
1^ Township, was born in Adrian, Michigan, 
=• September 23, 1837, his parents being 
Jonathan Warner and Elizabeth (Knapp) 
Spooner. The father, a native of Yermont, of 
the well-known and widespread New Etigland 
family of that name, died July 7, 1877, aged 
seventy-two, near Mendon, Michigan, where the 
mother, born in Wayne Connty, New York, in 
1816, is still living. Grandfather Abram Knapp 
was seventy-live at his death in 1863, in Lena- 
wee County, Michigan. Grandfather Alfred 
Sp(oner died about 1834, aged fifty-fonr. He 
was the son of Eliakim, the son of Daniel, the 
son of Samuel, the son of William, the English 
emigrant to Plymouth Colony in 1637. Elia- 
kim, the great-grandson of William and great- 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was in 
the military service of the colonies in 1757, and 
in 1780 settled in what is now Yermont, was a 
member of the Legislature, and was widely 
known as " a man of marked mind and charac- 
ter." " Warner " Spooner, a tanner by trade, 
moved to Michigan in 1S34, and built the first 
frame house in Adrian. In 1835 he was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Abram and 
Elizabeth Knapp, botii natives of New York. 



Mr. and Mrs. Warner Spooner became the par- 
ents of nine children, of whom eight are living 
in 18S9, all residing in the East, mostly in 
Michigan, except the subject of tliis sketch, who 
is the oldest. The father carried on a tannery 
in Adrian about six years, when he exchanged 
it for land in De Kalb Co-unty, Indiana, where 
the family resided four years. Selling out in 
Indiana, he bought 100 acres near Hillsdale, 
Michigan, and lived there seven years. Finally, 
in December, 1853, the family settled near 
Mendon, Michigan. Alfred Spooner received 
the usual district school education supplemented 
by one or two terms at a local academy; worked 
on his father's farms, and being handy with 
tools picked up the trade of carpenter. He 
came to California by the Isthmus route, arriv- 
ing in San Francisco October 16, 1859. He 
first worked on a dairy farm on Dry Ci'eek, in 
Sacramento County, nearly one year; then tried 
raining about two years, sinking all he had made 
in the American Falls Mining Company, the 
great flood leaving him worse off than when he 
arrived on the coast. He then turned to the 
business of teaching, being trained at the Nor- 
mal school in San Francisco, where he received 
a certificate of qualification. He first taught 
near Roseville, in Placer County, and then in 
this county, his career as teacher covering about 
twenty-six years, mostly in Sacramento County. 
In 1869 Mr. Spooner was married to Miss Addie 
E. Lamb, born in Chicago, a daughter of Larkin 
and Arabella (Ellis) Lamb, who had come to 
California in 1851. She died in February, 1879, 
leaving one surviving child, Alfred Lawton, 
born June 10, 1878. They had lost three chil- 
dren by diphtheria, in January, 1878, which was 
too severe a shock to her nervous system and 
occasioned her premature death. Mr. Spooner 
was married September 3, 1888, at Malta Bend, 
Missouri, to Mrs. Sally Kesler, a native of High- 
land County, Ohio, the widow of Benjamin F. 
Kesler, with three children, of whom two are 
now members of the Spooner family: Lulu 
Blanche, aged thirteen, and Ina May, aged five 
years. Claytonia, the oldest child of Mrs. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Spooner, is tbe wife of John Miller, residing 
near Wichita, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Spooner 
have one child, a son, born October 4, 1888. 
Mr. Spooner has been a justice of the peace in 
Cosuinnes Township for fifteen years, and was 
one of the parties to the remarkable contest for 
that office in 1888-'89, when at the general and 
special elections liis opponent and he received 
an equal number of votes and finally withdrew 
their names by mutual agreement. lie has now 
settled down to work on his 350-acre ranch 
about two miles south of Michigan Bar, where 
he has had for some years a small orchard and 
vineyard, both of which he intends to enlarge 
considerably. He also raises grain, hay and 
stock. His land borders on Arkansas Creek, and 
the higher portion is accessible to the waters cf 
the new irrigating ditch. 



fOHN SHIELDS, an orchardist, etc., of 
Brighton Township, was born in Ireland 
April 26, 1835, the son of Patrick and 
Mary Shields. In 1843 the family came to the 
United States and settled in Kendall County, 
Illinois, where the father, a farmer by occupa- 
tion, died, in Novembei*, 1856, aged sixty-live 
years; and Mrs. Siiields survived him several 
years. They had a well-improved farm thereof 
210 acres, stocked with 100 head of cattle, etc. 
Tliey liad three children: Frederick, John and 
Dennis; Frederick and Dennis reside in Min- 
nesota. John was at home with his piarefits 
until he was twenty-one years of age, engaged 
exclusively in farming; and then came to Cali- 
fornia, by way of JS'ew York and Panama, leav- 
ing home May 4, 1886, and landing in San 
Francisco June 14. First he ran a threshing- 
machine three months for the owner, from San 
Pablo through all the valley to San Lorenzo. 
In this business he saved up a little money. 
Then he mined on Farmer's Diggings and else- 
where along the American River, for $3 a day, 
for eight or ten montiis, and then bought tlie 
squatter's title to the rancli wliere he now lives 



This at first contained 824 acres, covered with 
brush and timber. The first year he put in 
fifteen acres, and all the improvements there 
are now on the premises he has made himself. 
About 1879 he purchased 100 acres additional, 
making a total of 424 acres; 100 acres or more 
are in orchard, consisting of peaclies, pears, 
plums, French prunes, and a general variety of 
tine shipping fruits. The first trees were set 
out about nine years ago, and the youngest 
about three years ago. There are twenty acres 
in vines, one-half of which are five years old, 
and the rest three. Last year tliere were about 
twenty-four tons of grapes on three acres. The 
soil is a black and sandy loam, very productive. 
This place is on the old Coloma road, thirteen 
miles from Sacramento, bordering the American 
River, which bounds the ranch on the north. 
November 18, 1859, Mr. Shields was married 
to Mrs. Elizabeth [nee Bow) Lynch. She is a 
native of Ireland and came to California in 
1855. They have five daughters and two sons: 
Mary, wife of Charles Deterding; Lizzie A., 
wife of M. C. Pike; Alice, Hannah, Emily, 
Peter J. and Robert E. Hannah is an accom- 
plished musician, making music, both instru- 
mental and vocal, a profession. Peter J. is an 
attorney at law in Sacramento. 

fORNELlUS KELLOGG, dealer in stoves, 
tin and hardware, Nos. 819 and 821 J 
street, was born in East Hartford, Connec- 
ticut, December 14, 1840; attended the public 
schools of his native town and Hartford until 
eleven years old, when he entered Colt's Pistol 
Factory as an apprentice, where he remained 
about four years. Determining to go to sea, he 
went to New York, where he shipped for Ant- 
werp, Belgium, thence to New Orleans, and 
returning to New York, '.he trip occupying 
about a year. In 1857 he determined to seek 
his fortune in California. Taking steamer from 
New York, by way of tlie Isthmus, he arrived 
at San Francisco in due time and came to Sac- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ramento, where his brother Leonard was already 
established in business, and entered his employ. 
On the breaking out of the war in 1861 he 
enlisted in Company E, First Infantry Califor- 
nia Volunteers, for a period of three years, ex- 
pecting to be sent to the front, instead of which, 
however, the regiment was ordered to Arizona 
and New Mexico to look after the Indians. He 
held the rank of first sergeant in his company. 
At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he 
was discharged, with his regiment at Los Pinos, 
New Mexico, in August, 1864. Returning to 
Hartford, Connecticut, he 'entered the employ 
of the hardware firm of Terry & Cone, where he 
remained until 1868, when he was again seized 
with the California fever. Coming direct to 
Sacramento, he associated himself with his 
brother Leonard in the stove and liardware busi- 
ness. During his residence in Hartford he took 
an active interest in the local militia, and hav- 
ing lost none of his military zeal, lie immedi- 
ately, on becoming settled in Sacramento, 
identified himself with the National Guard of 
California by becoming a member of the Sars- 
field Guards, then attached to the Fourth Infan- 
try Regiment. In 1872 he was elected Colonel 
of the Regiment, which position he held for 
four years. Mr. Kellogg has been a prominent 
member of tlie Grand Army of the Republic 
since 1866, having joined Lyons Post, No. 2, at 
Hartford, Connecticut, in that year. Soon after 
his arrival in Sacramento he was transferred 
from Lyons Post of Hartford and connected 
himself with Sumner Post, No. 3, Sacramento, 
of which organization he is still a member. He 
has filled all important offices in the Post, 
including that of Commander. He also held 
various appointments on the staff of the Depart- 
ment Commander of California and the Com- 
mander-in-Chief. He is also an enthusiastic 
member of the Masonic order, having taken all 
the degrees and held the position of presiding 
officer in all the various branches. He also 
belongs to the A. O. LT. W. and the K. of H. 
In 1869 Mr. Kellogg married Miss Alice Vor- 
rey, of Hartford, Connecticut. They have three 



children. The two sons are both prominent in 
the order of the Sons of Veterans. In politics 
he is a Republican, and although declining all 
public honors, lias always taken a lively interest 
in local affairs as well as national. Since the 
death of his brother Leonard, which occurred in 
1884, Cornelius has conducted the business, and 
has the reputation of being a shrewd, careful 
business man. He has met with marked suc- 
cess, whicli has placed liim in easy circumstan- 



tICHARD T. SCOTT, a prominent rancher 
of Alabama Township, was born in Cum- 
berland County, Kentucky, September 5, 
1837. He came to California with a jolly party 
of seventy-five, across the plains with ox teams, 
and had some trouble with the Indians. At 
Salt Lake City the party divided, one section of 
which were all afterward killed b^' the Indians, 
including some of Mr. Scott's relatives. At 
times they were certain that they would never 
reach California, so discouraged did they be- 
come on account of misfortunes; they were 
seven months on the route. Arriving in the 
long-looked-for land of gold, Mr. Scott imme- 
diately began work by the month for John Mc- 
Gee; indeed, he and his wife conducted the 
entire place for Mr. McGee for eighteen months. 
For the next fourteen months Mr. Scott fol- 
lowed teaming in Stockton, at $75 a month; 
then he purchased a team and began work for 
himself, following the business of hauling over 
the Sierra Nevada Mountains for ten years. He 
sold his outfit in 1867, and the next year bought 
a ranch in San Joaquin County, five miles from 
Stockton, and followed farming there until 
1880, when he bought liis present ranch of 480 
acres, which is devoted principally to wheat and 
barley. It is seven miles from Gait, on the 
road to lone. Mr. Scott chose for his wife 
Susan Ferguson, who was born in Bradley, 
Alabama, January 25, 1838. Eleven of their 
thirteen children are living. They have had 



BISTORT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



thirteen cliildreTi, as follows: Malinda S., Sarah 
A. (died in 1860), Henry D., Kichard T. (died 
in 1865), Seth A., William P., Joe H., Samuel 
F., Charles L., George W., Martha E., Sarah A. 
and John W. 



i.^:WvAZZlNI BROTHERS, proprietors of the 
' /\/ y I'.acchus Winery, are among the rising 
''—~~- tirnis of Sacramento, and the tirm is 
A. and S. Mazzini. They commenced busi- 
ness on a small scale April 25, 1881, and on the 
15th of August, 1887, removed to their present 
location, where they have frontage on Third 
street and also on K street. Here no expense 
has been spared in fully equipping for the wine 
business, and a trip through the establishment 
discloses everything in the best of order. The 
cellars are splendidly adapted for the purposes 
for which they are designed, and afford a cool, 
dry place for the storage of wines. They have 
twelve large fermenting tanks, and storage 
cooptrage for 35,000 gallons. They buy the 
best grapes to be obtained, and use the most 
care in the manufacture of their wines.- Among 
those turned out by them may be mentioned 
Port, Angelica, white wines and Clarets. They 
make a practice of storing wints of each year, 
and now iiave wines from 1884 up. The office 
of the winery is at the Third street entrance, but 
the public entrance to their retail department, 
where they keep all kinds of wines, liquors, 
cigars, etc., is at No. 228 K street. A. Maz- 
zini, senior member of the Mazzini Brothers, 
and the active head of the business, is a native 
of Italy, born in the Province of Massa-Carrara, 
August 10, 1819, his parents being Louis and 
Adelaide (Reali) Mazzini. He was educated at 
his native place, and for five years attended the 
College of Pontremoli, where lie took the regu- 
lar course in Latin, belles-lettres, philosophy 
and higher mathematics. He then went to 
live with an uncle, and for four years cared for 
the latter's property and managed his business, 
attending to the cultivation of the vines, making 



and selling of wines, etc. He then received the 
appointment to the clerkship of the construc- 
tion of the railroad from Spezia to Genoa, and 
was so engaged for six months. He then re- 
turned home, and in 1876 came to the United 
States, landing at New York on the 6th of 
March, and reaching San Francisco on the 21st. 
On the 1st of May he came to the Embarcadero, 
and on the 17th of October returned to San 
Francisco. From there he went to Newcastle, 
and worked in the Julian mines seven days; 
and thence he went up into Shasta County, and 
worked eighteen months in placer mining. 
Fortune did not follow him during all this 
time, and at the end of five years he did not 
have $500 in his pocket. He was not familiar 
with the English language, and had to work 
against great odds. Returning to Sacramento, 
May 4, 1880, he worked six months for wages, 
and then bought out his employer; and from 
that start he has attained his present situation. 
His business has already outgrown his cellar 
room, and next year he will open a larger estab- 
lishment. He now nuderstands not only his 
native tongue, but also Latin, French, Spanish 
and English. He was the founder of the Com- 
pagnia Bersaglieri Italiani, No. 3, and was its 
first president. 



fM. OVERMEYER, of Alabama Township, 
W!is born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 
" 1834. Arriving in California in 1854 he 
lost no time in earning for himself a permanent 
home. For the first four years he labored on a 
farm for monthly wages, and by the accumula- 
tions he thus made he was able to buy some 
cattle and afterward other property. Three 
years subsequently he sold his stock and pur- 
chased a team of liorses and followed teaming 
four years over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 
He then married and went to " ranching" again 
for himself, in El Dorado County. Two years 
afterward he came into Sacramento County, and 
two vears after that again he went to Watson- 



BISTORT OF SAOMAMBNTO COUNTY. 



ville, where he remained five years. Returning 
to this county, he purchased an interest in tlie 
Dc los Moquelemos grant, where he remained 
about five years, and finally bouglit tlie place 
where he is now living, 7^ miles from Gait, 
on the Gait and lone road. It contains 360 
acres, and his principal products are grain and 
hay. Mr. Overmejfcr's wife was formerly Sarah 
Martha Donglas. She was born in Missouri, 
and died at their residence April 16, 1889. She 
was a noble and kind-hearted woman. Mr. 
Overineyer's father was born in Pennsylvania 
in 1806, and died in 1874, in Santa Cruz 
County, California. Mr. J. M. Ovenneyer has 
six children: George E., Frank E., Emma A., 
Edgar L., Cora E. and Timothy G. 



tON. IRA G. HOITT. In the history of a 
State or nation there can be no more im- 
portant subject than that of education, as 
real progress is always dependent on the de- 
velopment of that all-powerful agent, so that no 
apology is necessary for the introduction here 
of a brief sketch of the present principal guard- 
ian of the educational interests of California, 
more especially as he has taken a peculiarly 
active part in their advancement. Ira G. Hoitt, 
Superintendent of Public Instruction for the 
State of California, became associated with the 
public schools of this commonwealth over a 
quarter of a century ago. He is a native of 
Stafford County, New Hampshire, born in the 
town of Lee, July 23, 1833, his parents being 
Gorham W. and Abigail P. (Locke) Hoitt, who 
were also natives of New Hampshire, while his 
father, a farmer by vocation, served his county 
as sheriff and also represented her in both 
branches of the General Assembly of the State. 
The snbject of this sketch was prepared for 
college at Phillips Academy, Exeter, after which 
he entered Dartmouth College, and was gradu- 
ated at that celebrated seat of learning in the 
class of 1860. He made his own way through 
college, dividing his labors (while providing the 



funds) between farming and school-teaching. 
After completing his education he took charge 
of the high school at Holliston, Massachnsetts, 
as principal, and after completing his engage 
ment there, assumed a similar position in the 
high school at Stoneham. He was next em- 
ployed in a similar capacity at Marlboro, and 
succeeding this was chosen associate teacher of 
the Boys' High School at Boston. He resigned 
the latter position in 1864, for the purpose of 
removing to California. He left Boston on the 
steamer Ariel, for Panama, and crossing the 
Isthmus resumed his journey on the steamer 
Golden City, from which he landed at San Fran- 
cisco at midnight of the 18th of May of that 
year. He became vice-principal of the Denman 
Grammar School, and a short time thereafter 
principal of the Rincon Grammar School. In 
1865, when the building of the Lincoln School 
was completed, he was elected principal. In 
1867 he was nominated by the Republican Con- 
vention for the ofKce of City Superintendent of 
Schools, but, with his ticket, was defeated. 
Soon after that time he retired from his educa- 
tional labors, and thereafter, until 1881, was 
engaged 'in the vocation of life insurance, 
stock brokerage and real estate. In 1880 lie 
was elected to the General Assembly of Cali- 
fornia, serving during 1881 and 1882, and hold- 
ing the chairmanship of the Committee on 
Education, and membership, respectively, in 
those on Ways and Means and on Public Mor- 
als. He next assumed the business manage- 
ment of Bancroft's "Commerce and Industries 
of the Pacific Coast," which he made highly 
successful. He published the Knights Templar 
edition of the Pacific Coast Guide, as well as 
the edition devoted to the National G. A. R. 
encampment. In 1883 he became organizer 
and manager of Palmer & Rey's Advertising 
Bureau and Newspaper Union. In 1884 he 
was elected as a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation of San Francisco, and in 1885 and 1886 
was unanimously elected by the members presi- 
dent of the board. In 1886 he was nominated 
by the State Convention of the Republican party 



niSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



for his present position, and elected after a sharp 
contest. The position was well merited, as Mr. 
Hoitt had devoted great energy toward the 
building up of the educational sentiment of the 
State, and as a member of the General Assem- 
bly had been particularly ardent in the cause 
AVhile in the house he pushed to passage the 
bill for the establishment of a Normal School 
at Los Angeles, and identified himself thor- 
oughly with any good pertaining to the cause. 
Since assuming the duties of his present office 
lie has fathered the introduction of most of the 
te.\t-books now in use in the State schools, and 
their high character (and even the fact that 
some of them are now in existence at all) is due 
in no small degree to the interest displayed by 
Mr. Iloitt, and to his personal labors. Mr. 
Hoitt is a man of determined character, enthu- 
siastic in his profession, never tiring of its 
work, and this influence of his labors has been 
felt throughout the length and breadth of the 
State, wherever there is a school-house. He 
has found a ready helper in his wife, whose life 
has also been devoted to the cause of education, 
and who is at the present time his most efficient 
deputy. The Professor emphasizes the fact 
that much of his success in life is due to his 
wife's competent effort. Her maiden name was 
Julia B. Burrell. Her fatiier. Captain B. H. 
Burrell, came to California in 1849, but being 
taken sick, he started to return home, died on 
ship board, and was buried in San Diego. Mr. 
Hoitt, a cultured man himself, believes in the 
inculcation into the minds of children of habits 
of courtesy which will cling to them through 
life, and his example is no small factor in im- 
pressing such habits on those with whom he 
comes in contact. In the preparations for the 
reception of the visiting teachers of the National 
Educational Association, as well as in the actual 
business of the convention of 1888, he took a 
most prominent part, having been president of 
the local executive committee for California, and 
untiring in the management of that affair, so 
successful and so creditable to the State. No 
superintendent has l)een so active in educational 



matters and institute work. Prof, and Mrs. 
Hoitt have two children, one son and daughter: 
Ralph H., seventeen years of age, just graduated 
from the Sacramento High School; and the 
daughter, Gladys, who is twelve years old, and 
in the Sacramento Grammar School. 



tj. RHOxVDS. Among the long resident 
citizens of Sacramento who still take an 
'^ active interest in her affairs, is the one 
with whose name this sketch is commenced. 
A. J. Rhoads is a native of Philadelphia, born 
in August, 1830, his parents being Andrew D. 
and Rebecca (Denby) Rhoads. His mother 
was a native of North Carolina. His father 
was born iu Maryland, and came of an old 
family of that State. He removed to Philadel- 
phia, where he followed the profession of an 
architect, and during the years before the con- 
solidation of the city was one of the commis- 
sioners of Spring Garden, and later a member 
of the Select Council of the city. He resided 
in Philadelphia until his death. The subject of 
this sketch spent his boyhood days in his native 
city, and in her public schools received his edu- 
cation. In 1850 he came to California, leaving 
New York September 11, on the steamer Geor- 
gia, and after crossing the Isthmus of Panama, 
resumed his sea voyage in the steamer Repub- 
lic (Captain Hudson), landing at San Francisco 
in November. He came at once to Sacramento, 
and was soon on his way to the mines. He 
went to the diggings at Red Dog, Nevada 
County, but after mining a short time returned 
to Sacramento, and engaged in the draying 
business. He was so employed about ten j'ears, 
and at the expiration of that time opened the 
old Sacramento Theater on Third street, and 
ran it about one year, and in the occupation of 
hotel and exchange keeper. He is now retired 
from active business pursuits, though yet re- 
taining a lively interest in public affairs. Mr. 
Rhoads holds a prominent position in the coun- 
cils of the Republican party, and has been 



Illi>r01iy OF H-iACJiAyENTO COUNTY. 



constiuitly a working member in the party or- 
ganization, serving in the city, county and State 
committees, etc., and having great inflnenee in 
the direction of affairs. In the days of the old 
volunteer lire department, when the leading 
business and professional men "ran with the 
machine," Mr. Rhoads has acted in the ranks 
and served as foreman for a nnmber of years cf 
Oontidence Engine, No. 1. He is now a mem- 
ber of the E.xempt Firemen. In 1871-'72 he 
was Sergeant-at-arms of the House of Repre- 
sentatives, General Assembly of California. Mr 
Rhoads was married in Sacramento to Miss Til- 
lie Tuill, a native of Portland, Maine. They 
have one son living of their children, viz , Frank- 
lin M. Mr. Rhoads is an enterprising man, and 
has figured in Sacramento history' since the early 
days. He has been an eye-witness to the growth 
of Sacramento to its present position as a city, 
and the complete transformation it has under- 
gone from the days when "Gold was King." 

?UDGE SAMUEL C. DEXSOX. Tlic sub- 
ject of tliis sketch, although still in the 
prime of life, has been so prominently 
identified with the social, material and profes- 
sional interests of Sacramento County — so well 
known, not only for pre-eminent legal acumen 
as a jurist and a member of one of the inost 
widely-known legal lirms on the Pacific Coast, 
but also for the close, never- failing personal inter- 
est which he has ever manifested in all measures 
having for their object the advancement of the 
community in which he has had his home for 
more than twenty years — that a brief page 
from his life's history cannot but be interestincr 
to his many friends and acquaintances, as well 
as to the student of history who in after years 
shall by this means be enabled to " point a 
moral and adorn a tale." In both the mental 
and physical characteristics of Judge Denson 
one can trace the rich warm blood of Southern 
"chivalry" which flows through his veins, tem- 
pered and broadened, it is true, by the '-vini" 



and energy of the early "pioneer," who held 
the plow and sowed the seed, and made fruitful 
the broad prairie lands of Illinois. .ludge 
Denson's father was a farmer, a native and 
scion of one of the old families of X'orth Caro- 
lina, who emigrated to southern Illinois in the 
early days, was there married to a Miss Craw- 
ford — a Virginian. They settled in Adams 
County, near Quincy, and there the subject of 
this sketch was born on the 23d of September, 
1839. He was educated at the well-known 
Abingdon College, and at an early age deter- 
mined to enter the legal profession, but, like 
many another ambitious youtli, his close appli- 
cation to study impaired his health to such an 
extent that it was deemed necessary, for a time 
at least, that he should seek " other fields and 
pastures new." He joined an emigrant party 
then just being nnide up to cross the plains with 
teams to the new " El Dorado," hoping in this 
waj' not only to find the " promised land," but 
also the golden boon of health, without which 
all else is naught. Upon his arrival in Butte 
County, and after a brief experience in the 
mines, he engaged in teaching school and re- 
sumed his legaf studies in the oflice of Judge 
Thomas Wells at Oroville. Three years later, 
in March, 1864, he went to Carson City, Ne- 
vada, where he commenced the practice of law, 
having been admitted to tiiebar of the Supreme 
Court of Nevada soon after his arrival in that 
Territory. In November of that year he took 
his seat in the Assembly of the first State Legis- 
lature of Nevada, serving as chairman on the 
judiciary committee of that body. Two years 
later, November, 1860, he was elected district 
attorney of Ormsby County, and was re-elected 
to that office upon the expiration of the term; 
but, feeling the importance of a wider field of 
usefulness, he soon afterward resigned the 
office, removed to the capital city, and entered 
into a law partnership with Judge H. C). Eeatty, 
a native of Kentucky, wiiose daughter Mary M. 
became his wife. In 1875 Mr. Denson was ad- 
mitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the 
United States, and on Januarv 1. 1876, he took 



IIIHTOHY OF SAOHAMUNTO COUNTY. 



liis seat as Judge of the Sixth Judicial District 
of California, composed of tlie counties of Sac- 
ramento and Yolo, defeating Judge Louis Ram- 
age and Judge A. P. Catlin in the contest for 
that office — a position wliich he held until 1879, 
when under the new constitution it was abol- 
ished. He was immediately elected Superior 
Judge under the new constitution, for a term 
of five years, but resigned his position three 
years later to form a partnership with Judge W. 
II. Beatty, which continued until the elevation 
of the latter to the office of Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court of California in 1888. But 
prior to this, in December, 1871, Judge Denson 
was elected City Superintendent of Bublic 
Schools of Sacramento, holding this office for 
two years, and when in 1879 the Sacramento 
Free Library was established he was selected by 
the city officials as one of its directors and was 
elected president of the board by his fellow mem- 
bers. Ever ready to extend a helping hand in any 
good work. Judge Denson has become one of 
the best known memljers of the Masonic frater- 
nity in the State; has passed the chair of Union 
Lodge, No. 58, F. & A. M., has held the dis- 
tinguished office of Deputy Grand Master, and 
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California; 
is a member of Sacramento Chapter, No. 3, 
Royal Arch Masons, and of Sacramento Coun- 
cil, No. 1, and Sacramento Commandery No. 2, 
Knights Templar. He is recognized everywhere 
among his associates as a man of public spirit. 



fOHN WALSH, rancher, four miles from 
Gait, was born in Ireland, February 20, 
1840, and left his native country for Bos- 
ton, Massaciinsetts, June 16, 1863, and arrived 
there July 29, following. In 1868 he came to 
California on the steamer Montana. After re- 
maining in San Francisco a short time, he spent 
two years in San Jose; 1870-'74 he was in 
Stockton, and then settled upon his present 
place, known as tlio old King ratjch. It com- 
prises 160 acres of line land, which is devoted 



to hay and grain. Richard Walsh, the father of 
John, was born in Ireland in 1816, and died in 
that country in 1856. Mr. John Walsh mar- 
ried, at Stockton, March, 1878, Mary Flaherty, 
who was born in Ireland. Their four children 
are: William, Abbie, Maggie and John P. 

--^^-J-l— 



^OE TASH, a gardener on the river road, 
'H about seven miles from Sacramento, on a 
'^ fine ranch of thirty-si.x acres, was born on 
one of the Azores Islands in 1846, and came to 
California in the fall of 1865, by way of the 
Isthmus of Fanama, and settled where he now 
resides. His wife, Lucina, is also a native ot 
the Azores. They were married in Sacramento. 
Their children are four in number, namely: 
Marcell, Frank, Francis and Merian. 

■ ^^ -^^•' /^ 

tON. NEWTON BOOTH.— Among those 
who came to Sacramento in 1850 was 
Newton Booth, who afterward filled so 
important a place in the business, political and 
social history of Sacramento and of California. 
The firm of Booth & Co. (composed, at this 
writing, of Senator Booth and C. T. Wheeler), 
has been in existence since the pioneer days of 
California; and though its membership has on 
several occasions been changed, it has at all 
times ranked among the leading houses of the 
city and State. In July, 1849, T. M. Lindley 
and L. A. Booth organized the grocery firm of 
Lindley & Booth, doing business at the old num- 
ber, 38 K street. In May of the following year 
they were succeeded by Forshee, Booth & Co., 
composed of John Forshee, L. A. Booth and Job 
Dye. The two latter gentlemen retired from 
the firm in the spring of 1851. About that 
time Charles Smith and Newton Booth com- 
menced business on J street, in the grocery 
trade, under the name of Smith & Booth. Sac- 
ramento, though then a small place, was yet a 
very busy one and was looked to as almost the 



EISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



sole source of supplies for the many mining 
camps already at work, as well as those which 
were being continually opened up. Her mer- 
chants generally did a jobbing business. Smith 
& Booth were essentially a wholesale house, 
though through the necessities of the trade at 
that day they did not refuse retail customers. 
The fire of 1852 left Sacramento almost where 
she had started, and the firm suffered with the 
rest. Shortly afterward L. A. Booth, one of the 
organizers of Lindley & Booth, became a part- 
ner, and the firm assumed the name of Booth 
& Co. Thus the house continued until 185G. 
In that year Newton Booth retired and returned 
to Indiana, while the firm consolidated with 
Kleinhans &Co. (who had commenced business 
in 1852), but the name was not changed. C. 
T. Wheeler and T. L. Barker also became part- 
ners in 1856. In 1860 Newton Booth again 
became a citizen of Sacramento, and rejoined 
his old firm. There were no more changes until 
1863, when L. A. Booth and Mr. Barker retired 
and J. T. Glover became a member, continuing 
until his death, which occurred in 1885. This 
left the firm as at present constituted — Newton 
Booth and C. T. Wheeler. Senator Booth is a 
native of AYashington County, Indiana, born 
December 30, 1825. His father, Beebe Booth, 
a native of Connecticut, was a son of one of the 
heroes of the American Revolution. At an 
early age he went to what was then the far West, 
locating at Salem, Washington County, Indiana, 
in 1816. There he engaged in merchandising, 
and afterward published there tiie first news- 
paper issued in Indiana. He was married there 
to Hannah Pitts, a native of Chatham County, 
North Carolina. Her father, Andrew Pitts, 
emigrated from North Carolina to Washington 
County, Indiana, in 1809, being one of the pio 
neers of the State. Newton Booth was reared 
to the age of sixteen at his native place, and in 
1841 his father removed the family to Terre 
Haute, the new scene of his business enterprise. 
Newton Booth was sent to Asbury (now De 
Pauw) University, at Greencastle, to complete 
his education. This institution now ranks 



among the leading educational seats of this 
country. At that time, with Bishop Simpson 
as president, its standing was at least as high as 
at present. It was the leading university of the 
West, and its faculty had been happily chosen 
from the most learned men of the day. Mr. 
Booth completed the course before he had 
reached his majority, and was graduated in the 
class of 1846. A mercantile career had been 
marked out for him, but after an engagement 
of two years in one of his father's stores at Terre 
Haute, he commenced reading law in the office 
of W. D. Griswold, with whom he became asso- 
ciated as partner after his admission to the bar 
in 1849. The story of the golden wealth of 
California, however, had for him the usual 
charm, and he determined to try his fortune 
there. In company with a young Terre Haute 
business man, Walter W. Reynolds, be started 
on the long journey. They were among the 
passengers of the steamer " Cherokee," wiiich 
early in 1850 made the trip from New York to 
Chagres. From Panama to San Francisco they 
were passengers on the " Oregon," which 
steamed through the Golden Gate on tlie 18th 
of October, bearing the glad ti-dings of the ad- 
mission of California as a State of the Union. 
They came at once to Sacramento, and both be- 
came business men here. Mr. Reynolds after- 
ward went to Placerville, where his death sub- 
sequently occurred. When Mr. Booth arrived 
in Sacramento, the first great cholera epidemic 
was raging here, and he went to Amador County, 
where he was sick for some time. In February, 
1851, he returned to Sacramento, and was soon 
engrossed in business. In 1862 he entered 
public life for the first time, being in that year 
chosen to the State Senate. On the 6th of 
September, 1871, he was elected Governor of 
California, assuming the duties of the office 
December 8 of that year. While in the guber- 
natorial chair he was elected, December 20, 
1873, by the independent legislature of that 
year, to the Senate of the United States. On 
the 27th of February, 1875, he resigned the 
office of Governor to assume the duties of his 



HIaTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



new position, and on the 4th of March following 
took his seat in the Senate. He served as an 
honored member of that body, and with credit 
to the State until the expiration of his term, in 
1881. He was one of the working members of 
the Senate, and was particularly active in ac- 
complishing the adoption of the silver certificate, 
and redemption of subsidiary coins — measures 
which were especially grateful to the Pacific 
Coast, though of national importance as shaping 
the financial policy of the country. He also 
pushed to passage a bill for the settlement of 
land titles in California. He was placed on the 
committee on public lands, committee on pat- 
' ents, committees on manufactures and on ap- 
propriations, and during a portion of his term 
was chairman of the two latter. Since retiring 
from the Senate he has given his personal atten- 
tion to his extensive wholesale business. Senator 
Booth has always been inclined to literature, 
and in times past his lectures on scientific and 
other topics have been the source of much 
pleasure and profit to citizens of Sacramento, as 
well as an incentive to study in many directions. 
A noteworthy feature of the political preferment 
of Senator Booth is, that it has come to him on 
his merits, as an indejiendent, and not as a re- 
ward for party service or through party machi- 
nations. 

•^■^^■■^ 

fAMES O'NEIL is well known throughout 
this and adjacent counties and in the city 
of San Francisco as the manager of the 
Kiverside Brickyard. He was born in Ireland 
in 1831, and came to California in March, 1856. 
At first he engaged in the trade of plastering in 
the city of Sacramento during the year 1856, 
and he continued to carry on this business ex- 
tensively until 1874. About the same time he 
entered into brick manufacture for himself, con- 
tinuing ten years. Selling out then, he took 
his present situation as superintendent of the 
yard. The works here are run by steam power. 
The clay is hauled over a short railroad of their 



own. Most of the time 175 hands are em- 
ployed. The capacity of the works is about 
18,000,000 a year. The brick manufactured 
here are all shipped to San Francisco by boat. 
The kilns are of the modern kind, a patent 
method called the continuous-burning kilns, as 
they are kept running night and day. Mr. 
O'Neil has three grown children: Frank, Nellie 
and Willie. 



->^ 



I^ADFORD B. RUSSELL, a farmer of Ala- 
fflm bama Township, is a native of this county, 
^1^ born in 1880, and has spent nearly all his 
life here. After marriage he settled down upon 
a fine ranch of 160 acres, devoted principally to 
grain and hay, four and a half miles from Gait, 
on the road to lone. Mr. Eussell married Miss 
Mattie Emerson, who was born in San Joaquin 
County, this State, in 1867. William Russell, 
the father of Radford B., was born in Kentucky 
in 1818, and his wife, Malinda, was born in 
Arkansas in 1827, and both are still living, 
making their home with the subject of this 
paragraph. 

— ^€^m^^ — 

D. COMSTOCK.— Among the deserv- 
edly popular business men of the Capi- 
tal City, the genial proprietor of the 
Comstock Furniture Warehouse takes prece- 
dence; and a brief mention of his antecedects 
and his business career will be read with inter- 
est by his many friends. We ofler no apology 
in according to him so prominent a place in the 
historical volume of this county, in connection 
with the representative business men of to-day. 
Twenty-one years ago he began business for 
himself in a very small way, opening a store for 
the sale of household furniture on the northeast 
corner of K and Fifth streets. His business 
has grown with the growth of the Capital City, 
fostered by the careful, conservative, yet ener- 
getic management of athorougly practical busi- 



HISTOKV OF (^AOJiAMENTO COUNTY. 



iifss mail, whose constant aim has heen to keep 
well abreast of the times, and whose business 
motto of '• Quick sales and small proiits," whose 
urbane manner, strict integrity, and desire to 
please all who liave the good fortune to deal 
with him, has brought him hosts of friends and 
a gratifying success, which fact is fully shown 
by even a casual visit to his spacious and well- 
stocked warcrooms, still at the old stand. Fifth 
and K streets, but now covering four times 
the original space, and where to-day is conducted 
a business, both wholesale and retail, which is 
perhaps exceeded by no other house in his line in 
the Capital City. William Button Comstock, 
like so many of the successful men of this gen- 
eration, is a typical Yankee, by birth and edu- 
cation as well as ancestry. He was born May 19, 
1839, in Jefirey, Cheshire County, New Hamp- 
shire, the son of Jonathan J. and Koancy (Dut- 
ton) Comstock, and spent his early years among 
the everlasting hills of his native State, and 
grew to manhood upon his father's farm. Filled 
with an ambition for a larger sphere of useful- 
ness than was possible within the environments 
->{ his country home, at the early of twenty years 
.le started out to begin the battle of life on his 
own account, going directly to the " Hub," where 
for four years he satisfactorily filled the position 
of a clerk, and in this way laying the broad 
foundation of practical e.xperience upon which 
in after years the structure of his fortune should 
be builded. In the spring of 1864, he was one 
of the passengers upon the steamer " Champion " 
bound for the " i>and of Golden Promise." He 
crossed the Isthmus, and when on the 27th of 
March, the " Golden Age," with her precious 
cargo, passed through the Golden Gate and 
landed at " Frisco," young Comstock was one 
of those who, for the first time gazed upon the 
future metropolis of the western civilization. 
On the 10th of April following he came to Sac- 
ramento, with the intention of going to the 
mines, but, receiving the offer of a clerkship in 
the variety store of George W. Badger & Co., 
he wisely decided to cast his lot with the for- 
tunes of the capital of this great commonwealth. 



Three years later he was united in marriage to 
Miss Susan F. Gregory, a native of St. Louis, 
Missouri, and shortly after that event, began as 
above stated the real business of his life. Mr. 
Comstock has taken an active personal interest 
in public affairs, and at the present time he 
holds the position of president of the Board of 
of Fire Commissioners, and it is lioped that the 
increasing cares of an extensive business will 
not in the future prevent his acccjitance of other 
offices of trust and responsibility in city, county 
and State. He is an active member of several 
prominent societies. 



fHAUNCEY H. DUNN. Among the best 
representatives of the Sacramento bar is 
the gentleman whose name heads this 
sketch. He is a native of Hamilton County, 
Ohio, born at the village of Laurel, September 
25, 1856, and son of Kev. Thomas S. and F. M. 
(Coid<ling) Dunn. Both parents were born in 
Ohio, and there the father was educated for the 
ministry, and ordained a minister of the Meth- 
odist faith. In 1860 the family came to Cali- 
fornia, via Panama, and located temporarily in 
San Francisco. Rev. T. S. Dunn attended the 
conference shortly afterward held in Santa 
Clara, and was appointed to a charge in San 
Jose. He officiated two years there, and a life 
term each at Placerville and Virginia City, Ne- 
vada; then three years at San Jos^e again, when 
he was called to Oakland. After he had pre- 
sided for three years in the pulpit tliei-e, his 
health had so failed him that he was impelled 
to ask for the Napa charge, whicii request was 
granted, and he remained at Napa one year. His 
next charge was the Central, Mission street, 
San Francisco, where he officiated two years; 
after a pastorate of one year at Grass Valley, he 
went East, and there visited relatives and at- 
tended the Centennial. Returning to Calitbr- 
nia, he was installed for three years over a 
Stockton charge, and followed this with two 
years at Alameda, tliiee years at Sacramento, 



HISTORY OF SACRA3IENT0 COUNTY 



and three years at San Jose. In September, 
1887, he assumed the superannuated i-elation, 
and made his home on his ranch near Ev- 
ergreen, Santa Clara County, until February 24, 
1889, when he quietly passed away. Chauiieey 
H. Dunn, subject of this sketch, was reared to 
manhood principally in this State. He finished 
Ills education at the University of the Pacific, 
San Jose, but taught school a portion of the 
time after commencing attendance there in 
order to pay his own way throug'i college. He 
made up for lost time, however, by night study- 
ing, and each year passed his e.xainination with 
his class. After completing his education, he 
taught school regularly three and a half years, 
and during a portion of that time read law by 
night. During vacation he read with Judge 
Patterson (now one of the Justices of the Su- 
preme Court), and for a year afterward bor- 
rowed books from the judge's library while 
residing at Stockton. In August, 1881, he 
commenced attendance at Hastings' Law School. 
By May, 1882, he had completed the entire two 
years' course of lectures, and read the whole 
course. He came to Sacramento in May, 1882, 
and continued his reading in the office of L. S. 
Taylor. On the 13th of July, 1882, he was 
admitted to practice in the Superior Court, and 
on the 20th of November following began 
practicing in the Supreme Court. About the 
1st of September, 1882, he commenced work on 
"American Decisions," as associate editor with 
A. C. Freeman. In July, 1883, he formed a 
partnership with Hon. J. N. Young, which he 
continued until Mr. Young removed to San 
Francisco in December, 1886. About the 
first of January, 188-t, he completed his 
labor on the " American Decisions." Mr. 
Dunn has always been an active champion of 
temperance principles, and in November, 1883, 
when a Prohibiti.in paper was founded here, he 
identified himself with the Prohibition party. 
He was candidate for city attorney on the party's 
first regular ticket in 1884, and his name has 
been on the ticket in each succeeding election. 
He has also been secretary of the central com- 



mittee of the party for this county since 1884. 
Since 1886 he has been superintendent of the 
Sunday-school of the Sixth Street Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Mr. Dunn was married in 
September, 1884, to Miss Merrium V. Bias- 
del, a native of Indiana, daughter of Captain 
E. W. Blasdel, and niece of ex-Governor Bias- 
del, of Nevada. Mr. Dunn is one of the most 
respected young men of Sacramento, and is a 
credit to his profession, on account of his fine 
character and abilities. 



AJOR W. A. ANDERSON, (me of the 
leading lawyers of the Sacramento bar, 
is a native of Wisconsin, born at Min- 
eral Point, February 25, 1845. His paternal 
grandfather, an Edinburg Scotchman, came to 
America prior to the Revolution, and located in 
Pennsylvania. When the struggle for inde- 
pendence with the mother country came on, he 
joined the patriot army, and served with honor 
throughout the war. Hartford Anderson, father 
of the subject of this sketch, was reared in 
Pennsylvania, his native State. He subse- 
quently went to Missouri, locating in Scott 
County, where he was married to Miss Susan 
Atkins, a native of Kentucky, born near the 
Ohio River. In 1843 the family removed to 
Mineral Point, Wisconsin, where he opened a 
large carriage manufactory. He was among 
the first to move in the matter of going to 
California after gold was discovered there, and 
in the latter part of 1848 he started with his 
family by wagon and ox team for this far-away 
land. At Council Blu9"s they fell in with other 
outfits, and together they took up their journey 
across the plains. They spent the winter on the 
plains and of course endured many hardships. 
They lost their way, and when the Anderson 
family learned their location, they were up near 
the Oregon line. They proceeded thro.ugh the 
Leiaesdorfi cut-off, and made their first stop at a 
settlenient at Lassen's. Mr. Anderson bought 
flour of Peter Lassen at $1 a pound. They 



293 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



down through Truckee Valley, and 
brought up at Sacramento, camping the tirst 
night where the Bee office now is, and in close 
proximity to a large sj'cainore tree. Mr. An- 
dersoon soon went with his family to George- 
town. He kept a provision store there until 
the latter part of 1850, and then removed to 
Willow Creek, near Folsom. He has been jus- 
tice of the peace ever since the organization of 
the State excajit one term. Mr. Anderson's 
mother died with cholera in the epidemic of 
1852. Major W. A. Anderson, subject of this 
sketch, was but four years of age when tliC 
family came to California, and he grew to man- 
hood in this State. He commenced his educa- 
tion at Folsom Institute, at that time a 
flourishing institution, and continued his stud- 
ies at Santa Clara College. After completing 
his studies he taught school for a time, then 
commenced attendance at the Law College at 
Eenicia and was there graduated. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Cal- 
ifornia, April 4, 1865, while a minor. Just 
after that he was elected county auditor, taking 
the office only four days after he had reached 
his majority. He was also ex-officio clerk of the 
Board of Supervisors, of the Board of Equaliza- 
tion, and of the Swamp Land Commission. He 
held the office of auditor until March, 1868, and 
then entered into the active practice of the law. 
He was associated with George Cadwalader for 
eight years, forming one of the strongest firms 
in the history of the Sucranjento bar. Cadwala- 
der attracted wide attention during. this time 
by his conduct of the Powelson case, wherein 
he established the doctrine that abuse of a wife 
should constitute grounds for divorce, and in 
the celebrated " soldier vote " case. Mr. An- 
derson was associated in the toUowing cases: 
Rio de los Moquelemos (otherwise " McCauley,'' 
or Hicks) grant csise; the famous litigation be- 
tween the California Pacific and Central Pacific 
Kailroad companies; Atlantic and Pacific Rail- 
road versus Western Union Telegraph Company, 
etc. Mr. Anderson left Mr. Cadwalader in 
1876 to accept the office of city attorney, which 



he held until March, 1878, when he once more 
entered private practice. He has since filled the 
office of city attorney, during the term from 
1880 to 1886. From 1867 to 1875 he was As- 
sistant Adjutant-General of the Fourth Brigade, 
N. G. C, with rank of major. Major Ander- 
son has always been one of the most popular 
men, and has the happy faculty of drawing to 
him close personal friends. He is an eloquent 
and able public speaker, and this quality, be- 
sides standing him in good stead in his profes- 
sion, has often been of the greatest service in 
the campaigns of the Republican party, to 
whose interests he is devoted, and he has many 
times been called upon to stump the district and 
the State. What is quite unusual, however, he 
is equally ready with the pen, and his pub- 
lished reminiscences of the early bar, among 
others, are entertaining to the highest degree, 
aside from their historic value. Withal he is a 
genial, courteous gentleman, open-hearted and 
generous to a fault. 



fARTIN DANIEL, one of the well-known 
farmers of Alabama Towtiship, was born 
in Fayette County, Illinois, February 11, 
1835. June 20, 1859, he started on his long 
journey overland for California. He stopped 
at Honey Lake a few days; from there he went 
to Marysville, where he cut wood until he ac- 
cumulated a little money; then after visiting 
Stockton a short time he came to within two 
and a half miles of where he is now living and 
worked for five months at $25 a montii; then 
went up Dry Creek two miles further, and was 
employed by Mr. McTucker one year at $35 a 
month; next he was engaged by Lew Mitchell 
one year, two miles still further up the creek, for 
$400; then returned to McTucker's and worked 
two years at $30 a month; then renting a ranch 
of 200 acres, he worked for himself a year, 
raising wheat principally; next he rented for a 
year another ranch, owned by E. H. Presbury, 
and then returned to the McTucker place for 



IIISTOUY OF 8 AG HAH EN TO COUNTY. 



tlie third time, renting the ranch for two years; 
and finally, in 1868, becoming weary of labor- 
ing for others, he entered the place he now oc- 
cupies, 160 acres, six miles from Gait, on the 
lone road, where he raises hay and grain. Mr. 
Daniel married in California Mary McTucker, 
who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
May 20, 1828. William Daniel, father of Bar- 
tin, was born in North Carolina. He emigrated 
to Illinois in an early day, where he died in 
1866, at the age of ninety-two years. His wife, 
Sarah Daniel, died at the age of ninety-three. 
Bartin Daniel and Mary McTiicker were mar- 
ried September 22, 1866. 



^,m. 



fDWARD H. WILLIAMS, chief engineer 
of the city water-works, Sacramento, is a 
native of Essex County, New York, born 
December 19, 1830, his parents being Elijah 
and Phebe (Greeley) Williams. His father was 
born in Sudbury, Vermont, and was a vessel- 
owner, having three schooners in the Lake 
Champlain trade. His mother was a native of 
New York State, and a cousin of Horace 
Greeley. E. H. Williams was reared in his 
native place, and as a boy followed boating 
a great deal on Lake Champlain after his 
eighteenth birthday, giving especial attention 
to machinery. A schoolmate of Mr. Williams, 
named George T. Newell, had come to Cali- 
fornia in 1851, and he returned with splendid 
accounts of the country, his description creating 
great interest and excitement. In 1852 he went 
out again, and Mr. Williams accompanied him. 
They proceeded in the Empire City to Havana, 
thence to Navy Bay on the same steamer. On 
the Pacific side they took the steamer Tennes- 
see, and arrived at San Francisco May 10, 1852. 
O 1 the next day he started for Placer County, 
and arriving there, went to prospecting at Yan- 
kee Jim's. Not being successful, he left after 
one month, and went to Big Bar, on the Middle 
Pork of the American Itiver, and got a situation 
at mining work with Livermore, at $100 per 



month and board. He worked there about four 
months, then found a claim that looked favor- 
able in Todd's Valley, and went there to work 
it. During that winter (1852-'53) water in the 
river was very high, and provisions were scarce 
and expensive, flour going up to §1 a pound. 
In March, 1853, he left there and went to Ne- 
gro Bar, below Folsom,and engaged in mining. 
They were there building the North Fork Canal 
to Mississippi Bar for mining purposes, and, in 
connection with two otlier raen, Mr. Williams 
took a contract to dig three miles of the ditch. 
When that job was completed he gave up 
mining work, and opened a book and sign store 
at Folsom. A year later he went into the busi- 
ness of manufacturing soda, ale, porter and Ore- 
gon cider. His next employment was that of 
running a stationary engine in the machine 
shops of the Sacramento Valley Railroad, at 
Folsom. He remained with the company until 
his health failed him, sometimes in the shops, 
sometimes on the road. He tlieu went to Lake 
Tahoe, and finding that a steamer had been 
sunk there the year before by the parties who 
ran her, he raised the steamer and ran it that 
summer. He was also at Forest Hill, Placer 
County, and while there quite an excitement 
arose in regard to blue cement mining, and five 
mills were soon in operation. It becoming 
known that Mr. Williams was acquainted with 
machinery, he was at once offered the charge of 
one of the mills, which he accepted. He re- 
mained with the company two years. Tnen they 
went under, and he was out $400. He remained 
on the Divide about six months, but things be- 
coming dull, he came down to Sacramento and 
went to work for the Central Pacific Railroad 
in the round-house. Seven years later he was 
sent to Paterson, New Jersey, for two locomo- 
tives, but while he was there the boiler-makers 
went on a strike, and the boilers for the locomo- 
tives could not be turned out. Mr. Hunting- 
ton then sent him back to Sacramento. A 
couple of months after his return the paid tire 
commissioners requested him to take charge of 
the Tenth street engine, which he did, and so 



lIlSTOnY OF SAUJiA.Uh'NTU VOUI^Ti'. 



continued for six years. He was employed in 
the Central Paeific macliine shops for cigiit 
niontlis, then became connected with the water- 
works. In 1S8G he was appointed chief en- 
gineer, and has since held that position, with 
great satisfaction to all interested in theefKciency 
of the wuter-worls machinery. Air. Williams 
was married in March, 1S5S, to Miss Mattie 
llartsongh, a native of Jo Daviess County, Illi- 
nois, who came across the plains with her par- 
ents in 1854. They have iive children, viz.: 
AVilliam H., of Los Angeles; Carrie, Charles, 
Harry and Everett. Mr. "Williams is a member 
of Sacramento Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F. He 
joined the order at Esse.x, Kew Jersey, in 1851, 
and is a veteran Odd Fellow; is a member of 
the order of Chosen Friends. The water-works 
machinery lias been very etticiently handled 
under Mr. "Williams' supervision, which has 
given great satisfaction to citizens generally. 



^m^^B 



-f*;'^ 



fOlllN J. lilHn^LKY, searcher of records 
and city assessor of t^acramento, is a native 
of Boston, born October 1, 1853, his par- 
ents being P. J. and Mary M. Buckley. Jlis 
father came to California in 1859, and after a 
brief experience in the mining regions, located 
in Sacramento. John J. Buckley, the subject 
of this sketch, was reared lo manhood in this 
city, and educated in the grammar and high 
schools. Jn 1S65 he went to Europe, and after 
six years' traveling, came back to Sacramento 
and became an employe of the Central I'aciiic 
Kailroad (\>mpany as locomotive Hreman, and 
was so engaged live years. He then commenced 
the study of law with A. C. Freeman, now of 
the tirm of Freeman & IJates, San Francisco, 
member of the New Constitution Convention, 
and author of many valuable law treatises. He 
remained with him until 1880, and during that 
time learned tiie business of searching records. 
In 1880 he engaged permanently in that busi- 
ness for himself at 1)06 I street. In March. 
1883, he was elected city assessor, and has luld 



the office ever since by virtue of re-election, his 
present term expiring in April, 1891. Mr. 
Buckley is a I'ast Great Sachem of the Im- 
proved Order of Ked Men of California; Pay- 
master of Knights of Sherwood Forest, A. O. F. ; 
Past Arch U. A. O. D. ; member of Sacramento 
Turn Verein, and of Concord Lodge, No. lit], 
F. tfc A. M. Mr. Buckley is an active man, and 
has as many friends in Sauranicntci as perhajis 
any other citizen. 

^^^ 

f^DW.XRD MINOR LEITCII, one of the 
L prominent citizens of Sacramento, is a 
"^ native of Putnam County, New "^'ork, 
born April 27, 1S35. His father, (leorge 
Leitch, was a native of Scotland, who, when a 
child accompanied his parents to America, lo- 
cating in New York State. The mother of the 
subject, whose maiden name was Sarah Jenkin- 
son, was born in England, and also came to this 
country when a child. George Leitch was a tin 
and copper smith by trade, and he carried on 
business in these lines in New York city pre- 
vious to 18BC. He then removed his family to 
Elkhart County, Indiana, when that country was 



very new 
as a man" 
location, 
family li 



hit 



A 



wild, the wild grass hi 
lul all about them in their new 
L>g cabin was built ard there the 
while George Leitch tilled the 
land, and also gave his attention to the education 
of his children. He, however, died w-ithin a 
year and a half after reaching Indiana. His 
wife, remaining a widow, continued to live on 
the old homestead until her death, which oc- 
curred in 1874. E. M. Leitch was one of a 
family of thirteen children, of whom he was the 
twelfth in order of age. He was reared there 
to the age of nineteen years, and learned the 
moulder's trade in Jackson & Wiley's foundry, 
Detroit, Michigan. In 1858 he went to New 
York, and took passage there on the steamer 
Star of the West, for Cluigres, on his way to 
California. On the Tacitic side he took the 
steamer Golden (iate, and landed at San Fran- 



J/LSTOny OF .SAUIiAMENTO COUNTY. 



Cisco July 14, 1858. He liad four brothers in 
tiie mountains of Sierra County, and liis first 
move was to make a visit to them. After that 
lie came to Sacramento and entered the employ 
of the Sacramento Valley Railroad as brakesman, 
in which capacity he served for some time, then 
as baggage-master, and again as conductor, his 
entire period of employment on tlie road being 
thirteen years. lie then voluntarily resigned 
his position with the railroad, having bought 
out the business of his brother, who had one 
truck and two horses engaged in the transfer 
business. Mr. Leitch has by sobriety and in- 
dustry gradually worked up a large bnsiness 
from that small beginning, and now employs 
seventeen horses in his business, while six or 
seven men are constantly engaged; this has 
been accomplished by strict attention to busi- 
ness, and by scrupulous fairness and honesty in 
all business transactions. Mr. Leitch was mar- 
ried December 27, 1868, to Miss Olive A. An- 
nis, a native of Camden, Maine, who by the way 
is a loving wife and a devoted mother, and 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Annis. When 
she was yet a babe her mother died, and in 1866 
lier father came with his family to California. 
He died in Sacramento in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. 
Leitch have had seven children, all boys, of whom 
one —William Thomson — is deceased, having 
been drowned in Sacramento Itiver on the 29th 
of July, 1886, at the age of twelve years and 
ten months. Those living are: George Thomas, 
Edward Everett, Samuel Walter, Albert Edgar, 
James A. Garfield andT. Dewitt Talmage. Mr. 
Leitch, who had always been a Republican, was 
one of the pioneers in the prohibition movement 
in Sacramento, and has been at the front in all 
the work of the party. At one election, on the 
prohibition ticket, he received 638 votes for 
chief of police, lie afterward made the race 
for sherift", and in 1888 for supervisor of the 
second district. Mr. and Mrs. Leitch are mem- 
bers of the Si.xth Street Methodist Church, and 
Mr. Leitch is one of the trustees and also a 
member of the Law and Order League. He is 
also an active member of the Y. M. C. A., and 



was sent as a delegate to the Sunday rest-day 
convention. In fact, in anything pertaining to 
charity and humanity he is always found at the 
front. 



fD. YOUNG, State Printer of California, 
is a native of Ogdensburg, New York, 
* born January 16, 1841, his parents being 
John and Caroline (Fielding) Young. He was 
left an orphan at an early age, and commenced 
life for himself as cabin boy on lake steamers, 
being thus engaged for three years. He then 
went into the oftice of the Buflalo Republic and 
served an apprenticeship to the printer's trade 
under Welch, afterward Controller of New York 
State. In 1861 he came to California via Pan- 
ama, locating at Sacramento in May. He se- 
cured employment in the Union office, and 
remained after the consolidation of that paper 
with the Record. In 1868 the city editorship 
of the Union was placed in his hands, and he 
held the same post with the Record- Union 
until called to the ofiice which he now holds by 
Governor Perkins. At the conclusion of Gov- 
ernor Perkins' term he returned to the Record- 
Union, but was reappointed State Printer by 
Governor Waterman. Under the administra- 
tion of Mr. Young the State printing-office of 
California is one of the most orderly conducted 
offices in the world. 



^«@:ii)»-.^- 



fORYDON M. WEST, proprietor of one 
of the largest and best conducted farms 
in Alabama Township, was born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1831. In 1838 his parents re- 
moved with him to Pike County, Illinois, where 
they remained until 1852, when he came to 
California. Mr. West first followed mining two 
years near lone; ne.vt, opened and conducted 



I'eral 



years a grocery 



and meat market 



called the Miners' Store, two miles from Dry- 
town. The next nine years he was in tiie cat- 



HISTURT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tie trade, in whicli he had moderate success, aud 
finally, in 1867, he purcliased his present place 
of GOO acres, eight miles from Gait, on the Gait 
and lone road. There he has a fine residence, 
with tasteful surroundings. Grain and cattle 
are his specialties. Jefferson West, father of 
Corydon, was born near Concord, New Hamp- 
shire; came to California in 1853, and died a 
year afterward. Mr. West, the subject of this 
sketch, was married in this State, to America 
Bater, a native of Illinois. Their living chil- 
dren are: Chester F., Alice E., Hattie A., Win- 
nie M., Clara E., and Rachel E.; and the de- 
ceased are: Charles E. and Mary E. 



fDWAKD H. PRESBURY, one of the old 
settlers of Alabama Township, was born 
• in Harford County, Maryland, in 1801, 
and emigrated to Jefferson County, Ohio, where 
he lived twenty-seven years, following the trade 
of miller. In 1849 he lost his wife, nee Martha 
Bayless, and he then sold out, bought 500 head 
of cattle, and came with them to California, 
losing but very few. Selling them after his 
arrival here, he bought the I'anch upon which 
he is now living, containing 123 acres, five 
miles from Gait, on the lone road. His prin- 
cipal crops are grain and hay. Mr. Presbury 
has one son, William, who is living with him. 



i-5^- 



flCTOR LEMAY, general foreman, Car 
Department, Central Pacific Railroad 
Shops, Sacramento, is a native of St. 
Emilie, County of Lotbiniere, Quebec, Canada, 
born July 6, 1838, his parents being John B. 
and Clair (LeClair) Lemay. Both parents were 
of Canadian birth and French ancestry, and his 
father was a carpenter and blacksmith by trade, 
was extensively engaged in business, having a 
tract of laud which he farmed, and a grist-mill, 
saw-mill and fulling-mill. He was also a ship 
owner, and would send lumber to Queliec for 



shipment to London. Victor Lemay spent his 
boyhood days at his native place and received 
his education there and at college at Quebec. 
When yet a mere child he exhibited a taste and 
natural genius for mechanical work, and as a 
mere boy constructed some quite intricate and 
original contrivances in wood-work. He also 
labored one or two years at blacksmith work in 
his brother's shop. He left college when six- 
teen years of age, and worked as a brick-maker 
during the succeeding summer. In the fall of 
that year he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and 
about three weeks later secured employment 
with a gunsmith and carriage maker, named 
Chatelle, who did a great deal of work for the 
Sioux and Winnebago Indians. He worked for 
him about a year, repairing guns and at general 
mechanical work, and then went to Hudson 
City, Wisconsin, on the St. Croix River, where 
he went to work for a farmer named James 
Murphy, building corn-cribs, sheds and barns. 
In the latter part of 1860 he went back to his 
old home in Canada. He first engaged in farm- 
ing and afterward went to work in a Quebec 
shipyard. Then he went home i.nd started a 
cabinet shop, aud he was connected with that 
for a time, then started a shipyard and black- 
smith shop of his own. In 1865 he sold out, 
and, going to East Douglas, Massachusetts, en- 
gaged with the Hunt Axe Manufactory, cabinet- 
making being dull at that time. He ground 
hatchets and axes properly at the first trial. He 
had been employed by the company at this work 
for nine months, and then they commenced the 
erection of a large cotton mill. He went home for 
his tools, and went to work on the construction 
as a carpenter. He worked until the building 
was completed, about four months, then went to 
Ashton and engaged with the Lonsdale Com- 
pany, who were putting up a big cotton factory. 
After he had been there three months he was 
promoted foreman of the joiners, and had charge 
of the work of putting up machines, looms, 
floor- work, etc. He was employed by the Lons- 
dale Company about twenty-three months, and 
for a year of that time he kept boarding-house, 







^ <=^^-^ 



HItiTOIiY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



liaving been induced to do so by Superintendent 
E. Kilbourn and Architect John Hull. He 
decided to go to California, and on the let of 
January, 1868, gave notice to his employers of 
his intention to leave. By the 4th of the 
month he had sold his household effects and was 
in New York all ready for the trip. lie took the 
steamer Arago, which left New York for Aspin- 
wall on the 5th of January. He crossed the 
Isthmus of Panama, and took the old steamer 
America for San Francisco, landing there Jan- 
uary 28, 1868. It was two or three weeks be- 
fore he could find satisfactory employment, and 
he then went to work on the residence of Mr. 
McCollum, builder of the Mint. That job was 
completed in less than two months, and he then 
worked for contractor Pratt about a month. He 
and a foreman were tiien sent by Pratt to the 
firm of Cantrall & Dell, and after he had been 
with them a short time he was given charge of 
their window-frame and gash works. In the fall 
of 1868 he came to Sacramento, and was here 
introduced to A. J. Simmons, then general fore- 
man at the railroad shops, and Mr. Lemay was 
given assurance of work if he would come here. 
So he went back to San Francisco, made ar- 
rangements accordingly, removed to Sacramento, 
and on the 11th of November went to work as 
a carpenter. In 1871 he was promoted fore- 
man of the cabinet department, in which, at that 
time only live or six men were employed. This 
nuTuber had increased to from 100 to 150 men by 
1885, and on the 5th of July of the latter year 
he was promoted assistant foreman of the car 
department under Mr. Turner. On the 6th of 
January, 1889, he was introduced as general 
foreman of the car department. Mr. Lemay 
was married in Canada to Miss Marie Anna 
Marcotte, a native of Portneuf, Canada. They 
have five children, viz.: Joseph Alphonse, John 
V>., liaisen, Joseph and Mary. The first three 
were born in Canada, the fourth in Rhode 
Island, and the last in California. Mr. Lemay 
is a member of Columbia Lodge, K. of P., and 
of Owosso Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men. 
He is a great field sportsman, and was a member 



of the first gun club organized in Sacramento, 
generally known as the California Gun Club. 
Mr. Lemay, besides being a master of his busi- 
ness, is a most popular man with those in his 
departments, and the community generally. 



^/JN. GEORGE A. JOHNSON. — [This 
^M\ sketch is from the History of Sonoma 
^((j County, published in 1889.] In every 
great department of activelife there are a few 
who, by innate superiority of mind and breadth 
of culture, tower above the mass of their fel- 
lows, as the head above the body directing 
and controlling its movements, and giving 
to it power and character. In such a relation 
stands Attorney-General G. A. Johnson to the 
bar of California as one of its most eminent 
and honored members. He was born in Salis- 
bury, Maryland, in 1829. His mother dying 
in his early childhood, he was reared in the 
home and family of his maternal grandfather, 
Mr. Rider. His father, Joshua Johnson, moved 
soon after Mrs. Johnson's death to New Castle, 
Indiana. Grandfather Rider was a zealous mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his 
house was the headquarters of Methodism in 
the town of Salisbury. Thus the grandson was 
surrounded by those moral influences which 
made a permanent impression upon his j)lastic 
young mind, and stamped themselves upon his 
subsequent character. His early scholastic train- 
ing was in the schools and academy of his native 
town, and at the age of nineteen he went West 
to his father's home and began the study of law 
in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana; but, 
soon realizing the necessity of a more thorough 
education, he prepared himself and entered 
Yale College, from which he graduated in the 
class of 1853. Among his associates were Hon. 
Wayne McVeigh, President Andrew D. White, 

j District Attorney Phelps, and others distin- 
guished in letters and statesmanship. During 
his college course Mr. Johnson won several 

I class prizes, and was elected aud served as pres- 



IITSrOMY OF SACMAMENTO COUNTT. 



ident of the board of editors of the Yale Lite 
rary Magazine. After his griul nation he was 
tendered and accepted the professorship of Latin 
and (ireek in the Western Military Institnte, at 
Drennon Springs, Kentucky, of wliich General 
Bushrod Johnson was president. Remaining 
there bnt a few months, owing to an epidemic 
of typhoid fever, wliich closed the school, Mr. 
Johnson returned to New Castle and resumed 
his law studies with Jehu T. Elliott, subse- 
quently Judge of the Supreme Court of Indi- 
ana. After completing his coarse of reading 
and attending a term in the law department of 
the State University, he commenced legal prac- 
tice in 1855 in Cambridge City, Indiana, and 
the same year was joined in marriage with Miss 
Juliet M. Wayman, of that city. Pursuing a 
successful legal business until 1873, and attain- 
ing a high rank in his profession, he was that 
year appointed Circuit Judge of the Seventeentli 
Judicial Circuit by Governor Hendricks. The 
following year, 1874, owing partly to the ill- 
health of his wife. Judge Johnson immigrated 
to California, settled in Santa Rosa, aad formed 
a law partnership with lion. Barclay Henley. 
In the spring of 1878 he was elected mayor of 
Santa Rosa on the Democratic ticket over the 
Workingmen's candidate. Upon the passage of 
the act that year submitting to the vote of the 
people the question of calling a convention to 
frame a new State Constitution (a measure 
which Judge Johnson zealously advocated and 
worked for, which was carried in the State, and 
in Sonoma County by about 1,000 votes), he 
was chosen one of the delegates to the conven- 
tion, and resigned the mayoralty. The Consti- 
tutional Convention met in September, 1878, 
and was in session five months. Judge John- 
son was at once recognized as one of the leaders 
in that distinguished body, and was chosen to 
compile and arrange the address to the people, 
a copy of which, together with a copy of the I 
new constitution, was sent to every voter. He I 
was also selected to deliver the presentation 
speech on the occasion of presenting President 



Iloge with 100 volumes of choice literature by 
the members of the ci)nvention as a testimonial 
of their esteem for him as their presiding 
officer. The address was a very appropriate 
and happy eftort. The labors of the convention 
were endorsed by the })eople in the adoption of 
the constitution by a majority of 11,000 votes, 
and it went into eifect January 1, 1880. In 
1879 Judge Johnson received the unanimous 
nomination of the "Workingmen's Convention 
for Supreme Judge, but declined to be their 
candidate. In 1882 he was elected to the State 
Senate, and re-elected in 1884. Both terms he 
was chairman of the eouunittie on city and 
towns, and reported a bill for establishing a 
uniform system for municipal governments, 
which became a law in 1883 and tills about 150 
pages of the statute book. During the legisla- 
tive session of 18S4-'S5 he was also chairman 
of the committee on education. In 1886 he 
was elected Attorney-General of California for 
four years, and assumed the office the 1st of 
January, 1887. In January, 1888, he went to 
Washington city to argue the celebrated rail- 
road tax cases in the United States Supreme 
Court against some of the most eminent lawyers 
in this country, among them Senators Edmunds 
and Evarts. 

Socially. Judge Johnson is pre-eminently a 
polished, companionable gentleman, qualities 
which led him years ago to become a member 
of the order of Freemasons and a Knight Tem- 
plar. He has taken thirty-two degrees in the 
order. He served as Worshipful Master in the 
lodge, and as High Priest and Eminent Com- 
mander of the Commandery in Cambridge City, 
Indiana. In 1878 he secured a dispensation 
and organized Santa Rosa Commandery, No. 14, 
which has becoine one of the most prosperous 
in the State. He was chosen its lirst Eminent 
Commander, and served four successive years 
by re-elections. He has filled the office of 
Grand Senior Warden two years in the Grand 
Commandery of Indiana, is now Grand Captain 
General of the Grand Commandery of the State 



HWTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of California, and in tbat capacity will attend 
the Triennial Conclave to be holden in the city 
of Washington in October. 1889. 

Judge Johnson's estimable wife, and the 
mother of his five children — four sons and one 
daughter — passed from earth in October, 1888, 
leaving a large circle of mourning friends who 
knew her only to love her. 

The Legislature of 1889 employed the At- 
torney-General, John F. Swift and Stephen M. 
White to go to Washington and argue before 
the Supreme Court of the United States ex 
parte Chae Chan Fing, a habeas-corpus case on 
appeal from that circuit. The idea was to a.ssist 
the Attorney-General of the United States, who 
is opposed by ex-Governor Hoadlej and other 
eminent counsel for the Chinaman, in the solu- 
tion of the question as to the constitutionality 
of the Exclusion Act which took effect October 
1, 1888, in excluding a Chinese laborer who 
has a return certificate, from returning here 
after this act took efiiect. The importance of 
this case cannot be overestimated. It is to be 
hoped that the State's counsel will succeed, that 
the constitutionality of the Exclusion Act will 
be upheld, and that the Supreme Court will 
have this Chinaman remanded to his ship, to be 
carried back to China, thus settling forever the 
doctrine that a later act of Congress must pre- 
vail over a treaty. 

As an orator Judge Johnson has few equals 
on the Pacific coast; and this fact being recog- 
nized, his services are in frequent demand to 
deliver public addresses on various themes and 
occasions. Among his latest efforts are an ora- 
tion delivered on the Fourth of July, 1888, at 
Sacramento, and an address opening the Sonoma 
County Fair in August of the same year. As 
a sample of his style of eloquence and his lofty 
patriotism, the following extract is given from 
the former; and both for its oratorical and his- 
torical merit — dealing as it does with Sonoma 
County. 

THE ORATION. 

Attorney-General George A. Johnson was 
then introduced and delivered an eloquent ora- | 



tioD. He spoke in an earnest, impressive man- 
ner, and his patriotic sentiments were heartily 
applauded. He said: 

"Of all the days in the American calendar, 
this is the most patriotic. It belongs to no 
party, no clique; it belongs to all the people. 

"We have other auiversaries, the birth of our 
children, of our mothers and sires, the plighted 
vow to some tender being. These we celebrate 
around the home altar, and bind each year with 
the circlet of our hopes, our fears, our smiles 
and our tears. 

"But to-day we celebrate the birth of a 
nation, the fairest and bravest, whose home is 
on the land and on the sea, on the mountain 
and in the valley, wherever waves the freeman's 
flag. It has given to us all the other holidays 
which we usually celebrate. 

***** 

" It is meet that this day should be celebrated 
amid the salvos of artillery, industrial displays, 
the music of instruments, the waving of ban- 
ners, the smiles of beauty, and the glad voices 
of children. So long as American liberty is of 
any worth this day will be welcomed. 

"We have given to the world a new dispen- 
sation, that all men are and of right ought to 
be free, that the people are the source of all 
power, that sovereign rights are inherent in 
them, and not the gift of any purple-clad 
Caesar. 

"We have thrown aside the hoary conceits of 
centuries, and installed in their place new ideas, 
ideas which have unfettered the human mind, 
educated the public conscience, taught men to 
think and act for themselves, inspired the hopes 
of the masses, made life worth living for, and 
sublimated all human endeavor. 

"We have crowned with flowers civil and re- 
ligious liberty, raised the down-trodden, sup- 
pressed the fagot and the stake, and illustrated 
history with the grandest achievements of war 
and peace. We have added to the civilization 
of the age, contributed to the general well- 
being, made home happy, government secure, 
and taught a lesson to all tyrants. 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



"To perpetuate these blessings, we need no 
standing army, only eternal vigilance, whicl; is 
the price of all liberty, only heroic effort at all 
times to do right, only self-discipline, self- 
illumination, and if need be millions of swords 
will leap from their scabbards to hand these 
cherished blessings down to our descendants. 
« * -X- * « 

'•When we recall to mind the struggles and 
privations of the Revolution, our own undisci- 
plined soldiery essaying to cope with the tirst 
power in Euro])e, with troops which had seen 
service under Amherot at Montreal, and Wolfe 
on tiie Heights of Abraham; when we recollect 
the bloody feet which stained the soil at Valley 
Forge, and hope deferred that made the heart 
sick, except the great heart of our Washington, 
and even he was thinking of a dernier resort 
across the Alleghanies — when we think of all 
this, before Saratoga and Yorktown w-ere won, 
and the liberty bells rang out their glad clarion, 
we realize that it costs something to achieve 
liberty, and that oivr free institutions, thus ac- 
quired, necessitate the most vigilant care to 
be handed down unimpaired to our posterity. 
When we recollect that our now commonest 
rights were denied before Washington fought 
and La Fayette bled for liberty, the heritage 
that we now enjoy becomes precious and inesti- 
mable. When we go further back to the days 
when Brutus drove out the Tarquin, and an- 
other Brutus called aloud on Tully's name 'and 
shook aloft his crimsoned steel;' when, again, 
all was lost at Philippi and the imperial pur- 
ple was restored; when, again, another Csesar 
lorded it over the Eoman world and the Christ 
had not where to lay his head — we must prize 
the heroic achievements of the men of '76. 

" When we go further back to the days when 
the Persians swarmed over Greece, and were 
held at bay by the three hundred in the passes 
of Thermopylfe; when Athens was abandoned, 
and their academic groves deserted; 'where 
the attic bird trilled its thick-warbled notes the 
summer long,' and old and young took refuge 
within the wooden walls at Salamis; when 



Miltiades led at Marathon — Marathon, blessed 
name! which still sheds around the world the 
aroma of liberty, and which twenty-two centu- 
ries later led the English bard to sing, when 
thinking of fi-eedoin for modern Greece: 
" 'The mountains look on Marathon, 
And Marathon looks on the sea; 
And musing there an hour alone, 

I dream'd that Greece might still be free;' — 
"When we recall to mind all this, we cannot 
forget to love, cherish and perpetuate our free 
institutions. 

"Here the General Government moves in its 
orbit, and the States move in theirs, without 
any collision or impingement; the one exer- 
cising its granted powers for national purposes, 
including the preservation of its autonomy; the 
other retaining and exercising the grand re- 
siduum of popular rights to 6ftectuate local 
purposes and local amelioration, which may be 
denominated home rule. Such was the wise 
forethought of our fathers in distributing the 
powers of the i^ational Government. They 
builded not for a generation, but for all time, 
and left their ineffaceable impress upon the 
ages. 

"With their success in establishing free in 
stitutions afterward came the success of other 
countries, notably that of France. 

* ft * * * 

"Thus we have paid the debt we owed to 
France for giving La Fayette as a co-laborer to 
Washington, and for her assistance in the Revo- 
lutionary war, by placing before her a Republi- 
can example to imitate, instead of the iron rule 
of her Merovingian, Carlovingian and Capetian 
Kings, the house of Valois, of Bourbon, and 
the imperial monarchy. 

"First the struggling democracies of Athens 
and Rome; then the gradual acquisition of the 
great common-law rights; then a general gov- 
ernment and local governments, each preserving 
its respective autonomy; then other free States, 
or countries essaying freedom at great odds. 



1II8T0HY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



" Never can we sufficiently repay the debt of 
gratitude wliich we owe to the fatliers of '76, 
and to the framers of the Constitution of the 
United States. 

" It will lemain a standing monument for all 
time, how these men, in days of great responsi- 
bility and peril, without chart or compass, amid 
a new-born nation convulsed with excitement 
and discussion, and full of the gravest appre- 
hensions, built up the sacred edifice of our lib- 
erties, laid deep and broad its foundations, and 
made enduring its superstructure, until its 
grand proportions stand forth to-day unrivaled 
by modern art, the hope of the country and the 
despair of all emulators. It could not have 
been done without the aid of Divine Providence, 
who makes the nothingness of man to praise 
Him, who before had made distraught the ad- 
visers of a senile king, and who, now that the 
fairest flower of George the Third's colonial 
possessions had been plucked from his grasp, 
would not permit old-world ideas to dominate 
the chosen seat of a better, more humane and 
more enlightened civilization. 

* » * * * 

"The great central character of the times was 
our George, the leader of the American armies, 
the President of the Constitutional Convention, 
at all times patient, thoughtful, hopeful, prayer- 
ful ; wlumi Thackeray, with all his Bi'itish in- 
stincts, has characterized as the greatest, wisest 
and best of the Anglo-Saxon race. 

"Had not the American Kevolution succeed- 
ed, civilization would have stood still on the 
dial-plate of time; history would have to be re- 
written, and those grand, heroic characters which 
now leap forth into ruddy life on its pictured 
pages would not be so much as a name or a 
menrory. We could only muse, thinking of 
what might have been. 

"'Some mute, inulorious Milton here may rest, 
Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country's blood.' 

" Had not the American Revolution succeed- 
ed, the courses of Ensjlish thouirht would have 



continued to run along the narrow channels of 
old England, instead of the majestic rivers and 
lakes of America. 

"George Washington would have lived and 
died a quiet, self-possessed, well-to-do country 
gentleman, given to hunting and hospitality, on 
the banks of the Potomac; Jackson would never 
have built his entrenchments of sand bags at 
New Orleans, nor Lincoln have issued his 
Emancipation Proclamation. This country would 
still have been under the Mexican domination; 
its untold mineral wealth, its cereals and its 
fruits would have existed nowhere except in the 
I imagination of some dreamer. 

" But with American success came the bound- 
less American endeavor and American enter- 
prise, until now we are the most numerous, the 
most cultured, the most flourishing, and the 
freest of the great English-speaking race. 

"And here will be written by-and-by the 
classics of our mother tongue, as already here 
is spoken the English language in greater 
purity, elegance and force than anywhere on 
the iace of the globe. 

" Small causes apparently very often precipi- 
tate momentous events. As the wrath of 
Achilles caused tiie Trojan war; as a hasty 
plate of soup spoiled General Scott's Presiden- 
tial prospects; as the noise and confusion which 
prevailed once upon a time, when General Cass 
was attempting to explain his views, affected 
his political aspirations; so the refusal of our 
forefathers to drink the English tea has given 
us a free and independent country, and added 
immeasurably to the world's civilization. 

" Now, we can get along in the happiest ac- 
cord with our English brethren. They appre- 
ciate us and we appreciate them, for we are all 
of one blood and lineage. We claim kinship 
with their Shakespeare, their Milton, and their 
Gladstone, and they are entitled to share in the 
world-fame of our Washington, our Marshall 
and our Webster. 

" In perpetuating these blessings derived from 
our Revolutionary forefathers, we need states- 



HISTOBT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



men at the helm of State. We need thought- 
ful men, men whose sympathies are as broad as 
the protecting shield of the Republic. The 
civil service of the country should be placed on 
a high plane, and should be the reward only of 
a conscientious and faithful discharge of duty, 
and competency for its performance. Men 
should be taught to regard the national honor 
as their own, and unscrupulous money-changers 
and their patrons driven from the place where 
enthroned duty should sit. Strong moral forces 
should lend a helping hand to the government 
ot State, and these must be backed by educa- 
tion and an enlightenment of the public con- 
science. 

"We salute, therefore, this one hundred and 
twelfth anniversary of American Independence, 
this great country which is the recognized home 
of liberty the world over; we salute her hon- 
ored past, her prosperous present, her prom- 
ising future, the destined abiding place of the 
millions to come who will blend with and add 
to the greatest of tlie English-speaking race; 
whose drum beat and martial tread will be 
heard whenever the rights of the humblest of 
her citizens are trampled upon by any foreign 
power, or when any one of the increasing stars 
on her flag is sought to be dimmed. 

"We salute this anniversary, in this great 
Valley of the Sacramento, where nature has 
done 80 much and art so little; where there is 
room, and plenty of room, for the thousands, I 
might say the millions, to come; where on the 
one side may be seen an almost treeless expanse 
of waving grain, on the other the semi-tropical 
fruits mellowing into more than Eastern luscioiis- 
uess, all around a climate 

Where summer first her robe uafurls, 
And where she longest tarries, 

with a people as generous and hospitable as the 
tempered airs which have grown them. 

"And from this great, valley we can point 
with pride to the unnumbered valleys scattered 
beyond, and to the hills as prolific as the val- 
leys, with their grain belts, their fruit belts. 



their mineral belts, their sanitary belts, all of 
which tend to reward industry, prolong life and 
make it enjoyable; to our colleges and admira- 
ble common-school system; to a free and en- 
lightened press; to a reading and thinking 
people; whether amid urban splendors or rural 
homes; to a fearless and incorruptible judiciary, 
and to the mass of our population, healthy, 
happy and contented. 

"California has an area three times as great 
as that of the State of New York, and larger 
than that of Great Britain and Ireland, with 
Portugal added as a make-weight. 

"While, however, she has only about seven 
inhabitants to the square mile, Ilhode Island 
has 300 and Belgium has more than 500. Thus 
it will be apparent what advantages this State 
has for supporting a greatly increased popula- 
tion. She is among the greatest of the wheat- 
producing States, far ahead of any other in the 
production and value of her mines, and was at 
one time the greatest gold and silver producer 
in the Union. 

"To this is to be added, among other re- 
sources, the unrivaled wealth of her fruits, her 
lumber interests, her wool, most of which are 
constantly increasing. 

"From so much of retrospect let us now look 
forward to the coming years, when the great 
Valley of the Sacramento will enrich and he 
enriched by the thousands who will settle here; 
when every valley will begin to smile like a 
Vaca or a Capay; when California will, appar- 
ently, have arrived at the acme of her material 
development; when from the dome of the State 
Capitol shall float the same flag which flies 
there to-day, and the same songs be sung to Are 
the patriot's heart; when all over this great 
nation will be seen the same patriotic display, 
the arts and sciences prevailing, labor receiving 
an adequate requital, and fraternal ties binding 
the States and people together stronger than 
with, ribs of steel; still even then will we look 
hopefully forward to a still greater future, to a 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Still more rhythmical development, until we 
finally sink to rest beneath the sods of the great 
valley." 



fEORGE SERMONET, wholesale and re- 
tail grocer, No. 700 Eighth street, Sacra- 
mento, is a native of France, born at 
Dambach, Alsace, on the 24th of April, 1838, 
his parents being Joseph (a vineyardist) and 
Catharine (Schaechtel) Sernionet. He was 
reared at his native place and attended school 
from the age of six until he was fourteen. Then 
he worked on his father's place. When he 
reached the age of twenty-one years he entered 
the army, joining the First Artillery Regiment 
at Grenoble. After he had been there nine 
months he went with his reginjent to Algiers, 
Africa, where he remained from the 12th of 
June, 1860, until November 24, 1864. There 
he saw much active service, and was promoted 
sergeant, and given charge of the artillery at 
the fortress of Tiaret. He commanded the 
guns there during the Arab rebellion of 1864. 
He returned to France with his regiment in the 
fall of 1864, and was located at Rennes, depart- 
ment Ille-et-Vilaine, the capital of French 
Britany. They embarked at Toulon, November 
26, 1864, and marched to Rennes, reaching 
there January 20, 1865. He left there August 
8, 1865, on partial discharge, and on the 31st 
received his full discharge. After remaining 
nome some months he came to America, sailing 
from Havre on the 2d of September, 1867, 
and landing at New York September 21 from 
the steamer Bellona. At New York he took a 
steamer bound for California, and crossing the 
Isthmus resumed his sea voyage on the steamer 
Constitution, landing at San Francisco October 
25, 1867. He came to Sacrametito on the 27th 
and engaged with L. Kreuzberger in his coffee 
and spice millb. He was eujployed there until 
1872, when he embarked in the grocery business 
on the corner of Tenth- and E streets. Two 
years later he removed to the corner of Seventh 



and G streets. In 1877 he commenced the con- 
struction of his present business house at No. 
700 Eighth street, and finished and moved into 
it on the 27th of April, 1878. He does an ex- 
tensive retail business, whilst his wholesale trade 
is constantly increasing, and he handles large 
quantities of California wines. His store is 
heavily stocked, giving his customers a large 
range of goods to select from. Mr. Sernionet 
was married in this city July 6, 1872, to Miss 
Hildebrand, a native of Germany, who came to 
this country when a child. They have five 
children, viz.: Felix, Edward, Annie Frances, 
Clorinda Grace and Victor Peter. Mr. Sermo- 
net is a member of the A. O. D., and is treas- 
urer of the Catholic Knights of America. He 
is an enterprising, wide-awake business man. 



fOSEPPI AV. CLARKE, foreman of the round 
houses of the Central Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany, at Sacramento, is a native of Madison 
County, New York, born at Brooktield, February 
26, 1886, his parents being Ethan and Amy 
(Crandall) Clarke. His father, who was pro- 
prietor of a machine shop, came of one of the 
oldest families in that part of New York, and 
was a son of a Revolutionary veteran. "When 
the subject of this sketch was nine years old, 
the family removed to Rockford, Illinois. There 
he learned the machinist's trade with his father 
and brother. Afterward, during an interval of 
eight years, he worked off and on in the shops 
of the Illinois Central Railroad at Chicago, the 
remainder of the time for that period, at Rock- 
ford. For one year (during 1864 and 1865) 
he was in the service of the Government about 
Chattanooga. In 1868 Mr. Clarke came to 
California, via Nicaragua route. He left New 
York on the steamer Guiding Star, and landed 
at San Francisco from the steamer Moses 
Taylor, May 3, 1868. He proceeded to Butte 
County, and mined at Oregon City about 
a year. He then came to Sacramento, and 
on the 3d of May, 1869, entered the employ 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of the Central Pacific Kailroad Company, as 
a machinist -in the shops. In 1874 he was 
promoted to his present position; tliere are 
from 125 to 150 men in his department, 
independent of engineers and firemen. Mr. 
Clarke was married in Illinois, March 31, 1868 
(the day he started for California), to Miss H. 
A. Stevens, a native of Mount Desert Island, 
Maine. They have two children, viz.: Joseph 
Hermann and Amy. Mr. Clarke is a member 
of Columbia Lodge, K. of P., and of Red Cloud 
Tribe, Red Men. He has been identified with 
the shops since the early days, and enjoys the 
respect and esteem of all in his department, as, 
indeed, of the community generally. 



^^>^^> 



tAUREN UPSON, deceased, a once promi- 
nent, but now silent, figure i* Sacramento 
history, was a native of Connecticut, and 
son of Asahel and Lydia (Webster) Upson. 
Both the Websters and tlie Upsons were among 
the earlier and prominent families of New 
England. Lauren Upson was born at Oxford, 
New Haven County, Connecticut, but reared 
across the line in Hartford County, at Marion, 
Southington Township, where his parents re- 
moved when he was a mere child. He was a 
twin brother with Warren Upson, who died in 
1855. He and Warren were the oldest of nine 
brothers, and it fell to his lot to do the farm 
work. He remained on the farm until twenty 
years of age. He was also engaged more or less 
on the construction of the Hartford and New 
Haven Canal. He was given a year's time be- 
fore reaching his majority, and so left home at 
the age of twenty years, and went South trav- 
eling overland, finally bringing up at Marion, 
Perry County, Alabama. After a few years he 
returned to Connecticut, and was there married 
to Selina Chatfield, a native of Oxford, Con- 
necticut, and a relative of the Goodyears, the 
great rubber manufacturers. After his mar- 
riage he went back to Alabama with his bride, 
and embarked in the mercantile trade at Marion. 



in which he met with great success. But the 
financial crash of 1837 fell heavily upon him, 
as he was endorser for large amounts on the 
paper of men who went under at that time. 
Meantime, however, he had been a great stu- 
dent, studying law and reading up on the politi- 
cal situation, so that when he was admitted to 
the bar at Marion he was already one of the 
best posted men politically in Alabama. He 
practiced his profession more or less, but his 
taste lay more in the line of writing, and he 
adopted the profession of editor as his future 
life work. He was given charge of the leading 
Whig paper, and with such effect did he wield 
his pen in behalf of that great party's princi- 
ples that he changed Perry County from a 
Democratic to a Whig county, and held it in 
line as long as he was at the helm of the paper. 
In 1847 Charles Langdon, editor and proprietor 
of the Mobile Advertiser, was elected mayor of 
Mobile, and he asked Mr. Upson to go to that 
city and take charge of the editorial department 
of the paper. He did so and remained in charge 
until 1851, when he started for California. The 
journey was made via New Orleans and Panama, 
and he landed in San Francisco in January, 
1852. He proceeded to El Dorado County, 
where he remained a short time, and was then 
called upon to come to Sacramento and take 
charge of the Union, then in its infancy, with 
which he remained until 1864. The history of 
the United States does not present a more 
marked example of a newspaper controlling 
public sentiment throughout a vast extent of 
territory than that of the Union, throughout 
the Pacific Coast during that period. At times 
his pen seemed almost inspired, and a tremen- 
dous influence for good was wielded by the 
paper at a time when the future destiny of the 
United States was being wrought. The build- 
ing of the Pacific Railroad, which supplies what 
was necessary to forever bind and cement the 
American Union, could never have been accom- 
plished when it was, without the great efforts 
in its behalf by Lauren Upson. In fact its very 
conception at the time would have seemed 



HISTORY OF SACRAMfSNTO COUNTY. 



305 



almost ridiculous without the causes shown and 
tlie help given by him in tlie Union. Besides 
being the guiding star of the Whigs, the paper, 
under his editorship, had great influence even 
withthe Democrats, as a legislative party, because 
they feared his pen. Tliough a strong, forcible 
writer, he never descended to personalities, and 
had but one instance of trouble. Mr. Bell, then 
Controller of State, toolv exceptions to an article 
of Mr. Upson's criticising his ofiicial acts, and 
one morning as the latter was coming out of the 
Senate chamber, he met Bell, who at once as- 
saulted him. Mr. Upson never preferred 
charges against his assailant. Years afterward, 
however, Mr. Bell called upon Mr. Upson at San 
Francisco and manfully apologized for his act. 
He Anally broke down under the great strain 
placed upon him by his literary work, and he was 
compelled to seek rest. In 1864 he Jiad a para- 
lytic stroke of the tongue. About that time one of 
his intimate friends, high in Government coun- 
cils, secureil for liim the appointment of 
Quartermaster of the Division; but as the re- 
muneration, while great, was largely in the form 
of commissions on purcliases, etc., lie did not 
accept tlie office with its emoluments, on ac- 
count of conscientious scruples. He was after- 
ward tendered and accepted the appointment to 
the office of United States Surveyor-General, 
which he held for six years, under Presidents 
Lincoln and Johnson. He was again ap- 
pointed but not conflrined by the Senate, and 
finally Mr. Day, a relative of Senator Evarts, 
was nominated and confirmed. Returning to 
Sacramento, he retired to his farm (on the cross- 
roads between the Upper and Lower Stockton 
roads), which he had bought while editor of the 
Union. While living there he was nominated 
for the position of county clerk and elected, j 
He was re-nominated for another term, but i 
there was a split in the Republican ranks that 
time, and Ham. C. Harrison, who received the 
Democratic and Independent nominations, was 
elected. He afterward accepted the manage- 
ment of the interests of the company operating 
at Riverside, San Bernardino County, and while 



there was interested also in the San Jacinto tin 
mine. About the 1st of May, 1877, while he 
was attending the meeting of the board of direc- 
tors of the company at San Francisco, he was 
stricken with something like paralysis of tlie 
brain. His son Lauren A. went tliere and 
brought him to Sacramento. He never recov- 
ered the use of his faculties, but died Novem- 
ber 20, 1885. His faithful and devoted wife 
died on the 1st of May, 1887. To them were 
born six children, of whom the first child died. 
The other children were as follows: Warren F. 
(a resident of this Sta'^e); Lauren Asahel (of 
Sacramento); Lucy L. (wife of John Arnold); 
Charles W. (who met with an accidental death 
in this city); and Cornelia Selina (wife of General 
George B. Williams, of Wasliington, who is now 
attorney for tiie Southern Pacific Railroad at 
Washington, District of Columbia. 



tAUREN A. UPSON, second son of Lauren 
Upson, deceased, was born at Marion, 
Perry County, Alabama, July 1, 1837. 
He was educated there and at the high school 
at Mobile until his sixteenth year. Jn 1853, 
after his father had gone to California, his 
mother and four children, including our sub- 
ject, went to Connecticut. Tlien he attended 
Lewis' Academy at Southington, i)reparing for 
Yale College, but in 1855 his father sent for 
the family, and they then came out to California. 
Our subject, who was then eighteen years of 
age, became a newsboy on the Union at $75 a 
month. He carried papers one year, and then 
went into the employ of the Pacific Express 
Company. When twenty years old he entered 
the employ of Sueath & Arnold. After a short 
time he bought the interest of Mr. Kramer in 
the firm of P. H. Kramer & Co., and the new 
firm of Purdy & Upson was formed, composed 
iii Mr. Upson and J. E. Purdy, and doing busi- 
ness at Woolsey's Flat, Nevada County. After 
two years in that firm, he left there and went to 
Placerville. The firm of L. A. Upson & Co. 



UISTOBY OF tiACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



did business tlieu until 1860, wlien the store 
was sold, and Mr. Upson came to Sacraniento 
again and took the position of l)ookkeeper for 
the firm of Sneath & Arnold. After the flood 
of 1862 the tirin established a house in San 
Francisco, and Mr. Upson tuck charge of the 
office there. In 1863 the firm was dissolved, 
Mr. Upson rejjroscnting Mr. Arnold in the dis- 
solution, and \V. J. Tilly acting for Mr. Sneath. 
Mr. Upson returned to Sacramento, and the firm 
of Joiin Arnold & Co. was organized, composed 
of John Arnold, John McNeill and L. A. Up- 
son. A little later L. S. Adams became a mem- 
ber of the firm. The house finally became 
Adams, McNeill & Co., composed of L. S. 
Adams, John McNeill and L. A. Upson. Mr. 
Upson remained a member of the firm until 
1868, when he sold his interest to L. S. Adams, 
lie has ever since been connected with the 
house as salesman, and now represents them as 
traveling salesman. Mr. Upson is a charter 
member of Sacramento Lodge, A. O. U. W.; 
iiember of Sacramento Lodge, K. of H., and 
member of K. & L. of H. In the days of the 
volunteer fire department he was a member of 
i'oung American Engine Company, No. 6, and 
is now an exempt fireman. Mr. Upson is an 
active Republican politically, and has held the 
position of chairman of the City Central Com- 
mittee. He was tiie first secretary of the Sacra- 
mento paid fire department, and has been for 
many years treasurer of the State Agricultural 
Society, which office he now holds. Mr. Upson 
.vas married in this city to Miss Adelaide L. 
Hubbard, eldest daughter of I. M. and Sarah 
Buckley (Wilcox) Hubbard, and a native of 
Utica, New York. To them have been born 
ten children, of whom seven are living, viz.: 
Lauren Stuart, Lucy, Adelaide, Nellie, Miller, 
Bnrcheil and Gertrude. 

^3nt ^ S 

jANUEL CASTRO, one of the active 
business men of Sacramento, is a native 
of Lower California, born in the State 



of Loretta, June 12, 1837, his 



pare 



nts bein. 



Francis and Joanna (Canisares) Castro. His 
father was born near the frontier between Up- 
per and Lower California about 1801, and was 
an officer in the army of Mexico from the age 
of twenty years, and the Government gave him 
tlic San Fernando grant. When Manuel Castro 
was but twelve years of age he went to sea as 
cabin boy on the John Anderson, which plied 
between Mexican and Californian ports. He 
was with that vessel about three months, then 
remained in San Francisco about two weekf, 
wlien he went on the schooner Sixth of June, 
also in the coast trade. He remained with her 
about seven months, after whicli he was on the 
Two Brotiiers for nine months. He got away 
from her at San Francisco and w-ent to the 
mines with a party of young men. When they 
got at the Cosumnes Creek it was raining hard, 
and they crossed in an oil-clotli buat, riveted. 
Getting to the other side they went into camp, 
and some of the boys went out and killed a 
deer. They then went on to Dobler's Springs, 
between Stockton and Mokelumne Bar. At the 
latter place they went to tnining, after a few 
days. Mr. Castro had no money but could get 
trusted for anytliing lie wanted. Flour was $3 
a pound, bacon $1.50 a pound, yellow sugar 
$1.50 per pound. Mr. Castro, however, was 
making from $16 to $20 a day. He fell in with 
a young fellow lie had known in Mexico, and the 
two boys worked together five months, making 
$1,300 apiece. All kinds of utensils were ex- 
pensive. A tin dipper cost $1.50; a bucket 
cost $6, and a tight halt-barrel to make a cradle 
cost $100. After five months Mr. Castro 
went back to Lower California, but after visit- 
ing there about six weeks, he returned and went 
to the Sonora mines. Three weeks later he 
went to San Antonio, and alter a few days pro- 
ceeded to Jesus Maria. There he remained for 
some time, then went to Sutter Creek, and 
mined between Volcano and Sutter. There he 
mined for a long time, and became one of the 
best known young men in that region, and very 
popular with every one. In 1857 he came to 
Sacramento, and after five months went to boat- 



HISTOHT OF SACRAMENTO COUJ^TT. 



ing on the river for Fred Milleo and Anton 
Brewer. Two years later he bought them out. 
Afterward he sold his boat, and built two others. 
He carried on that business until about 1863, 
but in 1879 he opened a large wood-yard in 
Sacramento, and has carried on that business 
since. He has two yards, one between P and Q 
streets, the other on the corner of Fourth and 
L streets, and does an extensive business, hav- 
ing a very large number of customers. Mr. 
Castro was married in Sacramento March 19, 
1861, to Miss Gustella Paz, a native of Lower 
California. They have three children, viz.: lio- 
dolfo, Golfida (wife of Gus Gonnett) and Mar- 
shall. Mr. Castro is a member of the Walhalla 
Grove, No. 6, A. O. D., of Lodge No. 11, K. 
of P., and of Tribe No. 14, Red Men. In the 
days of the volunteer fire department he was a 
member of Fureka Company, No. 4, and is now 
an exempt iireman. Mr. Castro has a good 
memory, and has many interesting and enter- 
taining recollections of the early mining days. 



JilLIP DOUGLAS, master car repaire 
Central Pacific Railroad Company, is 



native of the Isle of Man, born Feb) 



uary 



28, 1843, his parents being Philip, Sr., and 
Jane (McDowell) Douglas. When he was eight 
years old his parents came to the United States, 
landing at New Orleans, and located in New 
York, where his father resided some eighteen 
years before, and four years later returned to 
England. Tliere he remained until twenty-two 
years of age, and learned the trade of carpenter 
in the shops of the London & Nortliwestern 
Railway at Lancashire. In 1865 he again came 
to the United States, and was engaged until 
1868 working in the shops of the New \ork 
Central Railroad and those of the Hudson River 
Railroad, before these two systems were con- 
solidated. In 1868 he came to California, and 
locating in Sacramento, entered the employ of 
the Central Pacific Railroad as a carpenter in 



the car and locomotive departments of the 
shops, under Benjamin Welch. His work at 
that time was principally in the round-house. 
He worked two years at the bench as a cai'pen- 
ter, then as foreman of the running-gear de- 
partment in car siii;ps. In October, 1876, he 
was promoted to master car repairer, having his 
jurisdiction over all the lines of which J. B. 
Wright is superintendent. The number em- 
ployed in his department averages about 135, 
though it sometimes reaches 175. Mr. Douglas 
was married at Albany, New York, June 4, 
1868, to Miss Caroline Foreman, a native of 
Great Yarmouth, England, but was reared in 
this country. They have three children, viz.: 
Jennie M., Hattie C. and Harry W. Mr. 
Douglas is a member of Union Lodge, A. F. & 
A. M., and of Sacramento Lodge, K. of P. He 
was one of the organizers of the Union Build- 
ing and Loan Association, and is now director. 
He has two brothers, also in the shops, viz.: 
Robert C, machinist, and James A., a moulder. 
Mr. Douglas is an active, energetic man of 
business, and performs with great credit the 
supervision of his department, in which he 
is popular with the employes, and whose respect 
and confidence he commands. 



fTEPHEN UREN, general foreman of the 
blacksmith and rolling-mill department of 
the Central Pacific Railroad shops, Sacra- 
mento, is a native of Cornwall, England, born 
September 10, 1837, his parents being William 
and Bethsheba (Sincock) Uren, the father a 
blacksmith and machinist by trade. He was 
reared and educated at his native place, and 
learned his trade in the shop of which his father 
was foreman. In 1857 he came to the United 
States, and spent a year in the copper mining 
district of Ontonagon County, Michigan. Hav- 
ing decided to go to California, in 1858 he pro- 
ceeded to New York, and tliere took passage on 
the steamer Constitution for Aspinwall. Cross- 
ing the Isthmus, he resumed his sea voyage on 



lIlt<Tvny OF HACKAMENTO COUNTY. 



the steamer Golden Gate, and iirrived at San 
Francisco, October 15, 1858. He came on to 
Sacramento County, and worked at his trade 
about Folsom about two _years; thence he went 
to El Dorado County, where he mined about a 
year. After this he spent thi-ec months in Vir- 
ginia City, 2s^evada, and from there came to 
Sacramento, where he became engaged in the 
construction of the State Capitol building. In 
1869 he obtained employment in the railroad 
shops as a blacksmith, and four years later he 
was promoted to the post of assistant foreman, 
under A. F. La Shalles, foreman. In 1875 Mr. 
Uren was promoted foi'eman of the blacksmith 
shop, succeeding George Gcnshlea, who had 
occupied the position about fourteen months. 
When the rolling-mills were added to the stops 
that department was also placed under Mr. 
Uren's authority, and the iirst bar was rolled 
out under his supervision, in July, 1881. The 
mill turned out 11,000 tons of material in 
1888. In November of that year 500 men 
were employed in the rolling-mill and black- 
smith departments, but the number is less at 
this writing. The heaviest steamboat forgings 
ever made on the Pacific coast have been con- 
structed in this shop. All the forgings for the 
steamer Piedmont were made here. Mr. Uren 
has added in a vast degree to the efficiency of 
his departments through the introduction of 
his own inventions. There are many of these 
applied here and in such sliops generally, though 
he has only had a limited number of their pat- 
ented. Among these may be enumerated the 
following: Device for forming car-links, pat- 
ented April 27, 1880. Previous to the intro- 
duction of this device, links were made by hand. 
The cost of manufacture has been reduced one- 
third. Process of utilizing scrap for the manu- 
facture of nuts, etc., patented October 0, 1885. 
Scrap was never used for the manufacture of 
nuts before. Large bridge-nuts have heretofore 
been hand-made. This machine produces them 
at the rate of one per minute. The ordinary 
method require.'* a half hour for each nut. 
Wrought-iron brake-shoe, patented December 



1, 1885. This invention is used on the cars of 
nearly all roads on the Pacific coast, and is in 
great demand. Mr. Uren manufactures about 
500 tons of them annually in the railroad shops. 
The advantage over the cast-iron shoe is in the 
ratio of 5 to 1. A patent on a method of util- 
izing scrap cast-steel. By this invention it is 
composed into ingots, and rolled down into bar 
steel. Ilis latest patent is on a slotting attach- 
ment for a bolt-heading machine. It is the 
only machine in existence that will head a bolt 
and slot the key-way at the same time. This 
machine, or even the idea, had never been 
tiiought of before, and Mr. Uren considers it 
one of his most valuable inventions. It was 
patented May 28, 1889,— No. 404,235. Mr. 
Uren was married in this city on the 9th of 
September, 1865, to Miss Mary Welch, a native 
of Ireland. They have seven children, viz.: 
William, Edward, Minnie, Stephen, Walter, 
Grace and Nellie. Mr. Uren is a member of 
Union Lodge, A. F. &, A. M. In politics he is 
a Republican. He has made his own way in 
the world by attention to details of his chosen 
trade. He was always of an inventive turn of 
mind, and some of his inventions have already 
revolutionized methods always before used in 
the best sliops in the world. As the head of 
one of the other departments expressed it to the 
writer of this article, "Stephen Uren is one of 
the most useful men the Southern Pacific Kail- 
road Company ever employed." 



fLAUS FELDHUSEN, one of the well- 
known business men of Sacramento, is a 
native of Germany, born at Meyenburg, 
Hanover, May 5, 1836, his parents being John 
Henry and Margaretha (Brauer) Feldhusen. 
He was reared at his native place and received 
his education at the public schools between the 
age of six and fourteen years. After that he 
farmed with his father during the day, in the 
meantime attending night school. At the age 
of twenty years he entered the military, and 



insTuur OF havhammnto coumt. 



served steadily in the Fiftli Hanover Infantry 
Regiment fur two years. After tliat he served 
one month each year until he was twenty-seven 
years old. He had been educated in the raising 
of forests, and he made tiie forestry business liis 
occupation. In 1809 he came to the United 
States, sailing from Bremen to New York. 
From the latter city he came directly to Cali- 
fornia, and located in Sacramento. He went 
into business the same year on the corner of 
Eighth and L streets, in partnership with Fred 
Koster, buying out the interests of D. Dierssen 
in the business. After two or three years Mr. 
Feldhusen bought his partner out and has since 
carried on the business alone. He has built up 
an extensive trade, and has a large and well 
selected stock of goods. His local trade is very 
large, and he does quite a jobbing business with 
the suri'ounding country. Mr. Feldhusen was 
married in his native country to Miss Charlotte 
Mertens. They have five children, viz.: Meta 
(wife of John C. Schaden, of Sacramento), Ben, 
Henry, Nicholas and Annie; the latter four be- 
ing with their father in tlie store. Mr. Feld- 
husen is a courteous, genial-mannered gentleman 
and is popular with his many customers. 



^>3-^- 



C. FITCH, foreman of the painting 
department. Central Pacific Railroad 
* shops, Sacramento, is a native of New 
York State, born at Sidney, Delaware County, 
December 3, 1840, and son of Cyrus and Evelyn 
(Eels) Fitch, both of whom were natives of 
Connecticut, and the father a farmer. W. C. 
Fitch spent his early boyht od days at his native 
place, and at the age of fifteen years went to 
Oisego County to learn the carriage-painting 
trade with the firm of D. Hanford & Co., at 
Unadilla. He remained with them five years, 
and then decided to go to California. Proceed- 
ing to New York city, he took passage there, 
March 21, 1861, on the steamer North Star. 
He landed on the 1st of April, and crossing the 
Isthmus of Panama by rail, resumed his sea 



voyag3 on the steamer Golden Age, landing at 
San Francisco on the 13th of April. After 
working three weeks in San Francisco, he went 
to Marysville, where he obtained employment 
with the California Stage Company,, and had 
charge of their painting for over four years, or 
until the stage company closed up business on 
account of the railroad competition. He then 
established a carriage painting shop at Marys- 
ville, and conducted it for two years. He was 
then offered his present position at the head of 
the painting department of the Central Pacific 
Railroad Company at Sacramento, and accepted 
the offer, and has tilled that position since 
March 28, 1868. Mr. Fitch was married at 
Marysville, May 28, 1865, to Miss Roscelia M. 
Graham, a native of Indiana, but reared at 
New Boston, Mercer County, Illinois. Five 
children have been born to them, viz.: Adah, 
wife of Nelson H. Shaver, Jr., of this county; 
Beatrice G., William L. and Irma R. The one 
deceased was named Frank Laurence. Mr. 
Fitch is a member of Union Lodge, A. F. & 
A. M., and of Union Lodge, A. 0. U. W. Be- 
fore his marriage he belonged to the Marysville 
Rifles, in which command he rose through the 
grades of Third and Second Lieutenant to that 
of First Lieutenant. Tiiis company sent two 
of its captains (Gibson and itandall), with com- 
panies which they had organized, to the war of 
the Rebellion. Mr. Fitch is a master of his 
business, and is very popular with the large 
number of men under him, in tlie employ of 
the railroad company. His long tenure of his 
important position is an index to the opinion 
held of him by the company. 



fHRISTIAN WILLIAM THEODOR 
BENEDIX has resided in this county 
since 1868. He was born August 10, in 
the year 1839, in the city of Plan, Mecklenburg- 
Schwerin, Germany, in 1852 he came with 
his parents to America via Hamburg, crossing 
the Atlantic in the English sailino: vessel Gib- 



IIISTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



raltar, Captain Joidau. It was a slow and tedi- 
ous voyage, and came very near being a very 
hot one, tLe ship taking iire twice. After a 
short stay in JS'ew York the family moved on to 
Scott County, Iowa, and settled on a farm four 
miles from the town of Le Claire, fifteen miles 
north of Davenport. They sold this in the lull 
oi 1864 or 1865, and then bought a highly-iaj- 
proved farm of eighty-two acres, very near Eock 
Island, Illinois, paying $100 per acre. There 
is their present home. The grandparents of the 
subject of tliis sketch, on both sides, were well 
advanced in yeais when they died. His parents, 
Frederick John Christian Benedix, born Octo- 
ber 9, 1812, and Frederika [nee Kibke), born 
September 30, 1815, had three sons and five 
daughters, of wliom the subject of tJiis sketch 
is the oldest. The next, a brother, Henry, died 
at their German home, aged seven or eight 
years. The third, Mary, at the age of seventeen 
years, married John Hoist, at Le Claire, Iowa, 
and died fouf years later, having had two daugh- 
ters, of whom the younger died a short time 
before her mother. The older daughter, Sadie 
H., is at present living in western Iowa, near 
the town ot Glidden. Her liusband is Fred. 
Hebbel, and they have three children, all girls. 
The fourth is his brother Frederick, who is now 
living near Pierson, Woodbury County, Iowa, 
where he is the owner of a large farm. He is 
also the happy father of nine healthy children, 
two sons and seven daughters. The fifth, Dora, 
married Henry Mumm, at Moline, Illinois, 
where she now resides. They have six children, 
one son and five daughters. The sixth and 
seventh sisters died quite young, while yet in 
Germany. The eighth and youngest — also a 
sister — died at the age of about two years, near 
Rockford, Illinois, while on the journey from 
New York to Iowa. Mr. Cliristian "W. T. Ben- 
edix during his boyhood worked mostly on the 
Iowa farm of his father. In tlie summers of 
1859 and 1860 he engaged in the prairie-break- 
ing business, "breaking up" many an acre of 
wild prairie and brush land in the counties of 
Scott, Cedar and Clinton: and at the same time 



"breaking in" many a wild steer. He was 
the first to enlist in his township during the 
last war, April 20, 1861, in Company G, First 
Kegiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers. He was 
mustered into United States service May 14, at 
Camp Kirkwood, near Keokuk, Iowa, and was 
honorably discharged from the service August 
21, 1861, at the St. Louis Arsenal, Missouri, by 
reason of expiration of term of service. He 
served under Generals Lyon, Sweeny and Franz 
Sigel. He was with General Sweeny on that 
tiresome march from Springfield, Missouri, 
across the Ozark Mountains, and at the storm- 
ing and capture of the city of Forsyth, near the 
Arkansas line. Mr. Benedix was never reported 
on the "sick list," and participated in all the 
engagements and hardships of his command. 
Having enlisted against the wishes of his par- 
ents, he had pledged himself to his mother that 
if he returned in safety he would not re-en- 
list, and very much against his will, was held 
to that obligation. In 1862-'63, on his father's 
farm in Iowa, he went into the experiment of 
manufacturing sugar from sorghum, only to 
find it a losing business. In the winter of 
1863-'64 he again went to St. Louis, Missouri, 
and for some three months was in employment 
of the United States at Benton Barracks, but his 
health perceptibly failing, he concluded to re- 
turn to Iowa, and thence go overland to the 
lauds of the Pacific. In the spring of 1864 he 
left the grain-fields of Iowa for the gold-fields 
of Idaho — Boise Basin mines. Here he mined 
nearly two years, working, not very successfully, 
but successively, on Moore's Creek, Buena 
Yista Bar, Willow Creek, Grimes' Creek, and 
in the celebrated Apple Jack Gulch. In the 
summer of 1866 he prospected for gold in Ore- 
gon, without finding much. In the fall of 
1866 he settled on a farm near Rio Yista, 
Solano County, this State. In the spring of 
1868 he sold this land, and soon afterward 
bought the 160 acres which he now occupies in 
Franklin Township, eighteen miles south of 
Sacramento. In San Francisco, October 15, 
1870, Mr. Benedix married Miss Emily Weis- 



UISrORY Of SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



mann, a native of Crailslieim, Wiirtemberg, 
Germany. They are the parents of five sons: 
Fraderick John, born September 15, 1871; Al- 
bert, born June 8, 1873; Christian William, 
born July 8, 1875; Frank Weisman, born May 
30, 1877; and Henry Charles, born February 
2, 1881. In the spring of 1888 Mr. and Mrs. 
Benedix, with their son Henry C, made a visit 
to their aged parents in Illinois. At the residence 
of their son-in-lavir and daughter Dora in Mo- 
line, the parents of Mr. Benedix, on the 18th 
day of May, 1888, celebrated their golden wed- 
ding. Here at his California home Mr. Bene- 
dix's business is farming, raising mostly wheat 
and barley, but at times he has also been rais- 
ing some cattle, hogs and horses. About six 
acres of his farm are planted to grapevines. 
However, he makes but little wine, selling most 
of the grapes to commission houses in San 
Francisco, or to the wineries of Sacramento. 
For fourteen years Mr. Benedix has been a 
member of the Board of Trustees of Point 
Pleasant School District. He is a member of 
the Grand Army of the Republic; and also 
corresponding member of the Davenport (Iowa) 
Academy of Natural Sciences. 



fSUTEU. manufacturer, Sacramento, is a 
native of Switzerland, born in Canton 
* Aargan on the 15th of August, 1845, his 
parents being Caspar and Susannah Suter, the 
father a foreman in a paper mill. He was reared 
and educated at his native place, and when 
seventeen years of age went to Zurich, and there 
learned the cabinet-maker's trade in Kuhn's 
large establishment. In 1865 he came to the 
United States, sailing from Bremen in June, on 
the sailing vessel Doretta, and landing at New 
York after a voyage of forty-seven days. A 
week or so later he proceeded to St. Louis, 
where he worked at his trade three years. He 
then went to Kansas City, where he worked one 
year matin factu ring show-cases; and then for 
seven years he conducted a furtiiture store and 



a furniture and coffin factory at Olathe, Kansas. 
In February, 1876, he came out to California, 
and, locating at Sacramento, opened a cabinet 
shop across the street from the Record- Union 
office. A couple months later he removed to 
the corner of Fifth and L streets, where he put 
in machinery, and commenced the manufacture 
of cabinet work. Six months later he started a 
shop at the Telegraph Mill, which he operated 
fur about a year, then removed again to Fifth 
and L streets. About five months later the 
mill burned down, and he lost nearly $400. He 
next started up on the corner of Ninth and K 
streets, but a year and a half later sold out and 
took charge of the furniture factory of Camp- 
bell, Spanier & Bartless, on U street, between 
Tenth and Eleventh streets, in the interests of 
the creditors. Mr. Suter looked the matter 
over and told the creditors that if they would 
give him a show to straighten things out, he 
would pay their claims dollar for dollar. In 
two years' time he had paid off every dollar of 
indebtedness, with interest. About that time 
he sold out there, and commenced again in a 
little place across the street from his present 
office, at Tliirteenth and J. At that time he 
employed two men. Since that time he has 
been constantly spreading out and enlarging his 
quarters, and employs nineteen men, with plenty 
of business for ten more if he had the room. He 
employs only experienced workmen, and gives 
his own personal supervision to all work turned 
out of his shops. He does all kind of furniture 
and variety work, and his goods are engaged 
much faster than he can turn them out. He 
has built up an immense summer trade on 
screens for windows and doors. Among the 
places to which he ships are: Carson, Nevada, 
Plymouth, Folsom, Red Bluff; Chico, AYillows, 
Stockton, Nevada City, Auburn, Anderson 
(Shasta City), and many others. Mr. Suter was 
married at St. Louis, October 10, 1871, to Miss 
Sophia Bollinger, a native of Missouri. They 
have two children, viz.: Oscar and Ida. Mr. 
Suter is a member of the K. of H. His 
mother died when lie was but eleven years old. 



HISTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



but Lis father is still living, leading a retired 
life, at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. 
Snter is one of the most active, pushing men of 
Sacramento. He has been unusually successful 
in business, and his success has been won by 
indefatigable energy and the closest attention to 
business, coupled with the exercise of i'air and 
lionest methods in all matters, large or small. 



fOHN HAUB, of Sacramento, has been a 
resident of the Pacific Coast since 1857, 
and commenced business in the city in 
1885. He is a native of Germany, born at 
Kiederweisel, Hesse- Darmstadt, on the 8th 
day of September, 1845; his parents being 
riiilip and Catharine Haub. His father, who 
was Ibreman in a large wholesale house, died in 
1850. John Haub spent his early boyhood days 
at his native jilace, and there attended school 
several years. In 1857, in company with his 
mother and his brother George, he came to the 
United States, landing at New York, and thence 
proceeding by steamer, via Panama, to San 
Francisco. A month later they went to Marys- 
ville, when the oldest boy of the family, Conrad, 
was cook at the St. Nicholas Hotel. John 
Haub finished his education at Marysville. In 
1860 the family removed to Gold Hill, Nevada, 
and tiiere the mother died later, in the year 
1870. The subject of this sketch remained with 
his brother Conrad (who still keeps hotel at 
Gold Hill), until 1865, when he went to Vir- 
ginia City, and engaged with Thomas Taylor & 
Co., wholesale liquor dealers, with whom he re- 
mained until 1874. He then embarked in the 
grocery business, and conducted a store for four 
years. For the two years preceding 1880 he 
was watchman for the Bullion Mining Com- 
pany. In 1880 he went to White Plains, 
Nevada, where he was engaged in boring ar- 
tesian wells for the Central Pacific Railroad 
Company for four years. After that he con- 
ducted the Golden Gate restaurant, at No. 
267 Third street, about eleven months, then 



sold out on account of sickness and came 
to Sacramento. In 1885 he bought out the 
restaurant business of Messrs. H. Fisher & Co., 
and removed to his present location. No. 612 J 
street, in February, 1888. He has greatly in- 
creased the scope of his business since starting, 
and now, besides a first-class restaurant, he has 
well equipped confectionery, ice cream and fancy 
liakery departments, with a large and growing 
trade. Mr. Haub was mai'ried in Nevada, in 
1868, to Miss Catharine Eger, a native of Ger- 
many. They have three children, viz.: John G., 
W. C. and Lizzie Augusta. Mr. Haul) is a 
member of Tehama Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. 
M , of Capitol Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F., Sac- 
ramento; of Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 5, K. of P., 
San Francisco; of Sacran:ento Turn-Verein, and 
a charter member of Nevada Lodge, No. 3020, 
Iv. of II., Reno, Nevada. Mr. Haub is a man 
of txcellent business qualifications, and is 
making a gratifying success of his enterprise in 
this city. 



fOHN J. BAUER, water tax collector, Sacra- 
mento, is a native of Alsace, born four miles 
from Bellefort, on the 8th day of August, 
1837, his parents being Michael and Maria 
(Weir) Bauer. In 1846 the family came to the 
United States, and after six months in Texas, lo- 
cated at St. Louis, Missouri, where both parents 
lived until the}' died. The father died July 5, 
1864, the mother in 1858. John J. Bauer, the 
subject of this sketch, was reared and educated 
at St. Louis, receiving also a first-clasa musical 
training. In 1854 he came to California with 
an older brother, Francis X., who had been in 
San Francisco, in 1852, engaged at his profes- 
sion, that of a musician. They went down the 
Mississippi River to New Orleans, and from 
there went on the steamer United States to As- 
pinwall, crossing the Isthmus by rail and on 
mule back. From Panama to San Francisco 
they proceeded on the steamer John L. Stephens, 
landing on the 2d of April, 1854. Mr. Bauer 



HI8T0UT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



obtained a situation as a copying clerk for a 
lawyer named Fowler, on Montgomery street, and 
after two months' work got a $50 "slug" in 
payment. On the 12th of July he came to Sac- 
ramento, and in partnership with Jacob and 
George Herget, engaged in fishing on the river 
until 1859. In the fall of that year he became 
a partner with J. T. Mier, in the grocery busi- 
ness, starting a store on Front street, between 
I and J. They were in partnership until 1872, 
after which Mr. Bauer conducted the business 
alone for one year, when lie sold out to Fred 
Uhl, and remained out of business for a year on 
account of ill health. In the fall of 1873 he 
ran for supervisor on the Independent ticket, 
and was elected serving one year, he drawing 
the short term. In the fall of 1876 he went to 
Carson on a musical trip with Church, Jones 
and Beebe, remaining five months. In the fall 
of 1877 he was again elected supervisor, on the 
Republican ticket, serving three years, or until 
the 1st of January, 1881. He ne.xt went into 
the employ of Louis Schloss & Co., in the hide 
and pelt business, with the intention of familiar- 
izing himself with the business, so as to become 
a commercial buyer. He worked up in the 
business from the lowest grade, and on the 1st 
of May, 1882, he went on the road as purchasing 
agent for the firm, throughout California. He 
remained with the firm until September, 1884, 
when they closed their house in this city. In 
connection with E. Hammond, he embarked in 
the same business, and they did business under 
the firm name of E. Ilatnmond & Co., until 
December, 1886, when they withdrew from the 
trade. Mr. Bauer was appointed City Water 
Works Collector, and has held that position 
since April 1, 1887. Mr. Bauer was married 
in this city on the 17th of February, 1862, to 
Miss Jane France, a native of Lancashire, Eng- 
land. They have six children, viz: xVlice Maria, 
Charles E., Annie F., Emile F., Jennie E. and 
John J., Jr. Mr. Bauer is a member of Sacra- 
mento Lodge, I. O. O. F. (in which he has passed 
the ciiairs), of the Veteran Odd Fellows, and of 
Union Lodge, A. O. U. W. In the days of the 



volunteer fire department, he was a member of 
Neptune Hose Company five years, served as 
its secretary four years and a half, acted as a 
member of the board of delegates, and is now 
an exempt fireman. Mr. Bauer has always 
taken an active part in politics, and is a pushing, 
influential man, with a very large circle of 
friends. 



fOSEPH BAUQUIER, one of the old-time 
Californians, residing in Sacramento, is a 
native of France, born in the Department 
of Haut-Saone, March 5, 1814, his parents being 
Antoine and Catharine (Yivier) Bauquier, the 
father a farmer. He was reared at his native 
place, and in 1882 came to America, sailing 
from Havre to New Orleans on the ship Cou- 
cordiere, and landing at the last named city on 
the 18th of July. He obtained a situation 
driving a cart for the mayor of the city, but in 
fourteen months went back to France on the 
French vessel Josephine Bordeaux. After two 
months in France he started on his return for 
New Orleans, and arrived there in September. 
He engaged as a fireman on a steamboat to St. 
Louis, and soon afterward went to St. Clair 
County, Illinois, where he was engaged in the 
coal business and in farming, having three fine 
farms tiiere. In 1853 he crossed the plains to 
California, with three teams of cattle, and three 
teams of horses. He outfitted at St. Louis, and 
proceeded via Fort Leavenworth, Fort Kearney, 
Fort Laramie and Sublette's cut-oflp. He located 
at Sacramento, and built where he now resides. 
He made five trips back to the East by water, 
and each time returned to California overland, 
and every time by way of St. Joseph except the 
first. Three times he brought cattle, and three 
times horses. He never had more than fifteen 
men with him, yet never had any trouble with 
the Indians or stock-thieves, and never lost any- 
thing to speak of in crossing tlie ])lains except 
$2,500 worth of fine horses. He farmed about 
twelve miles from the city a short time after 



UISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



coming here, but most of the time has followed 
contracting, grading, etc. He has considerable 
land outside the city, besides retaining a quarter 
of a block where he lives, and has a horse ranch 
outside of Sacramento. Mr. Bauquier was 
married in St. Clair County, Illinois, on the 1st 
of August, 1840, to Miss Catharine Granjean, 
who was born in the same neighborhood that he 
was. She died on the 15th of December, 1888, 
aged seventy-one years and six months. By 
this marriage there are four children, viz.: 
Peter, Frank (who resides at Iloseviile), Mary 
(wife of H. U. Rode, merchant), and Joseph, Jr., 
who was born in Sacramento, June 18, 1857, 
while Mr. Bauquier was crossing the plains. 
Mr. Bauquier is a member of Tehama Lodge, 
A. F. & A. M., which he joined in 1865, and of 
the Chapter, Council and Commandery. He is a 
Democrat politically. Mr. Bauquier practically 
knows every foot of the route across the plains, 
having gone over it six times before the days of 
railroads. He came near coming out when 
General Sutter came and also with Fremont. 
He has had a life full of incident, and his fund 
of reminiscences and experience is inexhaustible. 
He was living at his residence in Sacramento, 
when the great flood of December, 1861, came 
on. He had just taken sixty-two head of 
good horses (brought out from Cincinnati) out 
to his ranch, and when he returned he found the 
water up to the roof of the one-story part of the 
house, while the family was in the second-story. 
He had an awful time getting into his house, 
but finally did so. The family paid $10 to be 
taken in a boat to •' "Whisky Hill." 

g .3.. t . g -.- 



1^ OPPENHEIM, one of the well-known 
I^W retired business men at Sacramento, is a 
^^* native of Prussia, born at Wollstein, 
June 20, 1822, his parents being E. and P. 
Oppenheim, his father a merchant in the gen- 
eral trade. He was reared at his native place, 
and between the age of six and fourteen years 
attended the public schools, after that receiving 



instruction at private schools. In 184:0 he ac- 
companied a brother to England, and from there, 
in company with another brother, came to New 
.York. After a short time there, tbey proceeded 
southward to Charleston, South Carolina, in a 
brig. They were traveling for pleasure, and 
from Charleston proceeded to Augusta and Sa- 
vannah, Georgia, having their private convey- 
ance in which to make their interesting trip 
across the mountains. They crossed the Tennes- 
seee River and traveled across the Raccoon and 
Lookout Mountains, to Columbus, Georgia, and 
from there went to Nashville, where they sold 
the horse and buggy, and took a steamer for 
St. Louis. In March, 1847, Mr. Oppenheim 
went back to Europe, but in August of the 
same year, returned to the United States. He 
went to Kentucky and engaged in business at 
Uniontown, Union County. On Tuesday, Jan- 
uary 16, 1849, at Morganfleld, six miles from 
Uniontown, he was married to Miss Louisa 
Gaugli, a native of Kentucky and a represent- 
ative of one of the old southern families. In 
1851, Mr. Oppenheim went to New York (having 
decided to go to California) and there took pas- 
sage on the steamer Ohio. He crossed the Istii- 
mus to Panama, and, resuming his sea voyage on 
the steanier Tennessee, landed at San Francisco, 
having left New York on the 5th of March. 
He came at once to Sacramento and opened a 
general merchandise store at No. 6, J Street, 
where W. R. Strong & Co. now are. The 
building was then a frame shanty, and was 
leased by its owner, Sam Brannan, through his 
agent, a Mr. AVetzel. The building was destroyed 
in the big lire of 1852, and as Mr. Oppenheim's 
business demanded better accommodations than 
the old building afforded, Mr. Brannan erected 
for him a brick structure, 25x60 feet in ground 
area. Mr. Oppenheim took a lease of the build- 
ing for four years at $400 per month, while his 
stock consisted of about $2,100 worth of goods. 
Rents soon came down generally, and though 
Mr. Oppenheim paid $400 tlie first year, Mr. 
Wetzel began coming down $25 at a time until 
the price was only $200 a month. Finally after 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



he liad occupied the place three 3'ears, Mr. Op- 
pcTilieiiii told Mr. Wetzel that if he did not place 
the rent at f 100 he would move when his lease 
ran out, and Mr. Wetzel canne to his terms. Id 
1859 he went to New York for the purpose of 
importing goods, and returning, his customers 
being uptown, he removed to where Mr. Petrie 
is nuw, on J street, between Sixth and Seventh, 
and remained in business there until September, 
1865, when he closed out. Party feeling was 
running high at that time, and as he was a 
Democrat and his customers Republican, they 
boycotted him, which caused him to go out of 
business. He advertised that what goods were 
not sold by Saturday night would be disposed 
of at auction in San Francisco, and by the close 
of the appointed day everything he had in the 
store was closed out excepting 100 dozen belts. 
Mr. Oppenheim commenced the laying of the 
foundation of his large residence on the first 
Friday in April, 1866, and moved into the 
house on the 6th of December. He has, since 
his retirement from business made several trips 
to Europe. Mr. and Mrs. Oppenheim have three 
children, viz.: their oldest son, Philip, was edu- 
cated in Sacramento, and at a business college at 
San Francisco, and is now secretary of the 
Pacific Cable Construction Company, of San 
Francisco. He was married in this city, June 
24, 1871, to Miss Mary Cantrell of this county. 
E. Oppenheim, the younger son, lives a half- 
mile above Florin. IFe married Miss Laugen- 
baugh, daughter of John Laugenbaugh. Califor- 
nia, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oppen- 
heim, was born in this city. She is the wife of 
J. M. Thompson, president of the Cable Com- 
pany, at Seattle. 



fACOB SCHMITT, who is in business in 
Sacramento, on H street, opposite the 
Driving Park, is a native of Prussia, born 
at Daubach. June 12, 1844. He was reared to 
farm life and received his education between the 
ages of six and fourteen y^ars. In 1866 he 



came to the United States, sailing from Ham- 
burg and landing at New York. He was there 
and at Williamsburgh and Brooklyn until 1868, 
when he came to California, leaving New York 
March 20, on the steamer Nebraska and coming 
by the way of Panama. He landed at San 
Francisco April 13, 1868. He went to San 
Jose and from there came to Sacramento, and 
obtained employment across the river in Sacra- 
mento County. He afterward went to Butte 
County where he worked for three years, and 
then came to Sacranrento. In 1873 he started 
in the saloon business on K street, between 
Seventh and Eighth, where he built up a large 
trade. In 1885 he erected his handsome build- 
ing at 2012 H street, and moved into it on the 
14th of July. He is a member of Schiller 
Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F. Mr. Schmitt has 
prospered since coming to Sacramento, and has 
a good patronage and many friends. 



fOLAN & MIDDLEMASS, wholesale and 
retail grocers, northwest corner of Seventh 
and N streets, Sacramento. This firm 
commenced business March 17, 1884, succeed- 
ing Leon Salomon, and is composed of John H. 
Dolan and Joseph H. Middlemass. In the few 
years elapsing since their commencement here, 
they have built uj) a business which has already 
placed them among the principal firms of Sa- 
cramento, and which is steadily increasing in 
volume. Their wagons deliver goods in all 
parts of the city, and their outside trade with 
country towns has become an important fea- 
ture of this business. John H. Dolan, of this 
firm, is a native of Northfield, Washington 
County, Vermont, born April 20, 1857, his 
parents being Michael and Mary (Dooley) Do- 
lan. His early boyhood days were passed at his 
native village, and in 1869 he accompanied his 
father to California, locating in Sacramento. He 
obtained employment at the Central Pacific Rail- 
road shops, carrying messages forE. F. Perkins, 
then superintendent of the motive power and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



machinery. After two years there he went to 
Terrace, Utali, and engaged in tlie inachiuist's 
trade in the shops there, continuing for two 
years. He then went back to Vermont and 
obtained employment under Sessions, in the 
shops of the Vermont Central Railroad at St. 
Albans. After two years there he again com- 
menced attendance at the schools, this time 
near Moretown, Vermont, where his father had 
purchased a farm. After spending a year and 
a half at school he went to Salem, Massachu- 
setts, and engaged as clerk in the grocery store 
of John Hurley, a i-elative by marriage. Two 
years later he returned to Sacramento, and went 
into the foundry of the Central Pacific shops 
under Allen, foreman, and was engaged there three 
years as core-maker. He then went to Wads- 
worth, Nevada, and engaged in braking on the 
Central Pacific under Frank Free. Three years 
later he was promoted conductor, and served in 
that capacity for three years on the Truckee 
Division. He then came to Sacramento to en- 
gage in business. Mr. Dolan was married in this 
city May 30, 1881, to Miss Maria Foizey, daugh 
ter of Richard Foizey, foreman of the Central Pa- 
cific tank department. Mr. Dolan is a member 
of Union Lodge, A. O. U. W., having joined the 
order at Truckee. He also belongs to Califor- 
nia Lodge, K. of H., and to Capital City Grove, 
No. 66, A. O. D., of which he was secretary two 
years. Mr. Dolan is a popular man, genial and 
courteous in his manners, and is an active, push- 
ing man of business, who knows no such word 
as " fail." 



—■ ^-^K-'i^-- 

fOSEPH H. MIDDLEMASS, of the firm of 
Dolan & Middlemass, was born in Nova 
Scotia, at Pope's Harbor, near the city of 
Halifax, February 12, 1853, his parents being 
Edward and Abigail (Keeler) Middlemass, the 
former a native of England and the latter of 
Pennsylvania. When he was but two years 
old his parents removed to Salt Lake City, Utah, 
where he was reared to maiihooti. Li 1874 he 



came to Sacramento, and became engaged at the 
Central Pacific Railroad shops, where he was 
employed until entering into partnership witii 
Mr. Dolan, in March, 1884. Mr. Middlemass 
was married in this city December 9, 1876, to 
Mrs. Alice Watts, a native of New York State, 
but reared in Sacramento. Mr. Middlemass is 
a member of Industrial Lodge, I. (). O. F. ; of 
Pacific Encampment, of Rising Star (liebekah) 
Lodge, and of the Grand Canton. Since the 
firm of Dolan & Middlemass was formed he has 
given his entire attention to the care of the 
trade which has been built up by the house, and 
which has assumed such large projiortions. 



fOHN B. CAVE. Among the representa- 
tive men of Sacramento, who have passed 
through the vicissitudes of pioneer life 
with honor and credit to themselves, is the gen- 
tleman whose name lieads this sketch. Mr. 
Cave is a native of Boone County, Missouri, 
born April 12, 1819. His parents, Reuben and 
Catherine (Hayden) Cave, were natives of Vir- 
ginia, who removed from there to Woodford 
County, Kentucky, and afterward to Boone 
County, Missouri, where they were pioneers, 
having located there at a time when their only 
neighbors were Indians, yet wild and numerous, 
bear being plentiful. John B. Cave was reared 
near Columbia, Boone County, and when he 
had arrived at a suitable age to go to school, it 
was necessary to walk three or four miles to a 
school-house. When he was a mere child his 
father died, leaving nine children. Only three 
yet survive, viz.: William J., aged seventy- 
six, who lives in Yolo County; John B., aged 
seventy; and Jesse H., aged sixty-seven. In 
1833 the family removed to Van Buren County, 
Iowa, then also an Indian country, and shortly 
afterward the children lost their mother by 
death, and were then thrown entirely upon their 
own resources. Our subject grew to manhood in 
the vicinity of Bonaparte, Van Buren County, 
and there followed agricultural ]iursuits. Hav- 



iFtsrORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ing been reared in a wild country, and accus- 
tomed to the scenes and incidents attending the 
settling up of a new country, the trip across 
the plains to Calitbrnia had no terrors for him, 
and in 1850 he started tor that far westward 
land, at the head of five men, having four two- 
horse wagons, all belonging to him, having out- 
fitted at Bonaparte. They went to Salt Lake, 
etc., then proceeded down the Rumboldt and 
through Carson Valley to Ilangtown. After a 
brief stop tliere Mr. Cave came on to Sacra- 
mento, and soon afterward went to Downieville 
and engaged in mining at Goodyear's Bar. He 
and his oldest brother hewed out lumber for a 
flume, whip-sawed it, built a flume 400 feet 
long, sixteen feet wide, and three feet deep, 
dammed the river and run the water through the 
flume. They then commenced mining in the 
river bed, but found the enterprise only a mod- 
erately paying one, though people just below 
them were making " lots " of money. They were 
taking out about $6 per day apiece when the 
high water came on, and Mr. Cave, after selling 
out to Theodore Winters, went back to Iowa. 
He remained in Van Buren County until 1852, 
when he started to drive out about 200 head of 
cattle and some twenty-five horses across the 
plains to California. This having been accom- 
plished, he returned to Iowa. In 1853 he re- 
turned to California with cattle and horses, worth 
about $10,000, twenty-five or thirty common 
horses, and 300 head of cattle. After selling these 
along the Sacramento River, he made the return 
trip to Iowa. 'There he remained until 1858, 
when he again started for California, this time 
with 350 cattle and 18 or 20 horses and mules. 
The Mormon troubles were then on, and he was 
advised to make the journey through Mexico, 
via Santa Fe. He had proceeded as far as Al- 
buquerque, when he met Lieutenant Beal re- 
turning from California. He advised Mr. Cave 
to turn off from his course and go the northern 
route, and the latter was persuaded to do so, and 
secured a guide for that ])urpose. At Peach 
Springs (where they found peach-trees growing) 
they had their first trouble with Indians, who 



commenced to steal stock and to shoot at the 
members of the party. One night the camp was 
startled by the loml barking of dogs, and but 
for this all of them would have been massacred. 
The Indians succeeded in running off over 200 
head of cattle that night, and kept making 
rushes and shooting, having no trouble in driv- 
ing away the cattle though Mr. Cave had out a 
double picket guard. He himself was wounded 
at the first attack with an arrow, and his mule 
was shot three times, while one of his men was 
hit with a rifle ball. This sort of thing contin- 
ued until Mr. Cave got to a large spring about 
twelve miles from the Colorado River. There 
he met L. J. Rose, from the same county and 
now of Los Angeles, who had got that far, but 
the Indians had killed one of his men, and had 
taken eight or nine flne wagons, and all of his 
stock except thirteen head of old oxen hitched 
to a wagon, a couple of mules and a pony. He 
asked Mr. Cave to help him, and the latter re- 
plied, " I have plenty, and you can share with 
me as long as anything is left." They decided 
to go back to Altiuquerque, and on the way met 
two brothers named Smith, from Texas. Dur- 
the conversation that followed one of the Smith 
brothers announced his determination of going 
on to California, and tried to persuade Mr. Cave 
to do the same. The latter answered that he 
had enough of making that attempt. Finally 
he traded cattle for some of Smith's mules, and 
Mr. Cave fitted up mule teams to go to Albu- 
querque, intending to proceed from there to 
Iowa. When they reached Las "Vegas they 
were snowed in, and it became necessary to 
camp there that winter. Corn was purchased 
and a house and corral rented. His men ob- 
tained employment from the United States Gov- 
ernment, Major Rucker turning off peons to put 
them at work. Along about the last of Janu- 
ary the weather became favorable for traveling, 
and Mr. Cave said to his wife one night, 
" Which would you rather do — go to California, 
or back to the States?" The brave woman, 
companion of his misfortunes, replied that she 
would never be in favor of going back to Iowa 



HISTORY OF SAGBAMENTO COUNTY. 



broke, and Mr. Cave then said, " It is Califor- 
nia." He sent word to his men that such of 
them as wished to go to California would 
accompany him, and they refitted and started on 
the 1st of February. They followed the Rio 
Grande until they struck the old overland St., 
Louis and San Francisco road, thence proceeded 
by Tucson, P't. Yuma, and Los Angeles to Sac- 
ramento. There Mr. Cave arrived with three 
wagons and some twenty mules and horses, his 
entire band of 350 cattle having been lost on 
the Colorado River. He traded 100 cattle to 
Smith for mules. He at once went to the 
ranch of his brother, who lived ten miles down 
the Sacramento River, in Yolo County. Mr. 
Cave left his family there, and then proceeded 
with one of his nephews up above Yreka, where 
another brother had a hydraulic mine. Mr. 
Cave borrowed enough money from his brother 
to buy 300 head of cattle, which he purchased 
right there. He paid for the cattle and branded 
them, tlien came to Sacramento to rent some 
land to put the cattle on. While he was on 
this mission a terrible accident happened at the 
place he had just lefc. The brotlier from whom 
he had borrowed the money had three sons liv- 
ing at Sawyer's Bar, who had a large pack train, 
and in their possession was considerable money 
belonging to their father. The father went over 
to the Bar to visit his sons, and while there they 
said to their father, we will send the money by 
express. They provided him with a mule and 
a new saddle to ride back. On the way home 
he was shot by some one who knew he had the 
money, and killed. Tlie murderers got but 
little money. The miners turned out to search 
for him, and found the body, but not the perpe- 
trators of tlie foul deed. When Mr. Cave got 
back there, he at once told the boys to take the 
cattle, and they did so, but gave him fourteen 
head. He then came back here, Ijought a ranch, 
and commenced farming seven miles below Sac- 
.ramento. When the Nevada mining excite- 
ment broke out he went to teaming, and drove 
forty mules over the mountains out of Sacra- 
mento, in four ten-mule teams. When the Pa- 



cific Railroad was building, a serious dispute 
arose between the railroad people and the Team- 
sters' Association as to whether the latter should 
take freight from Sacramento, or at Colfax. Mr. 
Cave was sent for, and at 1214 K street lie met 
Messrs. Stanford, Crocker, Hopkins and Earl to 
discuss the situation. Mr. Stanford said, "We 
have a favor to ask. We want you to go to 
Colfax and haul a quartz- mill to Austin." lie 
offered to haul the teams to Colfax free, but 
Mr. Cave drove them. He continued teaming 
until that division of the road was built, and 
then sold his teams to a man named Yeager, of 
Ft. Yuma, who engaged Mr. Cave to go and 
haul quartz for the Vulture Mining Company, 
up the Colorado River about 150 miles above 
Ft. Yuma. Yeager borrowed $2,000 above the 
price of the team, Mr. Cave went to Sacra- 
mento, where he was to get tiie money, but 
Yeager did not show up with it. Mr. Cave 
went to San Francisco and, meeting Yeager at 
the Russ House, '^ tackled " him for a settlement, 
and a promise of payment was there made. Mr. 
Cave afterward met a man who told iiim the teams 
liad been attacked, and he proceeded to look 
Yeager up. He made a trip to the scene of 
Yeager's workings, and after much trouble and 
discouragement found he would never realize a 
dollar from him, so that he was out more than 
$14,000 in the operation, and all by accommo- 
dating a man. Mr. Cave has since devoted his 
attention to farming. He and George L. Clark 
purchased 1,100 acres of land in Yolo County,- 
sixteen miles from Sacramento,- and have started 
ill the business of raising alfalfa on a large 
scale. They have made many improvements, 
and have built a levee a mile and three-quarters 
long, fifty feet wide at the base and six feet 
high. They have some 10,000 cords of wood 
on the place. Mr. Cave was married in Van 
Buren County, Iowa, on the 8th of April, 1842, 
to Miss Delilah Donaldson, a native of Ohio. 
They have four children, viz.: Reuben, David 
and Hugh, who reside in Yolo County; and 
Miss Ella. Mr. Cave is a member of Bona- 
parte Lodge, No. 73, A. F. & A. M., which lie 



HI STOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



joined away back in 1856. Politically he is a 
Democrat. He has led an active life, more 
than ordinarily mixed with adventure, and is at 
the present time a pushing man of business. 



fHARLES SCHWAllTZ, retail butcher, 
Sacramento, is a native of Germany, born 
at Neckar-Gemund, Baden, his parents 
being August and Caroline (Wentzel) Schwartz. 
His father was at the head of the Gens-d'Armes 
in tliat district, and was a military man all his 
life. When Charles Scliwartz was but nine 
years of age his father died, and his mother re- 
moved to Adelsheim, and there he was reared, 
and attended school until the age of fourteen 
years. In 1S53 he came to tlie United States, 
sailing from Bremen on the two-masted schooner 
Figaro. At 2 o'clock on Friday morning, after 
they had been three or four days out of port, 
they were shipwrecked in the Euglish Channel, 
but picked up and transported on a barge to 
Hamsgate. Fifteen days passed by, the schooner 
was repaired and made ready again, and they 
proceeded on their way to America. On the 
voyage the captain became sick, and they landed 
at Bermuda for medicines. From there they 
proceeded to New York, where they landed the 
latter part of May, or the first of June. Mr. 
Schwartz had two e-isters al Albany, and he went 
up to see them. After his visit he returned to 
New York city, and learned the butcher trade 
with John Mittler, No. 504 Houston street. In 
1855 he came to California via Nicaragua, 
leaving New York on the steamer Star of the 
"West, and landing at San Francisco about the 
15tli of September, from the steamer Uncle Sam. 
On tlie latter vessel ciiolera played sad havoc, 
and nearly 200 out of those on board died. Mr. 
Schwartz came on up to Sacramento, and went 
to work for Louis and Jacob Korn, who kept 
the St. Louis Market, on K street, near Sixth. 
Six months later he went to work for Schwartz 
& Bosler, at the City Market, where Wilson's 
lively stable now is. lie remained there about 



a year, then engaged with Charles Lehman, 
where the water works are now located. He 
remained there until February 22, 185&, then 
started in business for himself, on the corner of 
Seventh and L streets, in partnership with 
Charles A. Yoerk, of the National Market. 
That partnership continued until the flood of 
1862, when Mr. Yoerk retired from the firm. 
Mr. Schwartz has continued in business at that 
location ever since, and the business of the L 
street market is now managed by his son Clem- 
ens. In 1880 Mr. Schartz started, in addition, 
the P street market, on the corner of Seventh 
and P streets, and now an extensive business is 
carried on at both places. Mr. Schwartz was 
married in this city May 28, 1864, to Miss Mary 
Neidhardt, a native of Hamburg, Germany. 
They have six children, viz.: Clemens, Edward, 
Louis, Charles, Alice and Fred. Two have died, 
viz.: Carl and Caroline. Mr. Schwartz is a 
member of Schiller Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F., 
and held the presiding chair in 1863. He is 
also a member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 80, 
A. O. U. W. Mr. Schwartz has made his start 
in Sacramento, having come here with but $10 
in his pockets, while now he ranks among the 
substantial men of the city. He is enterprising 
and pushing in business, and is, withal, a popu- 
lar man with a very large circle of friends. 



EORGE NEUMANN, o,io of the best 
of the old-time residents of Sacra 
lento, is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, 
born May 27, 1837, his parents being Andrew 
and Elizabeth (Straw) Neumann. His parents 
were natives of Germany. His father was born 
about thirty-five miles from Bremen, and reared 
there. He came to the United States, locating 
at Baltimore. In 1839 the family removed to 
Van Buren County, Iowa, and there the father 
purchased about 200 acres of laud and afterward 
purchased Missouri school-land. In 1853 the sen- 
ior Neumann and two partners purchased cattle 
and drove them across the plains to California, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO VOUNTT. 



the subject of this sketcli accompanying them. 
Their route took them by Forts Kearney and Lar- 
amie and on to Sweetwater, wliich they ferried, 
constructing their own ferry for the purpose. 
Tliey were successful in getting their stock 
tlirough safely, though tliey saw a great many 
cattle which had been shot by the Indians. They 
came into California by the Beckwith ronte, and 
brought up in American Valley on the 28tli of 
July. That being a good stock country they 
stopped there to let their cattle recruit, remaining 
until about the middle of November. They then 
proceeded to the Buttes, back of Marysville, 
where they sold out and the father then went 
back to Iowa. George Neumann, the subject of 
this sketch, did not return to Iowa with his father 
but decided to remain in California. He went 
from Marysville to Grass Valley, and mined there 
and at Nevada City until 1856, when he sold out 
his interests there. He then came to Sacra- 
mento, from here proceeded to San Francisco, 
and from here took a steamer for home, going by 
way of Panama and New Orleans. In 1858 his 
father made another trip across the plains with 
about 100 Iiead of cows, and he again accompa- 
nied him. There was considerable talk of emi- 
grants being killed who came by the old emigrant 
route that year, so they came by way of Salt 
Lake, and camped adjoining them during the 
height of the Mormon troubles. When they 
reached Carson Valley, the great Washoe min- 
ing excitement was on. They remained there 
three or four months, until the cows had reached 
a marketable condition, then proceeded to Ilaiig- 
town, and from there to Clarksbury, El Dorado 
County, where the remainder of the cows were 
sold out. They then returned to Iowa, where 
the elder Neumann died in 1865, aged si.xty- 
four years. George Neumann again crossed the 
plains to Pike's Peak in 1859. He was in the 
mines there, and on Blue River, and in Utah 
Territory during that trip. In October he left 
Denver for the East, going to St. Joseph, thence 
to Plattsmouth, from there to St. Louis»and 
thence to New York. There he took passage 
on a steamer for Panama, crossed the Isthmus 



and proceeded to San Francisco, where he landed 
from the steamer Sonora. He came to Sacra- 
mento on the 6th of November 1859, and en- 
gaged with his brother, at the What Cheer 
House, on Front and K streets. About a year 
and a half later he secured for himself the cigar 
department of the business, and on liis brother's 
death, March 8, 1868, he succeeded to the entire 
business. He was there when the water came 
through the levees at Rable's tannery, Decem- 
ber-9, 1861, and remembers that three-quarters 
of an hour after the alarm was given the cellars 
commenced filling up. It was soon up even with 
the tops of the counters. It was the same during 
the fiood commencing January 9, 1862, and on 
both occasions they did business on the second 
floor, customers coming up in boats. Mr. Neu- 
mann was married in Sacramento, May 29, 1873, 
to Miss MoUie E. Crump, a native of Virginia. 
Tliey have four children, viz.: Harry, Walter, 
Edith and Emma. In the days of the old vol- 
unteer fire department, Mr. Neumann was a 
member of No. 3 company for twelve or thir- 
teen years. He belongs to the K. of P. (was a 
charter member), and to Cosumnes Tribe, Red 
Men. He was formerly a member of the Sars- 
tield Ciuards. In politics Mr. Neuman is a 
Republican. He has a splendid memory on 
matters of iiistoric interest, and is one of the 
most entertaining conversationalists on those 
subjects to be met with in the city. 



fACOBGRUHLER, proprietor of the Butch- 
ers' Home, Sacramento, is a member of the 
prominent Gruhler family, extended men- 
tion of whom is made in several places in this 
volume. He is a native of Germany, born at 
Aldingen, Wurtemberg, on the 2d of August, 
1861, his parents being Frederick and Christina 
(Glazer) Gruhler. He was reared at his native 
place to farm work, and received his education 
between the ages of six and fourteen years. He 
came to the United States in 1880, locating in Sac- 
ramento on the 5th of May. For the first three 



niSTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



years in this city lie was engaajed at the Coliira- 
biis Brewery, and for tlie succeeding three years 
with his brotlier John on J street. He then 
started in business for himself in his present 
location, No. 1020 J street, where he has built 
up an extensive trade. Mr. Gruhler is L. S. to 
N. G. in Schiller Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F. 
He is also a member of Sacramento Staram, 
No. 124, Red Men; of the Verein Eintracht; of 
Sacramento Turn-Yerein, and of the Sacramento 
Rifle Club. Mr. Gruhler is an active, energetic 
3'oung man, of excellent business qualifications, 
and for the comparatively short space of time 
that he has been in business for himself in Sac- 
ramento, has done remarkably well indeed. He 
is popular and has a host of friends. 



— "^ ^ - S '- t - S -- 

fUSTAV WAHL, of Sacramento, is a na- 
tive of Germany, liorn at Neuffen, Wur- 
temberg, on the 11th of August, 1858, 
his parents being William and Catharine (Lad- 
ner) Wahl. Ilis father kept a bakery and pub- 
lic house. Gustav Wahl spent his boyhood 
days at his native place, and there attended the 
public schools between the age of six and four- 
teen years. He then commenced attending the 
Loury Polytechnic School, at Stuttgart, where 
he also learned the trade of stone cutter. When 
seventeen years of age he went to Zurich, 
Switzerland, to Berne and throughout Wurtem- 
berg. When he arrived at the age of twenty 
years he went into the army, and served in the 
Seventh Wurtemberg Infantry Regiment, No. 
125, Third Company, with headquarters at Stutt- 
gart. At the expiration of three years he was 
discharged with the rank of corporal. In 1882 
lie came to New York, thence to Omaha, from 
tliere to San Francisco, and finally to Sacra- 
mento. He was for some time with his brother 
in the Columbus Brewery, then commenced 
business for himself at 1023 Third street, his 
present locaticm. Mr. Wahl was married in 
this city, in April, 1883, to Miss Frederika 
Bertsch, a native of tiie same town as himself. 



They have three children, viz.: Annie, Edward, 
and Walter Otto. Mr. Wahl is a member of 
Schiller Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F.; of Sacra- 
mento Stamm, No. 124, Red Men (in which he 
has been twice chief) ; of Sacramento Lodge, No. 
11, Hermann's Sons, and of the Verein-Ein- 
tracht. Mr. Wahl is a popular man and has a 
very large number of personal friends. 



^ON. FRANK D. RYAN.— Although but 
young in years, Mr. Ryan has already 
hown himself to be possessed of abilities 
that have giben him a prominence that is only 
filled by worth, and that promise to lead him 
to positions of higher honor and preferment in 
the future. He is a native of the city of Sacra- 
mento, having been born here May 11, 1859. 
His father is Hon. John Ryan, Commissioner of 
Streets and Second Trustee of this city, a gen- 
tleman who has held representative positions 
for many years. Mr. F. D. Ryan, our sub- 
ject, received his academic education in this 
city, completing it by a scholastic course at 
St. Mary's College in San Francisco, where 
he graduated in the year 1878. Returning to 
Sacramento, he began the study of law in the 
office of Judge R. C. Clark in this city, and 
was admitted to practice before the Supreme 
Court, November 9, 1880. He opened an office 
at once, and has from the first commanded a 
practice of important and growing dimensions. 
Mr. Ryan has always taken an active interest 
in politics, in its bearings upon the live ques- 
tions of the day, supporting from convictions 
the principles upon which the Republican party 
rests its cause. His abilities and powers, both 
as a speaker and worker, have been frequently 
employed, and he has personally been called 
upon by the sufl'rages of the people to accept 
the duties of responsible offices. In the State 
election held in 1882 he was chosen to repre- 
sent this county in the Legislature, and was 
nominated and would have been elected for the 
succeeding term as well, but for the fact that a 



UlSrOIiT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



change of residence made liim ineligible. lie 
was the youngest member of tiie House at the 
time, but not the least active and efficient 
worker. In 1885 he was appointed Chief Clerk 
of the House, holding that post until 1887. 
Mr. Kyan has, however, filled even a larger 
place in the eyes of the people, and performed 
a still more important work as a member of the 
order of Native Sons of the Golden West, of 
which he was one of the incorporators. In 
1880 he was Grand Vice-President, and in 
April, 1889, he was elected Grand President of 
the Native Sons, and now holds that position, 
the highest honor in the gift of the order. He 
has been prominently identilied with tlie almost 
unexampled growth and prosperity of the Native 
Sons, who now have the satisfaction of seeing 
no less than twenty of their number occupying 
seats in the Legislature, one of them, Hon. 
Stephen M. White, being chairman of the Sen- 
ate. On the occasion of the unveiling of the 
handsome monument to General Winn, the 
founder of the order, in Sacramento lately, a 
notice of wliich will be fouTid in another place, 
Mr. Eyan took a leading part. Mr. Eyan was 
married November 25, 1884, to Miss Ella Bout- 
well, herself also a native of Sacramento, and 
thus a Native Daughter, the lamily thus being 
thoroughly Calitbrnian. They have two chil- 
dren. 



fATHANIEL DINGLEY, proprietor of the 
Star Coffee and Spice Mills, is a native of 
Maine, born at Winslow, Kennebec County, 
P'ebruary 14, 1824, his father being Nathaniel 
B. Dingley. His mother was also a native of 
Maine and daughter of an old soldier and Eevo- 
lutionary veteran, who came to this country 
with Lafayette, settling in Maine after peace 
was declared. On his father's side the family 
were principally engaged in ship building, his 
grandfather and father both following that trade. 



and 
Indi 



that of si 



ipp 



ing lumber to the West 



Nathaniel Dingley, subject of th 



sketch, spent his early boyhood days at his na- 
tive place, but was quite young when he went 
to sea, his first experience away from home and 
without leave, at that. He lauded at Boston 
'• dead broke," but soon obtained employment 
with the firm of Hill, Capen & Co., who were 
engaged in English dry-goods trade. When the 
first named member of the firm disposed of his 
interest in the business Mr. Dingley left there 
and went with Hill, Capen & Nicholas, corner 
•of .West and Washington streets. After he had 
been in Boston eight years he went to a branch 
house of the firm at Portland, Maine, where he 
remained a year. He then returned to Boston 
and became one of a party of 100 organized to 
go to California on the " Harriet Eockwell." 
Among the party were Charles Tucker, Jr., and 
Theodore Hastings, who for the past seventeen 
years has been a salesman and bookkeeper for 
Mr. Dingley. They left Boston on the 18th of 
September, 1849, and landed at San Francisco 
about the middle of February, 1850. On the 
voyage the ship put into port at St. Catharine 
(just at the time of the riots there) at the Faulk- 
land Islands, and at Valparaiso, where they 
stopped two weeks. Tlieir only serious trouble 
on the trip was off the mouth of the Platte 
Eiver, where they were storm-tossed for three 
days, and were in danger all of that time. Mr. 
Dingley remained in San Francisco about two 
mouths after his arrival there, waiting for re- 
turns from the sale of effects jointly owned by 
the company, and received $65 as his share. He 
then went up to Marysville, andfrom there went 
up to Shasta by o.v-team. On the way he got 
ahead of the party, and going to one side went 
to sleep. When he awoke his companions were 
far ahead. He went up to Cottonwood Creek, 
and ran into a baud of lava-bed Indians, who 
took him prisoner and kept him over night. 
His life would not have been worth much were 
it not that he had in his possession a lot of 
pipes, which he presented to the Indians. An- 
other fact in his favor was that Boston Charley, 
one of his captors, was the son of a Boston 
man, and as Mr. Dingley was from Boston 



IIISTOHY OF SACIUMENTO COUNTY. 



Charley interceded in his favor. At daybreak 
next morning they placed Mr. Dingley astrad- 
dle the tallest Indian, and with two others bracing 
him they carried him across the stream so that 
he did not get wet. They then provided him 
with an escort, who accompanied him until he 
joined his friends. He went up Clear Creek to 
the foot-liills, and engaged in mining at One- 
Horse Town. He was there six months and in 
that time had cleared §2,000. They then pur- 
chased an ox-team and undertook the long jour- 
ney to Union Valley. There Mr. Dingley en- 
gaged again in mining, and also started a grocery 
store, with a partner. Three months later, when 
the cold weather came on, Mr. Dingley became 
sick, and left the concern with his partner while 
he went to Marysville to receive medical atten- 
tion. A couple of months later his partner, who 
had disposed of the business, came down and 
settled up. Mr. Dingley went to work drawing 
a wagon for the Boston Bakery, on Webb street 
above Montgomery, and some time later, about 
the time a sale of the bakery was being made, Mr. 
Dingley expressed a desire to purchase a half 
interest, saying that he liad $1,000 and could 
be of much service in drumming up trade. 
The deal was consummated and a partnership 
formed, and they were doing a line business 
when the great fire came and cleared them out, 
Mr. Dingley losing between §8,000 and §10,000. 
He borrowed §9 and came to Sacramento. He 
obtainedemployraent in the coffee business with 
Charles Tucker, on Front street, between I and 
J. Three months later Mr. Tucker went under 
financially, and his stock was sold at auction. 
Mr. Dingley bought it in, added the manufact- 
ure of syrups to the business, and has added to 
it until the trade lias assumed very large pro- 
portions indeed, extending throughout Califor- 
nia and Nevada. After the fire on Front street, 
Mr. Dingley removed to his present location, 
on I street, where he has ever since continued. 
The products of the factory enjoy a reputation 
second to none, and the business has met with a 
well deserved and permanent success. Mr. 
Dingley has been a resident of California ever 



since the pioneer days, and has been an eye 
witness to the State's great progress in reaching 
her present proud position. He commenced in 
Sacramento with no capital save willing hands 
and a determined head, and is in every sense of 
the word a self-made man. 



fETER NEWMAN, proprietor of the El 
Dorado House, Sacramento, is a native of 
Germany, born at Alsheim, Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, October 24, 1843, his parents being Ru- 
dolph and Catharina (Lang) Newman. The 
father was a cabinet-maker by occupation. 
Peter Newman was reared at his native place, 
and there educated from the time he was six 
years of age until he was fourteen. He then 
learned the barbers' trade. In 1864 he went to 
Mainz, and thence to Hamburg, where, on the 
3d of August, he took passage on the steamer 
Titonia to New York, where he arrived on the 
17th of August. From there he started for 
California, and landed at San Francisco from the 
steamer Constitution. He proceeded to Sacra- 
mento, arriving here on the 8th of February, 
1865. On the 28th of the mouth he went to 
work at the barber trade with Jacob Heintz 
(now a farmer) in the City Hotel barber shop, 
and was so engaged for thirteen years. He then 
succeeded Mr. Drijen in the propriefi)rship of 
the Philadelphia House, which he conducted 
until October 13, 1887, when he bought out the 
El Dorado House and has since conducted the 
business there. Mr. Newman was married in 
this city, October 4, 1868, to Miss Frederika 
Stober, a native of Baden, Germany, whose 
father died there, the family afterward locating 
at Rochester. Her mother afterward died in 
Sacramento. Mr. and Mrs. Newman have six 
children, viz.: Albert J., Frederick William, 
Minnie Frederika, Henry Peter, Frank Ridge- 
ley and Peter Blaine. Mr. Newman is now 
trustee of Schiller Lodge, No. 105, 1. O. O. F., 
in which he has passed the chairs. He was 



UISrORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



District Deputy Grand Master of the order 
under M. W. G. M. Ezra Pearson, from May 15, 
1880, to May 15, 1882. He is also a member 
of Occidental Encampirient, and of the Canton. 
He is a member of Union Lodge, JNo. 58, A. F. 
& A. M.; of Sacramento Stamm, Eed Men, and 
of the Sacramento Turn-Verein. Politically he 
is a stanch Pepublican. Mr. Newman has made 
his start in Sacramento, commencing work here 
at §50 a month, and becoming a partner in tlie 
business March 10, 1868. Now he is one of 
the solid men of the city, and a large property 
owner. Mr. Newman is a whole-souled, genial 
gentleman, and enjoys the confidence and 
esteem of a host of friends. 



fAPTAIN FllANK RUHSTALLEli, pro- 
prietor of tlie City Brewery, and one of 
the prominent business men of Sacra- 
mento, is a native of Switzerland, born a't En- 
siedeln, November 8, 1847, his parents being 
Frank, Sr., and Josepha (Ochsner) Euhstaller. 
His father was a hat-maker by trade in early 
life, but afterward a farmer and dairyman. The 
subject of this sketch attended the public 
schools between the ages of six and thirteen years 
and learned the brewers' trade at Canton Berne. 
In 1862 he came to the United States, taking 
])assage on a steamer at Havre, in July, and 
landing at New York. Proceeding to Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, he obtained employment in 
the Falls City Brewery for a short time, then 
went across the river to St. Albany, Indiana, 
where he became foreman in Paul Reising's 
brewery, before ho was eighteen years old. He 
went back to Louisville again and from there 
came to California in 1865, via New York and 
Panama, landing at San Francisco about the 
24th of August. He came to Sacrainento and 
went to work in the City Brewery, and on the 
3d of September, six weeks later, became fore- 
man, and held that position for one year. He 
then went to the Pacific Brewery, and brewed 
for George Ochs, off and on, for three years. 



He next bought an interest in the Sutterville 
Brewery, and was in partnership there with 
Joseph Bechler for seven or eight months. 
The high water then stopped work and he went 
back to the Pacific Brewery. He remained 
with Ochs until he sold out to Mr. Louis 
Knauer, and then worked for the latter two 
years driving wagon. Then he bought into the 
St. Louis Brewery, and, in partnership with 
Fritz Futterer and Henry Altpeter, conducted 
that brewery for six or seven months. He then 
went back to the Pacific Brewery, where he 
drove wagon for the succeeding two years. 
Then he became foreman. Soon afterward he 
received word that his father was sick in Swit- 
zerland, and he at once went back there, but his 
father had died before he reached home. That 
was in 1873. In August of that year he again 
left there for California, and returning to Sacra- 
mento opened a place opposite the Metropolitan 
Theatre. He continued in business there until 
November, 1881, when he bought the City 
Brewery and has since carried on the business. 
The City Brewery was originated by William 
Borchers and a man named Ililbert, about 1859. 
Hilbert died in March, 1865, and Charles 
Schwartz took his interest in the business. In 
1887 the latter retired from the firm, and Mr. 
Borchers carried on the business alone until the 
brewery was i)urchased by Mr. Ruhstaller. 
Since the last named gentleman took control 
he has made so many improvements that he has 
practically a new brewery. "When he bought 
the place it was operated by horse-power and 
had a capacity of fifteen barrels a day. Now. 
he has a tine plant, operated by steam, which 
turns out sixty-five barrels per day. The beer 
brewed in this brewery has a tine reputation and 
a splendid trade. Mr. Euhstaller was married 
in Sacramento oti Christmas day, 1870, to Miss 
Charlotte Oeste, a native of Germany, but 
reared at Milwaukee. They have had eight 
children, of whom five are living, viz.: Anna, 
Frank J., Minnie, David and August. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ruhstaller have been bereaved by the 
loss of four beloved children, viz.: Otto, Wilhel- 



uisToBT OF sachamemto county. 



mina, Otto and Cliarlotte. Mr. Rulistaller be- 
came a ineiTiber of the Sacramento Hussars in 
1867. From 1878 up to 1882 he was Captain 
of the Hussars, after Fritz Ileilbronn. He has 
been a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 105, 
I. O. O. F., since 1868. He is a member of 
Tehama Lodcre, A. F. & A. M.; of the Sacra- 
mento Turn-Verein ; of Hermann's Sons, and 
of the Verein-Eintracht. He is a member of 
the Foresters' Gun Club, and won the gold 
medal at tlie April shoot, 1889. He is an hon- 
orary member of the Sacramento Rifle Club, 
and gave to the club the cannon presented b}' 
General Sutter to the Swiss Rifle Club. While 
tiring a salute with the cannon the arm of A. 
Klebe was blown off, and the cannon was buried 
and $1,800 collected for Klebe. Captain Ruli- 
staller has in his possession the flag presented 
to the Swiss Rifle Club, iu 1854, by the mem- 
bers of the Schiitzen Club, of Canton Zurich, 
Switzerland, the preserjtation being by Gover- 
nor Bigler. Mr. Ruhstaller made his start in 
business in Sacramento, and by good judgment 
and good management in business, coupled with 
liberality and enterprise, has built himself up 
until he now ranks among the solid men of the 
city. 



tERMAN LAGES.— Among the enterpris- 
ing class of young business men, now 
such an important factor in commercial 
circles of Sacramento, is the gentleman with 
whose name this sketch commences. He was 
born in New York city, August 20, 1862, his 
parents being John and Matilda (Haesloop) 
Lages. Both parents were natives of Germany, 
and his father was a merchant in New York 
city after coming to America. Herman Lages 
was reared and educated in the American me- 
tropolis. In 1881 he came to California, locat- 
ing in this city, and entered the employ of W. 
A. Butterfield, grocer. Tenth and J streets. Ten 
months later he commenced business for him- 
self at his present location. No. 1430 Second 



street. Here he has built up an extensive trade, 
and besides his business in the locality does a 
large order trade with the people of the country 
surrounding Sacramento. He was married in 
this city November 8, 1886, to Miss Annie De- 
valle, a native of Santa Clara County. They 
have one son, John. Mr. Lages is a member of 
Capital Lodge, L O. O. F., and of Court Sac- 
ramento, A. O. F. He was for three years a 
member of the City Guard, of Sacramento. 
Mr. Lages is an active, enterprising young man, 
with plenty of pluck and energy, and is nieet- 
ing with a success in business which must ever 
attend upright, fair and honorable dealings, 
supplemented with such personal attention as 
he gives his business. 

— ^€(11:®!^-^— 

fETER FUCHS.— Among the well-known 
b'usiness men of Sacramento who have 
made their start in this city is the gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch. He is a 
native of Germany, born at Bingen-on-the- 
Rhine, June 20, 1839, his parents being Carl 
and Christina (Bradner) Fuchs. His father fol- 
lowed the occupation of nail and bellows making 
by hand. Peter was left an orphan at the early 
age of three and a half years, and his mother 
died when he was twelve. He lived for one 
year thereafter, with his sister, and upon her 
marriage he went to live with another family, 
with whom he remained until he completed his 
education. At .the age of fourteen years he 
went to Wies-Baden, where he worked for three 
years, in a cigar factory part of the time, at 
other times in a drug store, and at various occu- 
pations. He next obtained employment on one 
of the vessels navigating the Rhine, and after 
three or four months engaged in seafaring life 
on the high seas. His first vessel was the 
Ralphiiio Casino to Rika, Russia, and the sec- 
ond was the Adriana Peternella, on which he 
made a voyage to the East Indies. He followed 
the sea about four years and a half, going all 
around the world under Ilollandish, German, 



IIISTOBT OF SACIUMENTO COUNTY. 



English, Russian and American flags, and on 
tlie 1st of December, 1860, sailed from New 
York on tlie Belle of the Sea, around Cape Horu 
to San Francisco, where he arrived un the 17tli 
of April, 1861. On the 21st lie came to Sac- 
ramento, arriving at 4 a. m., and at 6 p. m. he 
was at work for John Spring at the Crescent 
City Hotel. He remained there until August 
and then went to work for Ur. W. W. Light, at 
general work about the house and place, on No- 
vember 25. He also obtained a job with Charles 
Laiigenbach, 408 J street, learning to make cigars 
and smoking tobacco; and would get up at 5 
A. M., work for Dr. Light till 9 o'clock, then go 
down to Langenbach and do his day's work 
there. When the first flood came on, Decem- 
ber, 1861, he had to give up either his job at 
the house or at the iactorj, and decided to leave 
the ibrmer, leaving Dectmber 20. In June, 
1862, Mr. Langenbach sold out, and Mr. Fuchs 
went into business for himself, upstairs at the 
corner of Third and J streets. Two months 
later 'he removed next to D. O. Mills' bank 
building. In June, 1865, he removed into the 
Metropolitan Theatre building. September 1, 
1868, he started at his present locality, 405 K 
street. He has built up an e.xtensive cigar 
business, his prineijial biaiids bting "Carl and 
Ernst," " Two Erothers," " Mj Boy's Best," 
" Peter Fuchs," and " Peter Fuchs' Best," and 
also carries on the manufacture of smoking 
tobacco, making tlie well-known brands " Old 
Sport," " Champion," and " ILivana." These 
are splendid tobaccos and have a high reputa- 
tion among smokers. Mr. Fuchs has always 
been strongly in I'avor of white labor. He was 
married in San Francisco October 28, 1866, to 
Miss Clara Gallwitz, a native of Berlin. They 
have six children, viz.: Clara, Carl, Ernst, 
Anna, Adolph and Frederick. Adolph was 
drowned August 8, 1889, at the age of eleven 
years, ten months and twenty-two days. Mr. 
Fuchs is a member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 
2, 1. O. O. F.; of Pacific Encampment, No. 2, 
I. O. O. F.; Canton No. 1, P. M., I. O. O. F.; 
of Union Lodge, No. 21, A. O. U. W., and of 



Unity Lodge, No. 2,088, K. of H. He is a 
self-made man and has built himself up to his 
present position from the smallest beginnings 
by indomitable will and energy. He is a popu- 
lar man, and well deserves the success which 
has attended his efforts. 

~-^^mwf^^ — 

tMEISTEK, builder of carriages, etc., Sac- 
ramento, ranks among the prominent 
® manufacturers of the Capital City, and 
is one of those men who have done their full 
share toward the building up of Sacramento. 
He is a native of Germany, born at the village 
of Riichen, Hesse-Cassel, on the 14th of May, 
1837, his parents being Stephen and Elizabeth 
(Engeltiart) Meister. A. Meister, subject of 
this sketch, spent his early boyhood days at his 
native place, and was there educated at the pub- 
lic schools between the^<»ges of six and fourteen 
years. He then went to learn the trade of black- 
smithing and carriage-making at the village of 
Bischhausen, serving an apprenticeship of three 
years. In 1854, in company vs^ith his brother 
Eeinliart, he came to America, sailing from 
Bremen on the ship Blucher, a sailing vessel 
bound lor Baltimore, where they arrived in June. 
They proceeded to Pittsburg, and there Mr. 
Meister finished his trade with C. West, on 
Benn street. In the spring of 1857 he went to 
Chicago, and after working there two weeks, 
proceeded to Michigan City, Indiana, where he 
worked about a year in the car shops. He then 
went to Mishawaka, Indiana, and worked there 
a year. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak, dur- 
ing the gold excitement. A party was formed 
at St. Joseph, Missouri, among whom were Mr. 
Meister and his brother-in law, John Beard. 
They proceeded to California via Salt Lake, 
bringing up at Placerville, where they remained 
about two weeks: Mr. Meister mined for two 
days, a mile and a half above Placerville, in the 
meantime. He came on from there to Sacra- 
mento, and obtained work from J. A. Mason, who 
was then located near where George Blue's shop 



IIISTORT OF SACR^UIENTO COUNTY. 



now is. In 1862 he went back to Mishawaka, 
Indiana, and was there married, on the 15th of 
February, 1863, to Miss Maggie Beard. Mr. 
Meister again returned to California, locating 
in Sacramento, and on the 1st of September, 
1870, in partnership with Thomas Fargher, 
originated the firm of Meister & Co. Four 
years later the partnership was dissolved and 
since that time Mr. Meister has been alone. In 
1877 he removed to where Mr. Moon is now 
situated, and in 1882 established himself at his 
present location. His shop has a frontage of 
sixty-one feet on Ninth street, and extends back 
160 feet, being four stories in height. Mr. 
Meister has made all the substantial improve- 
ments now existing there. When he com- 
menced business only himself and partner were 
employed; now he gives employment to from 
eighteen to twenty skilled workmen, and turns 
out buggies, carriages, phaetons, etc., equal to 
the best in California. His work carried off 
five premiums at the State Fair of 1888, and 
six in 1889. Mr. Meister is a Knight Tem- 
plar in Masonry, and belongs to Union Lodge, 
aid Sicramento Chapter and Gommandery. He 
was for seventeen years trustee of the German 
Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Meister have 
had nine chilireu, of whom six are living, viz.: 
George, Charles, Frank, Edward, Albert, and 
Flora. The three oldest boys are in the shop. 
The deceased children are: Gnssie, Lizzie, and 
Emma. Mr. M^iister is deserving of much 
credit for the enterprise he has shown in giving 
to Sacramento a manufactory such as he con- 
ducts, and has well earned the success with 
which he has met in business. The product of 
his shop holds a high rank in the trade, and in 
addition he does a great amouut of manufact- 
uring to private orders. 



fACOB GRIESEL, manufacturer of harness, 
etc., Sacramento, is a native of Germany, 
born at Obervorschutz, Kreis Fritzlar, Kur- 
hessen, July 30, 1825, his parents being Adam 



and Angelica (Scherp) Griesel, the father a 
carpenter by occupation. He was reared at his 
native place, educated there to the age of four- 
teen years, then went to learn the trade of har- 
ness-maker at Hesse-Cassel. Pie served an 
apprenticeship of three years with Just Rippel, 
and then traveled throughout Germany to per- 
fect his trade. He came to America in the 
spring of 1848, sailing from Bremen and land- 
ing in New York in May. He worked six 
months in New York city, then went, succes- 
sively, to Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Cincinnati, 
Indianapolis, Louisville and St. Louis. From 
there he went to Jeflerson City, where he 
worked for a man named Scherp from 1848 to 
1852. In the spring of the latter year he and 
his brother Adam, now deceased, accompanied 
by William Miller, came To California. They 
outfitted at Jefferson C^fy, and bought five yoke 
of oxen and a horse. Tliey came out via Ft. Kear- 
ney, the Black Hills, Sublette's cut-off, etc., 
and crossed the desert to Ragtowa. They then 
rested a couple of days, and came into Califor- 
nia via the Carson route, bringing up at Hang- 
town about the middle of August, after a rather 
pleasant trip, except that sometimes they ran 
short of water and wood. They sold their teams 
at Hangtown, and Mr. Griesel went to Cold 
Springs and engaged in mining for a couple of 
weeks with an old friend, then came to Sacra- 
mento in a wagon, arriving the early part of 
September. He obtained work at once with a 
man named Philip Megerle, with whom he re- 
mained two years. He then went to Nevada 
City and started a shop, which he conducted 
until November, 1858, when he sold out and 
returned to Sacramento. He went to work for 
his brother, but four months later quit and 
went to New York by steamer. Two or three 
weeks later he went to England, thence to Ger- 
many. He again came back to America from 
there, and after traveling tliroughout the United 
States, brought up at Jefferson City. There he 
belonged to the militia. In April, 1863, he 
came back to Caiitbrnia by water, and started 
work in Sacramento at his present location, No. 



IIIsrOUY OF SAGRAMENTU COUNTY. 



1022 J Street. His brother died in July of 
that year, and he has run tlie place ever since. 
He manufactures nearly everything he handles, 
from the lightest to the heaviest harness, and 
has a fine trade, as his goods enjoy an excellent 
reputation. Mr. Griesel was married in Ger- 
many to Miss Anna C. Riedmann on March 13, 
1859. His wife is a native of Germany, born 
near Obervorschutz. They have two children, 
viz.: Adolph H. and Ottilie. Mr. Griesel is a 
member of Schiller Lodge, I. O. O. F., since 
1864, having joined the order at Nevada City in 
1856, and he lias passed through all the chairs 
of Scliiller Lodge. He has passed the chairs 
of Tribe No. 124, Red Men, and has been its 
treasurer for the last fourteen years. In the 
days uf the volunteer tire department he was in 
Yuung America Engine Company, No. 6, and 
remained with it from 18C6 until the paid fire 
department came in. He has passed the chairs 
in the Chosen Friends. Mr. Griesel has passed 
through many of the vicissitudes of early life 
in California. In Nevada City, in 1856, his 
building and stock were destroyed by fire, and 
he had to commence anew. But his credit was 
first-class, and he had no trouble in getting any- 
thing he wanted from dealers, and to any 
amount. He was stopping at the Illinois House 
when it burned down, the night of Pierce's elec- 
tion, and he slept that night in the Plaza. Mr. 
Griesel is an active, enterprising man of strict 
honesty and integrity' in his business dealings, 
and these facts account for his success. 



►>^ 



fOHN FIllTSCH, one of the old-time Sac- 
ramentans, now retired from active busi- 
ness, is a native of Alsace, born near 
Strasbourg, on the 10th of June, 1815, his 
parents being Valentine and Caroline (Zwilling) 
Fritsch. Their family history is traceable back to 
the sixteenth century. His father and grand- 
father Fritsch were wagon-makers by trade, and 
on his mother's side his ancestors were school 
teachers and ])rofessional people. Being Luther- 



ans by faith, they were driven out by the Roman 
Catholics, and settled in various countries. John 
Fritsch spent his early boyhood days at his na- 
tive place, and there received his education. In 
1832 the family came to America, sailing from 
Havre on the three-masted vessel Martha. 
Their destination was Charleston, South Caro- 
lina, but on account of the trouble then existing 
there, they were not allowed to land. A second 
attempt was made at Norfolk, Virginia, but 
with no better success, this time on account of 
the cholera quarantine. They then put into 
port at Baltimore, and from there proceeded to 
Washington City. There they saw the cele- 
brated Indian chief. Black Hawk, who was then 
on his fiimous trip to the seat of Government. 
Work was plentiful at the National Capital, and 
they settled there. In 1834 the mother died, 
and the family soon afterward broke up. The 
subject of this sketch went with his lather and 
brother to Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsyl- 
vania, where the father worked at his trade, and 
our subject worked with him. In 1836 they 
went to Cincinnati, and a couple of months 
later to St. Louis. Soon afterward they went 
to New Orleans, arriving there about the time 
the Rangers were returning from Te.\as, and the 
soldiers returning from the Seminole War in 
Florida. They resided in Joseph street, in La- 
fayette district. Parish of Jefferson. The father 
died in 1841. On the 4th of June, 1842, John 
Fritsch became a citizen of the United States 
before Judge Francis Joseph Emil Dugui J^i- 
vandais. He remained in New Orleans until 
the 10th of February, 1852, when in company 
with his brother Jacob (now a resident of Marys- 
ville) he took passage on the steamer Philadel- 
phia for Chagres. They crossed the Isthmus of 
Panama, part of the way by boat and ])art on 
foot, and continued their voyage to California 
on the steamer Winfield Scott, landing at San 
Francisco. Mr. Fritsch remained in the city a 
short time, but some of his friends made him a 
present of a pick and shovel, and he started for 
the mines. He })acked the implements, and 
with a blanket on his shoulders, all the way 



UlSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



from Colusa to Shasta. He went to work on 
Clear Creek, and mined there until the follow- 
ing spring. He then returned to San Fran- 
cisco, and there met his wife and children who 
had come out to Join him. He worked there 
at Ills trade until 1855, when he came to Sacra- 
mento, and went to work for George Duden, on 
Ninth and K streets. After this he worked at 
different shops and also in the Central Pacific 
liailroad shops, where he was engaged for a long 
time. He has been retired since about 1879. 
Mr. Fritsch was married in JS'ew Orleans on the 
15th of May, 1842, to Elizabeth Lorch, a native 
of Bavaria, her parents being Simon and Mar- 
garet (Stauter) Lorch. Her father died in Ba- 
varia, and her mother in New Orleans in 1854. 
She came to San Francisco via Panama, on the 
steamers Falcon and Golden Gate. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fritsch were the parents of eleven children, 
of whom five are now living. The eldest son, 
John, Jr., who was a prominent joung man, 
died on the 24th of March, when about thirty- 
four years of age. Their oldest daughter, Phil- 
lipina, has been twice married. By her first 
husband, Louis Koenii', now deceased, there is 
one child living, Charles King, employed in a 
commercial house. She is now the wife of 
William HoflFman. The other living children 
of Mr. and Mrs. Fritsch are: Henry, Lizzie, 
Emma and Margaret (widow of William Keller). 
Mr. Fritsch joined Howard Lodge, No. 6, A. F. 
& A. M., New Orleans, in 1848, and in 1857 
he afhliated with Concord Lodge, Sacramento, 
of which he is now a member. He is a Repub- 
lican politically. His father, who was born io 
1781, was a soldier under the great Napoleon. 



tUGUST SIMON I, proprietor of the La 
Croce Federal Hotel, Sacramento, is a 
native of Italy, born near Lucca, Tuscany, 
in 1826. He was reared at Coreglia, and there 
received his education. He went from his na- 
tive country to France in 1853, and was there 
engaged in the manufacture of art work from 



plaster of Paris. In 1855 he came to America, 
sailing from Havre to New Orleans. Eight 
months later he proceeded to Mexico, and from 
there to California, arriving in San Francisco 
early in 1857. After a time he went to Placer- 
ville, and mined seven or eight years. From 
there he went to Tutter's Valley, Placer County, 
and from there to Sacramento in 1866. He 
engaged with Mr. Gregory, by whom he was 
employed for six years. He then came to the 
present liotel, and went to work for D. Grainger. 
He afterward became a partner with T. Magi- 
netti, and since 1881 has been sole proprietor, 
and has a large business. Mr. Simoni was mar- 
ried in this city to Miss Hester Mahany, a na- 
tive of Ireland. Mr. Simoni was one of the 
first vice-presidents of the Bersaglia, and now 
holds that position. He is a member of Union 
Lodge, No. 2, A. 0. U. W., and of Sacramento 
Lodge, No. 11, K. of P., of the Division No. 7, 
and of Cosumnes Tribe No. 14, Red Men. He 
was formerly a member of Neptune Hose Com- 
pany No. 1, and is an exempt fireman. His 
parents, Ferdinand and Marguerita (Mattel) 
Simoni, are both deceased. 



fAMES POPERT, merchant, corner of 
Twenty-first and H streets, Sacramento, is 
a native of Hamburg, Germany, born 
March 17, 1839, his parents being Martin II. 
and Hannah (Tentler) Popert, the father a man- 
ufacturer of cigars and tobacco. He was reared 
and educated at his native place, and commenced 
the trade of cabinet-maker, at which he served 
a couple of years. In 1858 he went to sea as a 
carpenter, and followed that occupation for 
eight years, in the trade between Hamburg, 
South America, East Indies, Calcutta, etc. In 
1867 he sailed from New York to San Fran- 
cisco on the ship Nightingale, Captain Sparrow, 
landing in the latter part ctf March. He came 
to Sacramento and, going to an employment 
office, applied for work. He soon found work 
as a carTienter, and afterward followed contract- 



uisrunr of sachamej^to county. 



ing and building until 1878, when he engaged 
in mercantile business on the corner of Fourth 
and P streets, succeeding Charles Chambers at 
that location. He commenced there on the 1st 
of September, and two years later built and 
commenced business where he now is. lie en- 
joys an extensive trade, which is constantly 
increasing. Mr. Popert was married in Sacra- 
mento on the 14th of August, 1870, to Miss 
Margaret lleiscli, whose brothers keep the Pio- 
neer Coffee Mills. She died in this city. Mr. 
Popert's present wife, to whom he was married 
November 4, 1875, was formerly Miss Georgina 
Hoff, a native of Philadelphia. They have four 
children, viz.: William, Gertie, James, and 
George. Mr. Popert is a member of Capital 
Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F.; of Occidental En- 
campment and Uniform Eank, of Union Lodge, 
No. 21, A. O. U. W., and of Cosumnes Tribe 
of lied Men, in which he has passed the chairs, 
lie was one of the originators and for a M'hile 
the chairman of the building committee of the 
German Lutheran Church, and is now trustee. 



^EN. STEINAUER, proprietor of the New 
^M AVilliam Tell House, is one of the most 
^f^ pushing and successful hotel men of Sacra- 
mento. He is a native of Switzerland, born at 
Einsiedeln on the 21st of March, 1847, his 
parents being L. and Eliza (Fuchs) Steinaner, 
the father a farmer by occupation. Ben. Stei- 
naner spent his boyhood days at his native 
place, and received his education between the 
ages of si.x and fourteen years. In 1866 he 
went to France, and for a time followed farm- 
ing near Paris, until 1868, when he came to 
New York. He traveled extensively through- 
out this country, visiting, among otiier places, 
Louisville, St. Louis, New Orleans, thence back 
again to St. Louis, where he had a saloon. In 
1874 he came to California, and for a time kept 
bar in Sacramento, and afterward conducted a 
saloon. On the 1st of January, 1876, he 
leased the William Tell House. The New 



William Tell House occupies the site of the old 
St. Charles Hotel, and takes the place of the 
old William Tell House, corner of Ninth and J 
streets. Mr. Steinauer lias made a great suc- 
cess of his hotel, and it is the intention at this 
writing to so add to the building during 1889 
that 120 guests can be accommodated. Mr. 
Steinauer was married February 15, 1876, to 
Miss Theresa Kern, a native of Peimsylvania. 
They have one child — Matilda. Mr. Steinauer 
is a member of the lied Men, and of the Verein- 
Eintracht. He is a pushing man, and he has 
certainly achieved great success and great popu- 
larity as a hotel keeper. 



fRED GEHRING, manufacturer of harness, 
all kinds of saddlery, etc., 912 J street, 
Sacramento, is a native of Baden, Ger- 
many, born on the 18th of June, 1841, his par- 
ents being John Baptist and Agatha (Schilling) 
Gehring. He was reared and educated at his 
native place. The year he was twenty-one he 
came to America, landing at New York, and 
thence via Panama to California. He took the 
steamer Northern Light on the Atlantic side, 
and landed at San Francisco on the 6th of 
April, 1862. He came at once to Sacramento 
and engaged in work for his brother, F. J., one 
of the old-time harness-makers of Sacramento, 
who was then located next to where Turner Hall 
stands. He was with him about three years, 
then commenced following up the railroad, 
which was then building, and established a shop 
at Newcastle. He followed the construction of 
the road to Colfax, and then came to Sacra- 
mento again, and established a shop on the 
north side of the Plaza. He ran that shop 
about a year, tlien sold out to his brother, and 
worked for him about a year. He then engaged 
with Simon Roth, and worked for him until 
1872, when he again established himself in 
business, this time at his present location. He 
has built up an extensive business and enjoys a 
very high reputation in trade. He manufac- 



U I STORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tures nearly all liis harness stoct, liis trade be- 
ing principally in light liarnese and farmers' 
work. Mr. Geliring was married in Sacra- 
mento September 19, 1868, to Mies Margaret 
Stahl, a native of Schleswig-Holstein. They 
have had seven children, of whom one, Freder- 
erick William, is deceased. The living are: 
Frank Paal. Wilhelmina, Emma, Theresa, Ame- 
lia, and Charlotte. Mr. Gehring is a member 
of the Chosen Friends. He is a popular man 
and enjoys the confidence and esteem of tlie 
coniniunity. 

~-«l-^«f^— 



fW. EILEltS is one of the well known 
business men of Sacramento. He was 
** born in Hanover, Germany, May 2, 1826, 
his parents being Fred and Adelheit (Kattman) 
Eilers, the father a farmer. D. W. Filers spent 
his boyhood days- at his native place, and was 
educated from six to fourteen years of age. In 
1845 he came to America, sailing from Bremen 
in August, and landing at New York after a 
voyage of six weeks. The same evening he. 
took a steamer for Albany, thence by canal to 
Buffalo, and from there proceeded by steamer 
to Chicago. He worked three months on the 
construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
then went to St. Louis, and, obtaining a job 
six miles below Carondolet, worked there for 
eighteen months. The next seven months he 
worked at Springfield, Illinois, then obtained 
employment at the survey of the Sangamon and 
Morgan Railroad, between Naples and Sjjring- 
lield. He worked with a team on the construc- 
tion, and then on the repairs between Berlin 
and Jacksonville. After he had been there four 
years he determined to go to California. Pro- 
ceeding to New Orleans, iie^ook a sailing ves- 
sel for Chagres, crossed the Isthmus on foot, 
and came to San Francisco on the steamer AVin- 
field Scott, landing April 29, 1852. He pro- 
ceeded to Sacramento, and a few days later to 
Jackson, Amador County. Not being pleased 
with the prospects there, he went to the Trinity 



mines, and worked there three or four months. 
He then returned to Sacramento, and from there 
proceeded to Gooch's Bar, below Downieville, 
where he mined until the snow drove him out. 
He then went to Lone Rancheria, on the other 
side of Drytown, worked there three or four 
months, then to Gooch's Bar. He mined there, 
at Nevada City and at Gold Flat until August 
10, 1854, when he came to Sacramento and en- 
gaged ill trucking. He followed that business 
fifteen years, then opened a store at the corner 
of Fourth and O streets. After two years there 
he removed to his present location, 1501 Tenth 
street, where he has a large trade. He was 
married on the 5th of December, 1854, to Miss 
Juliana Gabel, and they have five children, viz.: 
Theodore George, Paulina M., Sophia L., Fred- 
die H. and Christian H. Mr. Filer is a mem- 
ber of Sacramento Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., 
which he joined in 1859, and of the Pacific En- 
campment. Mrs. Filer was born in the village 
of Kaisten, Bavaria, her parents being Killian 
and Gertrude Gabel, her father being a farmer. 
She was reared there until eleven years of age, 
attending school, and there was taught English, 
which became of great value when the family 
came to America, as they did in 1848. They 
sailed from Havre on the 17th of April, on the 
sailsliip Cheshire, and landed at New York. 
Two days later they went to Philadelphia by 
steamer. From there they went by rail and 
canal to Pittsburg, through the Alleghany 
Mountains. They had intended to locate there, 
but changed their purpose, and one week later 
took a steamer for Cincinnati, and they located 
there, and afterward at Newport. In 1854 
Mrs. Filer, then a young lady in her " teens," 
came to California, where her sister, Mrs. Dcick- 
mann, lived. She went to Cleveland, thence by 
Buffalo and All^any, to New York, and there 
took passage on the steamer Illinois, which left 
New York July 5, 1854, for Aspinwall. The 
Panama Railroad had got started for part of the 
distance, and she rode ten miles on it. then pro- 
ceeded on mule-back to Panama. Then she 
took the steamer Golden Gate, and landed at 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



San Francisco on the 30th of July. One week 
later her brotlier-in-law came for her, and she 
proceeded to Sacramento. 



fETER KUNZ, proprietor of the Empire 
Nurseries, is one of the best known of the 
old residents of Sacramento. He is a 
native of Germany, born at Zeiskan, Bavaria, 
on the 11th of April, 1835, his parents being 
George Henry and Christina (Weigand) Kunz, 
the father a farmer and land owner. Peter Kunz 
spent his boyhood days at his native place, and 
received his education in the public schools be- 
tween the ages of six and fourteen years, and in 
1851, in company with his brother John, he 
came to America. They sailed from Havre in 
the sailship Germany, and landed in New York 
May 6, 1851. They remained in New York 
city eleven months, and then our subject went 
to learn the nursery business witii Peter Hen- 
derson & Bros., of Jersey City. He worked in 
the floral department and became expert in the 
care and handling of flowers. In 1854 Mr. 
Kunz and Chris Martin, a fellow-workman, 
came to California, leaving New York on the 
steamer Sonora, July 20, crossing the Istlimus 
by rail, and proceeding by sea on the steamer 
Empire, from which they landed at San Fran- 
cisco twenty-six days out from New York. Mr. 
Kunz obtained work in San Francisco with a 
man named Thomas Hayes, with whom he re- 
mained two and a half years. He then came 
to Sacramento, arriving here in August, 1856. 
He rented a place on Third street, between S 
and T, in partnership with Charles Sliiminger, 
and they set about improving it. They got 
their stock from the Eastern States, and by the 
fall of 1801 they had made such progress that 
they had a t^plendid place, and were worth $50,- 
000. That was the condition in which the 
floods of 1861-'62 found them. But when the 
deadly elements had finished their destructive 
work, it was seen that the result of the labor of 
years had been swept away at one fell blow, and 



either partner would have sold out to the other 
for $25! During the flood time, after he had 
put in the day. Mr. Kunz would row in a boat 
to the second story of the house where he slept, 
and there pass the night. Mr. Kunz had $700 
in cash in his pockets, which, of course, the 
flood had left him, and about two months later 
he went to San Francisco and was married; 
when he returned with his bride he had $60 in 
his pocket. It cost him $300 to clear away the 
drift wood which was all over the place, to get 
started again, but that summer he cleared 
$2,000. This was not all done on this place 
here by any means. He first raised $500, then 
went to San Francisco, bought plants, shipped 
them to difterent parts of the State, and then 
auctioned them ofl". While Mr. Kunz keeps a 
few varieties of flowers, to cut for bouquets, he 
makes a specialty of small fruits and rhubarb. 
He purchased his present location, corner of 
Third and R streets, in 1863, moved into it in 
1864, and has since made all the improvements. 
He was much damaged in this place by the 
flood of 1878, which was very destructive. He 
was married in San Francisco on the 9th of 
February, 1862, to Miss Louisa Ochs, a native of 
Spesert, Baden-Baden, and kept a public house. 
Her father died in 1849, and she came to 
America with her inother in 1854, locating in 
Jersey City. She came to California from there, 
landing at San Francisco January 13, 1860. 
Mr. and Mrs. Kunz have six children, viz.: 
George, Annie, Rose, Louis, Lillie, and Chris- 
tina. Mr. Kunz is one of the oldest members 
of the Tehama Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., 
having joined in 1858. He is a Republican on 
national issues, but in local matters is non- 
partisan. Mr. Kunz's parents both died in 
Jersey City — his father in 1865, and his mother 
in 1854. He h9d a brother named George 
Henry Kunz, who came to California with Gen- 
eral Sutter, but our subject has lost trace of 
him since 1849, when he heard of his going to 
Valparaiso. He has a brother now living back 
East. Mrs. Kunz's mother died in Jersey City 
in 1867. Mrs. Kunz has a sister living in Ger- 



inSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



many, another is widow of Mr. Sliiminger, and 
a tiiird sister is the wife of Frank Kunz, of 

Union Nursery. 



^lEAM GKIBBLE, one of the well-known 
fWj capitalists of Sacramento, is a native of 
■^id Pennsylvania, born at Pine Grove, Cum- 
berland County, November 25, 1825, his parents 
being Abner and Catharine (Bumbaugh) Grib- 
ble. In Pennsylvania the father had charge of 
the wood-chopping for an iron-smelting estab- 
lishment. When JJiram Gribble was in liis 
sixth year the family removed to Logan County, 
Ohio, and located on a farm. The subject of 
this sketch learned the saddler's trade at West 
Liberty, Logan County, Ohio, and followed it 
there until 1852. In that year he went to St. 
Louis (having determined to go to California), 
and tiiere met a party of eleven from Michigan 
who were also bound for the new El Dorado, 
and joined them. Proceeding to St. Joseph, 
they outfitted there, and started with ox teams, 
one team of horses, an extra horse and three 
wagons. They crossed the Missouri River at a 
point four miles above St. Joseph, and went 
into camp for the night on the west side of the 
river, on the night of the 23d of April. One 
man was taken sick there. They traveled all 
the next day, and at night encamped at an In- 
dian mission, and two men were taken down 
with sickness on the way. A doctor at the 
mission said that the disease was small-pox, and 
the whole party except Mr. Gi-ibble and the 
captain were vaccinated. Tiie next night their 
camp was pitched on the Nemaha Creek, and 
the first sick man, named Cox, sat in one corner 
of the tent. They remained there eight or nine 
days nursing him, and finally concluded to re- 
sume the journey, and leave two men to care 
for the sick one. This was done, and eight 
days later Cox died, and liis two nurses came 
on with the remaining team. Wiien tliey came 
up with their comrades tliey had nothing but 
their team and the running-gear of the wagon. 



the remainder having been thrown away. Other 
teams passing by would not allow them to travel 
with them on account ot their having had small- 
pox aboard. The party made good time, and 
when they reached the Humboldt, passed wagons 
that had gone by them on the Big and Little 
Blue. Their route was by Sublette's cut-ofF, 
Soda Springs, Steamboat Springs, Wadsworth 
and Truckee. From Reno they went to Sierra 
Valley (then Beckwith's Valley), and thence to 
Nelson's Creek in Plumas County. They went 
to mining in Little Meadow Valley, below 
Spanish Kancli, and remained there until tlie 
middle of September, when they proceeded to 
Marysville. Mr. Gribble came to Sacramento, 
arriving the latter part of September. He re- 
mained tiiere until the fire of November, 1852, 
and a few days later went to what is now Cen- 
terville, El Dorado County, and remaiaed there, 
mining. He remained but a few days, then re- 
turned to Sacramento, and went to work at 
Madison's harness and hardware store, corner of 
Sixth and J streets, the only place left standing 
by the fire. He remained there until Septem- 
ber, 1853, when he went to San Francisco, 
boarded a steamer and went back to Ohio, via 
Panama and New York. In the spring of 
1854 he went to Westport, Missouri, and re- 
mained there that summer, again returning to 
Oliio. In the spring of 1858 he again went to 
New York, and on the 6tli of March left for 
California on the steamer St. Louis. He crossed 
Panama and came on to San Francisco on the 
steamer John L. Stephens. He came to Sacra- 
mento and resumed work at tlie old place, which 
was then run l)y Smith k, Wagonblast. He 
eventually bought out the business, and con- 
ducted it for four years; then in partnership 
with William Joseph embarked in the grocery 
business on the corner of Twelfth and E streets. 
Eleven months later they built on tiie corner of 
Front and I streets, and went into business 
there. The firm carried on the business there 
from May, 1869, to 1880, then built farther up 
on I street. In June, 1883, they went out of 
the business, having rented out both jilaces. 



UIsrORY OF SAORAMENTO COUNTT. 



Mr. Joseph died in 1888. Mr. Gribble has 
been associated with business circles in Sacra- 
mento for many years, and thougli not actively 
engaged in trade at this time, yet has important 
interests liere which require his attention. 
Many changes have occurred since he first set 
foot in Sacramento; in fact there is nothing 
here now to remind one of those times except 
the topography of the land and water courses, 
and even in this respect there have been great 
changes. Mr. Gribble's mother is still living 
at West Liberty, Ohio, aged eighty-four. His 
father died about 1860. Of their nine children 
tiie subject of this sketch was the second in 
order of age, and all are yet living but one. 



||^ E. J^IELSEN, one of the prominent citi- 
IM) ^®"® °^ Sacramento, was born at Sonder- 
^IS® burg, Schleswig-Holstein, August 27, 
1828. Ilis father, who was a merchant, died 
when the subject of this sketch was only four- 
teen years of age, about the time he had com- 
pleted his course in the ])ublic schools. H. B. 
Nielsen entered upon a seafaring life in 1844, 
making his first voyage to the West Indies on 
the ship Australia. During the next two years 
he made a trip around the world on the Skiold. 
Twice she went from Valparaiso to Mexican ports, 
thence to China, thence via the Cape of Good 
Hope to New York, where she arrived in 1848. 
He then shipped as a sailor on the American 
ship " Express," and with her made several 
trips to the West Indies. At IJuenos Ayres he 
shi]>ped on the German brig " Henry von 
Gagern," and went around Cape Horn to San 
Francisco, where he arrived on the 14th of Au- 
gust, 1850. He proceeded to San Diego, where 
he was for a time engaged as a boatman, and, 
going out in a boat to meet the steamer Oregon, 
he was the first person in California to receive 
the news of her admission as a State into the 
Union. In January, 1851, be returned to San 
Francisco, and was for several months in tlie 
revenue service on the brig Lawrence. He then 



started for the mines, and on the 5th of July, 
1851, reached Sacramento. As one of a party 
of seven he went to El Dorado County, mined 
that summer at Long Bar, and toward winter 
went over below Auburn, where he was located 
for some time. In 1852 he took a trip East for 
pleasure, returning in 1853 to Auburn, where 
he learned that his old companions were up on 
the Yuba, at Washington, Nevada County, and 
went up there. He remained there and at Mis- 
souri Bar, engaged in river and surface mining 
until 1857, then went to Coloma, where he and 
some of his friends again engaged in mining. 
In the spring of 1858 he and two of his com- 
panions, John Stalil and Tennis Scholl, embarked 
in general mercantile trade at Louisville. In 
1859 Mr. Nielsen sold out to his partners, and 
took another trip East, returning in the spring 
of 1860. He resumed business with his old 
partners and Theodore Maass, at the Half- Way 
House between Greenwood and Georgetown, 
and there remained until 1865, when he came 
to Sacramento. Mr. Nielsen, in partnership 
with Mr. Maass, engaged in business at the cor- 
ner of Seventh and N streets. The latter died 
in 1879 and Mr. Nielsen carried on the business 
until 1881, when he removed to Eighteenth and 
I, and there went out of business in 1884, on 
account of his health. He was married in this 
city in 1885. His wife's maiden name was 
Sarah C. Atterbury, and she is a native of Mis- 
souri. He has two children, viz.: Henry Ilar- 
rold and George Washington. His wife's 
children by her first husband arc: Ellis and 
Louisa. Mr. Nielsen is a Democrat politically. 
He was elected second trustee in 1883, and 
served one term in that capacity and was ex 
ofticio street commissioner. Mr. Nielsen has 
been an officer in the Odd Fellows for about thirty 
years. He joined in Spanish Flat, and passed 
the chairs of the Georgetown Lodge. He is a 
trustee of the El Dorado Lodge, Sacramento, 
and is a director and treasurer of the Odd Fel- 
lows' Temple. He is a member of the Encamp- 
ment, Canton, and Rebekah Lodge, and a 
member of the General Relief Committee. Mr. 



UISTOliY OF SACRAMENTO UOUNTY. 



335 



Nielsen is an active, influential man, and enjoys, 
in a liigh degree, tlie coniidence of the com- 
m unity. 



A. CASWELL, proprietor of the Inter- 
fPBWI ii^tional Hotel, is to-day one of the 
l^^® representative hotel men of Sacra- 
mento, though he has been in the business but 
a comparatively short length of time. Mr. Cas- 
well is a native of Kingstown, Ontario, born 
December 29, 1842, his parents being Henry 
and Catharine (Miller) Caswell, both of whom 
were natives of Limerick, Ireland. On coming 
to America the father located on a farm near 
Kingstown, and there the subject of this sketch 
was reared and educated. In 1864 W. A. Cas- 
well came to California, taking the steamer 
Ariel from New York on the 23d of February, 
crossing the Isthmus of Panama, and landing at 
San Francisco from the steamer Constitution, 
March 18, 1864. He came at once to Sacra- 
mento and worked at anything at which he 
could obtain employment, but principally under 
B. E. Crocker, on the railroad work just com- 
mencing. After about a year of this employ- 
ment he went with Dr. Cluuess, with whom he 
remained about two and a half years. His next 
occupation was bill-posting, and he obtained the 
ownership of the bill-boards and privileges. His 
business prospered and he kept adding to its 
scope. He started the transfer bus and ran it 
three or four years. For some years he had the 
agency for the Chronicle, and all northern news- 
papers, which paid well. He was also manager 
of the Metropolitan Theater. So that when he 
decided to give up his other business and em- 
bark in that of hotel-keeping, in 1885, he was 
leaving a prosperous business behind hi in. 
With characteristic energy be at once set about 
the improvement of the International Hotel, 
upon taking its proprietorship, and now has a 
house of great beauty in its finish, fittings and 
appointments. Doubtless most of the citizens 
of Sacramento would be astonished upon enter- 



ing the hotel to observe the wonderful change 
which has come over the house. It requires, of 
course, some time to build up a trade for a hotel, 
even with the best of management, but such a 
hotel as the International now is, is certain to 
succeed and will repay the liberality with which 
it has been fitted up, regardless of expense, but 
mindful only of the comfort and convenience of 
the guests. The hotel is conducted on the Eu- 
ropean plan, and the spacious restaurant is open 
day and night. Mr. Caswell was married in 
Sacramento in October, 1870, to Miss Susan 
Gibbs, who came to the State from Illinois with 
her parents when a mere child. Their children 
are: Maude, William Henry, and Edison W. 
The parents of Mr. Caswell came to Sacramento 
in 1870, and here his father died in 1876. His 
mother, who is now seventy-six years old, and 
makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Caswell, as 
does the latter's mother, who is aged seventy- 
five. . Mr. Caswell is a member of Concord 
Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M.; of the Royal 
Arch Chapter, No. 3, and of Sacramento Com- 
mandery. He is a member of Capital Lodge, 
No. 87, I. O. O. F., and of Eed Jacket Tribe, 
No. 28, Ked Men. In politics he is a Republi- 
can. Mr. Caswell has made his start in this 
city, and his success has been won by close at- 
tention to business, and indomitable pluck and 
energy. 

fH. MEIERDIERKS, merchant, of Sacra- 
mento, is a native of Vegesack, a sister 
® State of Bremen, Germany, born De- 
cember 12, 1841, his parents being Bernard 
and Annie Meierdierks. His father was a cook 
by profession, and followed that vocation on the 
sea. C. H. Meierdierks attended the public 
schools from the age of six to fourteen, and 
then studied navigation, after folh^wing the sea, 
to be admitted in the Bremen Navigation 
School. He had not passed his fifteenth birth- 
day when he entered upon his nautical career 
on the sailship Clio, Captain Frohling, which 



HISTORY OF 8AGRAMBNT0 GOUNTT. 



was in the New York and East India trade. 
He was on this vessel five years, and wliile with 
her becaine a full seaman. His next vessel was 
the Isabella, a passenger ship which ran to New 
York, and after her the Bernard, on which he 
was a portion of the time first mate. Some of 
his other vessels were the Emma and the Con- 
stantia (formerly the Susan Faring). During 
his seafaring career he traveled all over the 
globe, and was in the China trade six years, 
ilis last vessel was the Frederick Hard wick, 
Captain Kohlmann, and he left her at Bremen 
in 1871. In 1872 he came to California via 
Panama, and arrived at Sacramento on the 13th 
of April. He engaged first along shore, after- 
ward with Millikin Bros., next with C. Lages 
& Co., and finally with T. H. Cook & Co. In 
1876 he started in business for himself on the 
nortliwest corner of Twelfth and O streets, 
where he has since continued, and where he has 
built up an extensive trade. Mr. Meierdjerks 
was married in Germany to Miss Metha Eliza- 
beth Toengis, a native of that country. They 
have five children, viz.: Willie, born in Ger- 
many, who commenced the study of medicine 
with Dr. Sitninons, of Sacramento, and is now 
in the State University at Berkeley; Charles, 
Ben, Annie and George. One died, viz.: Eddie. 
Mr. Meierdierks is a well-known and respected 
citizen, and enjoys the confidence of a large 
circle of friends. 

'^■^■^ 

^APtTIN KESTLER.— Among the manu- 
facturers of the Capital City is the 
above named gentleman. Mr. Kestler 
was born at Hartsville, Loraine, in April, 1832, 
his parents being Martin, Sr., and Mary (Mem- 
ber) Kestler, the father a looking-glass manu- 
facturer. The subject of this sketch was but 
one year old when his father died, and in 1845 
the family took passage on the sailship Swans- 
down, at Havre, for America. They landed at 
New Orleans in the fall, and in the spring of 
1846 went to St. Louis, all except the brother, 



who remained in New Orleans. At St. Louis 
our subject engaged first at the occupation of 
peddling vegetables, and when he became strong 
enough went to Stendanian's shop to learn the 
wagon-maker's trade. He worked at several 
other shops, among them that of Jacob Bersch. 
In 1852 a party of four was formed to go to 
California, composed as follows: Mr. Kestler, 
subject of this sketch, Henry Fisher, who after- 
ward died at Marysville; John Tsa, who in 
after years ran a ferry on Sacramento River; 
and a blacksmith, whose given name was Henry, 
and who was afterward killed by the caving in 
of a mine near Diamond Spring. They bought 
a wagon and five yoke of cattle, laid in a stock 
of provisions, and started on the 28th of Febru- 
ary. Going to St. Joseph, they crossed the 
Missouri River there on the 1st of May. Their 
routes were by Forts Kearney and Laramie, 
thence by Sublette's cut-off, Trnckee and the 
Sierra Valley into California. Part of the 
journey was made with one of the trains cross- 
ing that year, but the latter part of the way 
they had as company only one wagon and its 
owners, who were from St. Charles, Missouri. 
They sold their team at Sierra Villa, and trav- 
eled afoot thirty miles to Downieville, where 
they arrived about the 23d of September. The 
next day Mr. Kestler packed out with a mule, 
got down to Foster's Bar, and thence took the 
stage to Marysville, and from there proceeded 
in the same manner to Sacramento. He went 
to work for Gouge & Ban man, who had a shop 
on Sixth street, between J and K, where the 
Belvidere Hotel now stands. He was with them 
until they were burned out in the fire of No- 
vember, 1852, then went to work as a carpenter 
for contractor Fidler, who erected a number of 
substantial buildings. The flood, later in the 
year, stopped that work, and Mr. Kestler went 
to work oil a farm opposite the Sacramento 
brewery. A couple of months later he obtained 
employment in the brewery, and in September, 
1853, he started a blacksmith and wagon-making 
shop on Ninth street, between I and J, in part- 
nership with Henry Geisel, now deceased. The 



U I STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



latter retired from the firm in about three years, 
and Mr. Kestler contiuued the business at that 
place until 1859, when he built at his present 
location on Ninth street, between J and K. He 
now has large and well equipped buildings with 
a frontage of eighty feet on Ninth street, eighty 
feet on an alley, and an L extending to J 
street, where he also has twenty feet frontage. 
The flood of 1802 did little damage to him on 
account of his buildings being substantially con- 
structed of brick, though but little work was 
done for a couple of mouths. lie has built up 
a large trade, employs a number of skilled 
workmen, and manufactures anything tiiatruns 
on wheels. Being a highly skilled workman 
himself, he knows how to set his work correctly, 
and thereby' receives the work of some firms 
who will not employ any one else. Mr. Kestler 
was married in Sacrameuto June 7, 1855, to 
Miss Phillipina Darber, a native of Nassau, 
Germany, who came here in an early day from 
Galena, Illinois, with her mother, her father 
having previously died. Mr. and Mrs. Kestler 
have four children living, viz.: Gustav Adolph, 
who resides at Willows; Amelia, Kittie, Elnora 
and i'rederick Henry. Mr. Kestler has passed 
the chairs of Schiller Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is 
now a trustee of the lodge. He is also an officer 
of the Sacramento Turn-Verein, which he joined 
shortly after its organization. He became a 
member of Protection Engine Company, No. 2, 
in 1854, and was connected with it most of the 
time until the paid tire department came into 
vugue. He is now an exempt tirenian. Mr. 
Kestler has made his start in Sacramento, hav- 
ing lost even all his extra clothing at Maiysville. 
He ranks among the best citizens of this city, 
and enjoys the respect and esteem of the com- 
munity. 



:ILLIAMEBERHAKDT,of Sacramento, 
is one ot the most popular manufact- 
urers of, and dealers in, sporting goods 
California. He was l)orn at Thuringen, 



Saxony, Germany, June 27, 1838, and his full 
name, as given in his "papers," is Andreas 
Friedrich Wilhelni Eberhardt. Those papers 
form an interesting relic, and show the names 
of those who "stood up" for liim when he was 
baptized, as follows: Andreas Hellman, mer- 
chant; William Pfamestiel, farmer and butcher; 
and Friedrich Peter, an extensive miller. These 
papers give his parents' names as Johann Fried- 
rich Wilhelm and Magdalena Engel (von Brot- 
terode) Eberhardt. Mr. Eberhardt has his 
father's papers and all of his own papers from 
that time until he left Europe, and they give a 
correct record of his movements. By them it 
is seen that the maiden name of his father's 
first wife was Katherine Elizabeth Reisch; that 
his second wife died December 13, 1846, at 6 
o'clock p. M.; and that the father of the subject 
of this sketch died at 10 o'clock, a. m., on the 
2d of May, 1844. There were six children in 
the familj', and our subject was the youngest. 
His eldest brother was in the army, and his 
second brother, who possessed great strengtli, 
died from the bursting of a blood-vessel. The 
father, a hard-working man, had a small brew 
ery, a butcher shop and a hotel, and had land of 
his own. There was much travel past the place, 
of teams hauling between the farming districts 
and the manufacturing centers, and the team- 
sters would stop and take their meals as many 
as a hundred in a day, and drink at the Eber- 
hardt place, while the teams going over the 
mountains would buy three days' provisions 
here before proceeding on tiieir journey. Of 
course a great deal of credit business was done, 
and Mr. Eberhardt would keep the accounts in 
his memory. One evening at the supper table 
he remarked that he felt bad, and twelve min- 
utes afterward he was dead! The event cast a 
gloom over the family and tlie community, and 
incidentally a great trouble came on. Those 
indebted to the deceased father repudiated the 
debts, and they were lost, and the family placed 
in a bad way. Then the neighbors, for twenty 
German miles around, signed a petition to the 
Government asking the authorities to discharge 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the eldest son from tlie-army, that he might come 
home and help out with the management of the 
property. The petition was granted and the son 
returned and took charge. Nevertheless, the 
family lost between $7,000 and $8,000. The 
place had been in the family for over 200 years, 
and they did not want to lose it. William 
Eberhardt, subject of the sketch, spent his boy- 
hood days at his native place, and there received 
his education. The Government rule which 
required children to attend school between the 
ages of six and fourteen had this modification, 
that the time was considered at an end when the 
ciiild could pass the necessary examinations. 
Thus it was that our subject was but thii-teen 
years old when he had fulfilled the requirements 
and left school. He then commenced to learn 
the manufacture of mathematical and astro- 
nomical instruments, but his brother, who 
already had that trade, told him he would have 
to learn something else. He, however, found a 
place with a prominent engineer, and an ar- 
rangement was effected with the latter by which 
young Eberhardt was to pay him $300 and serve 
an apprenticeship of three years at his chosen 
trade. He had been working then nearly two 
and a half years, when one day his employer 
said to him, " William, next month the Profes- 
sor will hold the Government examinations, and 
if you can pass I will give you the remaining 
half year of your time." (M' course the lad 
gladly accepted the offer. On the appointed 
day tiiere were twenty-three young men who 
presented themselves for the test, seven of whom 
had been at the previous examinations, and Mr. 
Eberhardt was the youngest one in the lot. His 
turn came last, and when he was called up, some 
of the bosses whose sons had failed tried to make 
him, but this they could not do. At last Pro- 
fessor Miller said: "Gentlemen, I can give 
this last boy the first chance; he is the best 
prepared of all." And all the professors coin- 
cided, and signed the report made out to that 
effect. The report of the affair was wide-spread, 
and was announced in the papers, and the suc- 
cessful boy received the congratulations of his 



friends. He remained with his employer three 
months longer than was necessary, and then 
traveled to improve himself in his trade. He 
was but a boy sixteen years of age when one 
day he appeared before the old gentleman 
Krupp, at Essen, and applied for work. Herr 
Krupp looked him over and said, "My boy, you 
are very young, but I believe you are a skillful 
workman ; where are your papers?" He showed 
his papers, Mr. Krupp was well pleased, and the 
boy was put at work, at the highest wages, the 
same as men who had been twelve years in the 
works. One day Mr. Erupp asked him to make 
two screws of the kind used in elevating cannon, 
to be placed on exhibition in the Government 
arsenal. Young Eberhardt undertook the job, 
all went well, and when the delicate details were 
finished artd the work highly polished, they were 
placed on exhibiti(5n. The Crown Prince Fred- 
erick noticed the work, and when he asked who 
did it was told that the artisan was a boy. He 
and his father, the King of Prussia, went to see 
the boy at work, and King William said, "Did 
you, so young, do that work? I only hope, my 
son, that you will never be spoiled by bad asso- 
ciates." The screws were of steel, and the work, 
when finished, with the brass settings, looked 
like polished silver and gold. He remained at 
the Krupp works a year and a half, then re- 
sumed his travels. While working for a Breton 
firm he was sent to do some work in the Par- 
liament buildings, and was there seen by the 
king and recognized as the boy whom he had 
so highly recommended at Essen. He had gone 
to llussia for nine months when he left Essen, 
and Mr. Krupp was very much disappointed to 
have him leave. While in Russia he worked at 
St. Petersburg, Gronstadt, Moscow and Odessa. 
He had to lay off two days on account of work- 
ing so rapidly, and got a German paper which 
contained news of the convocation of monarchs 
at Warsaw. He concluded to go there, and 
hurrying up, reached there three days before 
the conference met. He remained three weeks 
and witnessed and enjoyed the events of the 
great occasion. He then traveled through Eu- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



rope and brought up at Breslau, where he worked 
three and one-lialf years. Mr. Krupp found out 
where he was and sent for liiin to go to Con- 
stantinople and take charge of the work on 
compasses for the Turkish fleet. Mr. Krupp 
said, " The Turkish Government calls upon you 
to undertake this, and will take your belongings 
to Constantinople free, and give yon tickets," 
etc. He went to the Turkish capital, and held 
the position two and a half years. Then he 
grew homesick and announced his intention of 
leaving. The Turkish admiral tried to dissuade 
him from his purpose, but Mr. Eberhardt in- 
sisted, saying that there must be something 
wrong at home, as he could think of nothing 
else day or night. He procured return passes 
and promised to go back. At Vienna lie met 
old Berlin shop-mates and had a good time. 
One of them tried to persuade him to go to 
America, and he Anally consented to do so, and 
agreed to meet him in Hamburg in three weeks, 
after he had made his visit home. He went 
liome, remained nearly three weeks, and then, 
accompanied by a boy who had a brother in 
Pennsylvania, he went to Hamburg. While 
there he would have been detained for service 
in the army had it not been for the papers he 
carried, which would have taken him any place 
in the world. His friend had gone by a steamer 
two days before; so Mr. Eberhardt decided to 
see England and Ireland before sailing, which 
lie did. He took passage at Queenstown for 
the United States, landing at Boston, after a 
stormy passage of six weeks and three days. At 
Boston the capt:iin called him into hisofiiceand 
paid him §30 for work done un the vessel. The 
ne.\t night he went to New York, arriving there 
next morning. He went to the banking-house 
of Julius & Muttus Hacliner on Broadway, and 
delivered to one of the firm a package contain- 
ing four letters, which he had conveyed to him 
from a mutual friend in Austria. The banker 
took Mr. Eberhardt home with him in his car- 
riage and presenting him to his wife said, " Here 
is a young man wlio has brought you some jew- 
elry from your brother in Austria." Mr. Eber- 



hardt remained with them at their city home 
and at their villa in New Jersey for two weeks. 
Then lie went to Hazelton, Pennsylvania, and 
began work for Sharp & Wise. He did not 
speak English, but soon attracted attention by 
the skill and celerity with which his work was 
accomplished. One night he worked overtime 
to accomplish an important job that required 
immediate attention. When the boss came in 
at 7 o'clock next morning, and found the job 
finished, he was astonished and credited him 
with three days work, besides giving him a half 
holiday'. He finally decided to go to California, 
and drew $600, his balance, from the firm. One 
of the proprietors rode with him in the train 
as far as Easton to induce him to return, but 
he would not. He proceeded to New York, 
took steamer for Panama, and landed at San 
Fiancisco May 7, 1868. Two months later he 
came to Sacramento, having been promised a 
job by Master Mechanic Stevens, but he caine at 
a time when work was slack, as the machinery 
was being moved. Mr. Stevens saw his papers, 
asked him where he was stopping and if he could 
remain a week or two. But in the meantime 
he obtained employment turning wood-work for 
the new Capitol building. The work previously 
done was not accepted and Mr. Eberhardt was 
g.ven charge of that part of the work, at the 
architect's suggestion. He did work at odd 
times at the Capitol foundry, and made his lathe 
there. He was the first man to make an oval 
lathe, or turn oval lathes, in California. Some 
of his work at his trade was placed on exhibition 
at the State Fair, and he was awarded the di- 
ploma. He had never, however, given up the 
idea of going back to Turkey. When he got 
his lathe done he had $2.50 left. Then orders 
commenced to come in, and his present exten- 
sive business is the result of that start. One of 
his first jobs was turning a set of billiard balls 
to fill an order. Then Mr. Stevens called and 
wanted him to go to work, but he refused. His 
business covers a large territory, and Mr. Eber- 
hardt is one of the most popular dealers in 
Califoinia. He is a true sportsman, as well as 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



manufactui'er and dealer in sportsmen's goods, 
and, being a meciianic whose trade in his case is 
notiiing less than an art, it is needless to say 
tliat whatever passes through his hands can be 
recommended. Mr. Eberhardt was married to 
Miss Louisa Scharp, a native of Basle, Switzer- 
land. They have six children, viz.: Lillie, Min- 
nie, Willie, Frankie, Amelia and Frederick 
William. 

^ENRY ECKHARDT, proprietor of whole- 
i^^ sale and retail sportsmen's supply house, 
^mi Sacramento, is a native of IIoif-Geismar, 
Hesse-Cassel, Germany, born September 6, 
1833, and son of Henry and Wilhelmina 
(Leger) Eckhardt. His father was a restaurant 
and hotel keeper. Henry Eckhardt was edu- 
cited at his native place from the age of six 
until he was fourteen, then went to Cassel to 
learn the gunsmith's trade, and served an ap- 
prenticeship four years. He then traveled 
throughout the South German countries, and 
on arriving at the proper age was notified to 
come home to enter the military service. He 
was too short of stature at the time to fulfil the 
qualifications, and was put off until next year. 
In the meantime, however, he decided to emi- 
grate to America, and on the 10th of June, 
1854, he sailed from Bremen on the sailship 
Yon Stein, and landed at New York after an 
ocean voyage of fifty-two days. After a brief 
stop at the metropolis, he went to Columbus, 
Ohio, and was then compelled to be laid up by 
sickness. He went to work when able, some- 
times at his trade, and again at farming in the 
country. He was married while in Ohio, in 
1859, to Miss Sarah Zangmeister, who died in 
the early part of 1862. Mr. Eckhardt went to 
New York city and obtained employment at 
government work with Moore & Bons, 303 
Broadway, and he and his brother William 
were employed there two years thereafter. All 
the work done at this shop was performed by 
hand, and when the government got to making 



everything by machinery, the rush stopped, and 
Mr. Eckhardt went West, bringing up at St. 
Joseph, Missouri, where he and his brother 
started in business. While there he served 
about six months in the Home Guards. The 
business in St. Joseph was continued until 
1870, when Mr. Eckhardt came to California 
and opened a shop and store in Sacramento. 
He has built up an extensive trade, wholesale 
and retail, and it has come to be known far and 
near that every purchaser can depend exactly 
on what Mr. Eckhardt tells them in regard to 
his goods. Such a course cannot do otherwise 
than lead to success, and he has been successful. 
His second wife, whom he married in St. Joseph, 
was formerly Miss Wilhelmina Huber, a native 
of Germany, born at Kaiserslautern, on the 
Rhine, and who came to this country when a 
young lady. She died in 1875, at Sacramento. 
His present wife was formerly Miss Frederika 
Huber, a sister of his second wife. Of the first 
marriage there are two children, viz: William, 
in tlie gun business at Spokane Falls, and Katie. 
By the present marriage there is one child — 
Harry. Mr. Eckhardt is a member of Schiller 
Lodge, L O. O. F., and of Lodge No. 81, A. O. 
U. W. Mr. Eckhardt has made his principal 
business success in Sacramento, and the fact 
that his trade extends way up into Oregon and 
Washington Territory is a sufficient testimonial 
to his business qualifications. 



fRED WERNER, proprietor of the Tre- 
mont Hotel, is one of the enterprising 
young business men of Sacramento. He 
was born in Le Claire, Scott County, Iowa, 
March 25, 1857, and is a son of Charles and 
Minnie (MuUer) Werner. His mother is a na- 
tive of a large manufacturing town in Westpha- 
lia, and his father was born at Kaiserslautern, 
Bavaria,. The latter is a shoemaker by trade 
and lived in Chicago when it was a small town. 
He removed to Le Claire, Iowa, in an early day, 
and was in the boot and shoe business there for 



HISTOnr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



many years. Both parents are now residents of 
Le Claire. Fred Werner, the subject of this 
sketch, was reared and educated at Le Chiire, 
and there learned photography and ink work. 
In 1882 he caine to California, and from here 
went to Durango, Moxico, where his uncle, Fred 
Werner, Sr., a well-known man on this coast, 
was interested in mining. He came back to 
Sacramento, and having, when he first came out 
here, worked three months at the Tremont 
Hotel, resumed work there for Mr. Bryding. 
In January, 1888, Mr. Werner assumed the pro- 
prietorship of the hotel, and has since carried 
on the business. The house under his manage- 
ment his g lined largalj in popularity, so that 
sometimes it is quite impossible to accommo- 
date all the guests. About si.xty people can be 
comfortably quartered at the Tremont House. 
This hotel was built by Sam Braunan, and was 
called the Brannan House. In early days it was 
the leading hotel in Sacramento, and many men 
whose names are prominent in State and Na- 
tional history were the guests of the hotel at 
that time. Mr. Werner was married in Sacra- 
mento, to Miss Ida Preston, a native of Yolo 
County. They have one child, an infanti Mr. 
Werner is member of the Druids, and in politics 
is a Republican. He is one of the active, ener- 
getic young men of Sacramento, and the success 
with which he is meeting is well deserved. 



J. IRVINE, the popular proprietor of 
the Pacific Stables, Sacramento, is a 
itive of the County Down, Ireland, 
born near the city of Belfast, April 1, 1850, his 
parents being John and Mary Jane (Gardner) 
Irvine. His boyhood's days were spent at his 
nati /e place, and there he received his education. 
In 1868 he came to the United States, and in 
the September of the following year he located 
at Sacramento. He obtained employment at the 
Pacific Stables, and has ever since been identi- 
fied with them. In 1881 he leased the stables, 
succeeding McGee Bros. Since he has been in 



charge he has built up a very extensive busi- 
ness, and his place is splendidly equipped. He 
runs thirty head of good traveling livery horses, 
besides having a boarding and sale department, 
and in the line of vehicles he has a stock which in 
number and variety is astonishing. There are 
over eighty rigs, including everything that could 
possibly be called for at a livery stable, and they 
are good ones too. Mr. Irvine was married in 
San Jose, October 1, 1883, to Miss Mary Aber- 
nathy, also a native of County Down. They 
have two children, viz.: Willie Gardner, and 
Robert Warren. Mr. Irvine is a member of 
Concord Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M., and 
of Sacramento R. A. Chapter, No. 3. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Irvine is one of the most active business men 
in Sacramento to-day, and by his strict attention 
to business, as well as his uniform courtesy of 
manner, is rapidly achieving the success whicii 
such methods always produce. 

-^-^--^ 

tilERTZEL, cigar manufacturer and deal- 
er, 510 K street, is one of the enterpris- 
® ing young business men of Sacramento. 
He is a native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, 
born at the town of Womelsdorf, fourteen 
miles from Reading, December 8, 1800. His 
father, William Ilertzel, was originally an iron- 
ladle maker by trade, but later a merchant and 
farmer. His mother's maiden name was Lydia 
Ibach. Both parents were of Pennsylvania 
families, and were natives of Allentown, Lehigh 
County. A. Hertzel, the subject of this sketch, 
was reared and educated in his native town, and 
learned the trade of cigar-making with the firm 
of A. S. Valentine & Son. He afterward went 
to Reading, where he worked as a journeyman. 
From boyhood he had taken a natural liking for 
music, and at an early age became a proficient 
performer on the B-flat cornet. He went to 
Atlantic City as a musician, playing during the 
summer season at that far-famed watering place. 
He traveled throughout the Eastern States, work- 



34J 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



iug at his trade in the cities and keeping up his 
])ractice on his favorite instrument, and in the 
summer of 1885 came west and located for a 
time at Canton, Illinois, where he became a 
member of the band. In March, 1887, he came 
to San Jose, California, and in July of the same 
year to Sacramento. He obtained employment 
witli the firm of J. Baptiste & Co., with whom 
he was engaged until late in December, 1887, 
when he purchased the business of Michael Les- 
ser, at his present location. When be started in 
business for himself it was on a small scale, and 
he was the only workman in the shop. Now he 
employs four skilled workmen, and his bu^ness 
extends throughout the city and also the terri- 
tory tributary to it. He employs only white 
labor, uses the best of material, and his manu- 
factured goods have a high reputation. Mr. 
Hertzel was married in Canton, Illinois, to Miss 
Sarah Brown, a native of that city, whose par- 
ents came from New York State. They have 
one child, a boy, named Charles. Mr. Hertzel 
plays the B-flat cornet in the celebrated First 
Artillery Regiment Bar.d. He is a member of 
Industrial Lodge, I. O. O. F., Sacramento, and 
Camp 67, Patriotic Order Sons of America, at 
Wo!nelbdorf, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hertzel is a 
genial, courteous gentleman, and enjoys the re- 
spect of a large circle of friends. 



flMON ROTH, the pioneer manufacturer 
of harness and saddles in Sacramento, is a 
native of Germany, born at Acheru, Ba- 
den, October 28, 1829, his parents being Stephen 
and Elizabeth (Beck) Roth. When he was but 
seven j^ears of age his family emigrated from 
their native land to the United States, and 
located in St. Chiir County, Illinois, four miles 
from St. Louis. He was left an orphan at the 
early age of ten years, and was thus, when but 
a mere child, thrown upon his own resources. 
About six months after he had passed his four- 
teenth birthday he went to St. Louis, and on the 
20th of June, 1844, commenced to learn the 



trade of harness maker with a man named 
Ileinepeter, on Second street, near the Catholic 
Cathedral. He served an apprenticeship of 
three years there, then went to work for a man 
named Walters, and in 1847 went down the 
Mississippi to New Orleaas. He came back to 
St. Louis the following year, and in the fall went 
to Belleville, Illinois, where he worked until 
1849, then started for California. He went to 
Westport, seeking a chance to go overland, and 
the spring of 1850 found him still there. In 
March, however, he fell in with the firm of Bal- 
lard, Waddle & Russell, who had twenty-five ox 
teams, each team consisting of five yoke, 
besides two mules, and lie started from Lexing- 
ton to drive a team for these men, who were 
hauling stores to Salt Lake. Out of thirty-nine 
men who started with tlie expedition, ten died 
on the road, nine of them from cholera and one 
with mountain fever, and the latter belonged to 
Mr. Roth's mess; but as far as he was concerned, 
he never had a day's sickness on the trip. The 
boys would often say, however, during the first 
of the journey, that Mr. Roth would be the first 
to die, as he was the smallest; but no one stood 
it better than he. The outfit remained at Salt 
Lake, with the exception of two mule teams, 
and these with twenty-five men, including Mr. 
Roth, came through to California. They came 
by the Carson route and brought up at Hang- 
town, where Mr. Roth remained three days, 
working in the mines; but this occupation did 
not agree with him, as he was not strong, and 
he proceeded on to Sacramento with a team. 
He happened to meet three boys with whom lie 
had been intimateat Belleville, and they camped 
under an oak tree, back of the present site of the 
International Hotel. Supposing the northern 
mines to be worked out, they proceeded to Ama- 
dor County, and six weeks were put in on Dry 
Creek, three miles below Drytown. The next 
move was to Jackson, but mining in that vicin- 
ity, on account of the scarcity of water, was not 
successful. Mr. Roth had spent what little 
money he had, and giving his tools to his com- 
panions, he once more turned his steps toward 



lIISrOBY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Sacramento. Arriving here, he went to work 
for Albrecht, B. Ely & Houstel, corner of Fifth 
and J streets. In the following spring he was 
employed by Mr. Madison, and in the fall went 
into business for himself, in partnership with 
John Tsohurai. Thej carried on business on J 
street, where O'Brien's store now is, and were, 
like the rest, heavy sufferers from the lire of 
1852, losing what the}' could not haul off in a 
wagon, which had been standing near by. After 
the fire they rebuilt and started up again. In 

1853 Mr. Roth bought his partner out, and in 

1854 he was again burnt out, the fire occurring 
on the 20th of July, which, Mr. Roth says, was 
the hottest day he ever experienced in Sacra- 
mento. The fire broke out while he was at 
dinner, and he lost a good deal of stock, and the 
building, which he had not fully paid for. He 
rebuilt with brick, and contimied in business 
prosperously until the flood of 1861-'62, in 
which lie was a heavy loser. During this pe- 
riod Mr. Rotli, like all others, had strange expe- 
riences, and it was with great difficulty that he 
had his family removed from their perilous situ- 
ation to higher and drier quarters. After the 
flood the grade was raised, and in 1868 Mr. 
Roth purchased the adjoining building and 
moved into it, where he continued business 
until 1878, when he moved next to the Golden 
Eagle Hotel, on K street, and from there moved 
to his present location, 817 J street, where he 
has been since the 1st of February, 1888. His 
business has grown to large proportions, and 
extends as far as Colorado, east, and into south- 
ern California. He keeps only the best goods 
in his lines, and manufactures from one-half to 
two-thirds of his stock. He was married in 
Sacramento, August 27, 1857, to Miss Williel- 
mina Kirchner, a native of New Orleans, who 
came to California in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Roth 
have six children living, viz.: Katie H., wife of 
Thomas W. Smith, resides in Chicago; Fred A., 
a resident of southern California; Willia.a E., 
who is with A. A. Van Voorhees & Co., Sacra- 
mento; Frank Lewis, a blacksmith, in the em- 
ploy of tlie Central Pacific Railroad Company; 



Miss Minnie and Miss Hattie. Mr. Roth is a 
member of El Dorado Lodge, No. 8, 1. O. O. F., 
which he joined in 1855, and in which he has 
passed through all the chairs, and has taken a 
Rebekah degree. He belongs to California 
Lodge, No. 1,580, K. of H., and to Union 
Lodge, No. 21, A. O. U. W. In the days of 
the old volunteer tire department, Mr. Roth ran 
with the machine. He joined Hook and Lad- 
der Company, No. 2, in 1853; was an officer in 
it a couple of years, and in 1856 became a mem- 
ber of Engine Company No. 6, of which he 
served as treasurer, and with which he was asso- 
ciated until the paid fire department was estab- 
lished. He is now an exempt fireman. Mr. 
Roth is one of the best known of Sacrament j's 
old-time business men, and enjoys a wide ac- 
quaintance, and a large degree of popularity. 



" g - > - t - 2- 



l^ORNLEIN BROS.— The history of Cali- 
fMV fornia for the past forty years brings into 
■^ili prominence the careers of many men whose 
fortunes have been entirely built up in a brief 
period of time within her borders, yet the state- 
ment applies particularly to the time immedi- 
ately following the discovery of gold, and the 
building of the Pacific Railroad. However, 
more recent years furnish some remarkable ex- 
amples of a similar character, with the exception 
that now business sagacity and ioresight, and 
not luck or chance, are the most important fac- 
tors. A case in point is that of the Hornlein 
Bros., of Sacramento. Max Edward and Hugo 
A. Hornlein, twin brothers, were born in Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin, December 12, 1859, their 
parents being Emil G. and Amelia (Price) Horn- 
lein, both of whom were natives of Saxony, who 
came to America at the age ol seventeen and 
sixteen years respectively, and were married at 
Milwaukee. Emil G. Hornlein commenced the 
carriage-painting trade there. In 1869 became 
to California. In 1870, one j-ear after the trans- 
continental railroad was completed, he went to 
Harry Bernard, of S icramento, and tiiere dis- 



IIISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



played his wonderful mastery of his trade (with 
him an art). He painted the representation of 
the battle of Bunker Hill on the cannon " Union 
Boy," which captured the prize at the State fair. 
The gun is now an object of much interest at 
the Mare Island Navy Yard. Of course such 
proficiency was not required in his carriage- 
painting business, but, added to being a natural 
artist, he had cultivated his tastes in that direc- 
tion in his native land. He went from Sacra- 
mento to "Woodland and started in business for 
himself, and with such success that his trade 
required the employment of from ten to twenty- 
iive men :he year round. He is now a resident 
of the vicinity of Santa Cruz, where he is a fruit- 
grower. Of his twenty children (of whom six 
were twins) eleven are yet living. When Ma.x 
E. and Hugo A. Hornlein had reached the age 
of fourteen years, they went to work in a hotel, 
but at the same time carried on their education 
by attending night school. M. E. was night 
clerk and H. A. on the day watch, but both did 
duty in the dining-room. In 1880 they came 
to Sacramento, went lo work in the Central 
Hotel, and were there and at the State House 
Hotel about two years. M. E. then went to 
Woodland to learn the carriage-painting ti'ade, 
his brother finding another place at the Pacific 
Oyster House. Three weeks later Mrs. Sharp, 
the lessee of the Central House, went to Wood- 
land to persuade M. E. to come back to Sacra- 
mento and take the dining-room and bar of the 
hotel, offering the privilege for a $100 a month, 
rent to be free the first month if enough was 
not taken in to justify the payment of the agreed 
amount. After a conference between the 
brotliers they agreed to give the proposition a 
trial. They had by this time saved up $500 
apiece from their work. When they took charge 
the house had but a small business, yet within 
a month it had 100 boarders, and was full to its 
utmost capacity, and it is needless to say Mrs. 
Sharp got her first month's rent. Her lease 
ran out within a year. No O'le had ever made 
money there, and the last lessees had lost $4,000 
in trying to make the house profitable. The 



proprietor of the building, Mr. Watt, came to 
the Hornlein Bros, three months before the ex- 
piration of the lease to have a talk with them. 
They wanted to lease the house for five years, 
but Mr. Watt told them he did not wish to make 
a further lease. He said, as they were the only 
parties who had ever made money there, he 
would make them a proposition. This was, that 
they should purchase the property for $18,000. 
Mr. Watt said they could pay him $4,000 in 
cash, and the balance in payments extending 
over seven years, without interest. They ac- 
cepted, and writings were drawn up by which 
they were to pay him $166.67 per month for 
seven years. They continued to make such 
payments until the fall of 1888, when they took 
a clear bill to the house, with a mortgage of 
$4,000 on it. The bargain was made March 
10, 1882, and in the meantime they had started 
in the land business. They filed on some land 
in Fresno and Tulare counties, and bought a 
section of land at the town of Traver, ]&^'\ng^ 
$6,400 cash for it, or $10 an acre. They kept 
that section a year and three months, then sold 
it to McCall & Co. for $27.50 an acre, clearing 
$13,000 on the transaction, and investing the 
profits in Lassen County. Hornlein Bros, now 
own five-sixteenths of a tract of land in that 
county consisting of 14,000 acres, their partner 
in that tract being ex Surveyor General J. W. 
Shanklin, and their investment in it, with im- 
provements, now amounting to $17,000. It is 
devoted to stock-raising. They keep a complete 
set of books in whicli they can tell their finan- 
cial position at any moment, and every year a 
balance sli'jet is drawn up, each year showing a 
wonderful advancement over the last, so that 
they now have close to $100,000 on their side 
of the ledger. When the short space of time in 
which this result has been accomplished is con- 
sidered, the fact seems little short of marvelous. 
Max E. Hornlein was married April 28, 1884, 
to Miss Jennie E. Pulaski, a native of Sacra- 
mento, and daughter of August and Louisa 
Pulaski. He is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias Lodge and of the Division, in which he 




'-/fr(^.P. 



-e-'i^-'j.^^ 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



is Sentinel. He is a member of the Central 
Committee of tlie Ilepnblicaii party for Sacra- 
mento County. H. A. Hornlein is a Democrat 
politically. He is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias also. 



fllE FRIEXD& TEKRY LUMBER 
COMPANY, Sacramento. Directly after 
the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 
1848, the valley of Sacramento became in con- 
sequence the scene of greatest activity, and the 
lumber interest became important. In the early 
'50's among the most prominent lumber firms 
here were those of L. P. Simpson, David In- 
galls, Z. Gardner, Bell & St. John, Randall & 
Peckham, and Samuel Perkins. Mr. Simpson's 
yard was located on the northeast" corner of 
Second and M streets, and there in 1852 were 
two young men at work as employes who after- 
ward became the most proiiiinent lumber firm 
in the city, — Wallace E. Terry and Joseph S. 
Friend. Mr. Friend came from Gloucester, 
Massachusetts, t)ut had a keen eye to business 
in New York city before coming to the coast, 
while Mr. Terry came from the Empire State. 
LTpun becoming ac(][uainted with each other in 
working together, these two talented and enter- 
prising young men determined to start into 
business on their own account. Accordingly, 
in 1858 they rented sufhcient ground opposite 
the Simpson yard, and established business 
there, under the firm name which they have 
ever since had. Seven years afterward they 
bought ground on the south side of M street, 
between Front and Second, and moved upon it. 
Their business proved to be a success from the 
start, and incidentally led to a number of opera- 
tions in other departments of trade. In 1855 
they were commissioned by parties in San Fran- 
cisco to buy hides, tallow and wool for export 
to Xew York, and during the next four years a 
large amount of money passed through the 
hands of this firm for that purpose alone. Men 
were sent out in every direction to gatlier up 



and purchase these commodities which had re- 
ceived very little attention in the past, in fact 
had often been cast aside in mining camps as 
being practically worthless. Later, deer and 
bear skins, horns, old copper and lead and wild 
mustard seed were added to the first articles 
thus collected for shipment "the Horn around," 
and nearly every "prairie schooner" returning 
from the mountains brought in more or less of 
them, with perhaps enough lumber to make 
up a full return freight. At first the sum of 
$1 each measured the value of dry hides, but in 
a year or two English buyers entered the field 
and a lively competition carried the price up to 
$6 and $8 apiece, a! which figures there was no 
profit for the New York house, and the busi- 
ness laTJguished. In the meantime lumber busi- 
ness was steadily increasing in importance and 
volume. When the Central Pacific Railroad 
was in process of construction (1861-'68), this 
firm furnished most of the material used. Many 
million feet of Oregon and redwood lumber, 
timber, piles, ties and telegraph poles were 
brought up the river by sailing vessels, and with 
the powerful aid of steam derricks quickly 
transferred to waiting cars ior the busy, hungry 
"front." Some of these vessels were of the 
deep-water class, in which Friend & Terry were 
interested, and often brought full cargoes fro-n 
Puget Sound and Coast Mills through to Sacra- 
mento direct, without any halt at San Francisco. 
At this day, with the river bottom on top, such 
a thing would be impossible, and such "white- 
winged" crafts are now chiefly and painfully 
conspicuous by their entire absence from the 
once "port" of Sacramento. In 1868 Friend 
& Terry acquired a leading interest in the Boca 
Saw-mill, with a large acreage of timber lands 
in Nevada and Sierra counties, Mr. L. E. Doan 
holding the remaining interest. Boca (Spanish, 
mouth) is located at the mouth of Little Truckee 
River, at an elevation of 5,530 feet above sea 
level. In winter it was noticed that ice formed 
upon the pond, which had been made to furnish 
water-power for the mill, to a thickness of twelve 
to twenty inches, and in the following year an 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ice-house of 8,000 tons capacity was erected 
and filled with the finest quality of natural ice. 
This was the first regular crop of merchantable 
ice harvested in the State of California, and the 
genesis of a complete revelution which was soon 
to follow in the trade. The entire product of 
this first year and the following three years was 
siild to the American-Russian Commercial Corn- 
puny, J. Mora Moss, president, which had exer- 
cised an absolute monopoly of the business for 
years, bringing ice from Sitka and perhaps one 
or two other points in Alaska, and retailing it 
at from 5 to 12 cents per pound, where a better 
quality is now furnished to consumers at from 
£ to 1^ cents a pound. Thd'ice works at Boca 
have been added to from time to time, and have 
assumed large proportions. Other companies 
have established plants in that vicinity, but ten 
to fifteen miles either west or east from Boca 
takes one beyond the limits of the peculiar belt 
in which ice can be profitably cultivated or 
successfully harvested. Importations from the 
north ceased years ago, and railroads have taken 
the transportation of ice from ships — probably 
forever. For fifteen years they imported East- 
ern pine, which was largely used in pattern- 
making, etc., and also Eastern oak and other 
hard wood, which was used in construction and 
repairs upon river steamboats, etc. They also 
imported sash, doors and blinds. This necessity 
is now superseded, as Oregon pine and native 
woods have taken the place of Eastern lumber. 
Upon the death of Mr. Friend in 1871, the 
business was conducted by Mr. Terry alone for 
several years, during which time he took an 
active part, financially and otherwise, in the 
establishment of new gas works, woolen mills, 
box factories, street railways, insurance com- 
panies, and other enterprises of more or less im- 
portance to the citj' and to the county at large. 
In November, 1879, a part of his business was 
incorporated into a joint stock association under 
State law, as the Friend tfc Terry Lumber Com- 
pany, with Mr. Terry as president. The main 
oftice and yards continue to be on Second street, 
between M and N, under the personal manage- 



ment of E. J. Holt. They have also an exten- 
sive yard at Twelfth and J streets, and are 
largely interested in Oregon redwood and sugar- 
pine mills. Mr. Terry was born in 1832, in 
Cortland County, New York. His father. Dr. 
Marsena Terry, — who is still living, at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-seven years, — was for a 
long period a prominent physician of Steuben 
County, New York. In 1836 or 1837 he settled 
at Sheridan, Chautauqua County, that State, 
and later moved to the vicinity of Bath, Steuben 
County, where the subject of this sketch grew up. 
fie attended the academy at Prattsburg and the 
Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York, taught 
three terms of school at Campbell, and read law 
in the office of Barnes & Bonhara, at Bath. In . 
January, 1852, while he was in Judge Barnes' 
office, his brother in-law, E. C. Thompson, re- 
turned from California, with favorable reports; 
and as he was organizing a small party to come 
again to this State, Mr. Terry concluded to come 
with them. One of the company was DeWitt 
C. Alden, a merchant of Bath. They sailed on 
the new steamer Sierra Nevada, on her first trip 
to the Isthmus, where they were detained eleven 
days, and thence to San Francisco, being forty- 
two days on the way. From Panama they 
came on the old steamer New Orleans, with a 
thousand on board, — twice as many as there was 
properly room for. The party proceeeded on 
through Sacramento to Coloma and Georgetown, 
near which latter place they engaged in mining 
for six months. The experience here was very 
rough for a young man brought up as a stu- 
dent in the luxurious East. In September the 
company dissolved. Thompson returned East, 
where he has since amassed a fortune in dealing 
in mining lands, and Mr. Terry came to Sac- 
ramento. After recovering from an attack of 
typhoid fever, he started a school at Washing- 
ton, across the river, where he soon collected 
some thirty pupils; but the greatfire of Novem- 
ber, which for a time absolutely ruined Sacra- 
mento, broke up the school, as about half the 
number of his pupils resided in Sacramento. 
He next became clerk in the office of L. P. Simp- 



EISTOliY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



son, the luinberiiian on Second street, and there 
lie met Mr. Friend, as before stated. Mr. Terry 
became interested in the Xew England saw- 
mill about nine miles above Auburn, a mill 
which cut 3,000,000 or 4,000,000 feet of lum- 
ber per year; and it was this fact that induced 
him and Mr. Friend to form a partnership in 
the lumber business, although they had virtu- 
ally no cash capital. In 1879 A. M. Simpson, 
of San Francisco, an early and very successful 
lumber merchant, mill and ship owner, and 
Messrs. Holt & Son of Humboldt County, with 
extensive holdings in Redwood district, became 
interested with Mr. Terry in the lumber branch 
of his business, and the present joint stock com- 
pany was formed. Reference should here be 
made to the Pioneer Box Company of which Mr. 
Terry is also president, with Mr. H. P. Martin 
as superintendent. The business was origini- 
nally started in 1874 by Mr. Matthew Cooke' 
the distinguished etymologist, and ten years 
later was incorporated by the present owners, who 
have just erected new and additional works of 
large capacity on the river front near T street, 
an indication of growth and prosperity. Enor- 
mous quantities of sugar-pine and firlumber are 
here converted into crates, fruit baskets, boxes 
and packing cases of every description. The 
very latest machinery and appliances are used 
for this purpose, and spur railroad tracks are 
employed at both factories and warehouses to 
facilitate operations. The subject of this sketch 
seems to regard his twenty years' experience in 
the ice business as being fairly conspicuous 
above successes in any of the other industries 
with which he has been prominently identified, 
probably because in that line much greater ob- 
stacles and more determined opposition have 
been encountered. As president of the Boca 
Ice Company he was largely instrumental in 
forming the present Union Ice Company, which 
incorporated in 1882 and selected Lloyd Tevis 
and W. E. Terry as president and vice-president 
respectively. The organization was really a con- 
solidation of the six principal ice companies in 
California, and the fact that during a prolonged 



and bitter war for supremacy, strong animosity 
had arisen, made the task of uniting them very 
difficult of accomplishment. Mr. Terry has 
never sought political preferment; and the only 
occasion when he consented to hold office was in 
1857, as alderman. Formerly he was a Doug- 
las Democrat, but for many years he has been a 
Republican. He is a thorough business man, a 
genial companion and an affectionate husband 
and parent. He is respected and honored by 
all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. 
Mr. Terry was married at San Francisco in 1860, 
by Rev. Starr King, to Miss Laura A. Morrill. 
a native of Maine. Their children are: Mae 
A., Laura E., Joseph E. and Wallace Irving. 
The last mentioned is now attending the State 
University at Berkeley, senior class, while the 
elder son has recently been promoted to the 
position of manager for the Friend & Terry 
Lumber Company. 

— g . i .. fS — 



fETER FLAHERTY, of the firm of Neary 
& Flaherty, proprietors of the Windsor 
Hotel, Sacramento, is a native of County 
Galway, Ireland, born May 21, 1847, his parents 
being Timothy and Bridget (Donahue) Fla- 
herty. When he was but a mere child of three 
months, the family came to America, and located 
at Bangor, Maine, where he was reared. His 
first employment was as bell-boy in a hotel, and 
after a year at that occupation he went on a 
steamboat in the coast trade. During the last 
year of the war, while aboard a Government 
transport, he was at nearly every harbor from 
Maine to Galveston. In 1868 he came to Cali- 
fornia, leaving New York January 15, on the 
steamer San Francisco, and after crossing Nica- 
ragua, took passage on the Moses Taylor for 
San Francisco, where he arrived February 15, 
1868. He commenced steamboating on the Sac- 
ramento as office boy on the steamer Capital, 
and so continued for a year and a half. He 
then accepted employme.it on the street railway 
system of San Francisco, and was so engaged 



UI8T0RT OF SACR/iMENTO COUNTY. 



for nearly two years. He then came to Sacra- 
mento and became shipping clerk for Henry 
Fisher, continuing in that employ until 1876. 
He then engaged in the liquor business on Si.xth 
street, between J and K streets. A year later 
he opened another place at 614 J street, and was 
in that block until the fall of 1887. On the 6th 
of November of that year, in connection with 
Fred Feary, he enter into the hotel business in 
the Windsor Hotel. This house was remod- 
eled in 1881 by its owner, John Q. Brown, and 
was conducted by William F. McFadden until 
the present proprietor took control. The Wind- 
sor is a successful house under the present man- 
ageinenl, and reflects credit on the gentlemen 
who have built it up to its present standing. 
Mr. Flaherty gives his personal attention to the 
house. He was married iu Sacramento July 1, 
1877, to Miss Mary Doyle, a native of Mobile, 
Alabama, who came to Sacramento when an in- 
fant of three months. They have two living 
children, viz.: Mary Ethel and Coleman. Mr. 
Flaherty joined Company G (Sarsfield Guards) 
as a private, and rose through the grades of 
Corporal, Sergeant and Lieutenant, which latter 
he held for years. He is still a member of the 
company, though his business does not allow 
him to hold official positions for lack of time. 
He is also a member Owosso Tribe, Order of 
Eed Men, and of the Young Men's Institute. 
In politics he takes an active interest. Mr. 
Flaherty is a genial landlord and a popular man. 



SRED NEARY, of the firm of Neary & 
Flaherty, was born in County Roscommon, 
Ireland, August 4, 1855, and is a son of 
John and Hattie Neary. He spent his boyhood 
days at his native place, and in 1873 came to 
America, locating at Lowell, Massachusetts. 
Ytom there he came to Sacramento, and learned 
the trade of boot and shoemaking with James 
Parsons. Afterward he was in business for him- 
self about two years, then commenced clerking 
in the Red House, where he was engaged about | 



five years, or until he embarked in tlie hotel 
business. In 1875 he became a member of 
Company G (Sarsfield Guards), in which he held 
all the non-commissioned offices and rose as high 
as Lieutenant. He became Adjutant of the First 
Artillery Regiment in 1882, and held that posi- 
tion until 1887, when he was elected Major of 
the regiment, his present position. His stand- 
ing in the military is a measure of the 
in which he is held by his friends. 



I^ENRY AVEIN REICH, one of the well- 
ITOt known and long-time residents of Sacra- 
"^M mento, is a native of Bavaria, now in the 
empire of Germany, born near Kaiserslautern, 
on the 10th day of December, 1823, his parents 
being Charles and Henrietta (Silverman) Wein- 
reich, the father a comb manufacturer by occu- 
pation. Henry Weinreich spent his boyhood 
days at the place of his birth, receiving his edu- 
cation in the Government schools, between the 
ages of six and fourteen years, receiving con- 
siderable knowledge of business also, while en- 
gaged with an uncle, a wholesale merchant. He 
was but a boy when he determined to come to 
America, and in January, 1839, he sailed from 
Havre in the American sailing vessel Creole, 
bound for New Orleans, which port he reached on 
the 14th of April, having worked his passage 
across the Atlantic. He remained in New Or- 
leans for some time, aud there met some people 
with whom he was acquainted. He went up 
the rivers to Cincinnati, and thence into the 
country in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he 
worked for some time. He next went to Colum- 
bus, and there worked for a firm named Corn- 
stock & Clark, who were extensively engaged in 
the patent-medicine business. In May, 1842, 
he went to Van Buren County, Iowa, where he 
obtained employment with a man named Phil- 
lips, agent for the Sac and Fox Indians, who 
were then being moved to the Raccoon Forks, 
and Mr. Weinreich went there on that business, 
afterward returning to Van Buren County. He 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



made several trips between ihe two localities, 
being engaged with iiis employer in all ilve or 
six months. His next employment was cutting 
walnut logs on Fox Island, and running them 
down the river to St. Louis, this being the com- 
mencement of that enterprise. He next went 
to the pineries of Wisconsin, and had an ex- 
tended experience. Pie was the first man to 
strii^e an axe into the timber at the present site 
of Eau Claire. Chippewa P'alls and other local- 
ities well known now in the lumber industry 
were visited by him when in their infancy. In 
connection with another man he built a saw- 
mill, and did a large business in the manufact- 
ure of lumber. Tliat region, however, was not 
well suited to his health, and in 1850 he went 
to St. Augustine, Texas, where he kept a res- 
taurant. In the latter part of 1851, in company 
with thirteen others, he started for California. 
They went to New Orleans, thence to the city 
of Mexico (by team and on horseback) and from 
there to Acapulco. They there took passage on 
the schooner Guadaloupe No. 1 for San Fran- 
cisco, paying tlieir fares to tlie captain before the 
vessel started, tliat official saying he would take 
on provisions at Mazatian. When they touched 
there it was found that tiie captain had got rid 
of all the passage money, and the representa- 
tives of tlie company owning the boat held her, 
and would furnish no supplies. The American 
consul was applied to by the passengers, but 
could not liejp them out of their dilemma. They 
then concluded to take the matter in their own 
hands, and, running the vessel out of the harbor 
without a clearance, they put into Cape St. 
Lucas, where they bought and killed cattle and 
dried the meat in the sun, also taking some live 
animals on board. They obtained other sup- 
plies at San Jose, Mexico, and then proceeded to 
San Francisco, which port they reached after a 
voyage of sixty-four days, and there turned the 
vessel over to the captain. Mr. Weinreich went 
to Tuolumne County, where he engaged in 
tnanufactnringsliingles, and also took a contract 
for making 100,000 shingles. In the fall of 
1852 he went out of that business, and putting 



up a building in Sonora went into the mercan- 
tile trade. In the fall of 1854 he came to Sac- 
ramento, and engaged in the cigar and patent 
medicine business, which engaged his attention 
until the fall of 1856, three wagons being em- 
ployed by him at that time, as his trade was 
wide-spread throughout the min^g camps. His 
next occupation was keeping a billiard hall, and 
in 1858 he embarked in cattle-ranching on a 
tract of land adjoining the Haggin grant, and 
shortly afterward drove up here from Los An- 
geles County 220 head of horses. He traveled 
nearly eight years for a San Francisco firm and 
also carried on business at Markleeville for a 
time. In 1868 he established his present busi- 
ness next door to the number now occupied by 
him, into which he moved in 1878, though he 
is the owner also of buildings adjoining. Mr. 
Weinreich was married in Sonora, in February, 
1853, to Miss Anna Weber, a native of Hanover. 
They have four children, viz.: Laura, Addie, 
wife of H. C. Oiipman, member of the Board 
of Education; Charles and Katie. Mr. Wein- 
reich is one of the old-time members of Tehama 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M., having joined in 1850. 
He is also a member of the Red Men, and of 
the Sacramento Turn-Verein. 



^H«f^ 



fOHN SKELTON, one of the prominent 
citizens of Sacramento, was born at North 
Shields, Northumberland, England, April 
19, 1837, and is a son of Thomas Skelton. His 
mother's maiden name was lieed. His father 
was a draughtsman of marked skill and ability, 
as well as a thorough and practical ship carpen- 
ter and joiner. John Skelton was reared at 
his native place, and there received his educa- 
tion in the private schools. At the age of six- 
teen years he was bound out to a foundryman, 
and learned the moulder's trade. His parents 
having died, however, he determined to leave 
the country of his birth and seek his fortune in 
foreign lands. In accordance with this decision 
he sailed from Liverpool, January 6, 1857, on 



350 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the sailship The Protector, of Bath, his destina- 
tion being California. The voyage proved a 
memorable one, and will never be forgotten by 
those who participated. When off Cape Horn 
they were caught in a terrible storm, and so 
imminent was the danger of going to the bot- 
tom that the «aptain ordered the mate to cut 
away the masts. The mate answered, "No, 
sir! if we live this storm out, we will need 
those masts." So they were let stand. Although 
all hands had given up hope, the storm was 
ridden out safely. No port was touched at by 
the vessel on the entire voyage, though an un- 
successful attempt was once made. Water for 
drinking purposes gave out, and it became 
necessary to spread the sails to catch rain. They 
tried to make the harbor of San Francisco on 
the 3d of July, but before they had entered the 
Golden Gate a heavy fog obscured vision, and 
tlie vessel drifted about for over two days wait- 
ing for a chance to get in. Burning barrels 
were cast overboard, and fog-horns were con- 
stantly blown, but neither answer nor pilot 
came. When the fog cleared so that objects 
could be feen, it was discovered that the ship 
was on the point of running into a bank, there 
being just time to avoid it. They landed on 
the 6th of July. Mr. Skelton then came to 
Sacramento by boat, and was soon engaged in 
the wood business at the corner of Front and N 
streets. Two years later he secured a contract 
from the Steam Navigation Company to move 
the freight brought by the company's steamers 
for the Folsom Railroad, using a two-horse 
truck in the work, and receiving $250 per 
month in payment. He then re-entered the 
wood business on J street, between Second and 
Third. Two and a half years later he removed 
to his present location, on Fifth and I streets. 
Mr. Skelton was married in England, to Miss 
Elizabeth Ann Hunter, a native of North 
Shields, England. They have three children, 
viz.: Eliphalet, John Thomas, a clerk in the 
Southern Pacific liailroad ofHce, and Mabel. 
Mr. Skelton, a Republican politically, is a 
member of the School Board of Sacramento, 



and takes an active interest in everything per- 
taining to the advancement of the cause of edu- 
cation. He is a member of Tehama Lodge, 
No. 3, A. F:& A. M.; Capital Lodge, No. 87, 
L O. O. F. ; is Chaplain of Ben Bow Lodge, 
Sons of St. George, and for 1889 representative 
in Grand Lodge from the local lodge of Chosen 
Friends, and was elected one of the Grand 
Trustees, also Treasurer of Lodge 96, Chosen 
Friends, of Sacramento. 



fHlLlP SCHELU.— Among the solid, sub- 
stantial citizens of Sacramento is the gen- 
tleman whose name heads this sketch. He 
is a native of Germany, born in the town of 
Giessen, Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt, 
October 13, 1827, his parents being John and 
Kate (Bellow) Scheld. His father was a wheel- 
wright by trade, that having been the occupa- 
tion of the family for several generations. Philip 
Scheld was reared at his native place, and re- 
ceived his education at the Government schools 
between the ages of six and fourteen years, and 
assisting his father in the labors of the farm on 
which the family made their home. In 1845 
he came to America in company with his broth- 
er Henry, sailing from Bremen June 4, on the 
sailing vessel Neptune, and landing at Philadel- 
phia July 11. He engaged at the baker's trade 
at Philadelphia, and remained there two years, 
his place of employment being located on Cal- 
lowhill street, between Eighth and Ninth. His 
brother remained in that city, at the cabinet- 
making trade, until 1849, when, in company 
with twenty-four others, he went to New Or- 
leans, and thence by way of Monterey, Durango 
and Mazatlan, to the Pacific coast, where they 
took a sailing vessel to San Francisco. He be- 
came a miner and is still a resident of Califor- 
nia, living at Yreka, where he is a prominent 
man and the owner of the water-works system, 
which he constructed. Philip Scneld received 
a letter from this brother, advising him to come 
to California, and he decided to leave Baltimore, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



where he had been for a year and a half, and 
try Ids fortune in the "land of gold." He left 
Baltimore on the steamer Philadelphia, Febru- 
ary 4, 1850, went to Panama, crossed the Isth- 
mus by boat and afoot, his effects being packed 
across by mule. On the Pacific side he took 
passage on the steamer California, for San 
Francisco, where he arrived on the 24th of 
March. He paid $16 for his passage to Sacra- 
mento on the steamer Hartford, being a day 
and a half on the way. He proceeded on to 
Coloma, El Dorado County, taking a four-ox 
team. When he arrived there he learned his 
brother had departed. The latter had gone to 
Volcano, but Mr. Scheld did not know his 
whereabouts, although they met several weeks 
latar at Volcano, where a company was trying 
to flume the river at Volcano Bar. Mr. Scheld, 
with a partner, Daniel Troy, started in baking 
for a hotel; eventually it was found that the 
landlord could not pay them, and they had to 
take the property. Their quarters were too 
small, however, and they built a larger house, 
and they also built the Sierra Nevada Hotel, 
which is still running. They continued that 
business until the fall of 1852, and Mr. Scheld 
was in Sacramento with a team obtaining sup- 
plies on the day of the great tire. It had not 
commenced when he left, however, and he was 
informed of it next day, on tiie road to Coloma. 
He closed out his business at the mines, and he 
and his brother sold out between 400 and 500 
hogs which they had accumulated, at Sacra- 
mento, and they were here when the flood of 
1852 came on. Mr. Scheld and brother became 
engaged in teaming between Sacramento and 
the mines, and continued in that business for 
years. Then he rented the brewery on East M 
street, and a month later bought it. No one 
could recognize the slightest resemblance be- 
tween the small plant of that day and the large 
establishment of the present, known as the 
Sacramento; yet comparison is easy, as the 
old building, with shingles off, now stands un- 
used on the premises. On the 22d of Febru- 
ary, 1S5G, the next day after the completion of 



the Folsom Railroad, he shipped beer to Fol- 
som, getting $21 per barrel, the price now 
being from $6 to $9. By the flood of 1862 he 
had considerable malt and barley damaged, and 
also lost about twenty casks of wine which he 
had made on the Norris grant. He has rebuilt 
the Sacramento Brewery with modern improve- 
ments, and it now ranks with the best. Mr. 
Scheld was married in Sacramento, April 7, 
1858, to Miss Margaret Fritz, a native of Ger- 
many, born near Mayence, on the Rhine, who 
came to Sacramento in 1857. They have one 
son, Adolph, who is now traveling in Europe, 
and who has been trained to the banking busi- 
ness. Mr. Scheld has been a director in the 
Sacramento Savings Bank for about twelve 
years. He has large interests in this locality, 
and considerable land in Southern California, 
principally in Los Angeles County. Mr. Scheld 
joined Confidence Company, No. 2, Volunteer 
Fire Department, in 1863, and is now a mem- 
ber of the Exempt Firemen. He joined the 
Sacramento Tnrn-Verein in 1857, and is yet an 
active member. Mr. Scheld is an enterprising 
man, and does his share in the matter of public 
improvements. 

— ^€@:ii)»-^# — 

tj. SENATZ, proprietor of the Mississippi 
Kitchen, Sacramento, was born March 1, 
® 1830, in Philadelphia, his parents being 
Frederick and Maria (Lingg) Senatz. His 
father, a native of Berlin, Prussia, was a soldier 
for the first Napoleon, being on that fateful in- 
vasion of Russia and at the burning of Moscow. 
At the age of fourteen years young Senatz 
started out in the world for himself and was 
first employed as third cook on an Ohio River 
steamboat, and then in a similar capacity on the 
Mississippi River, all the way from the Falls of 
St. Anthony to New Orleans. His boat also 
made trips up tlie Yazoo and Arkansas Rivers. 
In 1849-'50 he aided in the transportation of 
Indians to their territory for the United States 
Government. In 1852 he came with a party 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



made np from the boat, the Banner State, over- 
land to California, with ox teams. On the w&y 
they ascertained tliat they were in tlie iriiddle 
of the great stream of immigration to this State 
that year, 15,000 wagons having gone ahead of 
them. The true canse of this great rush, not 
generally known or remembered at the present 
day, was the fact that Congress had extended 
into that year the privilege of every man and 
his wife entering a quarter-section of land in 
Oregon, besides eighty acres more for every 
child. They avoided coming by way of Salt 
Lake on account of their taking with them from 
Fort Laramie Colonel Deadman, who had been 
active in driving out the Mormons from Mis- 
souri; for if lie should be found with a train he 
said the Mormons would kill every one of them! 
With shrewd and energetic management they 
got through with their journey with the loss of 
but one of the cattle. One of the party on the 
route slyly drank up their gallon of brandy, the 
only liquor they had for eases of sickness, and 
had substituted in the demijohn a pomade con- 
sisting of alchohol and coffee; and when they 
administered this to a sick man, thinking it was 
the brandy, it was the last drink that man ever 
took. On the way they picked up an abandoned 
cow with her calF, and took good care of them 
as they brought them along; and when they 
reached the Sink of the Humboldt, they over- 
took parties who claimed them. The decision 
of the matter being left to other parties, it was 
determined that the claimant might have them 
if they would pay $50 for the care that had been 
taken ot them; but it was doubtful whether they 
ever had been the owners, and even if they had 
been, it is certain they would have never seen 
them again had it not been for the energy of 
others. The experiences of Mr. Senatz and his 
party were exciting, and would be interesting 
to relate had we space here. At Bear Valley a 
man bought all their horses, cattle and wagons, 
to be delivered at Little York, fifteen miles fur- 
ther on; and there they saw the first house since 
leaving the Missouri River excepting those at 
Forts Kearney and Laramie. Each party had 



paid in $105 at St. Josepli for the expenses of 
the trip, and now, on the" sale of their outfit, 
each drew $125. Putting up a shake house at 
Little York, they bought a $100 claim and be- 
gan mining, but with poor results. Then they 
came on to Sacramento, arriving here October 
14, 1852. Mr. Senatz was first employed as 
cook in the Golden Eagle Hotel by D. E. Cal- 
lahan, at $300 a month. The great fire of No- 
vember 2, 1852, destroyed the hotel, but Mr. 
Callahan hurried up a shanty and continued 
business. In the spring he put up a brick hotel. 
But Mr. Senatz, after making several attempts 
for an independent business here, went to Pin's 
Grove, at Sears' diggings, and opened a hotel 
which he named the Mountain Cottage. This 
proving a poor investment, he returned to- Sa- 
cramento and re-engaged with Mr. Callahan. 
In May, 1855, he went back to Philadelphia, by 
way of Panama, and in January, 1856, returned 
to Sacramento and again entered Mr. Callahan's 
employ. In June, 1868, he went to Victoria, 
during the gold excitement on Fraser River, 
leaving his family in San Francisco. He fur- 
nished a hotel there, on ground he had leased 
for a year, and made money; but the proprietors 
then ofiered for sale their lots on condition that 
the purchasers should become British subjects 
within three years; and this was the occasion of 
Mr. Senatz's quitting that countr3'. Going 
again to Philadelphia, in 1859, he commenced 
business there; but the next year he returned 
here to Sacramento and went to work for Tubbs 
& Patten, who had leased the Golden Eagle Ho- 
tel; and a few months later he bought a half 
interest in the City Hotel, and in partnership 
with James Schoonmaker, ran that establish- 
ment. The next year he purchased the latter's 
interest. At the expiration of tiie lease he 
bought the What-Cheer House, now the Grand 
Hotel, foot of Clay street. The raising of K 
street cost him so much that he had to quit the 
place in 1868. Then he kept a restaurant in 
San Francisco and then hotel at Gilroy. In 
1878 lie returned to Sacramento an i again took 
the City Hotel, and conducted it until 1881; 



blSTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTi. 



since the 12th of March of that year lie lias had 
his present sitnation, where he is enjoying great 
siiccesss. September, 1856, he married Miss 
Annie L. Johnson, a native of Philadelphia, and 
they have one daughter, Mary E. Although 
Mr. Senatz has had a life so wonderfully varied, 
he yet appears young and is jovial and genial 
in his nature. He is one of the organizers of 
the Sacramento Light Artillery, is a Veteran 
Odd Fellow, joining El Dorado Lodge, No. 8, 
in 1862, and passing all the chairs; also a mem- 
ber of Council No. 65, O. C. F. He is .i stanch 
Republican and is a member of the Board of 
Education. 



tC. CHIPMAN.— Among the entorpris- 
ingyonng men of Sacramento, who, while 
* making a success of the lines of trade 
represented by them, yet take an active interest 
in the affairs of the day, is the gentleman Aitli 
whose name this article commences. He is a 
native of this city, born January 1, 1853, his 
parents being Seth and Margaret E. (Brown) 
Chipman, a native of South Carulina. Seth 
Chipinan, a native of South Carolina, was reared 
in Schuyler County, Illinois, and was there 
married to Margaret E. Brown, daughter of 
Daniel Brown, who came to California across 
the plains in 1850. Daniel Brown was con- 
nected with the Pioneer Mills as a" millwright 
in the early days. He also assisted in the con- 
struction of the Stockton Water Mills at Fol- 
80-n, the Sacramento Mills and the Starr Bros. 
Mill at South Vallejo. His positions were those 
of foreman and contractor on the work men- 
tioned. Sacramento was for many years his 
headquarters, and he has a wide acquaintance 
here, but is now a resident 4>f Monterey. Seth 
Chipman came across the plains to California 
with his family in 1851, accompanying an Illi- 
nois party and locating in Sacramento. A few 
years later he removed to Yolo County, aod 
followed stock-ranching there until 1858, when 
a farm was purchased from F. R. Dray, located 



in Sacramento County, about si.K miles below 
the city. There he continued his business ot 
stock-raising. His death occurred in San Fran- 
cisco, from cancer. He had been a Whig in the 
days of that party, but, with the majority of 
its members, afterward joined the Republican 
party. The family continued to live on the 
ranch until February, 1866, when they removed 
to Sacramento. H. C. Chipman was educated 
in the public schools of this city. On the 2d 
of July, 1868, he went to work at the trade of 
sign and ornamental painting, with James M. 
Calvyn, a pioneer, and remained with him until 
February 19, 1883, the first four years as an 
appientice and workman, and after that as a 
partner. His work has been in this city and 
tributary territory, with headquarters at Sacra- 
mento. Mr. Chipman was married August 8, 
1878, to Miss Adelaide Weinreich, a native of 
Sacramento, and a daughter of Henry Wein- 
reich, whose sketch appears elsewhere. They 
have two children, viz.: Henry W. and Loretta 
A. Mr. Chipman was a charter member of 
Sacramento Parlor, No. 3, N. S. G. W., of which 
he was twice president, as well as president of 
the Grand Parlor. He is an active working 
Republican, and a prominent factor in the 
party organization. He was elected a member 
of tho School Board in November, 1886, and 
re-elected in 1888. He is an artist in his busi- 
ness, and a man generally respected for his 
many excellent qualities. 

^-3--^ 

fLARENCE N. NELSON.— It is uni- 
versally conceded by those conversant 
with the facts that Sacramento has a 
trade with the outside world quite unusual for 
a city of her population, and figures can readily 
be given in support of this statement; yet it is 
true that the total amount is materially swelled 
by including the business of some houses gen- 
erally overlooked in estimates of this kind. The 
establishment of Clarence N. Nelson, at 327 K 
street, is a case in point. One might pass it 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



every day in tlie year and yet have no idea of 
its importance. Yet from the most remote 
points of the Pacific Coast orders are daily 
coming to Mr. Nelson for large bills of goods, 
the amounts of which would be surprising to 
the uninitiated. He manufactures and handles 
nothing but saddles and their belongings, prin- 
cipally for stockmen's nse, and has the only ex- 
clusive saddlery house on the coast, which has 
been built up entirely bj' his own energetic 
efforts. As Mr. Nelson is the representative of 
one of the old lamilies of the city, a brief per- 
sonal sketch of himself and family has a fitting 
place in this connecti )n. He is a native of 
New Haven, Connecticut, born January 9, 
1S48, and son of A. T. and Harriet (Robinson) 
Nelson. A. T. Nelson was born at Johnsburgh, 
New York, and came of an old family of the 
Empire State. He was reared at Schaghticoke, 
and after his marriage at Glens Falls, went to 
Memphis, Tennessee, thence to Norwich, Con- 
necticut, and thence to New Haven. In 1852 
he came to California via Nicaragua, but had 
the misfortune to be a passenger on a steamer 
that was wrecked, thus necessitating a stay on 
the Isthmus that extended six months, and the 
journey to San Francisco being eventually made 
on a sailing vessel. He came at once to Sacra- 
mento, and opened two establishments in the 
harness-making line, one on the corner of 
Fourth and K, and the other on J, between 
Sixth and Seventh. The fire of 1852 reduced 
both places to ashes. The fire of 1854 de- 
stroyed a building he had just constructed at 
327 K street (present number). He rebuilt 
soon afterward, however, and thereafter carried 
on business at that location. His family came 
out to join him in 1855, leaving New York on 
the 2d of February, on the steamer North Star, 
crossing the Isthmus of Panama on mules and 
by team, and coming to San Francisco on the 
steamer George Law, which was afterward de- 
stroyed by fire, its name having been changed 
to Central America. A. T. Nelson was an 
active bui-iness man till the time of his death, 
which occurred December 23, 1876. He was a 



pronounced Republican politically, and held 
posts of honor and trust in this city. He con- 
tracted pneumonia (his fatal illness) while 
serving as chairman of the building committee 
of the Board of Education, at the time of the 
construction of the High Sciiool. He was at 
the same time superintendent of the city ceme- 
teries. He was a prominent and active mem- 
ber of the Masonic order, and for seven years 
was Master of Tehama Lodge. He had also 
been presiding officer of Sacramento Council, 
and a member of Sacramento Commandery and 
Knight Templar. A lieautiful gold medal, the 
gift of his lodge, is now in the hands of his 
sou, Clareiice N. It bears the following in- 
scription: "Presented to P. M. A. T. Nelson, 
by members of Tehama Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & 
A. M., for f^iithful service as W. M. of said 
lodge for Masonic years of 5856, 5857 and 
5858." He had a legion of friends, and his 
death was universally regretted. Clarence N. 
Nelson, wliose name heads this article, was but 
a child when his family came to Sacramento, 
and he received his education in the public 
schools of this city and in a commercial college. 
He commenced the saddle and harness-making 
trade with his father in 1865, and in April, 
1875, became a partner in the business, buying 
out the interest of .1. P. Mason in the firm, 
which then became A. T. Nelson & Son. He 
succeeded to the entire business after his father's 
death. He' sold out the harness business in 
1886, for the purpose of handling saddles ex- 
clusively. Mr. Nelson was married at Santa 
Clara, to Miss Maggie Prior, a native of New 
York, who came to California in 1862. They 
have three children, viz.: Hattie, Lillian and 
Alton P., all of whom are completing their 
education at the University of the Pacific, San 
Jose. Mr. Nelson is serving his second term 
as Master of Tehama Lodge, A. F. & A. M. 
He is a member of Sacramento Chapter, No. 3, 
and of Sacramento Council, also of Capital 
Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is an active and influ- 
ential Kepublican. Mr. Nelson is an enter- 
prising man, and certainly deserves credit for 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT F. 



bis success in adding anotlier to tlie list of 
Sacramento industries. 



-J«-^ 



lICHOLAS SCHADT, one of the early 
comers to tliis country, now a resident of 
iramento, is a native of Prussia, born 
December 16, 1835, his parents being Peter 
and Susan Schadt, the father a farmer by occu- 
pation. Nicholas Schadt was but a year old 
when the family came to America, choosing the 
neighborhood of Tiffin, Ohio, for residence. 
In 1851 they came to California via New York 
and Panama. The trip across the Isthmns was 
an eventful one, six days liaving been spent 
navigating the Cliagres River by means of a 
slow barge, pushed by poles, while a two days' 
journey on foot and by mule-back completed 
the undertaking. At Aspinwall the family 
took passage on the steamer Constitution, for 
San Francisco, the voyage occupying twenty- 
seven days. A few days later they came to 
Sacramento, and after three or four weeks in 
the city they removed to the Yolo side of the 
Sacramento lliver. The next year they located 
on a dairy ranch two miles up the river. In 
1853 Peter Schadt lost his wife l)y death, and 
in 1855 he sold ont his place to his sons, Nicho- 
las and Louis, and his son-in-law, M. Bryte, and 
went East, where he was again married, and 
afterward took up his residence in San Fran- 
cisco. There his death occurred in 1873. 
Nicholas Schadt received his schooling in Ohio, 
and grew to manhood on the farm in Yolo 
Ci)\inty. This farm contained 1,400 acres, and 
the dairy interest thereon was quite extensive. 
In 1876 he sold out his interests there and re- 
moved to Sacramento. In 1878 he built the 
large and substantial brick building on K street, 
between Seventh and Eighth, which has a front- 
age of forty feet on K, with a depth of 140 feet, 
while an L forty feet in widtli extends to Eighth 
street. This building is well adapted to busi- 
ness and residence use, and the family make 
their residence on the second floor. Mr. Schadt 



is a member of Union Lodge, No. 21, A. O. U. 
W. Me is an honored and respected citizen, 
and withal an eye-witness to much of the change 
that has taken place in this region, and to many 
interesting incidents of history. Mr. Schadt 
was married in New Brunswick, to Miss Georgi- 
ana Stewart, granddaughter of General Stewart. 
They had ten children, eight of whom are 
living, viz.: Anna Elizabeth May, Frederick 
William, Edwin Nicholas, Alice Josephine, 
George Franklin, Delia Florence, Norman 
SteAart, Lillian Viola, James Lester and Edna 
Alma. 



tREND SGIIADEN.— Among the enter- 
prising merchants who have commenced 
their business career in Sacramento is the 
gentlem m with whose i.ame this sketch com- 
mences. He is a native of Hanovei-, Germany, 
born on the 9th day of October, 1845, and is a 
son of Henry an J Anna (Winters) Schaden. 
His father followed a seafaring life, and for 
year?, was a cook on trans-Atlantic passenger 
vessels. Arend Schaden spent his boyhood days 
at his native place, and attended school from the 
age of six to fourteen. During the next five 
years he was at sea most uf the, time, his first 
voyage having been from Bremenhaven to New 
Orleans. This was at the opening of the 
American civil war, and the vessel he was on 
having been detained on a bar for ninety-five 
days, was the last to leave the Crescent City 
afte the blockade had been established by the 
Union fleet. The vessel returned to Bremen, 
tlience went to Guttenburg, from there to Cape 
Town, and next to Rangoon, India. From there 
the vessel returned to Bremen, stopping at St. 
Helena. He was next promoted to the position 
of steward, and in that capacity made another 
trip to the East Indies, this time to Akyab, on 
the Bay of Bengal. On his return to Bremen 
he entered the service of another vessel, com- 
manded by Captain Thiernau, this time a light 
sailor, with r.earlv a first-class seaman's wajjes. 



UJSTOKY OF HACHAMENrO COUNTY. 



While at New York he left the vessel and de- 
termined to locate in the United States. He 
obtained employment in the grocery store of J. 
Brunimerhop, on the corner of East Broadway 
and llntgers street, in the capacity of clerk, and 
was so employed until he came to California. 
He left New' York November 28, 1868, and 
came to San Francisco via Panama, completing 
the trip on Christmas day. On the following 
day lie came to Sacramento, and on the 1st of 
January he entered the employ of his uncle, 
Herman Winters. He was thus occupied until 
October, 1870, at which time he formed a part- 
nership with S. D. Fuller in the grocery busi- 
ness under the tirm name of Schaden & Fuller, 
which continued for five years. He then pur- 
chased his partner's interest, and five years later 
moved across the street to his present location 
in 1880. Mr. Schaden was married in Sacra- 
mento, March 8, 1874, to Miss Meta Sanders, a 
native of Bremen. They have two children, viz.: 
Alfred and Anna Gesme. Two have died, 
named Arend Otto and Johnson Henry. Mr. 
Schaden has made his start in Sacramento, and 
now holds a high place among business men of the 
city, which he has reached by his own business 
ability and integrity. He- is a member of the 
Knights of Honor, as also of Capital Lodge, I. 
O. O. F'., and has passed the chairs in Cosumnes 
Tribe of lied Men. 



fOHN AUGUST LAUFKOTTER, a pioneer 
of Sacramento, was born in the town of 
Weinenburg, Province of \Ve8tphalia, Ger- 
many, July 19, 1812. His parents were Frans 
and Sophia (Kalthotf) Laufkotter. His father 
was mayor of the town, had a tanyard, with a 
tract of land adjoining, a pottery and a hotel. 
The subject of this biographical outline, the 
youngest of his eight children, was reared in his 
native town to the age of ten years, attending 
gymnasium from the age of ten to fourteen. At 
the age of eighteen years he volunteered in a 
rifle company in the Government service, in the 



Volunteer Rifle Corps, and served one year. 
October 2, 1834, he sailed from Bremen, and 
November 28 arrived in Baltimore, on the 
Johannes. Having a letter of recommendation 
to a nobleman in Baltimore, with whose sister 
he was acquainted, he went to Wheeling, West 
Virginia, being one of four private passengers. 
He brought with him money, clothes and tools, 
such as saws of all kinds and chains, etc., and 
remained in Wheeling for a few days, or until 
the steamboat was ready, and he sailed on down 
to Louisvdle, Kentucky, and a few days later 
proceeded on his way to St. Louis, with four 
persons, two brothers and another man and his 
wife, who hatl been put in the second cabin. 
No city in the United States where so many 
educated Germans as in St. Louis. Some of 
his fellow-countrymen met him on the wharf, 
and afterward, as they were standing in the 
Swiss Hotel, John A. Sutter came up and said 
to Mr. Laufkotter that he wanted to start a 
colony, and asked him whether he had tools, etc. 
The latter replied. Yes. There were matiy 
Swiss in St. Louis then, among them captains, 
professors, etc., who were spending a great deal 
of money in that city. Twice a week they at- 
tended the German club. From two men who 
had been in the Rocky Mountain region Mr. 
Laufkotter heard of a company going to Santa 
Fe to form a culony. Before arrangements were 
perfected, Sutter went to St. Charles to reside, 
not far from St. Louis, as living was consider- 
ably cheaper there, and in the meantime some 
parties lost confidence in him. Friends per- 
suaded Mr. Laufkotter to go into business. Ac- 
cordingly he engaged a partner and rented a 
building; but before starting in trade he went to 
Belleville, Illinois, Peoria, etc., hunting a good 
location; but, not being satisfied, he returned to 
St. Louis, wheie a friend met him and proposed 
to go into business with him at St. Charles, run- 
ning a grocery and saloon. This ofter was ac- 
cepted, and they made money '• haml over fist." 
Sutter, residing there, would visit him every 
day. One day he told Sutter there was a chance 
then for him to get oft", there being Frenchmen 



HISTORY OF SAGUAMENTO OOUNTT. 



357 



ill St. Loiiis who could tell hiin about Santa Fe- 
Accordingly, Sutter went to work and by spring 
got together seventeen men, with a few mules 



and equipment 



ey 



let and 



ippo 



nted 



Laufkotter, Sutter and Mr. Keiser a committee 
to go to St. Louis and buy goods. Eepairing 
there, they lived in high style and ran in debt 
$6,000, the company signing a mutual note for 
the amount. The goods were insured and sent 
on the steamboat to Independence. The com- 
mittee returned to St. Charles and got every- 
thing ready for starting, and Mr. Laufkotter 
went to St. Louis again to say Good by; and 
while there had a social time with the wholesale 
merchant, and the Russian consul, etc. From 
a man who had just arrived from New Orleans 
to join the party, Sutter obtained $1,300 as his 
share in the enterprise. But when all seemed 
ready to start there was no money in the treas- 
ury. Sutter hustled around in St. Charles and 
obtained $100 from a miller, other money from 
other men, and a doctor gave him a medicine 
chest wortii $80. Most of the party went by 
steamer to Independence, and eight or ten went 
by land with wagons; but Laufkotter and Sut- 
ter by carriage. This they smashed to piece* in 
going down a rough hill. Sutter got together 
$200 more; but Laufkotter endeavored to have 
him deposed as captain, as fighting was expected 
on the plains. He sold his interest in the com- 
pany, $400, to Sutter, for 35 per cent. The 
faction following Laufkotter had plenty of beef, 
with mint sauce, while Sutter and his men had 
only bacon. The latter returned to the States, 
while Mr. Laufkotter, with a number of picked 
men and furnished with tools, went to the mines 
at Rio del Dolores, where the Alcalde measured 
off a place for them; but for the first ten days' 
work they obtained only $5 worth of gold. Mr. 
Laufkotter then kept a saloon on the Plaza in 
Santa Fe, and afterward added the dry-goods 
trade and then a billiard hall. Was laid up 
with sickness, having to lie four weeks on the 
floor, when the only one to attend to him was a 
Frenciiman who had been a body-guard to Na- 
poleon. On recovery be joined the Americans 



who were going out to meet the Apaches in 
Arizona, on a trading expedition. During this 
journey he experienced many a memorable scene 
of privation, narrow escape and romantic passage 
of life. From this trip he returned to the States, 
and in 1837-'38 made another journey into 
northern Mexico, also full of exciting adven- 
ture. One morning they killed seve:i grizzly 
bears before breakfast! During this expedition 
they foutid the Apaches hostile to the Ameri- 
cans, and it required several days to convince 
them that he was not an American. lie made 
peace with them, giving them peace papers. 
For a number of years after this he was a resi- 
dent of Missouri, where he was in partnership 
with a man in a drug-store. On the breaking 
out of the gold excitement he came across the 
plains with an ox team in 1849, arriving. in Sac- 
ramento October 10 with his family. On arriv- 
ing here he first erected a simple dwelling, 
18 x 30 feet, near where the present city ceme- 
tery is, sawing out, with the aid of another man, 
a i.';reat portion of the lumber with a whip-saw. 
For the lumber sheeting he paid $1,400. After- 
ward he moved into a house which he had to 
vacate upon the location of the present capitol 
grounds; and then he bought his present fine 
property, 20x80 feet, being the southeast cor- 
ner of Tenth and J streets. It was then only a 
one story structure, but he has since added a 
second story, and an expensive double portico, 
and he has always kept the building in a fine 
condition. He now occupies the second story 
as a dwelling, while the first story yields him a 
good permanent income. Mr. Laufkotter mar- 
ried in the old country Miss Jasper, and came 
with her in 1843 to this country, landing at 
New Orleans. Settling upon a farm in Jersey 
County, Illinois, he followed agriculture there 
for five or six years, and then went to St. Louis, 
as already mentioned. He has four children 
living, all residents of Sacramento: William, 
Clement and Charles are engaged in boring 
wells, and in other mechanical enterprises; and 
Emma is keeping house for her father. Mr. 
Laufkotter has led a remarkable life. He is a 



HlsrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



well-preserved, fine- looldng old gentleman, cour- 
teous, affable and vivacious. His romantic ca- 
reer is referred to in a large German work 
entitled, " In der neuen lleiniath," which is a 
collection of historical miscellanies concerning 
prominent Germans in this country; and Mr. 
Laufkotter has ready for the press a very large 
work written liy himself 






fC. PIERSON, superintendent of the Capi- 
tal Gas Company of Sacramento, is a na- 
" tive of Connecticut, born in Fairiield 
County, May 3, 1852. Both parents were 
natives of New York State. In the latter part 
of 1S51 the father started for California via 
Panama, arriving early in 1852. He was for 
many years engaged in mining in the northern 
part of the State, but in 1883 came to Sacra- 
mento to locate. J. C. Pierson, the subject of 
this sketch, was reared in New York State, and 
educated at Huntington, Long Island. He 
studitfl engineering with William 11. Debe- 
voice, in New York. He became connected 
with the James F. Joy corporation, operating 
in the West, and was for some time engaged in 
exploration and preliminary railroad work for 
them in Kansas and Nebraska. He was there 
employed in the Atchison & Nebraska, and 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe lines. In 1872 
he came to Nevada, and in the following year 
to California, being connected with tlie Colfax 
& Grass Valley and the Central Pacific Kail- 
roads. In 1878 he was appointed engineer in 
charge of the work done by the Sacramento 
lliver Drainage District, and conducted the 
work done by the State on Bear liiver. In 
1879 he was elected county surveyor, taking the 
otKce in 1880, and held it by virtue of re- 
election to 1888, inclusive. In January, 1888, 
he became superintendent nf the Capital Gas 
Company of Sacramento. Mr. Pierson is a 
member of the K. of II., and of the K. and L. of 
H. He is a member of the Technical Society 
uf the Paciiic Coast. He was married in 1877 



to Miss Susie Boyd, of San Francisco, a native 
of California. Mr. Pierson is an active, able 
man, and is a valuable addition to the citizen- 
shii) of Sacramento. 



fEUBOURG & LAGES, wholesale dealers 
in brewers' supplies and inanufacuirers of 
malt, are one of the representative iirms 
of Sacramento. The house commenced business 
as Bachmann, Lages & Co., in 1866, the mem- 
bers at that time being C. F. Bachmann, C. 
Lages and L Neubourg. In 1869 they bought 
out the interest of (/. Weil, in the grocery busi- 
ness, corner of Eleventli and J street>;, in con- 
nection with F. II. Rusch, and that business 
was thereafter continued under the name of La- 
ges & Rusch, until the death of Mr. Kusch in 
1870. Tliey carried on trade there under the 
name of Lages & Co., from the time of Mr. 
Rusch 's death till 1875, wiien tiiey sold out the 
grocery business. On the 1st of January, 1876, 
the hrm became, by the retirementof Mr. Bach- 
mann, as at present constituted, — Neubourg & 
Lages. Their extensive building on Fifth 
stl-eet has a frontage of sixty feet, by eighty 
feet in depth, and is two stories in height with 
basement, the latter being nsed in the manufact- 
nre of malt. They also have a mill in operation 
for the manufacture of all kinds of meal. Their 
trade extends throughout Northern and Eastern 
California, Nevada and Utah, and is of very 
large proportions. They also do a lieavy busi- 
ness in the exportation of hops throughout the 
entire United States and Europe. Leonard 
Neubourg of this firm is a native of the princi- 
pality of Lippe-Detmold, Northern Germany, 
born October 31, 1828, his parents being Rev. 
Carl (a minister of tlie Reformed Church), and 
Johanna (Curtius) Neubourg. He attended pri- 
vate school to the age of sixteen years, tlien 
entered tiie mercantile trade as an apprentice, 
afterward being advanced to the position of 
clerk. He came to America in 1854, sailing 
from Bremenhaven on the 31st of August, on 



U I STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT T. 



the steamer Gerinania, afterward used as a trans- 
port during the Criuiean war. lie landed at 
New York September 20, and a couple of weeks 
later went to Butler County, and Cincinnati, 
Ohio. A year later he went to Sheboygan, 
Wisconsin, where he clerked and kept books in 
a brewery. He came to California in 1859, 
leaving New York on the steamer Western Star, 
crossing the Isthmus of Panama, and landing at 
San Francisco from the steamer GoMen Age, 
October 16. He came to Sacramento and 
clerked for Weil & Co., until the firm of Bach- 
mann, Lages & Co. was formed in 1866, with 
him as a member. Mr. Neubourg was married 
in 1869 to Miss Dora Kerssenbrock, a native 
of Germany. They have six children, viz.: 
Clara, Annie, Lottie, Ida, Carl and George. He 
is a member of AValhalla Grove, U. A. O. D., 
in which he passed the chairs. He is president 
of the Germania Loan & Building Association, 
and has been one of its directors for nine years, 
and president since May, 1887. He is a pleas- 
ant, affable gentleman, and a good business man. 



fHRISTOPHER LAGES, of the firm of 
Neubourg & Lages, was born at Vegeseck, 
near Bremen, Germany, March 16, 1838, 
the house in which he was born being directly 
across the street from the residence of the cele- 
brated German explorer Eohlfs. His parents 
were Hermann and Meta (Fortman) Lages. He 
was educated in the Government schools, and at 
the age of fourteen years engaged in a seafaring 
life, going on the sailing vessel J. F. Wichel- 
hausen. He followed the sea about one year, 
making voyages from Bremerhaven to Balti- 
more and Holland. His next voyage was in 
1853 from Bremenharen to New York, where 
he severed his connection with the ship. He 
engaged as clerk in the grocery store of Henry 
Brandt, on Ann street, and afterward with 
Henry Hahn, on Frankfort street. In 1854 Mr. 
Lages came to California, leaving New York by 
the steamer North Star on the 5th of August, 



and after crossing the Isthmus of Panama, came 
to San Francisco ou the Yankee Blade, landing 
on the 31st of August. He became a clerk for 
John Evers, corner of Montgomery and Yallejo 
streets, and remained in his employ until 1858, 
when he followed the stream of navigation to 
the scene of the Eraser River mining excite- 
ment. He went ou the Orizaba to Victoria, and 
was soon engaged in trading in provisions for 
the mining camp on Eraser River, getting his 
supplies from San Francisco. His capital was 
only moderate, but he followed the business 
successfully for nine months, then returned to 
San Francisco in the latter part of February, 
1859. He came to Sacramento about March 25 
of that year, and became clerk for August Evers, 
on L street, between Seventh and Eighth, and 
so continuing until the floods of 1861-'62. He 
next engaged with C. Weil & Co., with whom 
he remained until the firm of Bachmann, Lages 
& Co. was formed in 1866. Mr. Lages was 
married December 23, 1868, to Miss Annie 
Bergmann, who came here with her father, 
Adam Bergmann, when a child. She died 
March 30, 1883, leaving one child, Christopher 
(Columbus Lages, who was born October 5, 1870. 
Mr. Lages married his present wife June 14, 
1884. Her maiden name was Matilda Neuhaus, 
and she is a native of Oldenburg, Germany. 
They have three children, viz.: Albert Henry, 
Meta and Helena. Mr. Lages is one of the 
early members of Schiller Lo Ige, No. 105, I. O. 
O. F., having been initiated in 1862. He is essen- 
tially a business man, having been schooled from 
boyhood to a mercantile career, and ranks, with 
his partner, amon^ the leading merchants uf 
Sacramen to. 

_^.,. | . 3 ., ! . > ...>— 



tICHARD II. WITHINGTON, of the 
Capital Soap Works, Sacramento, is a 
native of Genoa, Seneca County, New 
York, born July 21, 1818, his parents being 
Daniel and Sarah (Hall) Withington. both of 
whom were natives of AlleghiUiy County, Penn- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO GOUNTT. 



sylvania. Wlien he was a young man lie ac- 
companied the family to Monroe, Michigan, 
where they settled. Tiiere he farmed for a 
time, and then carried on l)nsine8s across the 
State line, in the northwest county of Ohio. 
In 1850 he came to California. Going to New 
York he took passage on the steamer Georgia 
to New Orleans, tlience to Matagorda Bay, and 
from there he accompanied Captain French 
through El Paso, and thence proceeded to San 
Diego. There he took passage on a Boston 
brig for San Francisco, where he arrived after 
a voyage of twenty-three days, November 12, 
1850. He came up to Sacramento on the 
steamer New World, and from here proceeded 
to the mines on Bear River. He mined about 
live miles above McCourtney's for a year, then 
went to farming in lone Valley, where he re- 
mained from 1852 to 1862. He then went to 
Gold Hill, Nevada, and kept public house there 
for a year and a half. The succeeding year he 
was so engaged at Meadow Lake. From there 
he came to Sacramento in 1865, and engaged in 
the manufacture of soap on J Street. In 1866 
he took in .a partner, and the firm became 
Withington efe Bagley. In 1871 C. F. Williams 
bought out Mr. Bagley, and the firm remained 
Withington & Williams jnitil October, 1886, 
when Sparrow Smith came into partnership, 
since which time the institution has been known 
as the Capital Soap Works. There has been a 
constant advancement in the character of ma- 
chinery and appliances used in the processes of 
manufacture, and the factory is now equipped 
to successfully compete for trade in the markets 
of the world. Their business, constantly in- 
creasing and spreading its limits, already ex- 
tends over a vast scope of territory. Some of 
their markets are here given: California, Wash- 
ington, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Ari- 
zona, New Mexico, and the Eastern States, 
especially Michigan and Wisconsin. Their 
soaps have an unsurpassed reputation, and sell 
readily on their merits wherever introduced. 
Mr. Withington gives his entire personal atten- 
tion to the details of manufacture and tiie man- 



agement of the plant. Mr. Withington was 
married in Michigan in 1842, to Miss Hannah 
Clark, a native of Ireland, who came to this 
country when a child with her parents. They 
liave two children, viz.: Sarah, wife of Calvin 
Williams, merchant. Eleventh and J streets, and 
Millard C, who is one of the firm of the Capi- 
tal Soap Works. Mr. Withington is a member 
of the Sacramento Lodge, A. F. «fe A. M. lie 
formerly belonged at lone, and was Past Master 
of the lodge there. He is also a member of the 
Legion of Honor. Mr. Withington was a 
Whig in the days of that party, and has been 
a Eepublican since the party was organized.. 
His first Presidential vote was for William 
Henry Harrison in 1840, and his last for Benja- 
min Harrison in 1888. He was one of the 
organizers of the Calvary Baptist Church, and 
has been deacon ever since its organization. 
Mr. Withington is a careful, conscientious busi- 
ness man, and well deserves the success that his 
enterj)rise has met with. 

fHILIP HERZOG, one of the prominent 
citizens of Sacramento, was born October 
4, 1834, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his 
father, Frederick Herzog, a native of Germany, 
had located in 1817. At that early day Cin- 
cinnati was a mere village, and the elder Her- 
zog had abundant opportunity to purchase any 
amount of land, now in the most valuable part 
of the city, for little or nothing. He did ac- 
quire possession of a piece of land there, on 
which he followed gardening for a while, though 
he afterward gave up that occupation for that of 
butchering. He died in Cincinnati in 1858, 
having witnessed its progress from a backwoods 
village to the proud rank which it then enjoyed, 
of the "Queen City of the West." His wife, 
also a native of Germany, likewise died in Cin- 
cinnati. Her maiden name was Hall. Philip 
Herzog, with whose name this sketch com- 
mences, was reared at Cincinnati, where he was 
educated in the public schools, and afterward 



UI8T0RT OF SACRAMENTO GOUNTT. 



went to work for a brother. In 1854: he came 
to California, accompanying his sister, Mrs. 
Todhiinter, whose husband kept the City Mar- 
ket in Sacramento, or J street, be,tvveen Front 
and Second.- He came by vray of New York, 
leaving there October 4, on the steamer Star of 
the West, and crossing Nicaragua came to San 
Francisco on the old steamer Cortez, landing 
on the 31st of October. He came to Sacra- 
mento next day, and at once obtained employ- 
ment with Treat & Stanwood, the latter a 
brother-in-law of James G. Blaine, wiio kept 
tiie Boston Market. He remained in their em- 
ployment eighteen months, and then he and 
Fred Wastier succeeded Treat & Stanwood by 
purchase, and the firm became Herzog & Was- 
tier. The iirni continued some four or live 
years, doing busingss on Second street, between 
K and L. Philip Hartman then succeeded 
Wastier, but Mr. Herzog soon bought out 
Hartman's interest, and continued alone for a 
short time, when he again took in a partner, 
Henry Shulmeyer. The^' were associated about 
four years, when Mr. Shulmeyer's interest was 
purchased by M. M. Odell. A year later the 
latter purchased Mr. Herzog's interest. He 
then went back to Ohio to visit old scenes, 
friends and relatives. He returned to Sacra- 
mento in 1872, and bought in with Alex. 
Burns in what is now the City Market. About 
two years later Mr. Burns was thrown from a 
liorse and killed, and Mr. Herzog continued 
the business alone until 1882, when he sold out 
to A. & A. Heilbron, and retired from business. 
In 1885 he again went East. In 1886, having 
returned to Sacramento again, he bought in 
with M F. Ode!!, in the New York Market. 
They do a heavy wholesale, retail and packing 
business. Mr. Herzog was married in this city 
in 1857, to Miss Mary Todhunter, a native of 
Cincinnati. They have three children living, 
viz.: Ida, wife of George P. Curtis; Charles 
and Susie Flora. Mr. Herzog is a llepublican 
politically, and was formerly a Whig, having 
cast his first vote for Millard Fillmore. He has 
served with credit on tlie School i'.oanl of 



Sacramento. He has been associated with Con- 
cord Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M., since 
1858. He is also a member of the Chapter, 
Council and Commandery. Mr. Herzog has 
passed through ail the vicissitudes of Sacra- 
mento, and was ruined by the flood of 18G2. 
He persevered, however, and now ranks among 
the leading citizens of Sacramento in all re- 
spects. 



^%:i' 



tC. CHANDLER, one of the prominent 
Sacranientans entitled to the distinction 
^ of being a California pioneer, is a native 
of New York State, born at Columbus, Chenan- 
go County, on the 15th of August, 1826," his 
parents being Elijah and Mary (Whitney) 
Chandler. His father, who was a farmer, was a 
native of Vermont. The Whitneys were an 
old Connecticut family. L. C. Chandler, the 
subject of this sketch, was reared at his native 
place to the age of sixteen, and there be re- 
ceived his saJiool training. In 1842 he went to 
Boston, and commenced the printer's trade in 
the office of the Boston Journal. He served a 
regular apprenticeship tliere, and worked as a 
journeyman in Boston and other eastern cities. 
When the news of the discovery of gold in Cali- 
fornia, in 1848, electrified the country, he was 
working in a book and job office in New York 
city, and he was not slow in making up his 
mind to try his fortunes in the new El Dorado. 
He interested himself with others in forming a 
party for that purpose, and an organization was 
effected under the leadership of a physician, 
who, however, finally backed out, and did not 
go. There were 141 in the company, each of 
whom put $21.50 in a common fund for ex- 
penses. They chartered the bark Mara (Cap- 
tain Parks), and on the 30th of January, 1849, 
left New York harbor. They sailed to Vera 
Cruz, and thence proceeded by the National 
road through Jalapa, Pueblo, City of Mexico 
and Guadalajara, to Mazatlan. It had been 
their intention to take shipping at that port for 



HISTORY OF SACJiAifSNTO COUNTY. 



California, and most of them did so, but Mr. 
Cliandler was one of twenty wlio decided to 
take tiie trip by land, and, as he expressed it, 
they "took the hurricane deck of a mule.'' 
While in Sonora the party divided, and Mr. 
Chandler continued his journey via llermosillo, 
Tucson. Los Angeles, San Buenaventura and 
I'acheco Pass, up into Mariposa mines. He 
afterward went to Stockton, and from there 
down Livermore Valley. In the spring of 
1850 ho went back to Stockton, thence to 
Calaveras mines, and worked along the Stan- 
islaus River, at Mormon Gulch and Angel's 
Creek. The ne.xt scene of his mining efforts 
was at Ohio Bar, on the Yuba. When the 
Smith River e.\citement came on, he went to 
Crescent City. From there he went to San 
Francisco, and thence to Marysville. His 
finances were then at a low ebb, and he ob- 
tained employment driving mules from Marys- 
ville to American Valley, in Plumas County. 
In the fall of 1853 he went to work on the 
Marysville Herald. He afterw^ard went up 
into the mountains and worked for some time 
on the Mountain Messenger. In that country 
he also carried express on snow-shoes for Adams 
it Co. In 1855 he came to Sacramento, and 
went to work at the case on the Union. He 
was one of the five men that started the Bee, 
and followed the fortunes of the paper for 
nearly a year, then went to work on the Union 
again. He followed the printing trade until 
18(54, and since that time has been engaged in 
the real estate business, which he has made a 
success. Mr. Chandler has always been a 
champion for the cause of temperance, and has 
been for twenty years Treasurer of Siloam 
(Good Templars') Lodge. He was a charter 
member of Cosumnes Tribe. Red Men. He is 
now the only living representative of his family. 
A brother, ]5radley Chandler, was a soldier in 
the Mexican war, and was at the battle of Palo 
Alto, a private in Company B, First Illinois 
Infantry Regiment. He was honorably dis- 
charged on expiration of service, at Camary, 
Mexico, June 17, 1847. Since that time trace 



of him has been lost. Mr. Chandler has been 
actively associated with Sacramento for over a 
third of a century, and has been an eye-witness 
to the vast change which has taken place here 
in that time. He is a good representative of 
the better type of the early comers to this 
State. He has been for many years a mem- 
ber of the Sacramento Society of California 
Pioneers. 

^C#-^ 

fP. FIGG, one of the pioneers of Califor- 
nia, who has resided in Sacramento since 
* the early days, is a native of Mercer (now 
Boyle) County, Kentucky, born in the suburbs 
of Danville, April 24, 1819, his parents being 
William and Elizabeth (Roe) Figg. His mother 
was born in Greene County, Virginia, and 
was of Scotch ancestry. His father was a 
native of Virginia, of English ancestry, and 
died when the subject of this sketch was a 
a mere boy in years. Before he had reached 
his majority, E. P. Figg went to St. Louis, 
and embarked in the fur business on quite 
an extensive scale, getting his furs in the in- 
terior, and marketing them in St. Louis and 
Cincinnati. In 1844 he located at Lexington, 
Missouri, and carried on mercantile business 
there nearly five years. In 1844 he shipped a 
lot of goods, mostly furs and hatters' articles, 
from Cincinnati to St. Louis, on the steamer 
Lancet (Captain Hicks), and he boarded a boat 
at Louisville. By some mischance he had failed 
to get a shipping receipt. On arriving at St. 
Louis he applied to a commission merchant to 
look after the goods. The boat was burned up 
and he lost his goods, but whether they were 
consumed by fire or not, he could never learn. 
In the spring of 1849 a party was made up at 
Lexington for the purpose of going to California, 
and Mr. Figg joined the party, making sixteen 
wagons in all. They traveled together nearly a 
month, when Mr. Figg and the occupants of 
another wagon left the party, and proceeded 
alone. They traveled all night a good deal of 



HWTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the time, and made tlie trip from Lexington to 
Calitbriiia in seventy-one days, the fastest time 
ever made with ox teams. Witli Mr. Figg there 
were Messrs. Culver, Phipps and Spencer, and 
the lattter's two sons; when they arrived at tlie 
Sink of the Humboldt, Mr. Figg let Mr. Spencer 
take his wagon to proceed with it by the Carson 
route, while he himself prepared tostrike straight 
for the Sacramento River on horseback, lie 
took some hard bread, a piece of bacon and some 
blankets, and started. On the journey he saw 
a duck fly into St. Mary's River, and he went 
into a clump of willows to try and get a shot at 
the duck; he was startled however, to see live 
Indians rise from the ground and surround him, 
with bows drawn on him. lie was in a bad 
predicament and supposed that his hour had 
come. Just at that moment, however, some 
emigrants appeared in view on an elevated piece 
of ground across tlie river, so that they could 
see Mr. Figg and Indians over the willows. One 
of them liailed Mr. Figg and asked him if the 
Indians lield him captive, lie answered that 
he did not know how to get away, and the man 
who had hailed him then headed his horse for 
the river, cro.<sed and joined Mr. Figg. When 
the situation was explained, it was agreed that 
on a given signal thej' were to level their guns 
on the Indians, motion for them to go, and if 
they did not do so, Mr. Figg, who was on one 
side was to shoot from right to centre, and the 
other man, who was on the other side, was to 
shoot from left to center. When the guns were 
leveled and the signal given, the Indians con- 
cluded it was best not to bring on a fight and 
left. In company with two men, named Cable 
and Walsh, Mr. Figg arrived at what were 
known as Hot Springs, which Mr. Figg knew 
about from reading a Mormon guide book. 
Walsh was in advance and reached the spring 
tirst. His dog lapped some of the water and at 
once set up a yell. Walsh's mule next stuck 
his nose in the water but withdrew it in a hurry 
and came near throwing his rider. Walsh then 
dipped his hand in the water, and turning to 
Mr. Figg, who was just coming up, shouted, I 



" Hello, Figg! hell ain't a half mile from here." 
The latter requested Messrs. Walsh and Cable 
not to drink any of the water, but Walsh allowed 
some to cool and drank it. After resting awhile, 
they proceeded on to what is now AVadsworth, 
where they found plenty of grass and water, and 
went into camp for the tirst time, soon after 
crossing Truckee River. The next morning Mr. 
Walsh was sick and could nut travel, and Cable 
insisted upon Mr. Figg remaining with him. 
As the latter had the least food, he said he could 
not, and started on. lie proceeded on to Sacra- 
mento, arriving here early in September, 1849, 
and ])ut up under some big trees where the 
Golden Eagle Hotel now stands, at what was 
then the horse market. His team reached him 
soon afterward. Mr. Figg engaged as a clerk 
for Henry E. Robinson, who had a store where 
the Tremout House now stands, and received 
$13 a day for thirteen days. On the 16th Sep- 
tember, he commenced clerking for Alexander 
Sibley, who had been a sutler with Stephenson's 
regiment. He left the item of salary entirely 
with Mr. Sibley, and the latter paid liiin $19 a 
day and board. Mr. Figg remained with him 
until he had accumulated $5,000, when Mr. 
Sibley sold out the ground and the building at 
auction. Mr. Figg bid it in at $8,200, and still 
owns the property, which fronts on J street, be- 
tween Second and Third, and adjoins D. O. 
Mills' Bank. Mr. Figg at once emliarked in 
the wholesale trade in provisions and miners' 
supplies, and did a very large and successful 
business. In the great fire of November, 1852, 
he lost $61,000. At that time the firm was 
Billiard, Figg & Co., composed of E. P. Figg, 
John G. Bray and James Bullard. Tiiey rebuilt 
with a brick structure, and continued the busi- 
ness as a firm until a year later, when Mr. Figg 
purchased the interest of his partners. He 
afterward took in a nephew, and the firm be- 
came Figg & Wand, Mr. Figg also bought out 
this partner afterward, and again carried on the 
business alone. lie carried on a wholesale mer- 
chandise business many years, and also dealt 
extensively in flour, where the. Pioneer Mills 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



are now. Mr. Figg has since given his atten- 
tion largely to general trading and to the fruit 
business. He and J. Green had 320 acres in 
fruit in partnership, but the ranch (vviiich is on 
Grand Island), has been divided, and Mr. Figg 
has 160 acres, which is principally planted in 
fine peaches and Bartlett pears. He ships fruit 
to (Chicago and San Francisco. He has been for 
years engaged in the salt business, to a greater 
or less extent, and no\v has a large wholesale 
trade in that staple, handling exclusively the 
celebrated Mexican and Liverpool salt. Mr. 
Figg was niarridd in 1855 to Mrs. Hattie Mc- 
Corraack, a widow, whose maiden name was 
Potter, a native of Deerfield, Ohio. There is 
one son by her first marriage: Frank H. Mc- 
Corinack. Mr. and Mrs. Figg have two chil- 
dren, viz.: Edward F. and George L. They have 
also reared two adopted children, viz.: Susie L. 
and Alvin P. Mr. Figg ranks among the per- 
manent men of Sacramento. He is a member 
of the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers, 
and a life member of the State Agricultural 
Society. He is also a life member of the Cali- 
fornia Museum Association of Sacramento, Cali- 
fornia. He was a Past Grand in Odd Fellowship 
before coming to California. Mr. Figg has been 
a Democrat since the days of Henry Clay, but 
has r.ever been a seeker for office. 

fOHN McJNE ILL. —Among the old time 
business men, yet active and prominent in 
commercial circles here, is the gentleman 
whose name heads this sketch, and who came 
to Sacrauiento in 1853. Mr. McNeill is a native 
of New Hampshire, born at Antrim, his parents 
being Abraham and Margaret (McMaster) Mc- 
Neill, both of whom came of old New England 
families, and of Scotch and English ancestry. 
When the subject of this sketch was twelve 
years of age, his parents moved to Lowell, Mas- 
sachusetts, and there learned the machinist's 
trade wi h Aldrich, Tyng & Co. The latter 
part of 1851 found him still employed with that 



firm, but about that time a party was organized 
among his acquaintances for the purpose of 
going to California. Among them were John 
Carter (now of San Jose), William McCall 
(formerly a commission merchant of San Fran- 
cisco, now deceased), and others who became 
well known in California afterward. The party 
left New York on the 6th of January, 1852, on 
the steamer Ohio, crossed the Isthmus, and 
landed in San Francisco February 10, 1852, 
from the steamer Oregon. Mr. McNeill ob- 
tained employment with the commission house 
of Hamm & Flournoy, corner of Front and 
Washington streets, where the same building 
stands to this day. In the following year he 
came to Sacramento, and in 1854 he entered into 
partnership with W. F. Benchlay, under the firm 
name of Benchlay & Co. Mr. Benchlay sold out 
in 1859, and returned to the East, and the firm 
was thus dissolved. Mr. McNeill then com- 
menced clerking for Sneath & Arnold, corner of 
Seventh and J streets. (The firm had succeeded 
Boyd & Co. in 1851). One year later Mr. 
Sneath went to San Francisco to attend to the 
interest of the firm there, Mr. Arnold taking 
charge of the firm business in Sacramento. A 
short time subseque.itly, L. S. Adams bought 
into the business, and the firm became John 
Arnold & Co., the membership after this being 
John Arnold, L. S. Adams, John McNeill and 
L. A. Upson. In 1865 the interest of John 
Arnold was purchased by the other partners, 
and the style of the firm became as at present — 
Adams, McNeill & Co. (In 1870 Mr. Upson's 
interest was purchased by the other partners, 
but no other changes have been made.) The 
firm was located at the present quarters in 1863. 
During the floods of 1861-'62, Mr. McNeill was 
conducting a branch house at Folsom. The 
firm does a heavy business throughout the Pa- 
cific Coast. Mr. McNeill was married in Sa- 
cramento, March 24, 1858, to Miss Mary Tozer, 
a native of New York State. They have one 
son, Goodwin, who died in October, 1884, in his 
twenty-seventh year; and one daughter — Mary 
Margaret, born in 1861, and died in 1871. Mr. 



U I STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



McNeill has been a Republican since the organi- 
zation of the party. Previous to that time he 
bad been a Whig, and cast his first presidential 
vote for Wiufield Scott in 1852. He was one 
of the founders of the Howard Benevolent So- 
ciety, has alway taken an active interest in its 
work, and is now a trustee. He is an exempt 
fireman, and in the days of the volunteers was a 
member of Alert Hook & Ladder Company. 
Mr. McNeill has always taken an active interest 
in matters musical, and was one of the organ- 
izers of the I'hilharmouic Society back in 1854. 
The celebrated McNeill Club of Sacramento was 
named in his honor. He is an active man and 
takes a live interest in everything tending to the 
advancement of Sacramenio. Since the above 
was written Mr. McNeill died, October 28, 1889. 

fHARLES F. GARDNER, son of Zebulon 
and Mary (Reddish) Gardner, was born in 
Sacramento, November 13, 1857. He was 
left an orphan at an early age. His oldest 
brother sent him to San Francisco to live with 
Mrs. David Meeker, and he remained with them 
some years, meanwhile commencing attendance 
at the public schools. In 1865 his brother sent 
liira East, where he remained several years 
under the care of Rev. G. F. Tewksbury, at Ox- 
ford, Maine, and Gorhani, New Hampshire, and 
while there he attended the Oxford Normal In- 
stitute at Paris, Maine. When he had reached 
the age of fifteen years he returned to Califor- 
nia, and took a position in the oftice of his 
brother Robert, who was State Surveyor-Gen- 
eral. Two years later he went back East and 
commenced attendance at Phillips' College, 
Andover, Massachusetts, whei-e he was gradu- 
ated in the centennial year of 1878. After 
vacation he entered Dartsmouth College, but a 
short time later changed to Yale, but was com- 
pelled to give up his studies, owing to the fact 
tiiat he had used up the money he had saved 
while in the employ of his brother Robert. In 
Decern btr, 1879, he again returned to Califor- 



nia, and took a position with James W. Shank- 
lin, Surveyoi -General. Three years later, at 
the expiration of Mr. Shanklin's term, he ac- 
cepted a position in the Land Department of 
the Northern Pacific Railroad, at Portland, 
Oregon. While in the employ of the Northern 
Pacific Railroad Company, in July, 1883, he 
received the appointment from President Arthur 
of Receiver of Public Money for the Sacra- 
mento Land Office, and served in that capacity 
until April, 1888, when he was succeeded by a 
Democratic appointee of President Cleveland, 
since which time he has been practicing as a 
land attorney at Sacramento. Mr. Gardner is 
a member of Sacramento Parlor, No. 3, N. S. 
G. W., and of Court Sacramento, A. O. F. He 
is a member of Washington Lodge, A. F. & A. 
M., and a Scottisli Rite Mason under the juris- 
diction of the United States, Territories and de- 
pendencies. Politically he is a Republican. 
Mr. Gardner was married in this city, Novem- 
ber 12, 1881, to Miss Alice L., daughter of 
Richard Parker, who came to Sacramento in 
1853, and for many years kept the Parker 
House, corner of Tenth and K streets. Mr. 
and Mrs. Gardner have two children, viz.: 
Alice Mary and Bertha Reddish. Mr. Gardner 
is a young man of unusual attainments and 
business ability, and has already made a highly 
creditable recjrd in life. 



fEBUi^ON GARDNER, deceased, was for 
years one of the most prominent men in 
Sacramento business circles, and a man of 
enterprise and integrity, universally esteemed 
and respected. lie was a native of Exeter, 
Rhode Island, and the old homestead where he 
was born July 10, 1810, has been in the family 
name for 150 years, and is now owned by Sena- 
tor Herbert Gardner, of Rhode Island. He 
spent his early boyhood days on the old home- 
stead, but the day he was twenty-one years old 
he ran away from home with but 50 cents in 
his pocket, given him by his mother, determined 



HISTORY OF SAGHAMENTO COUNTY. 



without friends or money to fight fortune for 
liimself and on his own responsibility. At Fail 
liiver, Massachusetts, he obtained employment 
as laborer in Cook, Borden & Co.'s box factory 
and planing-niill, and worked ids way up, step 
by step, to tlie position of superintendent. He 
was with tliis firm sixteen years. The discovery 
of gold in California turned iiis attention in that 
direction, and in 1849 he left New York for 
Panama on a steamer, taking with him two men, 
whose fares he paid. Crossing the Istlunus they 
learned that the steamer that was to take them 
liad broken down. A number of them chartered 
an old sailing vessel, the bark Clarissa (Captain 
Lamence), in which tiiey resumed the voyage. 
The craft drifted about on tlie Pacific for sixty- 
eight days, forty days on short rations, and on 
July 2, 1850, they landed in San Francisco. 
Air. Gardner went at once to the mines near 
Auburn, witli those whose passage he had paid. 
Finding, however, that there were other voca- 
tions more profitable than mining, he came to 
Sacramento and bought out the St. John lum- 
ber yard, which he thereafter conducted. He 
extended his business interests beyond this 
limit, however, and built a flour mill at Knight's 
Landing, Yolo County. While on a trip up 
there on the steamer Ceorge B. McClellan, Au- 
gust 25, 1861, with coin and checks to pay off 
grain bills, he was killed by the explosion of 
the steamer, when within two miles of the 
landing. The incidents attending the case were 
peculiarly atiecting. It was the custom for in- 
tending passengers to book their name's witli the 
clerk the day before the day of leaving, and if 
any were missing, a whistle would be blown as 
a signal for them to hasten. On the day ap- 
pointed Mrs. Gardner was sick, and begged her 
husband not to go. But alter the steamer had 
blown her whistle twice, he kissed his wife and 
hastened to the landing, just being able to board 
the vessel befoie her plank was taken up. His 
remains only were found, ten days after the ex- 
plosion. Mrs. Gardner's death followed as the 
result of the sad accident. Mr. Gardner was a 
prominent man in many directions in this city. | 



He was a charter member of Union Lodge, I. 0. 
O. F., the first lodge of the order in this city. 
In politics lie was a Republican. He was at all 
times active in church work. He was identified 
with the Baptist Church, a;id gave the lumber 
for the old church of that denomination. 



fUD C. BRUSIE, a prominent though young 
representative of the Sacramento bar, is a 
native of La Porte, Indiana, born March 
28, 1864, his parents being Luther and Mar- 
garet (Coftin) Brusie. Luther Brusie, father of 
the subject, was born at Winsted, Litchfield 
County, Connecticut^ January 21, 1822, and 
was a son of a soldier of the war of 1812, and 
grandson of a Revolutionary veteran, while his 
great-grandfather served in the Colonial forces 
in the French and Indian wars. He came to 
Indiana when young with his parents. After 
finishing his common-school education he began 
the study of medicine, and on the 27th of Feb- 
ruary, 1847, was graduated at Indiana Medical 
College, Indianapolis. In the fall of 1850 he 
came out to California across the' plains, and 
engaged in merchandise at Pult's Bar, in Ama- 
dor County. In 1854 he went back to Indiana, 
and gave his attention to the practice of his 
profession until the breaking out of the civil 
war. He offered his services in behalf of his 
country, and on the 22d of October, 1861, was 
commissioned by Governor Oliver P. Morton 
as Assistant Surgeon of the Forty-fifth Regi- 
ment (Third Cavalry) Indiana Volunteers. He 
served his country faithfully and with credit 
and honor to hitnself, and was wounded and 
disabled in action. In consequence of his in- 
jurits he was honorably discharged from the 
service. In 1869 he again came to California, 
biinging his family, via Panama. He located 
in Amador County, where he was a physician of 
high standing and a prominent citizen until his 
death, which occurred in May, 1887. He was 
a stalwart Republican, and devoted to the in- 
terests of his party. He represented the dis- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



trict in which he resided in the State Legislature 
of 1880. He was an active member of the 
State Medical Society, and of the Grand x\rniy 
of tlie Republic. Jud C. Jjrusie, witli whose 
name this sketch commences, was reared in 
Amador County, and educated there and at the 
University of the Pacific, in which institution 
he took the Latin and Scientific course. He 
commenced reading law with Judge A. P. Cat- 
lin, and continued his legal studies in the office 
of Clunie & Knight, San Francisco. He then 
returned to Amador County, and was there ad- 
mitted to tlie bar in 1885. In 1887 he formed 
a legal partnership with Frank D. Ryan, which 
continued one year, since which time he has 
been alone. Mr. Brusie represented Amador 
County in the Legislature of 1887-88, of 
which he was the youngest member, and served 
on the Committee on Education, on Mining, on 
Federal Relations, on Judiciary, and on Elec- 
tions. He is a member of the Leland Stanford 
Camp, Sons of Veterans. In politics ho is 
strongly Republican, and last year he made a 
canvass of the State for Harrison. Mr. Brusie 
is a young man of unusual attainments, and is 
popular in and out of his chosen profession. 
He is now of the firm of Brusie & Taylor, at- 
torneys and searchers of records, Ed. 1). being 
a son of L. S. Taylor, of Taylor & IIoU. 



.|H«J^ 



iR. WILLIAM ELLERY BRIGGS, promi- 
nent in the medical fraternity of Sacra- 
mento, is a native of Wadsworth, Medina 
County, Ohio, born March 31, 1853. his parents 
being Abiel and Harriet C. (Dinsmore) Briggs. 
His father, a fruit-grower, was a native of New 
York State, and came to Ohio with his parents 
when a child. He died in Yolo County, Cali- 
fornia, in 1878, having come to the State in 
187G. His mother was a native of Maine; she 
is now a resident of Oakland. Dr. Briggs was 
reared at Wadsworth and educated there and at 
Buchtei College, Akron, Ohio. He commenced 
the study of medicine with his brother, Uv. 



Wallou A. Briggs (now of Sacramento), and took 
his first coui'se of lectures at the medical de- 
partment of Ann Arbor (Michigan) University. 
He was graduated at Wooster Medical College, 
Cleveland, Ohio, and also took a degree from the 
medical department of the Western Reserve 
Medical College. In 1877 he went to Europe, 
and attended London Hospital and Moorefield's 
Eye Hospital. He then attended the general 
hospital for a further period before resuming 
his specialties. From London he went to Paris 
and thence to Vienna, taking special courses on 
the eye, ear and throat. In 1879 he established 
himself in practice in Sacramento, and it is only 
what is due to the accuracy and completeness of 
this volume to say that his success has been as 
remarkable as it is gratifying to' his professional 
friends. Mr. Briggs is an active member of the 
Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, 
and has been its president. He is a member of 
Sacramento Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is a 
Knight Templar. 

^'--^-^ 

f FRANK CLARK, Coroner of Sacramento 
County, and one of the best known citi- 
** zens of Sacramento, is a native of Yates 
County, New York, born July 7, 1829, his par- 
ents being Stillman and Lucinda (Thayer) Clark, 
the former a native of New Hampshire, and the 
latter born in Vermont. J. Frank Clark was 
educated at Middlesex, Yates County, New 
York, his native place, and at Whitesburgh Sem- 
inary, near Utica. He learned the carpenters' 
trade in Oneida County, and followed it nearly 
six years. Then he went to Detroit, Michigan, 
and there attended Gregory's Business College, 
where he was graduated about 1853, and then 
went into the State Land Office at Lansing. 
After that he was for a year on the Lakes, and 
tiion went into the banking house of Andrews, 
Waterman & Co., Detroit. He remained with 
them two years, then went to Buchanan County, 
. Iowa. About the 1st of April he started fur 
I California overland via Salt Lake. Some twenty 



HISTORY OF SACliAMENTO COUNTY. 



miles east of South Pass City he sold out his 
outfit, and completed his journey by stage, 
bringing up in Sacramento, August 7, 1861. 
He engaged as bookkeeper for Houston, Hast- 
ings & Co., and remained with them until the 
fall oi 1862, when he went upon a ranch. Two 
years later he went into the office of State Treas- 
urer Pacheco, with whom he continued one year. 
Then Mr. Cornell was elected and he continued 
with him eighteen months. He next engaged 
in the grocery business, as a member of the 
firm of Bronner & Clark, and so continued for a 
little more than a year, when he engaged in the 
undertaking business with R. K. Wick. The 
undertaking establishment of Wick & Clark was 
opened in February, 1872, that firm continuing 
two years. Then Richmond Davis succeeded 
R. K. Wick, and the firm became Clark & Davis. 
Two years later Mr. Clark bought out his part- 
ner's interest in the business. Mr. Clark has 
held the office of Coroner since January, 1883, 
and is now serving his fourth term. He "was 
married in Detroit to Miss Rosella Lowell, a 
native of New York State. They have three 
children, viz.: George H., who is associated 
with his father as tuneral director; and two 
daughters, Effie R. and Dillie A. Mr. Clark is 
a member of Union Lodge, No. 58, A. F. & A. 
M.; of Sacramento Chapter and Commandery; 
of Sacramento Lodge, No. 2, L O. O. F. ; of 
Occidental Encampment, and of Sacramento 
Lodge, No. 11, K. of P. He is a past presiding 
officer of the Odd Fellows' Lodges. Mr. Clark 
is an active Republican, and has always taken a 
leading part in the party organization. He is a 
very popular man, and has a large coterie of 
friends. 

•^■^■•^ 

fUDGE HENRY STARR, or "Colonel" 
Starr, as he is generally known on account 
of his military rank, is a native of Nova 
Scotia, born at Starr's Point, Cornwallis Valley, 
on the 24th of September, 1819. The Starrs 
are an old American family, and those on this 



continent sprang from Dr. Comfort Starr, who 
landed at Boston from England in 1635, and 
whose descendants now number nearly 8,000 
Among his children was Dr. Thomas Starr, and 
he had three sons, — Josiah, Comfort and Sam- 
uel, — who emigrated to Connecticut. Josiah 
(the ancestor of the Starrs of Vallejo and Oak- 
land) settled at Danbnry; Comfort settled at 
Middletou, and Samuel located at New London. 
The latter was the direct ancestor of Judge 
Starr. When the French Acadians were driven 
out of Nova Scotia the English Government 
held out inducements to new settlers, and they 
came in by the ship-load. A large proportion 
of them were from the American colonies, espe- 
cially Connecticut, and Massachusetts (at that 
time including Maine), and the great-grand- 
father of Judge Starr headed a party that went 
to Nova Scotia from Norwich, Connecticut, in 
1759. They selected their land in Cornwallis 
Valley, at the head of the Bay of Minas, which i? 
at the head of the Bay of Fundy. Thus the Starr 
family was established in Nova Scotia. Joseph 
Starr, grandfather of the Judge, while born in 
Connecticut, was yet a mere child when the 
family removed to Nova Scotia. When he arrived 
at a suitable age he was sent back to Norwich, 
Connecticut, to be educated, and was at school 
there when the Revolutionary War came on. He 
joined the Patriot forces, and served gallantly 
throughout the war. After peace was declared 
he married a Miss Starr, a cousin, and located 
in Connecticut. As his father advanced in age, 
however, he was called upon to go back to Nova 
Scotia, and run the farm, which he did. Charles 
Starr, father of the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Connecticut, prior to the return of his 
family to Nova Scotia, and was the oldest child 
of the family. According to the habit of the 
family he was sent back to Norwich, Connecti- 
cut, to be educated, and while he was there the 
war of 1812 broke out, and he joined the army 
of the United States. After the close of the 
war he went back to Nova Scotia, and took pos- 
session of the family homestead. He married 
Paulina, daughter of Henry Cox, who went to 




X 



<;:^?=Z^<^-t--£*-e/ 



HISTORY OF SACBAMENTO COUNTY. 



Nova Scotia from wliat is now Portland, Maine. 
Henry Starr, subject of tliis sketch, was the first 
born of his parents' children. He commenced 
his education at Starr's Point, his native place, 
and finished at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, 
in 18iO. During the winter of 1840-'41 he 
tauglit school at Turner, Oxford County, Maine, 
on the Androscoggin River, and among his 
pupils was Eugene Hale, now United States 
Senator from Maine. In 1841 he went to the 
old family home in Connecticut, and clerked in 
a boot and shoe store about a year. He then 
joined his parents at Boston, and they proceeded 
to Chicago. There he read law with John J. 
Brown, and was admitted to tlie bar of the Su 
preme Court in May, 1844. He went to Mor- 
ris, Grundy County, Hiinois, where he was 
successful in practice, and in 1849 was elected 
county judge. He held tlie office until 1852, 
when he resigned in order to come to California. 
Ill January of that 3'ear a large number had 
mutually agreed to go to California when the 
weather opened up. AbOut April they com- 
menced backing out of the bargain, and finally 
Judge Starr found himself alone. He went to 
St. Louis, thence took a steamer to St. Joseph, 
and joined a party of Missourians bound for 
California. He accompanied thein as far as 
Fort Laramie, and there changed to a Wiscon- 
sin company, with wliom he went as far as Salt 
Lake. From there he ]iacked to California, ar- 
riving at Phicerville on the 6th of August. He 
mined for six months at French Hollow, then 
came to Sacramento, where he has ever sincere- 
sided. He was elected city attorney in 1856, 
and served two years. In 1859 he was elected 
to the Legislature, and served in the sessions of 
1859-60. In 1871 he was elected district at- 
torney, and served one term in that capacity. 
Judge Starr has ranked as a prominent lawyer 
ever since his advent to Sacramento. He be- 
came connected with the JSTational Guard of 
California in 1861, first as Lieutenant and after 
as Captain of the City Guard. He was afterward 
chosen Major, and finally Colonel, commanding 
all the companies of Sacramento. He is not 



now, however, connected with the military. 
Judge Sta-r was married in Iroquois County, 
Illinois, July 20, 1845, to Miss Sarah Ann Ship- 
ley, a native of Burgettstown, Washington 
County, Pennsylvania. They have three living 
children, viz.: Albert (now inspector of build- 
ings, and sanitary^ ins])ector of Sacramento); 
Clara (wife of Seneca B. Wood), and Charles, a 
resident of this city. Judge Starr takes an act- 
ive interest in politics. From 1840 to 1860 he 
was a Democrat, and was elected to the Legis- 
lature as a Douglas Democrat, being the only 
one elected on the Legislative ticket. Since 
that time, however, he has been a strong and 
active Republican. Judge Starr is an able, 
forcible writer, and many of his newspaper ar- 
ticles iiave attracted wide-spread attention, nota- 
bly one on the subject of the annexation of 
Canada to the United States, which brought out 
some salient points which had been entirely 
overlooked, in favor of the position, and a copy 
of the article was called for by a leading East- 
ern member of Congress who is agitating the 
question. 



fOL. PERRIE KEWEN, Assistant Adju- 
tant General of California, is a native of St. 
Louis, Missouri, born October 10, 1857, his 
parents being Col. E. J. C. and Frances (White) 
Kewen. The Whites were one of the oldest 
families of Virginia. The mother of the ma- 
ternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
was an aunt to President Jeflferson. Dr. Thomas 
Jefferson White, father of our subject's mother, 
was one of the most eminent and distinguished 
surgeons of his time, and a prominent public 
man. He had two brothers, Joseph M. White, 
Congressman from Georgia and honorary mem- 
ber of the Georgia Historical Suciety, who was 
appointed by President Jefferson to compile the 
laws for the government of the Mexican terri- 
tories subservient to the laws of tlie United 



States; the other brother, Philip White, 



repr 



HIHTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



seuted Florida in Congress for seventeen years, 
consecutively, and died in his seat in the House 
of Representatives. Dr. Thomas Jeiferson 
White was one of tiie founders of the medical 
department of Jefferson (now Lee) College, and 
was the first surgeon to successfully transplant 
flesh. Ho came to California with the troops 
in 1849, and was in Sacramento in December 
of that year. He was a member of the first 
constitutional convention, and was Speaker of 
the House in the first Legislature. His wife 
was Frances Jane Perry, of Richmond, Vir- 
ginia, a daughter of John Ferry. Dr. White 
died at Los Angeles, December 17, 1859. Col- 
onel E. J. C. Kevven, father of our subject, was 
a son of Captain Edward Xewen, of the Royal 
English Navy, who served in the Irish depart- 
ment of the channel squadron. He came to this 
country and was appointed on the staff" of Gen- 
era] Andrew Jackson. He served with distinc- 
tion under that commander in the war with 
England, and was decorated for gallantry at the 
battle of New Orleans. He afterward became 
an Indian merchant, and later, was killed in a 
duel in Tennessee. He left three sons, the old- 
est of whom was the father of our subject. 
Colonel Edward J. C. Kew-en, father of our sub- 
ject, was born at Columbus, Mississippi, No- 
vember 2, 1825. At thirteen years of age he 
became a student in the Wesleyan University, 
located at Middletown, Connecticut. He iiad 
been there some three years when the untoward 
speculations of liis guardian hurried him to liis 
Mississippihome; and onhisarrival there to learn 
that his once princely inheritance had dwindled 
down to a mere pittance. Thus reduced from 
affluence to comparative poverty, with his two 
younger brothers dependent upon his exertions 
for subsistence, he resolved upon the profession 
of the law. He betook himself to solitary study, 
with a persistence and assiduity almost unpre- 
cedented in those of his extreme youth. He 
had reached the age of nineteen, with but few 
acquaintances and associations in his native 
town. This was in 1844, in the middle of a 
most exciting political contest. By some means 



he was selected to deliver the opening address 
before what was then styled a "Clay Club." 
His primal efforts on that occasion acquired for 
him at once an extraordinary rej)Utation for ora- 
tory. His extreme yonth, peculiarity of style, 
copiousness of diction, earnestness and polish of 
manner, gave him sudden and unwonted fame. 
He was seized upon by the leading spirits of 
the party to which he belonged, in a section of 
country distinguished for its eloquent men, as 
one of their most efficient speakers, and dis- 
patched to remote sections. The writer of the 
present notice has heard an incident illustrative 
of young Keweu's daring and fervid elocu- 
tion. At a prominent point in his native State 
the people of both parties had massed together 
to enjoy barbacued provisions and the attrac- 
tion of oratory. Two whole days had passed 
away in social and political revel, but very much 
to the discomfiture of Whig doctrines. Such 
giants as George R. Clayton, and H. L. Harris, 
and John B. Cobb, from unaccountable reasons, 
had failed to present themselves to effulge upon 
the beauties and strength of a protective tariff' 
and other germane Whig topics. In de- 
spair, and at tlie very finale of the meet- 
ing the young stranger Kewen, a beardless boy, 
was reiuctlantly thrown before them. He had 
now some experience, it is true, in public dec- 
lamation; and youth has its magnetism and 
sympathies; yet, tliey say, astonishment soon 
melted into earnest admiration, and the com- 
parative boy ran away with the hearts and the 
judgments of the serried crowd. Regardless of 
party discrimination, they did a strange thing 
for that region. They seized hold of the juve- 
nile orator as he finished his glowing peroration, 
and bore him around upon their shoulders, and 
would not be content until he had given them 
another specimen of his eloquence the same 
night, in a neighboring court-house. Such tri- 
umphs are very rare. After the election of 
1844, Mr. Kewen became the editor of the 
Columbus Whig, and remained in that occupa- 
tion for two years. Removing to St. Louis, 
Missouri, for the purpose of practicing law, and 



HISTUIIT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



meeting with peculiar success, we find him again 
upon the hustiugi after the nomination of Zacli- 
ary Tciylor for tlie Pre-iidency. Tlie pipers of 
that day teem with the most extravagiint en- 
comiums upon his oratorical abilities. la com- 
mendation of his forensic efforts, pirtisanship 
lost its rancor, for praise flew equally from his 
opponents aud his friends. In his fervid pil- 
grimage he traversed several of the Middle and 
Southern States. The reader of this sketch has 
already detected in its subject a peculiar restless- 
ness so characteristic of men of his ardent tem- 
perament, and will not be surprised to learn 
that he became one of the innumerable throng 
that hurried to this western El Dorado forty 
years ago. Perhaps the blind boy, Dan Cupid, 
was one of the impelling causes of his sudden 
migration. It is very certain that he fell in 
with the caravan of Dr. Thomas Jefferson White 
and family, and meandered across the " plains " 
in their companionship and became the fortu- 
nate husband of the Doctor's accomplished 
daughter upon their arrival at Sacramento, De- 
cember 10, 1849,— this being the first Ameri- 
can wedding in California. It seems that his 
fame as an orator had anteceded him. Some 
occasion prompting it, he was summoneil to tlie 
i-ostrum the very day his weary footsteps first 
traversed the then primitive city of Sacramento; 
and his instantaneous popularity was evinced by 
his election to the responsible office of Attorney 
General, by the State Legislature soon after his 
advent upon our coast. This office he resigned, 
as it compelled his residence at a distance from 
his adopted city, in which he had sprung into 
a lucrative practice in his profession. If other 
evidence of moral and physical courage were 
wanting, his character in this respect was espe- 
cially manifest in his enlistment against the 
squatters, who, at that early period of our his- 
tory had banded in murderous clans. Under 
threats of assassination he boldly repaired to 
one of their convocations on ti)e levee and suc- 
ceeded by the audacity of his tongue in dis- 
persin..; the threatening and insurrectionary 
crowd. In May, 1851, he was nominated as a 



candidate on the Whig ticket for Congress, and 
it was in that canvass thit he displayed the full 
maturity aud strength of his peculiar powers. 
Often speaking several times during the same 
day, he seemed exhaustless in mind and body; 
though successful, the small majority obtained 
by his opponent was a high compliment to the 
zeal and eloquence of Colonel Kewen in a State 
Democratic at the time by many thousand. 
Leaving Sacramento in the summer of 1852 for 
San Francisco, he practiced his profession in the 
latter city with eminent success, until his rest- 
less and daring mind drove him into a new 
career. His brother, A. L. Kewen, second in 
command to General William Walker, was shot 
and killed in the first battle of ilivas, Nicara- 
gua, in June, 1855. Thomas, the youugest of 
the three, had died the preceding year ou the 
island of Tobago, in the Province of Panama. 
Alone in the world, aud we may naturally sup- 
pose brooding in deepest melancholy over the 
early death of his ouly and loved kindred, it is 
not surprising that one of his ardent and gener- 
ous impulses would seek relief in the first dar- 
ing enterprise that offered. He was an intimate 
friend of General Walker, and had hitherto re- 
sisted his earnest importunities to embark in his 
wild adventure. Walker, now the military liead 
of the new government, welcomed him with open 
arms, and at once commissioned him as the 
financial agent of the republic as well as judge 
advocate general ou his staff; and it was 
not long before he became a member of a judi- 
cial tribunal organized to adjust the rival claims 
of Vanderbilt and Garrison & Morgan. The 
result of the deliberations of that body was that 
Vanderbilt was indebted to the Rivas- Walker 
government to the amount of one-half million 
of dollars. Pending the decision, were fought 
the memorable battles of Rivas, Massaya and 
Granada, in each of which Colonel Kewen took 
an active part as aid to General Walker. 
Though disapproving the measure. Colonel 
Kewen was instructed to take possession of the 
steamers belonging to Commodore Vanderbilt, 
plying in Lake Nicaragua. Tliat arbitrary and 



UlSTOUr OF SAORA]^IENTO COUNTY. 



impolitic act,' in which he was iriade the un- 
willing agent, resulted in the disastrous conse- 
quences that he predicted to his superior. It 
drove the powerful capitalist to collide with the 
authorities of Costa Ilica, and eventually caused 
the ruin of the Walker dynasty. The Colonel 
was now dispatched upon an embassy to the 
Southern States of our Union for additional 
means and forces. Estahlishing his headquar- 
ters at Augusta, Gtorgia, he soon succeeded in 
rallying about him a force of eighty men, com- 
pletely equipped, with ample supplies of pro- 
visions. The enthusiasm with which he was 
greeted and the ready response made to his per- 
suasive appeals, are part of the history of our 
cour.try. He had just negotiated witli his 
former friends, Garrison and Morgan, the con- 
veyance to their destination of liis forces and 
implements, when the news reached him of the 
cajiture of Walker by Commodore Paulding, 
under instructions from Washington, and so 
terminated the Rivas-Walker government, and 
with it were dashed the hopes of its most 
ethcient and brilliant supporter. In December, 
1857, the Colonel returned to San Francisco, 
and in January of the succeeding year became 
a citizen of Los Angeles, where he resided up 
to the time of his death. In his new abode tlie 
people have once elected him to the office of 
District Attorney, and have twice dispatched 
him to the lower branch of our State Legisla- 
ture. In the Presidential campaign of 1868 
he was complimented with the highest number 
of votes as an elector on the Democratic ticket. 
We have thus sketched in brief the leading in- 
cidents in the life of one of our most prominent 
citizens. Perhaps no man is so thoroughly 
known within our State limits as Colonel £. J. 
C. Kewen. Of manners peculiarly genial, and 
a temperament ardent, enthusiastic and restless, 
and impulses generous and noble, and a tested 
courage more otten mettlesome than discreet, 
charitable to profusion, he is essentially the 
finest type of his combined Celtic and Missis- 
sippi origin. Such men often provoke enmi- 



ties, but only melt into enduring friends. His 
oratorical abilities, so eminently peculiar, have 
often been condemned by those most fascinated 
by their display. Criticism has always been 
launched at eccentricity. The scholar, while he 
wonders, coi^jiemns the strange affluence of dic- 
tion that floats before him in such luxuriant 
profusion. Seldom before did man have such 
command of language. It is as exuberant as 
the monthly growth of the tropics, as gushing 
as the warble of the wild bird. Under proper 
control, and with the woof of logic, it is the 
richest gift of intelligence. Those that heard 
the Colonel some years since, wondered at and 
deplored this wild luxuriance, did in later years 
admire how he liad subjected this verbal wealth 
to logical control. Had Colonel Kewen con- 
fined himself, without political and otl er devia- 
tion, to his profession, there is no doubt he 
would have attained in it the rarest eminence. 
He had not reached the full fruition of his 
powers, though he had the reputation un- 
tqualed upon our coast as an advocate and a 
public declaimer. The storms ol his life are 
over. Colonel Kewen died of paralysis, on the 
2(itli of iS'ovember, 1879, at his beautiful home 
'•El Molino," Los Angeles County, surrounded 
by his family. His accomplished wife survived 
him but a few months. Mrs. Kewen was a 
woman of the rarest qualities of mind and in- 
tellect, who endeared herself to all with whom 
she came in contact. She merited and received 
the highest tributes that loving friends could 
bestow upon one of the noblest works of God, 
"a perfect woman." Two children, a son and 
daughter, are all the family that survived them. 
Colonel Perrie Kewen, with whose name this 
sketch commences, was but four months old 
when he accompanied his mother to California. 
He attended college at Santa Clara, and after- 
ward at St. Augustine Military Academy, but 
in 1876 he returned home, on account of his 
father's illness, to take charge of El Hancho del 
Molino. After his father's death he removed 
to San Francisco for the purpose of earning his 



in STORY OB' 6 AC HAM E^ TO COUNTY. 



own livelihood and that of his baby sister, and 
also to pursue the study of law. In the settle- 
ment of his father's estate, which was heavily 
encumbered with debt, and owing to the de- 
pression in real estate and the number of fail- 
ures at the time, he realized nothing from what 
was supposed to have been a rich inheritance. 
Shortly after his arrival in San PVancisco he 
accepted the position of bailiff of the Supreme 
Court, whicli he held but a short time, having 
been appointed private secretary to Chief Jus- 
tice R. F. Morrison. He held this position 
five years, and resigned it in 1886. In the 
meantime, and in conjunction with that posi- 
tion, he had studied law and was admitted to 
practice by the Supreme Court of California, on 
the 24th day of July, 1881, and in 1883 was 
appointed Registrar and acting Dean of the law 
department. University of California, which 
post he resigned November 27, 1886. His 
military career is quite extended. He enlisted 
as a private in Battery A, Second Regiment of 
Artillery, March 13, 1882; promoted Corporal 
May 1, 1882; First Lieutenant, June 26, 1882; 
promoted Captain and Aid-de-Camp, staff of 
General W. H. Dimond, Second Brigade, Feb- 
ruary 24, 1883; promoted Colonel and Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General of California, May 12, 
1886. He has served on the staifs of General 
Stoneman, of Governor Bartlett, and of Gov- 
ernor Waterman, and has also served as Acting 
Adjutant-General at various times since 1886. 
Colonel Perrie Kewen has inherited many of 
the traits and characteristics of his father. 
Perhaps no young man is so well known within 
our State, possessing as he does the secret of 
popularity, whereby he makes friends easily and 
retains them. Of manners polished and refined, 
peculiarly genial, a temperament ardent, enthu- 
siastic, witli impulses generous and noble, he is 
ever found the amiable and hospitable gentle- 
man. Colonel Kewen is a member of tiie San 
Francisco Society, California Pioneers. In Sac- 
ramento he is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 
4, I. O. O. F., Union Degree Lodge, No. 2, and 
Pacific Encampment, No. 1. Colonel Kewen 



comes of a historic family, many of whose mem- 
bers have figured prominently and with honor 
in State and "National affairs. 



JOHNSTON, one of the well-known old 
Californians now and for many years 
" resident in Sacramento, is a native of 
Kittanning, Pennsylvania, born June 30, 1827. 
His father, J. R. Johnston, was a native of 
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, a farmer and 
a tanner by trade. His mother, whose maiden 
name was Isabella Matthews, was also a native 
of Pennsylvania. David Johnston, the subject 
of this sketch, was reared at Kittanning, there 
read law, and for a time served as clerk of the 
Orphans' Court of the county. On the 14th of 
October, 1852, he was married, and on the same 
day started for California. The next week he 
was in New York city, and on the 21st they 
left there on the steamer Cortez. He was de- 
tained at Panama a week, waiting for the 
steamer on the Pacific side, and landed at San 
Francisco November 23, 1852. The great fire 
had occurred at Sacramento while they were on 
their way, and in December came the great 
flood here. Mr. Johnston remained in San 
Francisco that winter, and the following spring 
came to Sacramento. From here he proceeded 
to Bear River, in Nevada County, fourteen 
miles below Grass Valley. As the children 
grew up it was thought proper to remove the 
family to the vicinity of educational institu- 
tions, and in 1868 they came to Sacramento, 
where they have since resided, and where Mr. 
Johnston has iiis headquarters for the transac- 
tion of his business as a mining and United 
States land claim attorney. The field of his 
operations covers this land district, including 
Amador, Placer, El Dorado, Calaveras and Ne- 
vada counties. Mrs. Johnston was, before lier 
marriage. Miss Nancy S. Glass, a native of 
Pennsylvania. Her father was a jirominent 
man and had been treasurer of Alleghany 
County, I'ennsylvania. Her second Itrntlicr, 



JIIifTOJii- OF SACliAMKNTO COUNTY. 



J. P. Glnss. was a rulonel in Sickles' celebrated 
corps during the war o( tlio IJi'lu'llion. Hoth 
of iicr parents ditnl in ri-iinsvlvaniM. Mr. iuui 
ilrs. Jolinstun liave tiiree living cliiUlren, viz.: j 
luibert (t., wlio is with "Wells-Fargo Express 
Company, Sacramento; A. J., of tiie large ; 
printing house of A. .1. Johnston & Co., Sacra- j 
mento, and Belle, wife of W. II. Pronty, of 
Trnckee. Mr. Johnston had a brother among 
tlie pioneers of California,— J. K. Johnston, 
who came here in 1849, and died in Placer 
County, Jannary 0, ISSS. Ilis parents also 
came to this State, and his father died in Ne- 
vada County, August 12. ISGO. His mother is 
yet living. She was born in the summer of 
ISOSK Mr. Johnston has passed the chairs in 
Kureka Lodge, 1. O. O. F., and Pacific Encamp- 
ment, No. 2; is a veteran Odd Fellow, and has 
been a member of the (xrand Lodge. He has a 
tract of land about three miles from Auburn, 
embracing 700 acres, and thej"e pays considera- 
ble attention to fruit-growing. He has 7,000 
fruit trees, among them 1,000 olives and pears, 
the remainder being peaches, cherries, oranges, 
etc. He also has about 12.000 vines of table 
grapes, among them White Muscat, Rose of 
Peru, Flaming Tokay, and Black Morocco. 
Sir. Johnston was elected a member of the 
Board of Education of Sacramento city, and 
served for two yea'rs. 



fUDGE GEORGE A. BLANCHARD.— 
Among the representative members of the 
bar of Sacramento to-day is the gentleman 
with whose name this sketch commences. He 
is a native of Erie County. New York, bprn 
April 15, 18-18, and son of George G. and Phi- 
linda (^Keyes) Blanchard. The latter was a 
native of New Hampshire, and her grandfather, 
an Irish Presbyterian, settled in the town of 
Derry in that State. The Blanchards are an 
old Xew England family. The paternal grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, a Massachu- 
setts man. removed after his marriage, to .\nlrim. 



New Hampshire, thence afterward to Aurora, 
New York, and tinally to Jamestown, Chautau- 
qua County. New York, wiiere he bought from 
Mr. Seward, agent, a farm of the Holland Pur- 
chase, early in the '50's. He still lives at the 
farm, at an advanced age. (Jeorge G. Blanch- 
ard, lather of the subject of this sketch, was 
educated at Jamestown Academy, but his 
brothers were all Dartmouth graduates. He 
was married at Jamestown, and moved to Erie 
County, where he taught school. Ilis wife died 
while he was there, and soon after he left there 
and went S<nith, where he resumed teaching. 
He afterward migrated to Wisconsin, and from 
there came to California across the plains. Ar- 
riving iu this Slate, he first engaged in mining 
in Nevada County, and afterward removed to 
El Dorado County, where he mined and followed 
saw-milling and lumbering. He fitially em- 
barked in the legal profession, made his mark 
as a lawyer, and is now one of the leading mem- 
bers in the profession. George A. Blanchard, 
subject of this mention, was reared at James- 
town, New York, to the age of twelve years, 
when he came to California via Panama, taking 
passage at New York on the Northern Light, 
and landing at San Francisco from the Golden 
Gate in May, 1801, just after the breaking out 
of the civil war. He went to the town of El 
Dorado and was there prepared for college by 
sundry learned college men from Yale, Am- 
herst, and other celebrated institutions of learn- 
ing, all of which contributed their quota to the 
personnel of the California mining camps. At 
the age of si.xteen years he went to Dartmouth 
College, was matriculated, went through the 
four years' academic course, and was graduated 
in the class of 1868. He then went to Buffalo. 
New York, and there studied law with Amos 
A. Blanchard, who had studied law with Millard 
Fillmore, in the firm of Fillmore. Hall it 
Haven. During this time he was deputy clerk 
of the Superior Court of Buffalo, in which 
Grover Cleveland had practiced. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar on examination, in the eighth 
judicial circuit of the Supreme Court of New 



murouY OF haguamento county. 



York, Judge Ricliard P. Marvin, presiding 
judge, in November, 1869. The next spring 
he came bacii to California, and in 1871 he 
came to Sacramento by invitation of Attorney- 
General John Lord Love, to take the position 
of Assistant Attorney-General in his office. lie 
60 continued during four years, and for a con- 
siderable portion of tlie time was acting Attor- 
ney-General. At the expiration of General 
Love's term of office, and after one inoiitli with 
his successor, Jo. Ilamiltou, Mr. Blanchard 
opened an office on the corner of Second and K 
streets, Sacramento, and soon afterward formed 
a partnership with W. C. Van Fleet (now 
judge), and the tirm of Blanchard & Van Fleet 
moved into the office vacated by Henry Edger- 
ton, corner of Sixtii and I streets. That was in 
1875. Mr. Blanchard was elected District At- 
torney in 1878, and Mr. Van Fleet conducted 
the civil business of the firm until 1880, when 
the partnership was dissolved. At the expira- 
tion of his term as District- Attorney Mr. 
Blanchard was appointed Assistant Attorney- 
General by General A. L. Hart, and served first 
in this capacity under the new constitution. 
About a year and a half later he was appointed 
by Governor Perkins to fill the vacancy on the 
Superior bench of Colusa County, caused by 
the death of Judge Hatch. He served out the 
unexpired term, was nominated for the position 
by the Republican convention, and at the en- 
suing election failed of being chosen for the 
position by 140 votes, though there was a 
Democratic majority in the county of 1,000, 
and this though he had never been in the county 
previous to his appointment as judge. He 
practiced law there until January 1, 1888, 
when he came to Sacramento and formed the 
present partnership with Judge Amos P. Cat- 
lin. Judge Blanchard was married to Miss 
Annie L. Hatch, daughter of Dr. F. W. Hatch, 
deceased, mention of whom appears elsewhere 
in this volume. Judge Blancliard has always 
taken an active part in public affairs and in the 
Republican party organization. He was a mem- 
ber of the State Central Committee for Colusa 



County, and was a tnember of the State Con- 
vention of 1886. It is generally conceded that 
he could have had the nomination for Attorney- 
General had he so desired. His record on the 
bench and at the bar place him in tiie fiont 
rank of the legal profession. 



DWIN II. McKEE, auditor of the city of 
HL Sacramento, has been a resident of the 
ijpt city since 1855. He is a native of Ver- 
mont, born at Essex, Chittenden County, on 
the 16th of May, 1847. His father, George 
McKee, a native of Ireland, came to America 
with his parents when a mere child. He was 
reared in New York State, and in Vermont, 
and in tlie latter State was married to Miss 
Mary M. Curtis. In 1852 he joined the 
throng of emigration to California, making the 
journey via Panama, and landing at San Fran- 
cisco. He was soon engxged in mining, and 
followed that occupation at Mokelumne Hill, 
Hangtown, Michigan Bar, and other places. In 
1855 he was joined at Sacramento by his wife 
and two sons. Homer L. and Edwin II. Ed- 
win H. McKee was reared to manhood in 
Sacramento, and was educated in her schools. 
At the age of seventeen years he commenced 
the moulder's trade in the shops of the Cen- 
tral Pacific Railroad, and when he had reached 
his majority, was a journeyman. He con- 
tinued the prosecution of his trade until March, 
1877, when he was elected to the position he now 
holds. In his office he has given entire satis- 
faction to the people of Sacramento, and his rec- 
ord has been one of integrity and conscientious 
work. Mr. McKee has been for many years ac- 
tively identified with the National Guard of Sac- 
ramento, having first joined the old company A 
as private, and from that position progressing 
through the ranks of Fourth Sergeant, First Ser- 
geant, and Lieutenant. When he attached him- 
self to the artillery regiment, he was chosen its 
Major, and is now Lieutenant Colonel of the regi- 
ment. He was married in Sacramento to Miss 



HISTOHY OF SAUHAMENTO COUNTY. 



Eineliue L. McKee, u native of Pinladelphia. 
lie is Past Sachem of Owosso Tribe No. B9, 
I in proved Order of Eed Men. He is Past 
Cliief Ranger of Court Sacramento, A. O. F., 
and has been commander in the Uniform Kank 
of Knights of Sherwood Forest; he is Past 
Cliancellor Commander of Columbia Lodge, 
K. of P,, and is a member of Washington 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Sacramento R. A. 
C, No. 8. Pie lias been intimately connected 
with the city fire department, and at the time 
of his election to his present post was foreman 
of Engine Co. No. 1. It thus happened that 
his fii-st duty as auditor proved to be the sign- 
ing of a warrant for liimself as ioreman — a 
singular coincidence. Mr. McKee has grown 
up among the people of Sacramento, was edu- 
cated in her schools, learned his trade amid her 
artisans, and in all capacities in which he has 
served he has remained the same modest gentle- 
man and enjoys the confidence and respect of 
the people of Sacramento. 



tlLLlAM S. CHURCH, City Attorney 
of Sacramento, is a native of Woodford 
County, Kentucky, born near Versailles, 
May 19, 1851. His father, James C. Church, 
was a native of Indiana, but located in Ken- 
tucky, where he studied surveying, and where 
he was married to Miss Fannie Smitliers, a 
native of Kentucky. In 1852 he removed with 
his family to Kansas City, Missouri, and the 
following year came out across the plains to 
California, locating in American Valley, Plu- 
mas County, where he bought a ranch. He 
afterward removed to Indian Valley, where he 
died in 1886. His widow yet resides there. 
He followed his profession of surveyor for some 
time after coming to the State, and held the 
office of county surveyor for one term; but his 
line set of instruments were destroyed by fire, 
and thereafter he devoted his attention to ranch- 
ing. William S. Church, subject of this sketch, 
was but two years old when the family removed 



to this State, and he was reared in Plumas 
County. He was educated in the public schools, 
and in the winter of 1867 commenced attend- 
ance at Heald's College, San Francisco, where 
he was graduated in May, 1868. He then came 
to Sacramento and obtained employment on 
Whitcomb's ranch, in the southern part of the 
county. He worked there some time and then 
went home on a visit. In 1870 he went to 
Yolo County, and clerked in a store in Capay 
Valley for a year and a half. He next engaged 
in teaching school at Fairview. In 1873 he 
went to Nevada, and taught writing school at 
Virginia City and at Reno. Later in the same 
year he returned to California, and while in 
Solano County, was elected superintendent of 
schools of Plumas County, and by virtue of re- 
election, served from 1874 to 1878. He then 
began to think of some permanent profession 
other than teaching, and turned to the law, for 
which he then began reading. In 1880 he was 
nominated on the Democratic ticket for district 
attorney, in the county of Sierra, but of course 
was unsuccessful, as the county was hopelessly 
Republican. In 1881 he received his life di- 
ploma as a teacher. Early in that year he came 
to Sacramento and i-ead law with Colonel Creed 
Haymond and W. A. Cheney (now Superior 
Judge of Los Angeles County). On the 7th of 
May, 1881, he was admitted to practice before 
the Supreme Court of California. After his 
admission he went to La Porte, Plumas County, 
and there practiced law for two years. He was 
a candidate for county clerk on the '■ New Con- 
stitution " ticket, in 1881, but was defeated. 
On account of the stoppage of hydraulic min- 
ing, everything was dull iu Plumas County, and 
Mr. Church came to Sacramento and engaged 
in law writing. He wrote a book entitled 
"Habeas Corpus" for Bancroft & Co., San 
Francisco. In the Legislature of 1884 he was 
clerk of the Committee on Constitutional 
Amendments. In 1885 he went to Gait, and 
practiced there a couple of months, and then 
went north to Washington Territory and Brit- 
ish Columbia. Two or three weeks later he 



IIISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



returned to Sacramento, and was engaged on 
the " American Decisions " for Bancroft & Co., 
and continued his writino; on this work until 
elected city attorney, in 1888. In 1886 he 
made the race for district attorney of Sacra- 
mento County unsuccessfully. Mr. Church was 
married in Sacramento. April 11, 1886, to Miss 
Tillie Beauchamp, a native of Chicago, and 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Beauchamp. 
Mr. Church is a member of Tehama Lodge, F. 
& A. M.; Sacramento Ti. A. Chapter No. 3; 
Sacramento Conncil, No. 1, li. & S. M, and of 
Court Sutter. No. 7,246, A. O. F. In the latter 
he was, at one time, chief ranger, lie is a man 
of broad attainments, and although already con- 
siderably e.xperienced in professional and official 
life, may be said to liave just commenced his 
career, being yet a young nian. 

— ^€ii::le;l>-'^^ — 

fR. ALEXANDER MONTAGUE, one of 
the eminent practicing physicians of thi.s 
State, and a resident of Gait, was born in 
Wake CouDtj, near lialeigh, North Carolina, 
September 16, 1845, son of Dr. W. H. Mon- 
tague, a prominent physician. In the family 
were six sons and six daughters, one of whom, 
besides the subject of this sketch, is a physician, 
in Winston, North Carolina. Dr. Montague 
received his early education at the Wake Forest 
College, and in 1865 graduated at the State 
University at Chapel Hill, formerly one of the 
largest institutions in the South. While pur- 
suing his collegiate course he was gradually 
drifting into medical studies, and afterward he 
read in the office of his father two years, and re- 
ceived his diploma in 1868 from the University 
of the City of iS'ew York, after attending the 
required course of lectures there. Until 1877 
he practiced his profession in his native State, 
and then came to California, locating at Shasta 
City, where his competency soon became known 
and he was appointed surgeon to the County 
Hospital. He remained at that place nine 
montiis. In 1878 he came to (Jalt, where he 



has since resided and had a large practice, ex- 
cepting tiie three years 1885-'88, when he was 
in New York city, prosecuting special studies. 
Thus the people of Gait and vicinity have the 
satisfaction of knowing one physician at least 
among them who is probably as well qualified 
tc treat them as any other general practitioner 
in the State. 

fAMUEL E. WRISTON, a resident of this 
county since 1852, was born in Morgan 
County, Illinois, March 19, 1834. His 
father, James, a native of South Carolina, emi- 
grated to Illinois when a young man. In Mor- 
gan County he married Miss Catharine F. Sage, 
a native of Terre Haute, Indiana, had three 
children, and died in 1839 at the age of thirty- 
four years. Samuel, our subject, is the only 
one now living. The eldest son, William B., 
came to this State in 1849, and was accidentally 
killed in "Eussell Pocket," four miles from 
Gait, July 7, 1856. The other son, Elihu li., 
came to California in 1859, and died in Wood- 
bridge, ?San Joaquin County, June 27, 1877. 
In after years Mrs. Wriston married John Raf- 
fety, who also is now deceased. The widow is 
now living in Fella, Jasper County, Iowa, at 
the age of sixty-nine years. By the last mar- 
riage there were six children, of whom four are 
still living. Mr. Samuel E. Wriston, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was brought up on a farm. 
In April, 1852, when seventeen years of age, he 
came to California overland with mule teams, 
in company with three families and twenty- 
seven men, consuming exactly three months oti 
the trip from the Missouri Kiver. When he 
arrived in Sacramento his brother William was 
living in the "Pocket." He intended to go 
over the mountains to Carson Yalley, but chills 
and fever attacked him and prevented him from 
going. After recovery he began to work on 
ranches, meanwhile owning some livestock in 
company with his brother. After the death of 
the latter he took charge of all the stock for 



378 



UISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



awhile, and then disposed of it. In November, 
1857, he returned East on a visit. Arrived in 
Sacramento again June 1. 1859, and again 
entered the live-stock business, buying and sell- 
ing and dairying, and followed this business for 
nine years in partnership with C. W. Harvey, 
in the meantime owning some land which he 
had bought before going East. Up to about 
three years ago his business was mainly stock- 
raising, but lately he has paid more attention to 
general agriculture. His farm consists of 422 
acres, on the Laguna, live miles east and north 
of Gait. He has inade his residence in this 
village since it was stated in 1869. Mr. Wris- 
ton is a member of the Odd Fellows' order, and 
of the A. O. U. W. of Gait. Politically he is 
a E'publican, although his first Presidential 
vote in 1856 was cast for Buchanan. In 1860 
he was a Douglas Democrat, and since then he 
has been a Republican. He was united in ;nar- 
riage, June 14, 1870, to Jennie V. Ferguson, a 
native of Illinois, and reared in the city of 
Chicago. They have had three children, as fol- 
lows: Carrie F., born May 13, 1872, and died 
December 24, 1880; Charles R., born October 
3, 1874; and Samuel C, born Septwnber 3, 
1877, and died February 17, 1878. 



fOLOMON KREEGER, farmer. Dry Creek 
Township, was born December 17, 1829, 
in Mt. Pleasant, Forsythe County, North 
Carolina, son of Jacob and Mary (Fulps) Kree- 
ger, natives also of that State. Both the grand- 
fathers of Mr. Kreeger were in the Revolu- 
tionary War seven years, and they lived to 
be respectively 103 and 105. Jacob Kree- 
ger was a farmer all his life and died in 
his native State, at the age of sixty-eight 
years, in 1846. He had five sons and six 
daughters; the sons were George W., Jacob, 
John, Henry and Solomon ; and of these only 
three are now living. Some of the family still 
remain in Norlh Carolina, and some are in 
Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri. Solomon was 



raised on a farm in his native State, graduated 
at Trinity College, North Carolina, wlien twenty- 
one years old, and then he started for California, 
but stopped near Independence, Missouri, and 
taught school there a year in Jackson County. 
In 1851 he started again for the Golden State, 
with others, coming overland with ox teams. 
Had some trouble with the Indians, wiio en- 
deavored to steal their cattle. By such delays 
their trip was extended five months and five 
days. Stopping first at Diamond Spring, El 
Dorado County, Mr. Kreeger mined about two 
months, and then followed the same occupation 
at Michigan Bar, Sacramento County, about four 
years, with moderate, success. Then he located 
upon his present property in Dry Creek Town- 
ship; but subsequently removed to Sacramento, 
ojiened a hay and grain store on the corner of 
Eleventh and J streets, known as tlie Elephant 
Feed Store, and ran it about five years, then re- 
turned to Ins ranch. Here he has splendid im- 
provements, rendering the place exceedingly at- 
tractive. He has two farms, the home ranch of 
451 acres, and the Briggs ranch of 468 acres, on 
which he has about 200 acres of alfalfa. He 
has been a member of the Masonic order ever 
since he was twenty-one years of age. He is a 
charter member of Nebraska Lodge, No. 71, 
and of Gait Lodge, No. 267, and in 1886 was a 
member of the Grand Lodge of the State of Cali- 
fornia. He is also a member of the Lodge of 
the Golden Shore and of the Chose i Friends. 
In 1863 he married Jane Cunningham, a native 
of Illinois, and they have seven children living, 
three deceased. Their names are Virgil, Lillie, 
Lettie, Zena, Tally B., Creed H., and Saul 
Cleveland. 



fF. PHELPS, the jeweler, stationer and 
music dealer of Gait, has been a resident 
® of that place since 1878. He was born 
in Burlington, Vermont, May 31, 1833, son of 
Francis and Helen Phelps, both natives also of 
that State, who resided there until tlieir death. 



lIISTORr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Being a natural musician, and having an excel- 
lent training from the best teachers, Mr. Phelps 
was set to the systematic study of music at the 
age of iire years. Among his teachers was the 
noted Lowell Mason. After leaving home, at 
the age of twelve years he continued his favorite 
study, mostly by himself, adapting himself to 
almost any kind of musical instrument. In 
the early "SO's he spent a winter in Cliicago, 
where he played violin in the amphitheater, and 
traveled with a circus during the summer. He 
continued this mode of life up to the age of 
twenty-two years, when he began learning a 
trade in Cleveland, Ohio. He entered a store 
there kept by a German named Keselmyer, who 
had a small business, principally in the way of 
repairing, and worked with him two years. He 
then traveled, repairing musical instruments 
aud soliciting his own work until he came to 
California in 1857. He came from JVew York 
by way of Panama, landing in San Francisco 
in March. He mined in Calaveras County ten 
years, in the meantime prospecting considera- 
bly, and when short of money would resort to 
his old trade. At length he abandoned mining 
and prospecting, and devoted himself exclusively 
to the repairing business again, until he located 
in Woodbridge, September 1, 1868, with no 
means but his kit of tools; and he also taught 
music some. Much can be credited to Mr. 
Phelps for what he did for Woodbridge and 
that section of the country in the way of 
creating a taste for music and raising its stand- 
ard. He taught in the public schools and led 
societies free of charge, receiving pay for in- 
strumental instruction only. As the place ad- 
vanced in population, wealth, and in other 
respects, his classes in music increased, and his 
reputation widened, bringing pupils from gi-eater 
and greater distances. The people of Wood- 
bridge, acknowledging their indebtedness to 
Prof. Phelps, presented him a beautiful gold- 
headed cane, appropriately engraved with the 
inscription and date, and the head embellished 
with a beautiful setting of gold quartz. In his 
business he naturally collected around him a 



considerable stock of jewelry and musical 
goods. For business reasons he came to Gait, 
in- June, 1878, and opened a store in his, line, 
where he has deservedly prospered. He was 
married in 1863 to Julia A. Carter, a native of 
Wisconsin, and they have three children: Cora 
A., Carry L. and Alton D. 



I^ENRY S. PUTNEY, farmer, Dry Creek 
|M| Township, was born May 13, 1828, in Yates 
Wle County, Xew York, a son of Jedediah and 
Caroline S. (Gartwell) Putney, of English de- 
descent. His father, who was also a farmer, 
died in Yates County in 1850, at the age of 
forty-five years. In his family were four sons 
and four daughters; the sons were Decastro A., 
Henry S., George S., and Lyman D. Decastro 
died on shipboard, on the Pacific Ocean, in 1853, 
of pneumonia. Mr. Putney was reared upon 
the farm in New York State until he was of age, 
in 1849, when he sailed from New York city, 
February 14, for California, on the Crescent 
City to Panama, and on the whaling ship Sylph 
for San Francisco, landing at that city July 28. 
Coming to Sacramento by sail-boat, he went 
directly to the mines near Anburn, and rained 
for gold about a year, with moderate success. 
In the fall of 1850 he went to San Jose and en- 
tered a tract of Government land, which he 
afterward exchanged for a claim in this county 
where he now resides, twenty miles from Sacra- 
mento. It contains 530 acres, well adapted to 
grain, hay and live stock. All the improve- 
ments now seen there he has made himself, 
having lived there since 1851. A good orchard 
and vineyard are on the jjremises. He came 
with nothing and was $16 in debt, and he has 
made all his property by his own honest earn- 
ings. He was the first man to run a Separator 
threshing machine in Sacramento County. Mr. 
Putney, December 27, 1862, married Miss 
Rhoda A., daughter of Calviu and Eliza W. 
(Rixby) Bates, — her father a native of Vermont 
and mothor of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Put- 



niSTOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ney have five children: Melvina E., born Sep- 
tember IB, 1863; George S., January 5, 1865, 
and died June 12, 18S7; Julia M., born Janu- 
ary 28, 1866; Eliza C, October 2i, 1873; and 
Frankie M., May 11, 1879. Melvina is the wife 
of Frank S. Wardrobe, of this county; the other 
children are still at their paternal home. Mrs. 
Putney crossed the plains in 1859 to this State 
with her brother George O. Bates and family, 
who now reside in Sacramento city; they were 
six mouths on the route. She and her daughter 
Julia are members of the Rebekah Degree 
Lodge, No. 36, of which Miss Julia is Noble 
Grand, Mr. Putney is a member of Elk Grove 
Lodge, No. 274, I. O. O. F. 



SES. JANE MA BIN, of Dry Creek 
Township, is a daughter of Henry Mur- 
ray, and was born in Cedar County, 
Iowa. Her father, a farmer, was a native of 
Ireland, and liis genealogy can be traced back to 
the Scotch-Irish. He was raised on a farm in 
his native country. He was born May 8, 1812, 
and married Miss Jane Adair, in Ireland. Emi- 
grating to America, he located near Point Pleas- 
ant, Ohio; subsequently he moved to Iowa, 
where Mrs. Mahin was born, and still lives there, 
at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife 
died in 1872, at the age of sixty-four years. In 
their family were eleven children, six daughters 
and five sons; three daughters are in this State. 
Besides Mrs. Mahin, there are Mrs. William 
Frazer and Mrs. D. L. Davis, both in this 
county. Mrs. Mahin came across the plains and 
mountains to California in 1864, and purchased 
the property which she now occupies, twenty- 
two miles from Sacramento and one mile east of 
the upper Stockton road. It now contains 423 
acres, and is in a very fine state of cultivation, 
the soil being well adapted to general farming; 
and the improvements are good. There are also 
a number of magnificent oak shade trees on the 
place. Mrs. Mahin has two sons and two daugh- 
ters, namely: Jennie, wife of E. M. Curl, of Los 



Angeles; John R., who lives in this county; 
Nelitrt, wife of William Stuart, of Los Angeles; 
and William, a I'esident of Sacramento. Mrs. 
Mahin visited her old home in 1870, but says 
she is willing to make her home in California 
during the remainder of her life. 



ILLIS WRIGHT, a pioneer and success- 
ful farmer of Dry Creek Township, was 
born in Rutland County, Vermont, 
February 2, 1823. His father, Elihu Wright, 
was also a native of that State; and his grand- 
father, also named Elihu, was born in Connecti- 
cut and emigrated to Vermont when about 
twenty-one years old. His only sou, the father 
of Willis, married Minerva McArthur, a native 
also of the Green Mountain State. Her father, 
Charles McArthur, was frotu the Highlands of 
Scotland, and njarried a Vermont lady after 
coming to this country. In 1836 Elihu Wright, 
Jr., and family emigrated to Illinois when the 
tide of immigration was to the Western States, 
and he located thirty miles west of Chicago, on 
the line between Cook and Kane counties; but 
that part of the country' was afterward taken 
from these counties and organized into Du Page 
County. Mr. Wright made his home there un- 
til his death, about 1851; his wife died in the 
spring of 1850. Of their three sons the subject 
of this sketch was the youngest. He remained 
at home with his parents until he was twenty- 
four years of age, by which time he had land of 
his own. He then went upon his land and 
worked it, at the same time assisting the family, 
which then consisted of four members. In 1853 
be came overland to California, arriving at 
Ilangtown October 12, being six months on the 
road; and six weeks later he went down into 
Dry Creek Township with a band of cattle 
which he had brought across the plains; with 
this stock he went into the cattle business and 
general farming, which he continued up to 
1862, in " Russell Pocket." During this time 
he kept a team on the road hauling hay and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO a OH NT Y. 



381 



Iniiiber to and from the iiiountains. In 1862 
lie took some of the stock into the mountains, 
and during the summer inonths for eighteen 
years ran a dairy and raised cattle. He has 
been a resident of Gait for about seven years, 
living a more retired life and enjoying what he 
has worked so hard to attain for so many years. 
His marriage occurred December 22, 1846, 
when ho wedded Marietta Angeline Van Em- 
burgh, who was born in Rutland County, Ver- 
mont, November 6, 1824. She became the 
mother of seven children: Frederick, born Sep- 
tember 25, 1847; Albert W., born April 25, 
1849; James C, May 20, 1852; Eva, born Oc- 
tober 2, 1854, and died October 12, 1884, the 
wife of Edward Humphreys, of Sacramento; 
Frank M., April 12, 1857, atid died June 13, 
1862; Edward E., born May 26, 1859; and 
Hattie M., August 1, 1867. Mr. Wright was 
again married December 24, 1882, to Mrs. Eliza 
A. Summers, nee Arnold, also a native of Rut- 
land County, Vermont. Her marriage to Dan- 
iel B. Summers took place October 14, 1845; 
and they came to California by way of Panama, 
landing in San Francisco, and then at Sacra- 
mento May 22, 1852. Mr. Summers died July 
13, 1878, an old resident of this county. ^y 
this marriage there were eight children, of 
whom five are now living, four daughters and 
one son, all married. 

— '^-m-^ — ■ 

fEORGE NEED, a general farmer in Dry 
Creek Township, was bom September 27, 
1886, in Germany, and emigrated to 
America in 1840 with his parents, Francis and 
Dorothy Xeed, landing at Baltimore and set- 
tling near Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, In- 
diana. There they were on a farm until the 
father's death in 1874, at the age of seventy-two 
years; the mother died in 1849. In their family 
were four sons and one daughter, viz.: Michel, 
George, Valentine, Christopher, and Laney, wife 
of Louis Lehr, of Indianapolis. Michel came 
to California in 1852, and died in 1868; Chris- 



topher was killed in the Civil "War; Valentine 
also served in the war and now lives in Indiana, 
George remained with his father on the farm 
until he was twenty years of age, and then, in 
1857, embarked at New York and came by way 
of the Isthmus to the Golden State, and at once 
located where he has ever since resided, except 
a short time in Fresno County, when he was 
in the stock business. In 1867 he purchased 
his present tine property of 775 acres, five 
miles from Gait, and where he has made all the 
improvements now on the place. In 1867 he 
married Miss Sarah J. Ehler, a native of Indi- 
ana, and they have had six children, two of 
whona are deceased, namely: Efiie R., born Oc- 
tober 18, 1868, died November 25 following; 
Louisa J., born March 15, 1871; George C, 
July 2, 1873; Isabel E., June 24, 1874; Fran- 
cis, born December 6, 1876, died April 19, 
1877; and Henry J., born September 27, 1878. 
Mr. Need is a gentleman of kindly disposition, 
industrious habits and sincere in his morals. 
Politically he is a Republican; his first Repub- 
lican vote was cast for Ben Harrison. 



fAMES K. McKINSTRY, of Gait, was born 
in Rochester, New York, February 9, 1835. 
tlis father, John, and his mother, Jane 
(Kelso) McKinstry, were both natives of the 
North of Ireland. About 1834 they emigrated 
to the United States, having at that time two 
children, one of whom died while crossing the 
ocean, and tlie other died in Sacramento, in 
May, 1853. Both were daughters. On arrival 
in this country, John McKinstry first located in 
New York State, where the family resided until 
1887, in Chicago till 1840, and from 1840 to 
1850 in Galena, Illinois. The mother is now 
living with her son James, in Gait. On coming 
to this State about the middle of August, 1850, 
they stopped first in Sacramento. In May, 1851, 
James McKinstry (our subject) went to the 
mines, and for about four years was engaged 
among them in El Dorado and Placer counties. 



HISTORY OF SAGRAMENTO COUNTY. 



lie then came to the vicinity of Gait, wliere he 
has since beea an honored resident. Tliere he 
followed the dairy business for about fourteen 
years, driving cows to the mountains, making 
butter and raising stock. From 1872 to 1879, 
with the exception of one year, he was salesman 
in Whitaker & Ray's store. In the meantime 
he started a livery stable in Gait, and for the 
last ten years he has given his personal atten- 
tion to the business. His stable was first 
erected in Old Liberty by Robert Crown. After 
a time it fell into the hands of Calvin Briggs, 
along with the Devins E.xehange Hotel, and was 
moved to Gait and set on the corner of Fifth 
and C streets, where it now stands. Thomas 
Briggs was the first to run it as a livery stable. 
He sold to William F. Brewster and Benjamin 
F. Howard, about 1873. After aw^hile Brews 
ter sold his interest to Mr. McKinstry, and the 
firm of Howard & McKinstry continued until 
Mr. Howard disposed of his interest to his 
brother Caarles B., the firm name remaining the 
same. In 1879 or 1880 Mr. McKinstry bought 
out his partner's interest, and since then has 
been the sole proprietor. He is a pleasant, 
genial gentleman, tlioroughly understanding 
business principles. He has been moderately 
successful in life, and he now has the finest 
livery stable in the place. He is a member of 
Fhoenix Lodge, No. 239, L O. O. F., and of the 
Gait Encampment, No. 65, both of Gait. He 
lias a ranch of 160 acres two miles from Gait, 
and another of the same size eight miles from 
town, devoted to general farming. July 19, 
1858, is the date of his marriage to Fanny, 
daughter of Thomas Armstrong, one of the early 
artists and engravers ot) .this coast, who did a 
great deal of work in San Francisco and Sacra- 
mento; indeed, nearly all the illustrated works 
issued on the coast at that time were executed 
by him. Mr. and Mrs. McKinstry have brought 
up a family of five children, viz.: Clara, wife of 
C. C. Clement, justice of the peace at Gait; 
Lizzie, wife of W. R. Cole, residing near Cen- 
terville, Alameda County; Edgar, assistant 
agentof the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, 



at Lorenzo; Charles W., who manages the 
business of the stable; and Tom, the South- 
ern Pacific Railroad agent at Stege, in Ala- 
meda County; he was appointed at the age 
of fifteen years, being given the entire charge 
of all the departments, — the business of the 
railroad company, of Wells & Fargo's Express 
and the Western Union Telegraph, being the 
youngest agent in the employ of the com- 
pany. In political matters Mr. McKinstry has 
always been a Republican, and takes an active 
part in the public aifairs of the county. He 
has served the people of Dry Creek Township as 
justice of the peace and notary public for two 
years. 



tOHN H. SAWYER was born February 4, 
1830, in Strafford County, New Hampshire, 
in that portion which has since been set off 
as Carroll County. His parents, Joseph H. and 
Abigail B. (Hall) Sawyer, were also natives of 
the same locality. All the four children of the 
family of Joseph PI. Sawyer are now residents 
of California, viz.: Mrs. Addie S. Grant, of Sac- 
ramento; John H., the subject of this sketch; 
James C, of Gait; and Mrs. Susan Hughes, of 
Oakland. The boyhood days of John H. were 
" pretty tough." One year was all he had in 
school; he had to work hard and constantly. 
When he was fifteen years old the father died, 
and he had the responsibilities of caring for the 
family. From his father, who was a carpenter, 
he partly learned the same trade, and he fol- 
lowed it most of the time until he was of age. 
He then spent a year in New York, then a win- 
ter at Bristol, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, and 
in the spring of 1853, in company with his 
brother J. C, started with horse teams overland 
for the Golden State. Setting out alone, he fell 
in afterward with company. Tlio journey was 
comparatively pleasant and the party arrived at 
Placerville, August 7. That was then a lively 



camp. 



After remaining there about a month 



they went down into Dry Creek Township to 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



build a lioiise for Dr. Selan Eiissell, a large cat- 
tle dealer, whowitlmthers have taken-up a large 
tract of land in what was called " Eussell's 
pocket." Since that time, with the exception 
of three years, Mr. Sawyer has been a resident 
of that neighborhood. One year he passed in 
San Francisco. In the fall of 1856 he returned 
to Wisconsin and was married, and remained 
there two years. In the spring of 1859 he came 
again to California, bringing with him his wife, 
mother, and two sisters. His mother died in 
1880, at the age of seventy-seven years. After 
his arrival iiere he worked steadily at his trade 
for four years. He then turned his attention to 
dairying for eighteen years, during which time 
it was a prolitable industry. The first land he 
purchased was in 1878, when the town of Gait 
was started, his selection being a tract of 400 
acres on Dry Creek just a half mile south of 
town. He also purchased 680 acres, the west 
boundary line of which was two miles east of 
town. Since that time lie has been a resident 
of Gait, fanning, raising cattle and horses, and 
building houses. He has built, or assisted in 
building, all the houses in the place. In 1859 
he erected the Devins Exchange Hotel, which 
was afterward moved to Gait when this town 
was started. He also built the mercantile 
house of Whitaker & Raj', the. school-house and 
two of the churches. One of these, the Method- 
ist, was first erected for a school-house. Proba- 
bly the first upland orchard in this section was 
set out by Mr. Russell on his place, and Mr. 
Sawyer built a windmill to irrigate it. This 
was the first windmill erected in the county. 
Mr. Sawyer belongs to Phoenix Lodge, No. 
232, I. O. O. F., to Gait Encampment, No. 65, 
Rei Rebekah Degree Lodge, and to Gait Lodge, 
A. O. U. W.; he is a charter member of all 
these. The date of Mr. Sawyer's marriage was 
November -1, 1856, when he wedded Miss Jennie 
C. Newcomb, a native of Rochester, New York, 
and a daughter of Samuel E. Newcomb, who is 
now making his home with her; he is eighty- 
five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have 
four children: Frank N., Wallace B., Jean and 



Thomas. The eldest was born in Wisconsin, 
and the others are natives of this State. 

PENJAMIN FRANKLIN BATES, dentist 
at Folsom,an honored and old-time citizen 
of California and Folsom, is a native of 
the district of Greenville, South Carolina, born 
November 24, 1829. John Bates, his father, 
was also a native of that State, and passed all 
his life there. His mother, whose maiden name 
was Sarah Elizabeth Springfield, was also a 
native of the Paln)etto State, and died in 1846 
or 1847. She had twenty-one children, most of 
whom grew to years of maturity, settling prin- 
cipally in South Carolina. Dr. Bates passed 
his boyhood on a farm, deprived of school edu- 
cation, but acquired a good practical one. At 
the age of seventeen he worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade and commenced the study of den- 
tistry in North Carolina. He followed the 
business of carpentering for a short time in 
Georgia; then came to California, sailing from 
Charleston on the brig Emily, to Havana, and 
thence on the steamer Isthmus. The steamer 
came near sinking on that voj-age; indeed this 
was the last trip she made. He arrived in San 
Francisco April 15, 1852, and went immediately 
to the mines on AVeaver Creek, El Dorado 
County, remaining in that county nearly two 
years; then went to Yuba County, where he 
bought a mining claim near Camptonville. 
After working this claim about one year, he 
sold out and returned to El Dorado County, 
where he invested money accumulated from 
mining, in a ranch. After improving this con- 
siderably, he sold at a sacrifice; tiien in 1855 
came to Sacramento County, stoppfng at Fol- 
som, where, with G. W. Gaylord, he resumed 
the study and commenced the practice of den- 
tistry, subsequently practicing with Dr. Esterly 
at Sacramento. Since that time he has been a 
resident practitioner of his chosen profession at 
Folsom. During the many years resident of 
this State he has been successful in almost 



JITSTOnr OF i^ACKAMKA'TO COUNTY. 



every undertaking. The most of liis property 
and means has been acquiretl by thrift and en- 
terprise in his profession. He lias, since re- 
siding at Folsom, taken a great interest in its 
growth and prosperity. He lias been a member 
of the Masonic order since he was twenty- one 
years of age; at present is a member of Nato- 
ma Lodge, No. 64. In political matters he has 
always been Democratic. From 1857 to 1864 
he made regular annual trips into Ainailor, El 
Dorado and Calaveras counties, taking about 
six months to each trip. There being at that 
time very few dentists in the country, his visits 
were always hailed with delight. In 1864 he 
married Mrs. Jennie S. Bates. Their only 
child, Jennie E., died April 21, 1S81, in her 
eighteenth year. 



f«|| AV. BRISON, guard at the State Prison, 
Sffi Folsom, was born in Wheeling, West 
l*^-^^" Virginia, December 20, 1828, a sou of 
Oliver and Mary (Wiley) Brison, the former of 
Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. The 
parents emigrated trt^m West Virginia to Mis- 
souri in 1838, and resided there in Marion 
County until 1850. In the spring of the latter 
year father and son started across the plains to 
California, leaving Independence May U. At 
Devil's Gate, on the Sweetwater, about 150 
miles west of Fort Laramie, they stopped eight 
days, and at Salt Lake two weeks, being there 
on the 24th of July, which is the Mormons' 
principal holiday. Striking northward from 
this point, they came to the old Fort Hall road, 
and onward until they arrived at the head of 
the Humboldt, and thence down that river to 
the sink. Soon they struck the forty-mile 
desert, which they crossed during the night. 
They reached the Carson River at a point called 
Ragtown. and went up to the town of Genoa, 
in the Carson Valley, at the foot of the Sierras. 
After crossing the summit they came down the 
old slippery Fort road, an old emigrant trail, to 
Plaeerville, arriving there August 19. They 



commenced mining on the south fork of the 
American River, near Sutter's Mill, where Mr. 
Brison saw the first gold in California. In the 
fall the river rose so that they had to abandon 
that place, and they went over to Diamond 
Spring, El Dorado County, and wintered there. 
In the spring Mr. Brison, senior, "took up" a 
quarter section of land, forty acres of which he 
fenced, and twenty-five he plowed, assisted by 
his son. It was their intention to use it for 
garden purposes; but after working it awhile, 
and finding that they could do nothing with it 
during the dry spring of 1851, they abandoned 
it. The land was afterward found to be in the 
Sutter gnuit, and the Brisons lost it. A part 
of it is now in Sacramento cit}'. They then 
purchased a couple of teams and started to 
Vacaville in Solano County, cut wild hay and 
hauled it to Cache Creek Slough, about fifteen 
miles distant, shipping it by a little boat called 
the Ohio, to Sacramento, where they sold it. 
During the winter of 1851-'52 they mined at 
Kelsup Diggings, near Georgetown, El Dorado 
County. In the spring the elder Brison went 
down to Cache Creek in Yolo County, and 
entered 160 acres, and about a month afterward 
the junior Brison also entered another quarter 
section. They fenced in about ten or fifteen 
acres, and tried to buy it of the grant (the Ber- 
ryesa grant), but the owners would not give it 



up. 



The settlers on the grant then clubbed to- 



gether and hired a good lawyer to figlit the case 
in the courts at Washington, but they lost their 
suit. In the spring of 1853 Oliver Brison re- 
turned home by water, while W. W. Brison 
went back to the Diamong Spring mines in 
1854, where he continued until 1858. He was 
then employed by the Eureka Canal Company 
as agent to collect the water rents. In 1861 
he came to Sacramento and took charge of the 
Western Ditch, which was leased by that com- 
pany, they giving Mr. Brison full control. The 
next year he was employed by the Eureka and 
JS'atoma Water Companies together to sell water 
at Farmer's Diggings on the American River. 
In 1865 he returned and took charge again of 



IlJSTOllY OF HACUAMEHTO COUNT y. 



the Western Ditch in this county until 1867, 
and tlie next year bought a ranch on tlie Folsoni 
grant, sixteen miles from Sacramento, on the 
Sacramento Valley Railroad. This farm he con- 
ducted until 1877, when he purchased a half 
interest in a wholesale and retail grocery store 
on the corner of Tenth and K streets, a store 
which was formerly owned by Cox & Jones. 
Running that business until 1880, he sold out 
his interest to his partner, John Lambert, and 
May 16, 1881, he left for Arizona on a mining 
excursion. In September, 1886, he returned 
to this county, and May 21, next year, was ap- 
pointed as guard at the Folsom State Prison, 
which position he has successfully filled to the 
present time. Politically Mr. Brison is a Demo- 
crat, and in former times was very active in 
public aifairs. At one time he was treasurer of 
the Democratic County Central Committee. 
March 8, 1866, he married Miss Carrie, daugh- 
ter of Newell Kane, Sr. They have two sons, 
Oliver (). and William William, the latter 
named after his fatlier. 



PRAINARD F. SMITH was born in Madi- 
son, Indiana, July 4, 1849. His fatherj 
Samuel F. Smith, a native of England, 
came to the United States when he was eighteen 
years of age, in 1824, locating in Circinnati, 
and engaging in the wholesale boot and shoe 
business there, being one of the pioneer mer- 
cliants of that city. He moved to Madison, 
Indiana, on the Ohio river, where he carried on 
the boot and shoe trade, and also a tannery. In 
1857 he moved to Indianapolis, and there had a 
large factory for the manufacture of wagon and 
carriage material, which was finally merged 
into the manufacture of the Sarven wheel, Mr. 
Smith having introduced it. He employed 
about 1,200 men, and the establishment was at 
that time the largest manufactory in the West. 
He also had a large store in St. Louis, where he 
had a partner, making it a depot for the wheels 
and for tlie wagon and carriage material which 



he manufactured. About 1871, after he had 
accumulated a large fortune, he sold out to his 
partner and traveled in Europe, enjoying the 
fruits he had so faithfully earned by a life of 
toil. He died in 1878, of paralysis. He was 
married in Madison, Indiana, to Belvidere Rob- 
erts, a Yankee school teacher from Vermont. 
She died in 1866. Of that family there are 
four children, of whom the subject of this sketch 
is the eldest. lie obtained one year of his pre- 
paratory education at Knox College, Galesburgi 
Illinois, of which his uncle. Rev. Henry Curtis, 
was president. His second collegiate year was 
taken at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indi- 
ana. He entered the f»eshman class at Yale 
College in 1866, and upon the death of his 
mother he returned home and afterward fin- 
ished liis collegiate course at Wabash College, 
graduating in 1870. During his college vaca- 
tion he took a business course at Indianapolis. 
After graduating he entered the office of his 
father's factory and remained there until the 
ensuing autumn. Hearing a great deal of Cali- 
fornia, his curiosity was excited to spend a win- 
ter here. Carrying out his contemplated pro- 
gramme, he liked the climate so well that he 
has ever since remained here. In 1871 became 
to Sacramento with E. E. Ames, who was agent 
for the Studebaker wagons and for his father's 
patent wheels, and remained with him first as 
commercial traveler and afterward as business 
manager until 1879, when he went to San Fran- 
cisco to assume the management of a large agri- 
cultural house there. Filling that position 
until 1883, he returned to Sacramento and 
opened a house of his own, under the firm name 
of Brainard F. Smith & Co., the partner being 
George A. Davis, of San Francisco. The fail- 
ure of Mr. Davis in San Francisco, in 1885, 
caused Mr. Smith to close business. Since that 
time he has devoted his attention principally to 
the collection and settlement of his old ac- 
counts. Since August 1, 1888, he has been 
secretary of the Folsom State Prison, and May 
2, 1889, he was elected the secretary of the 
Preston School of Industry, to be located in 



asj 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Airiiulor County. Ever since he became a resi- 
(Ifut of tliis county lie has taken an active iu- 
toii'st in jiolitics as a llepublican, liaving 
idenlilied hiniseil' with almost every political 
movement. 



-3«-«H 



fllAULKS MILL, Warden of the State 
I'i'ison at Folsom, was born in Clay 
County, Missouri, May 23, 1849. His 
i'atlier, I.)r. T. M. Aull, a native of Kentucky, 
in 1832 joined the first regiment of United 
States dragoons enlisting from that State; they 
went to the liocky Mountains, and afterward 
were stationed at Fort Leavenworth. The Doc- 
tor was in the Government service three years, 
and then went to St. Louis, attended medical 
lectures at the State University and graduated, 
and settled in northwestern Missouri, where he 
practiced his profession. For two terms he re- 
presented Atchison County in the State Legis- 
lat\ire. In 1852 he came overland with a large 
train to this State, arriving in November at 
Marysville, but was soon driven out of that 
place by a flood, the same year. He next re- 
sided in Martinez, Contra Costa County, two 
years, and then, in 1854, located about on the 
line between Dry Creek Townshij), this county, 
and San Joaquin County, when the settlers 
were few and scattered. There were only two 
or three families at Ilicksville, and one or two 
at Elk Grove. Dr. Aull pre-emjjted a tract of 
land, and resided on it for peventeen years. In 
185G he was elected to the Legislature from San 
Joaquin County, and served one term. In 1872 
he removed to Modesto, Stanislaus County, and 
died there in 1873, at the age of sixty-seven 
years. In Missouri he married Clara Fugitt, 
a native of that State, and she died in Sacra- 
mento city, in July, 1888. Of the ten children 
in tliis family five are living. Tiie first business 
in which Mr. Charles Aull engaged was the 
mercantile, at Liberty, near Gait. In 1S70 he 
went to Modesto and was employed in a store 
there for nearly a year, and then, after assisting 



his father to move to Modesto, he fitted up a 
drug store for him there. He himself also had 
considerable experience as a druggist. In 
March, 1872, a bitter fight arose between two 
factions of the Democratic part}' in respect to 
under-sheriff. The sheriff, John Rodgers, fin- 
ally solved the j)rt>blem by tendering Mr. Aull 
the appointment, although he had never been an 
applicant or in any way connected with the mat- 
ter. He accepted the appointment, and in that 
office he obtained his first knowledge of crim- 
inal business. This branch of the public serv- 
ice of the county fell into his hands, and at that 
time it was very voluminous. Having got 
through with some pretty hard cases success- 
fully, he evinced that he was an ingenious and 
energetic officer. He held that position three 
and a half years. In 1875 he was appointed 
turnkey of the San Qaentin prison, under Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Johnson, who was at that time 
ex-otficio warden of the prison; and during his 
administration of four years Mr. Aull held 
nearly every position under him, which gave 
him a practical idea of the minutest details of 
prison management. During x\mes' adminis- 
ti'ation as warden of the prison, a clean sweep 
was made of all the officials in 1880, for politi- 
cal reasons. For the succeeding three and a half 
years Mr. Aull was employed most of the time 
by the Wells-Fargo Express Company, looking 
after criminals. He had charge of several 
cases, having to travel over the Pacific Coast 
several times. One of the most noted ot these 
cases was the capture and conviction of the 
murderers of J'anker Cummings, of Nevada 
County, who was captured in the East four 
years after the coinmission of the crime. Tlie 
details of the pursuit and capture and trial 
would fill a large vt)lume, and are fresh in the 
minds of many in this State. Many important 
circumstances of the case were in Sacramento 
city. Mr. Aull was appointed deputy warden 
of the San Qu'entin prison by Hon. Paul Shir- 
ley, in November, 1883, and served four years, 
resigning November, 1887; and thirty days later 
he was elected warden of the Folsoin prison. 



HISTORY OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



which position he now fills. He was married 
in December, in 1887, to Miss Maggie Anglon, 
of San Francisco. Politically Mr. Aiill is a 
Democrat, and he has always taken considerable 
ititerest in the j)ulitical afi'airs of the State, hav- 
ing often been a delegate to the State con- 
ventions. 



fACOB AND- OSWALD URODER— Chris- 
tian Broder, the father of these gentlemen, 
was a fanner and a stock-raiser in Switzer- 
land, owning the property he occnpied, and was 
a man of energy and good business qualities. 
He was born in 1792, married Ceophe Ronpe, 
and died in 1879; his wife died in May, 1844. 
They had eight sons and one daughter: Chris- 
tian, .Xiitoii J., Oswald (deceased), Oswald (liv- 
ing), John, who dioil in Sacramento in 1850, 
Bena Hilviea, Elizabeth (deceased), Frank Bro- 
der, who died in August, 1868, and was buried 
at Mormon Island. Jacob Broder was born 
February 22, 1833, in Sargans, Switzerland, and 
was reared on a farm. In September, 1848, he 
and his brother left home and sailed from Havre 
de Grace for America, landing in New Orleans. 
In that vicinity they worked on sugar planta- 
tions and in vegetable gardens for about two 
months. In December, 1848, he left New 
Orleans for St. Louis, Missouri, on the steamer 
Great Missouri, which is long to be remembered 
as the boat that first conveyed the Asiatic 
cholera to St. Louis. Half of the ship's crew, 
mostly negroes, died of this disease. Landing 
at St. Louis New Year's Eve, the brothers went 
into Madison County, Illinois, and remained 
there until April 11, 1850, employed on a farm ; 
and while there they saw whole families dying 
of that dread scourge, cholera. On the date 
mentioned they started for California across the 
plains, there being now three brothers in the 
party, — Jacob, Oswald and John. They had a 
very pleasant trip, and halted first in Sacra- 
mento, September 7, remaining there about two 
months, during which time John died for want 



of medical attendance. Jacdb and Oswald were 
obliged to sleep beside their dead brother in the 
tent, and the following day dug his grave and 
begged the use of a wagon, paying $10 for it, 
to haul the corpse to its final resting place. 
Those distressing times here are described else- 
where in this volume. The surviving brothers 
then went to Marysville and mined for a month, 
and from there to the North Fork of the Salmon 
River, in Klamath County, where they had to 
pay $2.50 a pound for flour; 900 pounds were 
dealt out at that price within three hours. They 
mined there for about two years, at a profit of 
$10 a day, the cost of living being about $2 a 
day. Meat averaged about 60 cents a pound, 
potatoes 75 cents, and butter was often as high 
as $4 a pound. In 1853 Jacob came to Sacra- 
mento County, and purchased his present ranch 
three miles from Folsom, containing 160 acres, 
and at present 1,100 acres, well adapted to or- 
chard and vineyard as well as grain, hay and 
live stock, being well supplied with running 
water. It is as good for irrigation as any valley 
in the world. Mr. Broder has a fine house, 
built in 1878, of granite, on the side of a hill, 
whence a most beautiful view of the ranch and 
surrounding country is to be had. He made all 
the improvements here himself, and the ranch 
is one of the best in the county. When he first 
came here he was told that he would starve to 
death on such land. Although he has seen 
some sad experiences in early life, he is now 
well circumstanced. He is a man of courage, 
foresight, business ability and integrity. He 
was married November 16, 1869, to Miss Mary, 
daughter of John and Mary Studarus, of Brigh- 
ton Township, this county, and they iiave seven 
children: Mamie J., born November 3, 1870; 
Frances, October 31, 1873; Jacob, July 9, 1875; 
Joseph, December 17, 1877; Irene, September 
23, 1880; Walter, June 7, 1883; and Edith, 
September 20, 1885. Mr. Broder is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, holding his member- 
ship in Natoma Lodge, No. 64. Oswald J^ro- 
der was born April 26, 1826, and in 1864 
married Miss Frances Bainbridge, a native of 



UF SACUA^VKNTO OOVJ^TY 



England. Wlien he was on the Salmon River 
he was stricken willi a fever and started for 
Sacramento tor medical aid, and wliile on the 
way was attacked by a liighwayman. l^y a mere 
chance he escaped by jumping down into the 
brusii about one hundred feet. "While lying 
quietly on tlie ground he could hear their re- 
marks to the etlect that they intended to kill 
him. While lying there quiet for two days, 
sick, he heard the shooting of guns and the 
cries of people, but supposed they were of the 
enemy. Many other narrow escapes with his 
life has he had. To-day he is surrounded with 
all the comforts of civilization, his farm adjoin- 
ing that of his brother, just described. 



fllARLES M. SLAYBACK, M. D., Fol- 
som, was born July 19, 1845, at Ilills- 
boro, Montgomery County, Illinois. Plis 
parents. Crosier and Minerva Slayback, came to 
Folsom in 1875. His father died October 13, 
1889. They have had seven children, namely: 
Mrs. S. E. Yarrick, at Dunnigan Station, Yolo 
County; Charles M., the subject of this sketch; 
Olive, in Folsom; Mrs. Amelia A. Lillie, at 
Dunnigan Station; Byron A., who died in Illi- 
nois before the family came to this State; W. 
L., residing at Knight's Landing, Yolo County; 
and Mrs. E. L. Wilkinson, living in Orange 
Yale, this county. Dr. Slayback was brought 
lip in his native town; graduated at Ilillsboro 
Academy in 1803; commenced the study of 
medicine in 1860, continuing two years in the 
office of Drs. Owen vS: Stratton at Ilillsboro; 
and attended a medical lecture course at Cin- 
cinnati, 1809 -'71, graduating; the ne.xt two 
and a half years he practiced his profession at 
Butler, near Ilillsboro; attended a winter term 
of the American Medical College at St. Louis, 
Missouri, and in the fall of 1874 came to Cali- 
fornia. The first year here he spent traveling 
througliout the State, and then located at 
Placerville, where he practiced over two years, 
and the remainder of the third year he was at 



the town of El Dorailo. In February, 1882, he 
came to Folsom, where he has since resided; 
and ^ince that date he has been a member of 
the order of Odd Fellows, holding his member- 
ship in Diamond Spring Lodge. January 1, 
1882, the Doctor married Miss Ella M. Dono- 
van, daughter of Michael Donovan, an old Cali- 
fornian, and a resident of Sacramento. 



-0\ B. TOWXSEXD, rancher, near Folsom, 
\S. was born January 28, 1823, in West- 
"^s?** brook, Maine. His parents were George 
and Hannah (Baker) Townsend, both natives 
also of that State. His father was a tanner 
by trade, most of his life spent in Maine, and 
died at the age of seventy- live years. In 
the family were four sons and six daughters. 
Tlie subject of this sketch was brought up in 
the village of Derring's Point until he was 
twelve years of age, when lie started out for 
himself, commencing in a stoneware factory and 
tiien in a mill. He next visited Georgia a 
short time, and returning was engaged by Levi 
Morrill, a great politician and elector from 
Portland for President Polk. Mr. Townsend 
remained witii him ten years. In 1846 he mar- 
ried Miss Rachel Hodskins, a native of Maine, 
and in 1853 sailed from New York to California, 
by way of the Isthmus, on the John L. Stephens, 
and by steamer to San Francisco. The first six 
months here he followed mining at Jennie Lind 
Flat; he then purchased a milk ranch, two and 
a half miles east of Folsom, where he has since 
remained. When he began here the dairy con- 
sisted of seventeen cows, and he had two horses; 
but there were no buildings on the premises. 
The ranch now comprises about 350 acres, and 
is particularly well adapted to dairying and 
stock-raising. Mr. Townsend has also followed 
butchering to some extent. In 1855 he visited 
the East, going and returning by water, and 
bringing his family with him. He is a member 
of the order of Chosen Friends. He has one 
child by his first marriage and four by his 



HISTORY OF SACR^LMENTO COUNTY. 



second, which was in 1874, when he wedded 
Miss Mary S. Powderiy, of Sacramento, who 
died in 1886. The living children are Lillian 
F., wife of George Strong; George William, 
Dora and Lydia; and tliere are four step-chil- 
dren — Monroe, Mary, Ella and Ida. 

^.^.^ 

fETER HAASE, farmer and stock-raiser, 
was born January 18, 1830, in Hanover, 
Germany. When eighteen years of age 
he went to England and remained there five 
years. Then he emigrated to America, arriving 
in New York city March 4, 1853. After re- 
maining there a year he came to Sau Francisco, 
by the steamer Yankee Blade. First he worked 
in the Butte County mines two years, after- 
ward he bought the ranch of 1,400 acres where 
he now resides, and is a prosperous farmer. 
For his wife he married, September 22, 1868, 
Miss Gertrude 15assen, who was also born in 
Hanover, Germany, October, 29, 1844. They 
have six children, whose names are Charles 
H., Katie G., Rosa A., Peter B., Mary A. and 
John B., all residing upon the home ranch. 



fAMES H. BURN HAM, banker at Fulsom, 
was born in Galveston, Texas, November 
1, 1846. His father, James G. Burnham, 
was a native of Kennebunk Port, Maine, where 
lie was reared, and attained a commercial edu- 
cation and learned the art of civil engineering. 
He went to Texas when it was a republic un- 
der the rule of Sam Houston. He was sailing 
as supercargo of his father's vessel from Ports- 
mouth, New Hampshire, to Vera Cruz, Mex- 
ico, and during a gale the vessel was blown ! 
ashore on Galveston Island, where the city now | 
stands. His father returned to New Hamp- | 
shire after material and apparatus to get the j 
vessel off the beach leaving him in charge of 
the vessel and cargo. During his absence the | 
tide of immigration began coming in to tiiat | 



point, and he decided to remain there. He was 
first employed to survey the city plat, and was 
afterward appointed collector of the port. He 
next engiged in the wholesale grocery business 
until 1850, when he came to California, and 
continued in the same business in San Fran- 
cisco until 1855. In December of that year he 
located in Folsom, becoming thus a pioneer of 
that place. When the Folsom estate was sold 
off he bought largely and erected the first build- 
ing there. He engaged in various pursuits un- 
til 1870, when lie returned to Galveston and 
served as United States Census Marshal for the 
Eastern District of Texas, and was elected 
treasurer of that city. Coming again to Cali- 
fornia in 1873, he engaged in business in San 
Francisco, and died there February 26, 1878, at 
the age of sixty-seven years. His wife was a 
daughter of Captain Plenry Parker, also a ship 
owner and master. She was a native of Charles- 
ton, South Carolina. Their marriage occurred 
in 1844, in Galveston, Texas; she died in 1859, 
in Folsom, leaving three sons and one daughter; 
the daughter has since deceased. The sons are 
all residing in this county, viz.: Charles E., teller 
in the California State Bank at Sacramento; 
Fred P. and James H., residing at Folsom. 
James H. Burnham, the subject of this sketch, 
was educated in the public schools of Folsom 
and San Francisco. In 1864 he engaged in 
business pursuits purchasing an interest in the 
drug store of Alfred Spinks, a pioneer of this 
city, and a prominent Democratic politician, 
and since then has carried on this business. In 
1878 he succeeded to the banking business and 
the Wells, Fargo & Co. express agency, formerly 
conducted by C. T. H. Palmer, once a promi- 
nent factor of Folsom, and now of Oakland. Mr. 
Burnham has been very successful in business, 
becoming one of the substantial men of the 
place. Republican in politics, he has always 
taken an active interest in political matters, 
although never a candidate for office. He has 
been a member of the Masonic order since 
1874, and for eight years he has been master of 
Natoma Lodge, No. 64, F. & A. M., at Fols„m. 



UlSTOUY OF SAORAMENTO COUNTY. 



In 1866 he niairied Mary A., daughter of Reu- 
ben Clark, architect of the State capitol at Sa- 
cramento. Thej have two sons and one daugh- 
ter: Clark J., a graduate of the Sacramento 
High School, and now a student in the Toland 
Medical College in San Francisco; William P., 
engaged in business with his father; and Emma 
M., the daughter, residing with her parents 
in Folsoin. 



fEOKGE EITTLE was born October 21, 
1819, in Scotland; was married there to 
Elizabeth Williamson, and soon afterward 
made a voyage to Australia. In a short time 
he sailed for San Francisco, on the sailing ves- 
sel Robert J'.owen, and came to Sacramento and 
directly proceeded on to Negro Rar, where he 
followed mining for twenty years. lie then 
bought a claim, on which lie resided nine years; 
then selling out, he Iwught where he is now liv- 
ing, and where he raises grapes and some hay 
and cattle. This farm of 135 acres is all in 
good cultivation. Mr. Little's children are 
Maggie, William and John E. George Little, 
the father of the gentleman whose name heads 
this sketch, was married in 1808, followed 
teaming and farming, and died in 1847. 



)RS. M. BENNETT, residing at Mormon 
Island, was born December 15, 1820, 
in Lancashire, England, daughter of 
James and Mary Nuttel; her father was a car- 
penter and joiner. November 1, 1849, she 
married Mr. Bennett, a native of England, who 
came to America in 1847, and resided in Mas- 
sachusetts, where most of the time lie was a 
mamifacturer. He came by way of the Isthmus 
to California in 1852. Leaving his wife in 
Sacramento, he went at once to Mormon Island, 
where he followed miniTig three years. At the 
end of the lirst month he sent for his wife. In 
1852-'53 he located his present home and set- 



tled upon it; and when it came into the market 
he purchased it. There he followed farming 
and fruit-raising until his death, October 23, 
1879, when he was sixty-two and a half years 
of age. He was a man of great energy and 
ability. He and his wife obtained their start in 
California by working out for wages, and to-day 
she enjoys the luxury of a nice home, surrounded 
by a great number of old-time friends. The 
property, comprising twelve acres, is mostly 
devoted to choice fruit. Mr. Bennett was at 
one time a prominent Freemason and Vice Pres- 
ident of the Natoma Water and Mining Com- 
pany. Mrs. Bennett has an adopted daughter, 
named Martha E. Bradbury, who is the sole 
companion of her declining years. 

^vB^ 

fIJRISTIAN L. ECKLON, butcher at Fol- 
soin, was born in Augustinburg, Den- 
mark, now under the German government, 
March 17, 1832. His father was a farmer and 
butcher, as also were all the sons. In 1852 Mr. 
Ecklon came to America, landing at Boston 
and I'emaining four years in or near that city. 
At Brighton, near Boston, he was engaged in 
the butcher business. In 1856 he came to 
California, by the Nicaragua route, landing at 
San Francisco the middle of August. First he 
followed mining at Negro Bar two years, with 
no success; and ever since 1858 he has fol- 
lowed his favorite calling, butchering and the 
supply of tlie meat mai'ket. In tiie earlier 
days he had two shops, — one in Folsom and one 
at Mormon Island; and he had considerable 
business in adjoining towns. Since the mining 
excitement died away the area of his trade lias 
become conlined to Folsom. In 1872 he bought 
the suspension bridge of Kinsey «fe Whitely, of 
San Francisco, and lived on the bridge collect- 
ing toll for ten years; he then sold it to the 
county for $8,000. In 1878 or 1879, Colonel 
Greely came from New York and introduced 
the signal service on the bridge. Interesting 
Mr. Ecklon in the matter, he turned it over to 



HlSrORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



him, iind lie kept it until he sold the bridge, 
and then it was carried on by J. 11. Stnrgos un- 
til it was discontinued in 1887. Mr. Ecklon is 
a liepublican, casting his tirst vote for .F. C. 
Fremont, and lie lias been a local leader in his 
party. Mr. Ecklon was married in 18G0 to 
Mary Keffe, a native of Ireland, and they have 
three sons, — Charles Henry, Lorenz Gottfried, 
and Christian Frederick. The two eldest are 
engaged with tlieir father in his business. 



filOMAS G. CASEY, a San Joaquin 
Township farmer, was born May 3, 1824, 
in the State of New York, near Auburn, 
Cayuga County. His father, Jesse D. Casey, 
was a native of New York, a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and died in Yates County, New York. 
The maiden name of Thomas' mother was Bet- 
sey Brown. In their family were four sons and 
four daughters: William J., Charles II., Sarah 
J., T. G., Edward M., Emeline, Eliza and Mar- 
garet. Mr. Thomas G. Casey was on a farm 
until lie had passed twenty years of age, when 
he began to learn the harness-making trade in 
Potter, Yates County, New York, and for a 
number of years, with interruptions at farming, 
he followed his trade at Branchport, same 
county, on the west branch of Crooked Lake. 
November 10, 1849, he married Rebecca A. 
Putney^ daughter of Jedediah Putney. She 
died August 3, 1860, in this county. May 1, 
1864, Mr. Casey married again, this time Mrs. 
Imogene A. Mitchell, a native of New Hamp- 
shire, and daughter of Milton Aldricli, who 
came to this county in 1862, and died here 
March .7, 1871, at the age of seventy-three 
years and three months. His wife, Eunice, 
born in 1806, still survives him. By tlie tirst 
marriage there were four children: Henry P., 
born August 9, 1851; George T., March 28, 
1854; John T., July 21, 1855, and died two 
days after; and Arthur B., born August 20, 
1856. All the living are in this county. By 
the second marriage there are three children, | 



viz.: Milton A., born October 23, 1865; Jesse 
E., June 21, 1S70, and Lily A., August 14, 
1871. Mr. Casey came to California in 1859, 
by way of the Isthmus, from New York, em- 
barking on the 4th of July and landing here 
the 30th. Spent the first year on the Putney 
ranch, on the Cosumnes. He then went out 
upon the grant and struggled along until he 
accumulated a small amount of means, and then 
bought a claim of 160 acres at $3 an acre, and 
when in 1874 it came into market, he sold it 
for $2,000. Then he came on the north side of 
the line into Brighton Township, and occupied 
rented property until 1880, when he purchased 
his present ranch of a quarter section in San 
Joaquin Township, for $3,000. It is twelve 
miles from Sacramento and three from Florin. 
Plere he lias made some valuable improvements, 
especially in fencing, out- buildings, etc. He 
carries on general farming, but has also fifteen 
acres in vineyard and orchard; has an interest- 
ing variety of trees and a great number of 
beautiful shrubs. He is a Republican in hie 
political sympathies, having cast his iirst vote 
for W. II. Harrison, while by coincidence hio 
son Milton A. first voted for Benjamin Ilarri 
son. Mrs. Casey came to California with her 
sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Sharp, in 
1859. She married Mr. W. P. Mitchell, May 
12, 1861, and he died December 24 following, 
during the time of the flood, with small-pox, 
four miles north of the American River, on the 
Norris grant. She then taught school and did 
house work. Their daughter, Waltermine, was 
born April 9, 1862, and died September 2, 
1862. 



tLBERT COLEBAKER, farmer, was born 
January 5, 1842, in Ohio, to which State 
his parents had emigrated. In 1851 they 
came to California, being two years on the road, 
getting through 8,000 head of sheep, but had 
some trouble with tlie Pawnee Indians. They 
wintered in Salt Lake City. On arriving in 



UI8T01iT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



this State they stopped first at Placerville, 
where the citizens gave them a big dinner, in 
the middle of the road. Tiiey then proceeded 
on to the Flat-top House, and to the lower end 
of the Norris grant, iind finally a little further 
up they entered a piece of land which they sup- 
posed belonged to the Government. In 1861 
they were ousted by the sheriff" and other citi- 
zens. He then bought a ranch back of Rocklin 
and remained there nine years, when he broke 
his leg, causing him a loss of about $8,000. He 
then sold that place for $500, and located where 
lie is now making his home. The present 
ranch contains 302 acres, where he raises hay, 
grain, cattle, hogs and sheep. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Jane Jelly, was born in New 
Jersey about twenty years ago, who left Jersey 
City in 1861. They have two daughters, Eosa 
Ella and Emma Jane. 



THf- 



f^AVlD COONS, rancher, San Joaquin 
•0 Township. This gentleman's father, 
f George W. Coons, was a native of Ken- 
tucky, and his father, David Coons, was Ger- 
man, but whether born in Germany or not 
is not certainly known. In early day he was 
a resident of Kentucky. He afterward moved 
to St. Louis, Missouri, and kept store at the 
old Market Ferry, and it was kept for many 
years after his death by his son George W. 
David Coons' grandfather was married twice, 
and George W. was the son of his first wife. 
He afterward married a French lady, by whom 
he had two daughters and one son — Mary A.nn, 
Frank and Virginia; these three are living in 
the East. After his death he was succeeded in 
business by his son George W., who was born 
January 28, 1817, in Kentucky, and moved to 
St. Louis with his father. In 1849 he came 
across the plains to this State, with mule teams, 
locating first in Sacramento, where he opened 
a general store. He also established a store at 
Mud Springs, El Dorado County. He carried 
on this business for two or three years, in the 



meantime erecting for himself the first quartz 
mills ever built in California, on Mathenus 
Creek, a mile and a half from Mud Springs. In 
1852 he returned to Missouri, leaving the mill 
in the care of two uncles, who allowed it to go 
down and be finally sold by the sheriff', during 
the absence of the owner. In returning East 
he went by water, and the steamer was wrecked 
and lost, and he completed his journey on 
another vessel, reaching St. Louis in safety. In 
the spring of 1853 he again crossed the plains, 
with his wife and four children, being six months 
on the way. After spending a year in San Fran- 
cisco, without prosecuting any particular busi- 
ness, he located in tiie Sheldon grant in this 
county, on the Cosumnes liiver, and remained 
there about two years. He then bought a 
squatter's title to what was supposed to be 
Government land, at $500, but this was proved 
to be on that grant and he had to vacate. He 
had the place all fenced, house and stables up, 
etc., but he had to leave. He finally took up 860 
acres of Government land, upon which he re- 
mained until his death, which occurred Sep- 
tember 14, 1875. He was married in St. Louis 
January 29, 1839, to Sempronia H. Lanham, a 
native of Maryland, where she was born January 
8, 1828, but was reared in St. Louis County, 
Missouri, about sixteen miles from the city. 
Her father's name was Horatio Lanham, and 
her mother's maiden name Sempronia. By 
that marriage there were thirteen children, viz.: 
David, born May 1, 1840; William C. L., April 
10, 1842; Thaddeus Eugene, April 4, 1844; 
Benjamin Franklin. February 15, 1846; Edward 
L., April 10, 1847; Harry, November 18, 1848; 
Benjamin Franklin, October 14, 1852; Ninion, 
January 9, 1855; Collins G., January 2, 1857; 
Lily, September 14, 1858; Frank M., August 1, 
1860; Benjamin F. P., April 5, 1862; Charles 
B., October 80, 1863. Thaddeus Eugene died 
July 18, 1845; the first Benjamin F. died Sep- 
tember 25, 1851; and the second Benjamin F. 
died November 7, 1858. Tiiose who are living 
are residing in this State. David Coons, whose 
name heads this sketch, was thirteen years old 




/^^^ hj.j-J^Q^^ 



UISTOliY OP SACR^IMBNTO COUNTY. 



when he came to this coast with his parents. 
From 1863 to 1866 he was engaged in mining 
in Idaho, and farmed one year there, and since 
that time lie has made this county his home. 
He owns all the home place excepting seventy 
acres belonging to the widow, twenty acres 
belonging to his brother Harry. Grain rais- 
ing is his specialty. He also engaged suc- 
cessfully four years in sheep raising, taking 
the animals up into Modoc County, for free 
range. He lost about 1,300 head on account of 
hard winters. In company with his brother, in 
1888, he set out thirty acres in orchard. In 
political principles he is a Democrat, as was his 
father before him. For nine years his father 
was justice of the peace in San Joaquin Town- 
ship. 



I^ENJAMIN WELCH, General Master Car- 
l^S Builder, Southern Pacific Railroad, was 
"W^ born on "Peck's Island," Casco Bay, near 
Portland, Maine, in August, 1827. The Welch 
family emigrated from Yorkshire, England, to 
the north of Ireland. His grandfather, James 
Welch, settled in New England in the early 
colonial days, and was in the Revolutionary 
army. The family of the mother of Benjamin 
Welch, Lucinda Bracket, was of Scotch descent, 
and settled in New England in 1636. They 
were nearly related to George Cleves, the pio- 
neer settler of the city of Portland, Maine. 
Like so many of New England's sons, especially 
in the early days, the father of our subject "fol- 
lowed the sea,'' and, although a man of means, 
young Benjamin was not brought up to idle 
away his time. At the age of sixteen we iind 
him working as a carpenter in the Portland Lo- 
comotive and Car Shops, doing the work for the 
Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad, afterward the 
Grand Trunk Railroad, under the superintend- 
ence of Horace Felton and John Sparrow, where 
he remained for five years. In the spring of 
1852 he came to California via the Vanderbilt 
steamer Daniel Webster, to Greytown, on the 



Nicaragua River, thence across to the Pacific, 
reaching San Francisco on the 26th of March, 
where he resided for three years. On the 4th 
of March, 1855, he started tor the Kern River 
mining dif,trict, and during this trip of four 
months visited the various raining operations 
in the San Joaquin and Bear valleys. It was 
during this trip that his services were engaged 
by the Sacramento Valley Railroad Company 
as a car-builder and superintendent of their 
pattern shops, which position he filled for seven 
years, being at Folsom during a portion of that 
time'. Leaving that point, he went to the San 
Jose road, which was being constructed, makinu- 
his headquarters at the "Seventeen-Mile House," 
with Charles McLaughlin, who was killed in 
San Francisco a few years ago. He was also on 
the Mission and other roads until 1863, when 
he was engaged by Mr. Huntington, in the in- 
terest of the Central Pacific Railroad, T. D. 
Judah, Chief Engineer of the road, being his 
personal friend. He was engaged as Car Mas- 
ter, but to this duty was added that of General 
Superintendent of Construction of the different 
shops, buildings, etc., the first one being 20x150 
feet, on which only half a dozen men were em- 
ployed for the first year. Additions were made 
of 130 X 30 feet, and this was the shop as occu- 
pied until 1867, when the present structure, 
60x200 feet, was built; in 1868 the building, 
90 X 230 feet, with an L 90 x 40 feet, which was 
i-oon followed by another, 100 x 200 feet, and 
the Round House. In 1865 he constructed his 
first immense snow-plow, which was in suc- 
cessful use for many years, the original cost 
being $2,400. He reconstructed the American 
River bridge, which had been destroyed by fire. 
In 1869 he invented a machine known as a 
"Framer and Tenon Machine," thereby saving 
much time and labor in the construction of 
cars. In 1870 the "Emigrant Sleeper" or 
"Tourist Car" was constructed upon his plans, 
and has since been adopted by the majority of 
the roads throughout the Union. These cars, 
built by the Pullman Company, wore shown at 
the Railroad Exposition at (Miicago in 1884, 



lIISrORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



and received very general and favorable com- 
ment. At this writing (1889) the department 
under his control employs 1,950 workmen. 

Mr. Welch was married January 4, 1860. to 
Mrs. Ellen Marsh, nee Barbour, a native of tiie. 
State of Maine. Their living children are: 
George Henry, Walter Hatch. Frank Cum- 
mings and Benjamin Bradford. Mr. Welch is 
a member of Union Lodge, No. 58; F. & A. M., 
Sacrainento Chapter, No. 3; Commandery, No. 
2, and Council, No. 1, having been identified 
with the latter society over thirty years. He 
has lield many positions of trust in connection 
witli railroad matters, among which might be 
mentioned his membership with the Car- 
Builders' Association since 1870. He was ap- 
pointed as one of a committee on brakes, 
which was in session at Burlington, Iowa, for 
thirty days in 1886, and again in 1887. Plain, 
unostentatious and unassuming, his thorougli 
knowledge of every detail, his fertility of re- 
source and kindliness of nature, has secured to 
him the happy cognomen of "Uncle Ben," and 
in the language of one of his associates, " What- 
ever Uncle Ben says, goes." The friend and 
associate of the late A. J. Stevens, Master Me- 
chanic and Superintendent of Motive Power; 
his inherent knowledge of men and things; his 
practical ability and inventive genius, brought 
him into intimate, personal relations with the 
master spirits of this, the greatest railroad en- 
terprise of the present generation, and no man 
stands higher in the councils of the great cor- 
poration. His name will find a place side by 
side with those whose thought first spanned the 
continent; whose plans and purposes, finding an 
echo in his breast, were brought to a successful 
issue by their energy and executive ability. 

— ^4©:i)^-^ — 

SRANK KUNZ, proprietor of the Union 
Nursery in Sacramento, came to this State 
in 1861, in time to witness the great flood 
of that year. After that had subsided lie started 
in business on the south side of the cemetery. 



In 1862 he admitted a partner, Charles Schim- 
inger, and they bought ten acres. His partner 
remained with him until he moved to his present 
location in 1877, since which time Mr. Kunz 
has been alone in his business. In 1864 or 
1865, he gave up his original location to the 
city. He lias long been prosperous in his busi- 
ness, doing considerable work in cut flowers and 
designs in the cemetery trade, and he also 
propagates and sells many plants, both flowering 
and non-flowering. He was born in the village 
of Zeiskam, near Landau, in Bavaria, Germany, 
October 22, 1833, his parents being Philip 
Peter and Francesca (Weigand) Kunz. His 
father was a farmer, having land of ins own, 
and marketed the wheat he raised ; he is still 
living, but Mrs. Kunz is deceased. In the 
family were two sons and two daughters, and 
there is here, in California, a brotiier, George 
H., and a sister, wlio is the wife of G. H. Ha- 
mann. Mr. Kunz sailed from the old country 
Marcii 12, 1852, in a sail vessel, and within 
nineteen days landed in New York. Soon after- 
ward he went to Jersey City and began work for 
the celebrated Peter Henderson, in his vegetable 
garden department; was there about two years, 
and then a little over a year in the same busi- 
ness for Mr. Bonekamper, then for a cousin, 
Frank Kunz, in Jersey City, and at Bergen 
Point, until he came to California, in 1856. He 
came by way of the Panama Railroad, sailing on 
the Ariel on the Atlantic side, and the John L. 
Stephens on the Pacific side, and was twenty- 
four days on the voyage. One night, when on 
the Atlantic side, the vessel had a narrow es- 
cape from being dashed to pieces on a rock. 
He landed in San Francisco August 14 or 15, 
the last time the Vigilantes turned out. He 
did odd jobs in that city, — sold bouquets §ent in 
by his cousin at Hayes Valley. Although he 
iiad liis wife with him on liis arrival in Califor- 
nia, he had but $2.50 in money ; and both worked 
out by the month to obtain a start, making $50 
or $60 a month. Starting a garden in Hayes 
Valley, he sold vegetables. In 1859 he went 
to Fraser River, but remained oidy four days 



IIIHTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ill Vancouver. There were too many there. 
Returning to Hayes Valley, where the big 
church now is, he resumed the raising of vege- 
tables. Since then he has been for three 3'ears 
State gardener, under Governor Perkins. He 
is a member of the U. O. R. M.; of the K. of 
H.; has belonged to Sacramento Stamm, No. 124, 
U. O. II. M., going through all the chairs, and 
was also a member of Company G, Sarsfield 
Guards for nine years, and is also a charter 
member of the Pacific Sportsmens' Club, organ- 
ized April 1, 1881, winning the second gold 
medal, for which the club contested. He has 
not taken any active part in politics. He was 
married in New York July 20, 1856, to Miss 
Antonio Ochs, and they have five children now 
living, all in Sacramento, viz.: Charles F., Katie, 
Frank (who married Katie Clark), Emma and 
Hattie. They have lost four children, the three 
eldest in San Francisco and one in Sacramento. 



fOHN LAWTON, merchant, Ashland, was 
born December 9, 1827, in Dover, Maine, 
a son of Seth and Lucy (Wood) Lawton, 
wliose ancestry were of English origin. His 
father, who was born in October, 1800, has been 
a farmer and butcher by trade, and is still 
living. He had six brothers and two sisters. 
His mother lived to the age of 102. Mr. Law- 
ton, the subject of this sketch, was engaged 
upon the farm until lie was of age. In the 
spring of 1851 he sailed from New York on the 
steamer Prometheus for the Isthmus of Pana- 
ma, crossed the Isthmus upon a mule, and 
sailed thence on the steamer Gold Hunter for 
San Francisco. He landed in Sacramento June 
12, being about two months on the journey. 
He proceeded at once to Beale's Bar in Placer 
County, and mined there about two months, 
and then a short time on the Pinkham claim, 
and then at the Khoades mine six months, and 
back to the old place again, and so on until 
1859, when he purciiased a half interest of W. 
W. Latham, making the firm of Latham & Law- 



ton, general merchants, at a point known as Big 
Gulch. Their trade was good, amounting from 
$125,000 to $150,000 a year. Since 1867 Mr. 
Lawton has been sole proprietor. Across the 
street he has also a very pretty cottage with 
seventeen acres of hind; in fact there are two 
houses on that place. He has made all his 
property since coming to California, and has 
the wisdom to be content with his lot in life. 
He has made three trips to the East to visit his 
old home,— 1862, 1866 and 1887. During his 
second visit he was gone one and a half years. 
He is a member of Granite Lodge, No. 62, I. 
O. O. F.; of Folsom Encampment, No. 24, and 
of Grand Canton, No. 1, P. M., of Sacramento. 
He was married in 1868 to Miss Mary Kit- 
tredge, a native of Dover," Maine. They have 
no children. 

fWACHTEL, agriculturist, was born 
February 6, 1829, in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
* Germany. His parents were John and 
Caroline Wachtel. His father was a farmer by 
occupation, and died when he, the son, was only 
four years of age; and his mother afterward 
married again, and she and her husband came 
to America in 1839, landing at New Orleans; 
proceeding on to St. Louis by steamboat, they 
remained in that city about four months. In 
the spring of 1852 Mr. Wachtel started with a 
train overland to California, leaving all his peo- 
ple in St. Louis, and reached Sacramento after 
a six months' journey, marked with serious 
mishaps. For the first twenty-one days here he 
worked on the streets of Sacramento, when his 
eyes became diseased, and for twenty-five years 
afterward he spent money on various physicians 
and in trying various methods and experiments, 
losing time and suffering pain. He obtained 
relief only two years ago, through Dr. Cookley, 
of Sacramento; he is now "his old self" again. 
After his first sojourn at Sacramento, already 
referred to, ho worked six months at mining 
near Placerville, going there with $50 and re- 



insTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



turning to Sacramento witli $7 ! Next he worked 
on the Yolo side of the Sacramento about five 
months, and then rented a piece (>f land on the 
Ilaggin grant. At the end of two years he was 
obliged to leave this farm, and he settled on tlie 
grant line, supposing he was beyond it. At the 
end of a year he had to leave this place also, and 
he located npon a quarter section of Govern- 
ment land in Sutter Township, where he lived 
fifteen years. Then selling out, he came and 
purchased his present property of 320 acres in 
Mississippi Township, six miles from Folsom 
and fifteen from Sacramento, where he does 
most of his trading. He has made most of the 
improvements that exist on this j)lace. His 
specialties are grain and hay. Has made all 
his money in California. 



fOSEPH IIASMAN" was born March 19, 
1850, in Bohemia, son of Joseph and Kate 
(Ulch) Hasman, both natives of Bohemia. 
The family emigrated to the United States in 
1854, locating in Tama County, Iowa, in 1858. 
The old gentleman followed farming till his 
death, which occurred in 1865. The widow is 
still living, and makes her home most of the 
time in Belle Plain, that State. There were four 
daughters and two sons, as follows: Blazek, Mrs. 
Mary Weaver, Joseph, Mrs. Kate Kilberger, 
Mrs. Josie Kilberger, Mrs. Anna Ulch. All 
but the subject of this sketch reside in Iowa. 
Joseph remained with his parents until he was 
about eighteen years of age. At the age of 
twelve years he commenced to learn the harness- 
making trade, at which he worked about seven 
years; he then abandoned that and went into 
the Chicago & N^orthwestern Railroad shops in 
order to learn the machinist's trade. While 
working for this company, he met with a serio- 
comical accident. Undertaking to wheel loose 
rocks and dirt out upon a plank track and dump- 
ing the material into a whirlpool where the Iowa 
River sinks to pass under a bluff, he did not 
think to notice that the further end of the last 



plank was unsupported, and both he and his 
load went down into the raging waters; and it 
was by the hardest swimming that he saved his 
life, which he accomplished with the loss of hat 
and wheelbarrow! During the total eclipse of 
the sun August 7, 1869, he was thrown thirty 
feet by a locomotive and knocked senseless, but 
not seriously injured. In 1870 he wasemployed 
as a brakeman on the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railroad, and while thus engaged was 
caught in a railroad accident east of Des Moines, 
when the engine struck a bridge, telescoping 
some cars and killing one man and mashing Mr. 
Hasman's fingers. The next year he was obliged 
to obtain other work. Hoeing broom-corn one 
hot Fourth of July, three miles south of St. 
Joseph, he suffered sunstroke. After recovery, 
he was next employed by the St. Joseph & 
Council Bluffs Railroad Company, as an ap- 
prentice in the machine shops. After the ex- 
piration of his time, he began as fireman for 
the company on a locomotive, and while serv- 
ing in that capacity his engine fled the track 
upon an embankment, precipitating him into a 
pond of water, near Marysville, Missouri. For 
eighteen months he was under the doctor's care. 
He had been promoted engineer. In 1874 he 
was employed in the shops of the Kansas City, 
St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad Company. 
After a time he resigned, and January 19, 1876, 
he went with a party to the Black Hills, having 
a very tedious time getting through the snow. 
After prospecting in that region for a while, 
amid many difficulties and privations, having a 
fight with the Indians and losing a man, he at 
length reached Cheyenne; and he came thence to 
Nevada, and at Reno and other points in that 
State he had various responsible positions in 
engineering, superintending large mechanical 
jobs, etc. In October, 1884, he came to Cali- 
fornia, and bought out the harness shop of J. 
A. Lowe, at Elk Grove, this county, where he 
is now doing a profitable business. He is a 
member of Rebekah Lodge, No. 136, 1. 0. O. F. 
at Elk Grove, and No. 274 of the subordinate 
lodge at the same place. He was married in 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1872, to Mary !N"o- 
work, a native of Bohemia, and brought up in 
this country. They have three children, — 
Joseph Louis, Charles Joseph, and George 
Joseph. 



^■m^. 



fELSON SHAVER, farmer, was born in 
Onondaga County, New York, May 10, 
1826, son of Jolin and Marietta (Dowd) 
Shaver. His father, a native of Germany, came 
to New York wlien a small boy, married there 
and emigrated to Sheboygan County, Wiscon- 
sin, bordering on Lake Michigan, in 1848 
where he made his home until his death in 1886, 
at the age of seventy years. Nelson was about 
eight years old when his mother died, and after 
that his father married Alzina Church, of New 
Y''ork, before moving to Wisconsin. In the 
first family were five children: Louisa, Nelson, 
Lovina, John and Maria. Three uf these are 
now living: John resides in Wisconsin; Louisa 
married a Mr. Poole and also lives in Wiscon- 
sin, and the other is the subject of this sketch. 
By the last marriage there were also live ciiil- 
dren. Nelson was brought up in Onondaga 
County, New York, on a farm, and in 1852 
came to California, overland, with three other 
young men, leaving Wisconsin about the mid- 
dle of March. At Carson Valley they sold 
their ox teams and came the rest of the way 
with pack htjrses. On reaciiing Placerville they 
separated. Nelson went to surface mining and 
met with good success for a while, but had to 
be in the snow and water so much during the 
winter that he contracted rheumatism, which 
disabled him from further mining. During the 
next summer, 1853, he came into Sacramento 
County, and worked for G. W. Colby, farming, 
and at length the rheumatism left him. He 
afterward rented the farm lor two years. Then 
he went south a little way and entered two sec- 
tions of land where afterward the Sargent ranch 
was, on the Stockton road. He afterward sold 
to Sargent and took another place. He had, 



besides the Sargent place, four others. He came 
to his present place, on the Folsom grant, about 
1858. Here there are 621 acres, devoted to 
general farming. In 1857 he married Adeline 
Gunter, a native of Iowa, and they have six 
children, namely: Mary, wife of John Todd; 
Nelson H., who married Ada E. Fitch; Adeline, 
now the wife of Frederick Sanders; Caroline, 
now Mrs. Joseph Beresford; Rosa and John. 

^ARTIN LEONARD SMITH was born 
May 13, 1828, in Montgomery County, 
his parents being John (born and 
raised in Boston) and Catharine (Mowery, a 
native of Hagerstown, Maryland) Smith. The 
family moved to Dayton, Montgomery County, 
Ohio, then to Chillicothe, thence to Cincinnati 
and back to Dayton again. In 1835 they went 
to South Bend, Indiana, and lived there three 
years, then went to Elkhart, where the family 
made their home for many years. Mrs. Smith 
died there in 1885, at the age of eighty-four 
years. Mr. Smith died in Plymouth, Indiana, 
forty miles southwest of Elkhart, in 1851. 
They had a family of live children, who all lived 
to be grown: Elizabeth Hazelton, resident in 
Elkhart, Indiana; John R., Martin L., James, 
resident in Elkhart, and AVilliam Henry. The 
two latter were in the war; Johndied soon after, 
and William Henry is supposed to be dead. The 
subject of this sketch lived in Elkhart till 1852. 
When he was but sixteen years of age he com- 
menced to learn the shoe-making trade, and 
worked about four years in his father's shop, 
the same which he afterward conducted himself. 
He left for California in the spring of 1852, 
transferring his business to his brother-in-law, 
John Hazelton. There were three of them in 
the party, all young fellows; a man agreed to 
bring them out overland .for $100 apiece. They 
had the privilege of paying that in money or 
wagons or anything to make out the outfit. 
Martin Smith had a wagon made and put it in 
for his share. After they reached Chicago the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY-. 



guide began to act ugly; but they stayed with 
him, not being very well able to help them- 
selves, till they reached Gainesville ou the Mis- 
souri; then they concluded to quit him. They 
had a trial of the matter, conducted by impar- 
tial parties and determined to allow him $25 for 
bringing them that far, and lie had to refund 
tlie balance of the money and property. They 
then engaged another man at the same price, 
but he turned out to be meaner than the first 
man, and consequently, they had ani)ther law- 
suit on the plains, and the result was that they 
took his team away from him and kept it until 
they readied Placerville. While traveling on 
the plains they saw many things that would 
surprise an ordinary mortal, in these days; they 
would in themselves form a small volume and 
be most interesting, but the scope of this work 
will not allow of their repetition. After reach- 
ing California he visited many points of inter- 
est, wandering from one place to another until 
1855, then followed mining, and at last, not 
being very successful at mining, bought a ranch 
and settled down on it; the purchase money 
was a part of that made at Teats' diggings, 
about three miles from his present place. The 
ranch contains about 164 acres and is situated 
on the old Coloma road al)ont thirteen miles 
from Sacramento. Mr. Smith was married 
in 1855 to Miss Sarah Flanigan, a native of 
County Clare, Ireland; she was very young 
when she left the old country for Fall Eiver, 
Massachusetts. In 1852 she came to California, 
via Cape Horn. They had ten children, of 
whom nine are living: James, Henry, who died 
on this ranch at the age of nine years, Benja- 
min Franklin, Mrs. Mary Ann Burk, Lizzie, 
Joiin, Agnes, Sallie, Katie, Lora, Gracie. Mrs. 
Smith died in December, 1882. Mr. Smith 
married again, November 19, 1884, Miss Ellen 
Donavan, of Sacramento, a native of Newport, 
Monmouthshire, Wales. Her parents were na- 
tives of Ireland and she came with them to Ho- 
boken. New Jersey, and thence to Sacramento, 
where she had been resident for thirteen years. 
After an absence of thirty-eight years Mr. 



Smith, with his wife and youngest daughter, re- 
turned to the home of his boyhood on a visit. 



fOHN DUFFY was born January 30, 1842, 
a son of John and Mary Duffy (the latter 
a native of Ireland). The father, a native 
of England, came to America when a boy, 
learned the carpenter trade, and worked at it in 
Syracuse, New York; afterward in Livings- 
ton County, Michigan, where he purchased land, 
on which he resided until his death, which oc- 
curred December 3, 1865. He was the father 
of seven children. John, the subject of this 
sketch, learned tlie saddle and harness trade, and 
worked at it four years in Michigan. In 1863 
he came to California via the Isthmus, sailing 
from New York on the steamer Champion to 
the Isthmus, thence on the steamer St. Louis to 
San Francisco, where he arrived on Christmas 
day, 1863. He obtained employment immedi- 
ately on a farm, and afterward purchased an 
eighty-acre tract of land in San Joaquin Town- 
ship, near old Elk Grove. Later he sold the 
same and purchased his present property in 
1877. It is the northeast quarter of section 36, 
township 7. Mr. Dufly made a visit to the East 
in 1876 and brought back with him his young- 
est brother. He was married November 5, 1868, 
to Miss Mary M. Thompson. They have three 
children, namely: William C, born December 
15, 1871; Mary M., May 24, 1875, died May 5, 
1876; and Efiie M., born April 17, 1878. Mr. 
Duffy is a member of the 1. O. (). F., of Elk 
Grove, No. 274, and his wife is a member of the 
Rebekahs. 



fONATHAN OGDEN SHERWOOD, 
Brighton Township. Among the well- 
known pioneers of California, who have 
been identified with Sacramento County since 
the early days, is the gentleman with whose 
name this sketch commences. • He is a native 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of New York State, born at South Richland, 
Oswego County, on the 3d of Jannary, 1825. 
His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah 
Meigs, was born in Derby County, Connecticut, 
and came of an old family of that State. Her 
father was a Revolutionary soldier, who joined 
the colonial army at the age of sixteen, taking 
the place of a neighbor, who could not well 
leave his family. Her mother, whose maiden 
name was Pritchard, had a brother, a captain in 
the patriot army in the iievolutionary War, who 
was captured by the British and had his throat 
cut on board of one of their prison ships. The 
father of our subject was Jonathan Sherwood, 
son of a sea captain named Zalmon Sherwood. 
When he was about sixteen years old the father 
died and the family removed to Oswego County, 
New York. He was in the War of 1812, and 
was called out at tlie time of the invasion of 
Oswego, and served till the war was over under 
General Gillespie, a neighbor of the family. 
He furnished the general a horse, which the lat- 
ter used throughout the war. His wife died in 
18G9 and he followed her to the land beyond the 
grave in 1871. Jonathan O. Sherwood, subject 
of this sketch, was one of a family of ten chil- 
dren, six sons and four daughters, and he now has 
two brothers residing in California, and one 
living in Colorado. He received a common- 
school education and in liis seventeenth year 
commenced teaching winters, while he attended 
the spring terms at Mexico Academy. In the 
spring of 1846 he went to New York city and 
engaged as clerk with R. G. Williams, at 84 
Pearl street. A short time later he changed his 
place of employment and went with J. O. & D. 
S. Bennett, commission merchants, at 33 Water 
street. J. O. Betmett. an active member of the 
firm, was a shrewd business man, and had that 
great faculty of being able to see in advance 
where great business opportunities lay. One 
day, in 1847, when the war with Mexico was 
pretty well advanced, he astonished Mr. Sher- 
wood by asking him if he doubted his ability of 
taking care of himself in business under any 
and all circumstances. Mr. Siierwood said he 



never doubted it because he knew he could. Mr. 
Bennett then spread out a map before him and 
pointing to Yerba Bnena, on the bay of San 
Francisco, said, " There is a point which in fifty 
years will lival New York. My plan is for you 
to go there and get possession of all the land 
you can get hold of," etc. Mr. Siierwood fell 
in with the idea and agreed to go. Tiie scheme 
was then broached to D. S. Bennett, who pooh- 
poohed the idea, and this plan, which would iiave 
resulted in a fortune for those concerned, fell 
through. In the fall of 1848 Mr. Sherwood left 
New York and went out to Wisconsin, where 
two brothers then resided. Two of his brothers 
were anxious to go to Willamette settlement, 
in Oregon, and he joined with them in prepar- 
ing. When they were nearly ready to go their 
eldest brother persuaded them to give up the 
project. In 1849 Mr. Sherwood was in Mani- 
towoc, Wisconsin, and he fell in with a move- 
ment being made in the southern part of the 
State to organize a party for the purpose of 
going to California (among whom was a gentle- 
man named Durgan), and our subject fitted out 
an ox team for that purpose. Spring opened 
up late and Mr. Sherwood was to join the party 
in three or four weeks. In the meantime, how- 
ever, he received a letter from Mr. Durgan say- 
ing he was the only one who had not backed 
out, and for Mr. Sherwood to join him at New 
York, and they would go via Panama. Mr. 
Sherwood would not consent to that, however, 
and decided to go across the plains. He had a 
friend named John Irish, who wanted to go 
with him and was accepted. Mr. Sherwood then 
commenced .bidding good-by to his friends, and 
one of them, John A. Tredway, decided at once 
to go along. On the 10th of April, 1850, they 
started, mounted on Indian ponies. They pro- 
cured* their wagons and outfits near Fort Des 
Moines, Iowa, and there fell in with a party, 
which, with themselves, numbered sixteen peo- 
j pie. They went to Kanesville, laid in provis- 
1 ions, and then ferried themselves across the 
j river. They proceeded on the north side of the 
! Platte to Laramie, and by way of the Black 



U I STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Hills. They were the first to take that route, 
and had to have some one ahead exploring all 
the time. They struck the main line of travel 
again at the second crossing of North Platte. 
From South Pass they proceeded by the Bear 
River route, and from Soda Springs took the 
Sublette's cut-off. They came on to California 
by wayo f Sink of Humboldt and Sink of Car- 
son. Mr. Sjierwood first struck the mines at 
Weaverville, El Dorado County. He and Mr. 
Tredway remained there until October, when, 
both being sick, they were advised to go to a 
warmer climate, and left, coining to Sacramento. 
From here he went to Stockton, and at the hotel 
there fell in with a carpenter. Though he had 
never worked at that trade Mr. Sherwood was 
very handy with his tools. He was told by the 
landlord of a man who wanted to hire some 
workmen in this line, and he and the carpenter 
decided to apply for work. The contractor 
looked them over and selected Mr. Sherwood, 
though the other man was a skilled carpenter, 
or claimed to be. Mr. Sherwood was placed 
with others on a frame store that was being 
erected, and went to work, though, indeed, he 
did not oven know bow he was to commence. 
He had his wits about him, however, and suc- 
ceeded in getting^ along nicely without any of 
the workmen finding out that he was not a car- 
penter. When he came to construct a door 
frame, however, there was one point he did not 
understand, but he asked a question of one of 
the other men in such a diplomatic way, that 
the other did not observe his object. He got 
his answer, and was then all right. He pushed 
his work and attracted the attention of his em- 
ployer by his speed. When the contractor re- 
ceived the job of putting up a number of 
out-houses, extending out over the slough, for 
a hotel, he gave Mr. Sherwood charge rf)f the 
job, and sent the other workmen to him to be 
put to work. He commenced on one in the 
morning, studying out his work as he went, and 
in the evening his employer was surprised to 
find that he had one already finished. He was 
getting $12 a day as a workman. It was rather 



a surprising thing, as well as laughable, that he 
should be placed as foreman over experinced 
workmen, while up to a few days before lie had 
never worked at this trade. So much for self- 
confidence. Mr. Sherwood returned to Sacra- 
mento County, and in February. 1851, bought 
land at what is now Gold Spring ranch, and en- 
gaged in farming. He was very successful, and 
added to his possessions until he had a place of 
about 1,000 acres. Part of this was State school 
land, and a portion was purchased from the 
railroad company. In 1855-'56 he set out an 
orchard of over 2,000 trees, and by 18(jl had a 
handsomely improved place. But the work of 
years was destroyed by the flood that came on 
in December of that year, when the place was 
overflowed, and the land in front of the iiouse 
filled up fifty feet. The loss to Mr. Sherwood 
was very severe -and required a hard struggle 
for several years to right the damage. Pie had 
a splendid ranch there, but sold it in 1884 to 
Daniel Flint, of Sacramento, and in November 
of that year removed to his present location in 
Brighton Township, where he has a farm of 160 
acres. Mr. Sherwood has always taken an act- 
ive interest in educational matters, and organ- 
ized the first public school district in Sacramento 
County. That district includes all Cosumnes 
Township, and was organized in 1853. He 
built the school-house and presented it to the 
district, and hired the first teacher, whom he 
afterward married. Mr. Sherwood was a Demo- 
crat in early life and voted it until Lincoln's 
second campaign. He supported the Kepubli- 
can party then, and afterward became opposed 
to the dismemberment of the Union, but only 
for that reason. He is a member of the Ma- 
sonic order. Mr. Sherwood has been twice mar- 
ried. First, on the 13th of November, 1854, 
to Miss Kate Virginia Beall, who came from 
Scott County, Illinois. She died in November, 
1866. By that marriage there were five chil- 
dren, viz.: Eva Augusta, born October 25, 1855, 
wife of Thomas Gaffney, San Francisco; Alfred 
Wilbur, born March 24, 1858; Anna, born in 
February, 1862, died in April, 1863; Harry, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



born October 18, 18G5; and Jessie, born Octo- 
ber 13, 1866. Mr. Slierwood married his pres- 
ent wife July 5, 1869. Her maiden name was 
Susan Emeline Woods. Slie is a native of Mer- 
cer County, Pennsylvania, and daughter of John 
and Mary (Hazen) Wood. Her parents were 
both born in the same county. In 1844 they 
removed to Barry, Pike County, Illinois, and 
there both parents died. Mrs. Sherwood left 
home for California, proceeding first to New 
York. She sailed from there April 10, on the 
steamer Ocean Queen, and landed at San Fran- 
cisco May 15, 1868. From there she came to 
Sacramento. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood are the 
parents of two children, viz.: Ella May, born 
November 5, 1872, and Etta, born February 23, 
1874. Mr. Sherwood is a splendid type of tlie 
open-hearted, hospitable Califoriiian, who in 
times past, made this State famous the world 
over. He pushed his way to the front by indus- 
try and enterprise, and, while successful in life 
liimself has always taken an active interest and 
lent a helping hand toward the general public 
welfare. Such is but a mere outline of the life 
of J. O. Sherwood, one of Sacramento County's 
most i-espected citizens. 



fUARLES C. BONTE, chief clerk of the 
shops of the Southern Pacific Railroad, 
was born in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
in 1857. He is the son of the Rev. J. H. C. 
Bonte, Professor of Legal Ethics in the Law 
Department of the University, and Secretary of 
the Board of Regents of the University of Cali- 
fornia. When he was a child his parents 
moved to Washington city. District of Colum- 
bia. His preliminar}' schooling was obtained 
in the District of Columbia; his preparatory 
courses were taken in the city of Oswego, New 
York, and coming to California in 1870 he 
completed his course of study at St. Augustine 
College, Benicia, from which institution he 
graduated in 1884. He caine to Sacramento 
in 1875, taking a position in the ottice of the 



chief clerk, Sacramento shops (Mr. Newton II. 
Foster), succeeding to that position in 1885. 
He was united in marriage, in 1881, to Miss 
Anna Hall Nichols, daughter of H. L. Nichols, 
A. M., M. D., the oldest practicing physician in 
the Capital City, a sketch of whom will be 
found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bonte have one son, named Harmon Storer 
Bonte. 

'^■^■^ 



fUDGE W. A. HENRY.— Conspicuous 
among the local magistrates in the Capital 
City is W. A. Henry, whose office at 608 
I street, opposite the Court House, is in itself 
peculiar, as indeed is the Judge in his personal 
characteristics. Born at Lexington, Kentucky, 
December 16, 1832, he crossed the plains in 
1854, and settled in Placer County. His father, 
John Henry, was a prominent politician, an old- 
time Whig, and later on a Douglas Democrat. 
He removed from Kentucky to Jacksonville, 
Illinois, where he was a member of the Legis- 
lature, and when Colonel E. D. Baker, Con- 
gressman of his district, resigned his position 
to participate in Ihe Mexican war, Henry was 
selected to fill his place. Grandfather Henry 
was a Virginian by birth, and a Christian min- 
ister, a devoted disciple of Alexander Camp- 
bell. The Judge's tnother, Isabella Wilson, a 
native of Edinburg, Scotland, came with her 
father, Robert Wilson, to Lexington, Kentuck}', 
where the family became well known. When 
our subject was a child the family moved to 
Jacksonville, Illinois, and there he grew to 
manhood, and learned the trade of coppersmith 
at St. Louis. When he reached his majority he 
crossed the plains to California with a party of 
yonng men. Going into the mines for a short 
time, he soon became convinced that mining 
was not to his liking, so began teaching school, 
and being interested in matters political be- 
came a candidate for the position of Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction. Later on he 
made San Francisco his home for several years. 



JIJSTUHY OF SAOBAMBNTO COUNTY. 



In 1864 he went to Woodland, Yolo County, 
and I'or two years was tlie editor of the Yolo 
County Democrat, and for two years justice of 
the peace. For four years he was under-sheriff 
and county tax collector. In 1875 he came to 
Sacramento, at the instance of Jefl'erson Wilco.\- 
son, the well-known cnpitalist, and remained 
with him some time. He was then made Pat- 
ent (~!lerk and Examiner of Titles in the office 
of the State Surveyor-General, which position 
he tilled for four years. He was then elected 
as Police Judge. During tlie seven years he 
served in that capacity he was admitted to prac- 
tice before the Superior Courts, and upon the 
expiration of his term as Police Judge lie went 
into general practice. In May of this year 
(1889) he was appointed as justice of the peace, 
which office he now holds. In former years he 
was prominent in the different fraternal organi- 
zations, holding tlie office of Master Workman 
in the A. O. U. W.; of Sachem of the Red Men, 
and Noble Arch and Noble Grand Arch in the 
Ancient Order of Druids. The Judge was 
married in 1876, to Mrs. S. II. Carroll, nee 
Noble, a sister of William Noble, of Bear Val- 
ley. The Judge, w'lio is now fifty-six years of 
age, would pass for several years younger. He 
is widely known and highly respected by all his 
friends and acquaintances. 



fHE PIONEER MILLING COMPANY. 
— Of all human necessities the food sup- 
ply outweighs the balance in the ratio of 
two to one, and as a natural consequence inter- 
ests connected with its production and distri- 
l)utioii are of the most vital importance. It 
would be interesting to trace the development 
of the manufacture of flour from the hollow- 
stone mortar, and its flinty pestle, of the abo- 
rigines, through successive stages, to the mighty 
steam power, roller-process mills of to-day. 
Perhaps in no branch of industry have the im- 
provements been more marked. Half a century 
ago the " upper or nether mill-stones " turned 



by immense water wheels, making only coarse 
meal, were the only ones known. The first 
mill in this county to make "Extra" flour was 
the old " Bay State" mill, located on M street, 
between First and Second streets, in 1852, 
owned and operated by Polly, Nichols & Gar- 
field. This mill, which had a capacity of 150 
barrels, was burned in the great tire of Novem- 
ber the 3d of that year. It was rebuilt and in 
operation within six weeks after the fire, and 
run by Polly & Gartield until 1856, when it 
blew up; but prior to the explosion Mr. Garfield 
had sold out his interest to a Mr. Hall, and had 
in connection with Mr. George W. Mowe, 
bought the Wilson mill, located at the mouth 
of the American River; this mill was called 
the " Eureka," and built about the same time as 
the "Bay State," in 1852. It was improved by 
Garfield & Mowe, and the name changed to 
the "Pioneer Mill;" subsequently Mowe sold 
out to Alexander Dyer. The firm name re- 
mained unchanged until the fall of 1859, when 
it was burned by an incendiary. In 1854 a 
man named Carey had bought the buildings of 
the "Boston Ice Company," put in mill ma- 
chinery, and called it the " Carey Mil L" At the 
time the Pioneer was burned the " Carey Mill " 
was owned by Mr. E. P. Figg, and in 1861 
Garfield & Co. bought the mill, and changed 
its name to "The Pioneer." This mill, in its 
turn, was burned during the following year, 
1862. Mr. Garfield then bought the "Sunny- 
side Mill" at Auburn, brought it down, and 
erected it at the mouth of the American River, 
gave it the name of the " Pioneer," and once 
more started in. It was subsequently enlarged 
and improved at an outlay of over $70,000, the 
firm being Mowe, Carroll, Simpson & Garfield. 
The property was greatly damaged when the 
mouth of the river was changed, its store- 
house, etc., being washed away by the current. 
Several changes having been made in the 
membersliip of the firm, the name of the firm 
was changed to H. G. Smith & Co. This con- 
tinued until 18S3, when a joint-stock company 
was organized under the laws of the State of 



JUaTOJir OF ,<• AC MAMS A' TO COUNTY. 



California, entitled "The Pioneer Milling Com- 
)iany," with II. G. Smith as president, and 
Mr. Llewellyn AVilliams, vice-president, F. B. 
Smith, secretary, and S. N. Garfield, general 
manager. The "Pioneer Mill" is one of the 
oldest and largest establishments in its line in 
Northern California. It is most conveniently 
located for the transaction of its business, being 
npon the bank of the Sacramento River, per- 
mitting the deepest-draft river craft to discharge 
directly into the mill, and to receive cargoes of 
flour therefrom, while on its eastern side a side 
track is placed which jierniits the convenient 
and speedy loading and discharging on railroad 
cars. The mill proper is a commodious four- 
story buildinuj, to whi(di is attached a large two 
story warehouse, the whole covering an area of 
150x600 ieet. It is fully equipped with the 
latest improved roller- process macli.nery, and 
employs some thirty-five men in its oper- 
ation. It has a capacity of 500 barrels per 
day, and makes an annual average of 150,000 
barrels. The manufacturers of this establish- 
ment occupy the foremost position in the mar- 
ket, and are regarded with marked and popular 
favor by merchants and consumers. Besides 
manufacturing and handling flour, this firm 
deals largely in grain, and all kinds of mill feed. 
The individual stockholders of the coinpanj' 
are all well known and substantial residents, 
who have been identified with the progress, 
prosperity and improvement of Sacramento 
in every way, and liave always been foi'e- 
most in every effort to build up her com- 
mercial, industrial, manufacturing and social 
prestige and advantages. Mr. H. G. Smitii, the 
president of the company, is a native of the 
State of New York, having been born at Ithaca, 
at the head of Cayuga Lake, in 1832, the son 
of Franklin Smith, a farmer. At the age of 
seventeen he entered the drug house of Dr. 
Ilawley, of Ithaca, and for two years remained 
there, learning the business, but with the aspi 
rations of an energetic mind. Desiring a larger 
field, he early determined to migrate to the far 
West, and in company with two friends — 



Joseph Trueman and John Thompson — he left 
New York on the 7th of December, 1850, for 
California, coming via the Nicaragua route, 
landing in San Francisco on the 9th January, 
1851, having made a remarkably quick passage. 
After spending a short time in the mines at 
" Negro Bar," on the American River, and be- 
coming convinced tliat the life of a miner 
would not suit him, he came to Sacramento, 
and was engaged in various enterprises; among 
them, in 1856, was draying, having bought two 
drays, one of which he himself drove for a time, 
hauling chiefly for the old "Bay State Mill." 
He continued in this business for seven years. 
In this and similar enterprises he accumulated 
money, and upon the failure of the " Odd Fel- 
lows' Bank, in 18 — , he became the i-eceiver of 
that defunct institution, and later on, when the 
" Peoples' Bank " was organized, he became a 
large stockholder and a director. As early as 
1863 he had bought an interest in the " Pioneer 
Mill," and when the joint stock company was 
formed he became its president, which position 
he still retains, taking an active personal part 
in the direction of the affairs of the great insti- 
tution. Coming to Sacramento, as he did in his 
early youth, he may be said to have grown up 
with the city, liaving been closely identiued 
with her social and material interests for up- 
wards of thirty-seven years. He stands to-day 
foremost among her representative men. 



fHARLES A. JENKINS, proprietor of the 
State House Hotel. — Perhaps in no country 
in the world do so large a proportion of 
the people live at hotels as in America; cer- 
tainly in no country do so large a proportion of 
the population spend their time in traveling 
from place to place for business and pleasure; 
men and women of all classes travel; and tlie 
necessity for ample, commodious hotel accom- 
modations is yearly increasing; nor are the 
travelers of to-day satisfied with such accommo- 
dations as were furnished in the past; the ele- 



HISTORY OF SAUHAMENTO COUNTY. 



gaiit structures which are being erected in every 
town for tiie accommodation of her transient 
guests testify to this fact, and men of large 
means and ample experience are foniid at the 
head of establishments of this character. It 
has been triily said that hotel men '• are born, 
not made;" the meaning being, that no matter 
how elegant a structure, or the appointments or 
surroundings of a hotel may be, to make a suc- 
cess, requires a man of peculiar characteristics; 
he must have all the qualilications of a thorough 
business man, including a ready tact, a thorough 
intuitive knowledge of human nature, united 
with great urbanity of Tnanners, and a never 
failing supply of patience and goodfellowship. 
If, with these characteristics, he has at his com- 
mand a commodious and pleasantly located 
house, success becomes assured, and the reputa- 
tion of his hostelry established. In the hotel 
known as the State House, in tliis city, located on 
the corner of Tenth and K streets, it would 
seem, the qualities above referred to, are care- 
fully considered. The house was established in 
18G8 by one IJarton, who was its first proprie- 
tor, and it then had lifty-six rooms; additions 
were however made from time to time until in 
1882 it had 112 rooms, thus taking rank as the 
second largest hotel in the city. It was at this 
time owned by Hod. Eldred, Esq. In 1886 it 
came into the possession of its present proprie- 
toi-, and for three years past it has been under 
the popular management of Mr. B. l>. Brown. 
At this writing, the entire premises are being 
remodeled and enlarged by an addition of 
twenty-four rooms, besides a large dining-room, 
store-room, kitchen, etc., at an expenditure of 
from 830,000 to 840,000; no expense will be 
spared to make it the largest and finest hotel in 
the city; its location, one square from tiie Capi- 
tol, the center of the up-town trafhc, its patron- 
age equaled only by one other house in the 
city, and the personal popularity of its present 
owner and proprietor can warrant ns in saying 
that when Qnished, the new State House will be 
second to none in Sacramento, and equaled by 
few on the coast. A short sketch of the owner 



and proprietor of this well-known house caimot 
but be interesting to his many friends and ac- 
quaintances. Charles Asbery Jenkins is prac- 
tically a native of Sacramento County, for, 
although born in the city of Cincinnati, in 1848, 
he came to this county when but ten years old, 
being brought up by his maternal uncle, Charles 
Warner Pierce, a prominent rancher of the Co- 
sumnes River, and later a resident of this city, 
where he died in October, 1887. Young Jen- 
kins was raised under the fostering care of this 
uncle, to whose example and precept lie is in- 
debted, largely, for the qualities of head and 
heart which so distinguish him; his education, 
began at the public schools in this city, was 
acquired partly at A^acaville College, in Solano 
County (since destroyed) and partly at the busi- 
ness and commercial college of San Francisco. 
A part of liis uncle's teaching was of self-reli- 
ance, to depend upon himself, and before he 
reached his majority he was encouraged to en- 
gage in stock-raising, and other enterprises; and 
such was his uncle's confidence in his integrity 
and ability, that when he came to embark on his 
journey to the •' Great Beyond " he left the 
management of his affairs in the hands of his 
favorite nephew, who was appointed sole execu- 
tor without bonds, of an estate valued at §187,- 
500. Mr. Jenkins was a Presidential elector for 
Mr. Cleveland, and has ever been an interested 
student of political economy, a straight-out 
Democrat, as was his uncle; he has yet always 
been an "independent,"' upholding and support- 
ing the best nian, and averse to " boss-ism " and 
party chicanery, out-spoken in his preferments, 
and firm in his convictions. A practical farmer, 
for four years an active and influential member 
of the " Patrons of Husbandry," he is the owner 
of one of the finest ranches on the Cosumnes 
River, eighteen miles southeast of Sacramento, 
where he takes jiride in raising the tinest stock. 
The value of this farm of 800 acres has been 
greatly enhanced by the erection of commodi- 
ous buildings and other improvements at an out- 
lay of not less than 820,000, and is considered 
a model farm. Mr. Jenkins is a member of the 



HISTOUY OF SACUAMENTO COUNTY. 



405 



Masonic fraternity, a Knight Templar, a ineifl- 
ber of Sacratnento Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M. 
Mis estimable wife, whom he married in 1876, 
is a daughter of James A. Elder, a well-known 
rancher and a prominent Democrat. The family 
consists of three girls. In concluding this brief 
mention of one of the representative men of the 
Capital City, it is safe to predict that the new 
State House, under its present management will 
exceed in popularity its record of the past; and 
that as a Boniface our subject will be a success. 



5=^ '^'3«"!§^# 



fEORC^E M. DIXON, M. D.— Within tiie 
shadows of the White Mountains on the 
East, and the shores of Lake Champlain on 
the West, lies Chittenden County, one of the 
lineet portions of the State of Vermont; here, 
in 1848, was born George M. Dixon, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. He is the son of Rev. H. 
n. Dixon, a Presbyterian minister, who emi- 
grated with his family to Wisconsin in 1852, 
and was one of the pioneer preachers there. The 
Doctor's boyhood was passed principally in the 
soiitiiern and eastern parts of that State, and at 
the age of sixteen he entered Ripon College, in 
Ripon, Wisconsin, for the scientific course, and 
later on he was matriculated at the New York 
Homeopathic Medical College, New "i ork city, 
wliere he graduated with honor in 1871. Tiiat 
institution, whose presidential chair was filled 
by one of Nature's noblemen, William CuUen 
Bryant, and whose faculty was composed of such 
men as William Todd Hellmuth, Timothy F. 
Allen, J. W. Dowling and Carroll Dunham, had 
much to do witli shaping the Doctor's afterlife. 
For two years he was in the New York Oph- 
tiialmic Hospital, when lie returned to Ripon, 
and during the next four years was engaged in 
general practice in Wisconsin. There he was 
married to Miss Sadie A. Johnson, daughter of 
II. E. Johnson, Esq., an elder in the Presbyte- 
rian Church. The failing health of his wife 
induced him to seek a milder climate, and he 
came to California, landing in Sacramento on 



the 5th of November, 1870. Tnoroughly im- 
bued with the advantages of the Hahnemann 
school of practice, full of pluck and vim, he set 
himself to work to see that he and his fellow 
practitioners of that school should receive their 
due recognition. He was instrumental in secur- 
ing for the homeopathists the Sacramento 
Hoyjital and the City Dispensary. He became 
a member of the City Board of Health, a rep- 
resentative to the State Board of Health, and 
president of the California Homeopathic Medi- 
cal Society. In 1881, business matters requir- 
ing his attention, he returned to the East, where 
he remained until 1886, when he again came to 
California and once more located in Sacramento, 
content to live here all his life long, engaged in 
the practice of his loved profession, making a 
specialty of surgery and the affections of the 
eye and ear. 



fR. J. H. SHIRLEY, cancer specialist, Sac- 
ramento, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, 
March 28, 1838. When fourteen years of 
age he crossed the plains with his parents to 
Sacramento, arriving here in August, 1852; but 
he went to Stockton, wliere he had an uncle, 
Robert Simmons. He was married in James- 
town, Tuolumne County, California, to Miss 
Sarah E., daughter of George W. Fleming, who 
had come to this State in 1852. In 1868 the 
Doctor went to Alameda County, engaging in 
the live-stock business; and it was not until 
1884 that he became interested in the specialty 
for which he has now become so well known. 
It was during that year that he made the ac- 
quaintance of Dr. W. W. McCoy, of Stockton, 
proprietor of '' McCoy's Tonic and Blood Puri- 
fier," and cancer specialist. After two years of 
successful practice with him there, he removed 
to this city, establishing himself on Fourth 
street. He now has his office on K street, and 
is enjoying remarkable success in the treatment 
of his cases, who come to him from all parts of 
the country. Both his parents were from the 



niSTOMY OF SACUAMENTO COUNTY. 



Sontl). His father, Thomas Jefferson Shirley, 
wati a native of Kichmoiid, Virginia, aiitl his 
nidtiiei-, Mary, nee Sininions, of East Tennessee. 
He lias roiirVhiidren: LewcUa, now Mrs. W.J. 
'I'annthill; I'aiil, Luc-v and Kninia Dale. 



^R. Vk F. PENDEKY, eclectic physician, 
Sac-rainento, was born in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, August 11, 1846. His father,Will- 
iani D. Pendery, was also a native of that State, 
and a farmer by occupation. His mother, who 
was a J.udlow, was the first wliite female child 
born in tlie city of Cincinnati. The doctor is 
the seventh son in a family cd' ten children, nine 
sons and one daughter. It is a remaikable fact 
that no less than live of these sons became phy- 
sicians, inheriting tlieir talent from tlieir father, 
who, although a farmer, was known for miles 
around as an expert in medical treatment. The 
early years of the subject of this sketch were 
spent on the farm. At the age of seventeen 
years he began tiie study i.>i medicine at the 
Cincinnati Eclectic College, under the tutelage 
of Dr. K. S. New-ton, and was in every way 
fitted for rapid advancement. Three years later, 
in 1868, he began the pi'actice of his chosen 



prol 



)ii at Dayton, Ohio, and continued there 



two years. In 1872 he removed to I"'armer 
City, De "Witt County, Illinois, and remained 
there until 1875. In December of that year he 
came to California, locating in Sacramento, his 
office being on the corner of P'ifth and J streets; 
lie is now on K street near Fourth. September, 
11,1876, he was elected a member of the Eclec- 
tic Medical Society of California. The Doctor is 
of a most genial disposition, esteeming his 
friends highly and being also a great admirer of 
a good horse. His judgment in resj)ect to horses 
is sought by many, and every one knows his 
dapple gray. The Doctor has been married 
twice, first at Indianapolis, March 20, 1869, to 
Miss Lucy A. Brown,a native of Jackson County, 
Illinois, who died in 1881; secondly, to Miss 
Edith S. Dickson, a native of the (ioiden West 



and a daughter of John F. Dickson, a pioneer 
from Salem, Massachusetts. 



fELSON CIIAMPLIN was born at Leiioy, 
Genesee County, New York, in 1827, and 
when ten years of age the family removed 
to Jackson County, Michigan, where his father 
died two years later. He learned the cabinet 
trade in the town of Albion, Michigan, and 
afterward went to Oyer's Corner in Jackson 
County, where he was engaged in farming. In 
the spring of 1852 he. with live other young 
men, started for California, Hiram Oyer, Will- 
iam and Major I\>rter being members of the 
company. Starting from Springport, they came 
overland, crossing the river at St. Joseph, Mis- 
souri, taking the Salt Lake route, and coming 
into the State via Sublette's cut-off, and arrived 
in Ilangtown August 22, having been on the 
journey five and a half months. When they 
reached Salt Lake he was ill with mountain 
fever, and has a very vivid recollection of the 
CHre and attention bestowed upon him by two 
women, the wives of a Mormon elder, to whom 
he owes his recovery. From Ilangtown the 
party went to join Philip Oyer, a brother of 
one of the }>arty, who had come to the coast in 
1851 and located on the middle tV>rk of the 
American liiver. They engaged in mining, and 
in the fall of that year went to Diamond Spring, 
El Dorado County, where he remained for eight 
or nine years. In 1861 he wont to Virginia 
City, Nevada, and engaged in wood hauling, 
Hiram Oyer having the contract to furnish the 
Golden Curry mines with wood, and for two 
seasons he wag engaged in that business. In 
1870 he came to Sacramento and built his pres- 
ent residence on I street, but continued his in- 
teri'st in the wood business, having succeeded 
Mr. Oyer, until 1878, when he went to Mexico, 
where he was engaged in silver mining; his 
family remained in Sacramento. During the 
succeeding seven years he returned home but 
twice. The Vaca and San Miii'cus mines were, 



OF SACRAMENTO OOU.\Ty 



at that time, considered to be marvelously rich, 
but -they were almost inaccessible, lumber, tim- 
ber, machinery and sui)plies having to be packed 
across the State of Durango on mules and bur- 
ros. In 1888 he sold out his interest there and 
returned to Sacramento, which, notwithstand- 
ing his protracted absence, he had continued to 
claim as his home. lie is a member of Tehama 
Lodge, F. & A. M., the oldest lodge in the 
State. Mr. Champlin was married in 1870 to 
Miss Sarah J. James, a native of Wales, who 
came totheStateof New York with her parents 
when a child. They have no children, if we ex- 
cept the two children of his brother-in-law, 
Juhn W. James, above referred to as his busi- 
ness partner in the Mexican mines; he died 
leaving two bright pretty children, who are now 
members of Mr. ( 'liamplin's family. 



H«t->. 



;R. IRA. Vx. SHAW, dentist. The science 
of dental surgeiy is being rapidly devel- 
oped, and every year brings into the field 
new men fitted by earnest study of the most ap- 
proved methods, to secure the best results. Such 
men must necessarily take the lead; and among 
these Ira G. Shaw holds a prominent position. 
lie was born in Middleboro, Plymouth County, 
Massachusetts, in June, 1857. He came to this 
coast when a child and resumed his education 
ill the public schools of Sacramento. In 1S74 
he entered the office of Dr. W. W. Light, the 
pioneer dentist of this county, and for eleven 
years was a practitioner with him. In 1885 he 
started business for himself, and his dental 
parlors on the corner of Tenth and J streets arc 
amply supplied with all the most improved ap- 
pliances known to the art; and it is safe to say 
that there is no more pains-taking operator on 
this coast, nor one more fully learned in the de- 
tails of his profession. The Doctor comes from 
an old New England family, and his wife, 
I'hcEbe Shaw, nee Chiles, is a native daughter 
of the Golden West. She is a granddaughter 
of Colonel Joseph Chiles, of Napa (V)unty. The 



Doctor, while not a native son, has been in this 
county since boyhood and has identified himself 
with the interests of the county during all the 
years of early manhood. lie is essentially a 
Sacramento man, thoroughly believing in her 
future, and ready and willing at all times to ad- 
vance her interests in public and private. He 
is peculiarly domestic in his characteristics, but, 
notwithstanding this, is popular among the 
" boys," a liberal patron of all legitimate sports 
and pastimes, and socially ranks among the 
foremost in the citv. 



C. FELCH,a pioneer, was born in the 
little village of Midway in the eastern 
' part of Massachusetts, May 24, 181f5. 
Hi# father, Dr. Walton Felch, was a prominent 
physician of Boston, while his father's brother. 
Rev. Cheever Felch, was an Episcopal clergy- 

avy. 



man and Chaplain in the United States N" 
The family is of Welsh origin. The subject of 
this sketch was educated in Boston, learned the 
printers' trade there and worked as a journey- 
man in various offices of that city, and later 
conducted a job ofKce of his own. In the spring 
of 1849 a company was formed to come to Cali- 
fornia known as the Boston & Newtown Com- 
pany. Brackett Lord of Newtown, was president 
and W. C. Felch vice-president. The company 
came overland to the State, by way of Independ- 
ence and Carson Valley, arriving safely in San 
Francisco September 27. For the first year Mr. 
Felch followed mining on the forks of the 
American River; but not succeeding as he had 
anticipated he came to Sacramento and estab- 
lished himself on Fifth street ijetween J and K, 
as a sign and ornamental painter, an art he had 
also acquired in Boston. He can still show, 
after the lapse of all these years, a specimen of 
his iiandiwork, in the engine house on Tenth 
street between I and J, an oil painting which is 
preserved with much care by the company. In 
early days he was a staunch Detnocrat in poli- 
tics, but becuine :i liepublican when l''t. Siitnt v 



UISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



was tired upon, and Las been so ever since. In 
early days lie was one of the city assessors and 
held the otiice of Assistant, United States As- 
sessor under John M. Avery, during Lincoln's 
administration, and he was a member of the 
commission appointed by the Governor to ap- 
praise the land condemned for the State capitol 
purposes. After he left the revenue otiice he 
enter the real-estate business in which he is 
still engaged. He is a member of the Scra- 
mento Society of California Pioneers and one of 
its past j)residents. Mr. Felch has been a very 
active member of several fraternal organizations. 
His wife, who is a paralytic invalid at thi.s writ- 
ing, is a daughter of Mr. Benjamin Ferris, of 
Horsehead, New York, who lived to the patri- 
archal age of 100 years. 

^, : :.43^t>^;. : : *- 

,~T\T A N VILLE BARB Eli, a prominent 
/ \/ \, i-ancher residing in Sacramento, has had 
"^i^^ a life which forcibly illustrates what 
may be accomplished by definite aim arid con- 
centrated energy. He was born on the 3d of 
June, 1829, in St. Lawrence County, in the 
northern part of the State of JSfew York. He 
was the eldest son of Otis and Laura (Welsh) 
Barber, both natives of the Empire State, and 
engaged in farm life. During his childhood his 
parents removed to Avon, Lorain County, Ohio, 
near Lake Erie and not far from Oberlin; but, 
although living almost within tlie shadow of the 
famous college at that place, young Barber 
could not avail himself of its advantages, as he 
was obliged to labor upon his father's farm ex- 
cept during the winter months, when he at- 
tended the district school, at a considerable 
distance from home. At the age of nineteen 
he had an idea of becoming a ship-builder; but 
us the prospect in that direction did not brighten 
up, he went to Sheffield, Ohio, to learn the trade 
of carpenter and joiner, and then to Wellington, 
same State, where he learned the trade of car- 
riage-builder and became proficient. Next he 
was clerk in a mercantile house, and then had 



charge of the Wadsworth House for a season. 
This was the finest hotel in Wellington. While 
there, and while yet but twenty-two years of 
age, he fell in wiih a party of railroad surveyors 
who were on their way to Tehuantepec, Mexico. 
Thus, in a company of strangers, he ventured to 
a strange land. Going to New Orleans by rail, 
and to Vera Cruz by ship across the Gulf, 
he began work in the new position; but six 
months of that kind of life satisfied him, and in 
the spring of 1852 he returned home. The 
spirit of adventure, however, still tired his blood, 
and in January, 1853, he again turned his face 
westward, the land of gold and sunshine being 
this time the objective point. Coming by way 
of the Nicaragua route, he was one of the 400 
passengers who were wrecked on the steamer 
Independence on the island of San Margarita, 
February 16, 1853, when 200 lives were lost. 
Here were apparent the advantages of the skill 
he had obtained in early life on the banks of a 
great inland sea; for he was an expert swimmer, 
and this ability alone saved his Hfe. Forced by 
the devouring flames to trust himself to the 
deep, he was tossed by wind and wave and suf- 
fered almost incredible hardships until he at 
length reached the shore. What then? San 
Margarita is a barren island off the coast of 
Lower California, a mere rock, uninhabited and 
desolate. Here for three days, without shelter 
or food and almost without hope, were huddled 
together 200 human beings! Fortunately they 
were able to attract the attention of those on 
board a fleet of small whale-ships, and they came 
to the rescue. One of these vessels, containing 
the subject of this article, four weeks later 
reached San Francisco, and with $100 in his 
belt, the savings of many a hard da3''s toil, Mr. 
Barber stepped ashore upon the land of promise. 
To eee this strange world, and to obtain a fortune 
in its gold-tields, was his dream bnt alas! which 
so few realize, yet which happily came to hiin, 
"after many days." Coming to Sacramento, 
the starting-point for all gold-seekers in this 
State at that early day, he went successively to 
Folsoin, Mormon Island, Auburn, Red Dog and 



UISTOUT OF SAOBAMENTO COUNTY. 



Marysville. " Dead broke," he returned to Sac- 
ramento and became a disliwasher at one of the 
hotels, and next at Miutral Point for an old 
man named Harvey, and then at the Dawson 
House on Fourth street, where the St. George 
building now stands. Soon after this he obtained 
employment from Kippon ct Hill, wagon- makers 
on J street, at $75 a month. A bone felon, 
which developed at this time, compelled him to 
give up this position, and, as soon as he was 
able, he began teaming for George Elder, who 
was engaged in the "China trade," that is, 
hauling Chinese laborers to and from the mines. 
He soon saw there was money in this, and in 
1854-"55 he started in for himself and continued 
it fur four years. In 1859 he made a visit to 
the East, returning in the summer of 1861 w'ith 
a drove of horses, which he had purchased in 
Ohio, and which were driven across the plains 
and sold here in Sacramento at a profit. It had 
long been his desire to become a merchant, and 
in the fall of 1862 an opportunity otiered, and 
he went to Woodland, Yolo County, and entered 
into partnership with F. S. Freeman, who has 
since become noted as a buyer of wheat and as 
a prominent business man. After four years 
operations in Woodland, Mr. Barber returned to 
Sacramento, and, in connection with John Real, 
bought the Phoenix Mill, and for six years had 
charge of the same. In 1884 he purchased the 
Capay Valley ranch of 1,500 acres in Yolo 
County, and afterward other ranch property ad- 
jacent to the town of Williams in Colusa County; 
and in 1888 he purchased the River ranch in 
Yolo County, nine miles from this city, where 
he is now engaged in raising alfalfa and fine 
stock. His home on H street, which he 
built in 1873, combines the comforts and ele- 
gance which aifluence alone can give; and here, 
in the autumn of his days, he is able to enjoy 
the material results of a well-spent life. In his 
political principles, Mr. Barber is an outspoken 
Republican, and has twice been honored by his 
party with a nomination for County Treasurer. 
He is a veteran Odd Fellow, being a member of 
Sacramento Lodge, No. 2, and is also a member 



of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. He was 
married September 3, 1863, to Mrs. Julia A., 
daughter of Peter Gallup, a native of Connect- 
icut. By her previous marriage she had one 
daughter, Ella A., who is now the wife of A. G. 
Folger, of Sacramento. Mr. Barber has one 
daughter, Laura R.. now the wife of Frank 
Hickman, of this city. 



T-'tTKXDALL KERTH, capitalist. Among 
\/\/,, those who, coming to the United States 

l'==sj;^' from a foreign land, have achieved af- 
fluence under our benign institutions, may be 
mentioned the subject of this sketch, — Wendall 
Kerth, of Sacramento, a native of Bavaria. The 
story of his early struggles and his later tri- 
umphs carries with it a lesson which many of 
the present generation might do well to heed. 
He was born at Gravenhausen, on the Rhine, 
March 15, 1819, his parents being Henry Kerth 
and Mary (Hauk) Kerth, the father, by occupa- 
tion, a small Bavarian farmer. Compulsory 
education was the law in his native country 
then, as now, and also a term of service in the 
Landwehr (the German army). At the ex- 
piration of his term of service his parents were 
both dead, and he determined to emigrate to 
America. He set sail from Havre on the 15th 
of January, 18-t7, and, after a voyage of tifty- 
tive days, landed at New Orleans, where he had 
a relative, Mr. Henry Sibel, a butcher of that 
city. There he remained two years. The 
trials of a foreigner in a strange land are 
graphically described by Mr. Kerth. He was 
determined to "get on;" he picked black- 
berries, drove a cart, worked for Sibel at $10 a 
month, and, after a time, made sufficient money 
to buy a stand in the market. When the Cali- 
fornia gold fever broke out in 1849, he was 
making $70 to $80 per month. He sold out to 
Sibel, however, and came to California via Pa- 
nama, paying $175 passage money from Cha- 
gres to San Francisco. During the voyage the 
captain was drunk, they ran short of water and 



IIISTOHT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



were nearly wrecked, but finally, after a trip 
which will not soon be forgotten, they reached 
San Francisco. There he met an old acquaint- 
ance, Gerald Spone, and together they went to 
Nevada City and the Grass Valley mining dis- 
tricts, and began mining. lie was not very suc- 
cessful, but at length, after many vicissitudes, 
made a little money at Cook's Bar. He was 
glad to leave the place, however, and return to 
Marysville and Sacramento, where, little by 
little, lie gained headway and made money. In 
1862 he went to Europe, and visited the scenes 
of his boyhood, being gone three years in 
all. Returning to California in 1865 he made 
two investments, one being a seventeen-stamp 
quartz mill in Amador County, the other a 
ranch on the Cosurnnes Kiver of 2,000 acres. 
In 1872 he made a second trip to Europe, and 
was absent about eight months. He has since 
acquired an interest in another large ranch on 
the Cosurnnes River. Mr. Kerth was never 
married, but makes his home with his sister, 
Mrs. Louis Nicholaus, of this city. 



:i^. 



tATHANlEL JEROME BRUNDAGE, 
retired farmer of Sacramento, was born in 
Erie County, New York, in Pendleton 
Township, near Niagara Falls, five miles from 
Lockport, April 9, 1823. When he was a small 
boy his parents removed to Genesee County, 
that State, where he received his education, at- 
tending the common schools during the winter, 
and working on the farm during the summer, 
until he became of age. Going then to Alex- 
andria, same county, he was employed by J. C. 
Farnham, a marble dealer, and learned the trade 
of stone-dressing and lettering, working for his 
board. In 1845 he went to I^eroy, that county, 
and worked for five years for Orrin Starr, of the 
firm of Starr «& Gordton, proprietors of marble 
works. September 6, 1849, he married Miss 
Mary O;innon, a native of England. In 1850 he 
moved to K(ind du Lac, Wisconsin, with his 
family, "took up" a quarter-section of land. 



built a log cabin and began clearing the place 
for cultivation; but he soon rented it and 
worked at his trade for a year and a half in 
Milwaukee, while his family remained on the 
farm. On this homestead his three children, 
Mary Jane, Virginia and Nelson W., were 
born. On quitting Milwaukee Mr. Brundage 
went to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and for a time 
was engaged in the marble business. He 
moved his family to Oshkosh, that State, for a 
season, and then returned to the farm, and for 
several years alternated between that place and 
Sheboygan. His wife died at Sheboygan in 
1856. He then moved to Fowd du Lac County 
and entered into partnership with Michael 
McNeal in a stone quarry, and in lime works. 
In the autumn of 1857 he married Mrs. Phebe 
Riley, a daughter of James Meader, who was a 
farmer of Canada East. At the time of this 
marriage she had four children: Ann, who af- 
terward died at the age of sixteen years; Emma, 
now the wife of Charles Pinkerton, of Iowa; 
John, who died at the age of ten years; and 
Addie, now the wife of James AV^ood, of Iowa. 
By the present marriage there have also been 
four children: Frank, Leroy, Ella and Warren; 
the last named died at the age of six years. Mr. 
Brundage continued to reside in Fond du Lac 
County, working at his trade in marble and 
granite, and also conducting his farm until the 
fall of 1872. His wife's sister, Mrs. William 
Daniels, then residing in California, wrote to 
them of the glories of this State, and Mrs. 
Brundage came and visited her. She was so 
well pleased with the country that she desired 
to make it her permanent home. Accordingly 
Mr. Brundage came and bought 200 acres of 
land near by, in Franklin Township, about six- 
teen miles south of Sacramento, this county, 
whe'?-e they lived seven years. Then he bought 
property on M street, in the city, where he has 
since resided, enjoying the well earned comforts 
of an industrious life. In his political sym- 
pathies he is a Republican, but does not take a 
public part iji civil affairs. He is a member of 
Metomen Lodge, Wisconsin, I. O. O. F., and 



Ul STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Mrs. Brundage is a member uf tlie order of 
Daiighttrs of Ilebekah. 



fR. E. J. SWANSON, specialist, Sacra- 
mento, was born in the city of New York, 
in 1854:. His early education was ob- 
tained at the public schools of that city, at Clin- 
ton Colleoje, at Philadelphia and at Charleston, 
South Carolina. He has practiced his profes- 
sion in New York, St. Louis, Chicago and New 
Orleans, and came to the Pacitic Coast, in Aug- 
ust, 1887, locating in Sacran.ento, corner of 
Tenth and 1 streets, making a specialty of 
chronic diseases, and has over 2,500 patients. 
His laboratory and parlors are commodious and 
elegant, and the Doctor is a man of remarkable 
perceptive powers. His business is rapidly in- 
creasing here and throughout the United States. 

fNNE A. KRULL. — Among Sacramento's 
worthy citizens who have amassed a for- 
tune by the cultivation of the soil, the 
gentleman whose name heads this sketch stands 
at the front in results attained. He was born 
December 6, 1834, in Holland. His father, 
Ayelts Krull, a native of Hanover, died when 
the subject of this article was but one year old. 
During those times Holland was a scene of 
turbulence, and Mr. KruU's maternal uncle, 
Klaas Swart, who was a Liberal and opposed to 
a monarchial government, came to America in 
1844, and traveled over a considerable portion 
of the United States, and determined that at 
some future time he would return here and 
make this country his jiermanent home. Re- 
turning to his native country, however, it was 
some years before he could satisfactorily dispose 
of his large and landed interests and personal 
property; but after completing his business he 
came to the land of opportunity, in company 
with an elder brother, Folkert by name, and 
his mother, nee Catharine Swart. They came 



by the United States mail steamer Arctic, and 
after many delays they reached New York city 
about the 1st of June, 1854. His uncle went 
directly to Elkhart, Indiana, and bought a sec- 
tion (640 acres) of land. The two younger 
KruUs purchased a small farm of forty acres 
near by, on time for the larger portion of the 
purchas-e, and began working by the month fur 
the means whereby to pay the balance. After 
four years of hard labor and economical man- 
agement, they had not only paid this debt, but 
had $700 in cash, with which they determined 
to come to California. Accordingly, they went 
to Chicago, then down the Mississippi River to 
New Orleans, crossed the Gulf of Mexico and 
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and thence to 
Acapulco, connecting there with the steamer 
Pacific, of the Panama line, and arriving at 
San Francisco December 28, 1858. About the 
1st of Januai'y following they came to Sacra- 
mento, went down the river fourteen miles and 
found employment on the ranch where Lewis 
Winter lives. Afterward they purchased a 
ranch on Merritl's Island, and engaged in the 
raising of potatoes and garden products, haul- 
ing their produce to Placerville and other 
mining districts, where excellent prices were 
obtained. Thus they continued for six years, 
when Mr. Krull's brother returned to Indiana. 
In the meantime, in 1866, Mr. Krull bought 
336 acres additional on Merritt's Island, paying 
for it $1,500. This tract he afterward sold for 
$30,000! In 1868 he exchanged property for 
480 acres in Lee Township, and subsequently 
acquired property in other localities. In 1881 
he bought his present 350-acre farm near Florin, 
and resided there five years. In the meantime, 
in the fall of 1886, he purchased a residence on 
the corner of Nineteenth and M streets, and 
moved his family into town. In 1887 he sold 
this property and purchased his present place of 
residence, 2201 O street. Of later years Mr. 
Krull has been largely interested in live stock 
and the growing of alfalfa, making a specialty 
of alfalfa seed. His crop of the latter for 1887 
alone was valued at $3,300. In his religious 



UltiTOIiY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT V. 



relations Mr. Krull is a member of the Presby- 
terian Churcli, and in politics a Prohibitionist. 
In 1888 he was a candidate on the Proliibition 
ticket for supervisor of the county, and he ex- 
pects to live to see his principles vindicated at 
the polls. He was first married in 1872, to 
Miss Rebecca Schlater, a native of Ilolstein, 
Germany, who died in 1875. January 1, 1879, 
he married Marietta Savage, a native of New 
Brunswick, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Krull have 
two children, Delia and Albert. 



^j^ M. LUCKETT, general foreman of the 
■^fflL locomotive department of the Southern 
"opl® Pacific Railroad shops, Sacramento, came 
here in 1873, went to work in the machine de- 
partment as a machinist, was appointed foreman 
of the machine shops at Terrace, Utah, re- 
mained there two years and eleven months, and 
returned to the Sacramento shops and served as 
gang foreman for eleven months. Then he left 
the company and entered the employ of the 
Virginia & Truckee Railroad, and was foreman 
of the shops at Carson for two years; next he 
went to Bodie, where he became master me- 
chanic for the Bodie & Benton Railroad about 
a year. Leaving Bodie on account of his health, 
he returned to Sacramento and re-entered the 
employ of the Central Pacific as gang foreman, 
in 1882. Two years later he was promoted to 
the position of foreman of the machine shops, 
and since that time has been general foreman. 
He is a native of Maryland, born in Frederick 
County, October 1, 1849, was reared there and 
learned the machinist's trade in the Baltimore 
& Ohio shops at Grafton, being there four years 
all together. Next he was employed for a time 
in the Mt. Clare shops at Baltimore; then en- 
tered the Pittsburg Locomotive Works, and 
later the shops at Louisville for the Louisville 
& Nashville Railroad Company; was gang fore- 
man there two years. In 1873 he came to 
California and entered the railroad shops as 
mentioned. His parents were J. C. and Mary 



A. (Graham) Luckett, his father a native of 
Maryland, and mother, of Virginia. They now 
live in Hamilton, Loudoun County, Virginia. 
Mr. Luckett has evinced a great capacity for 
heavy responsibilities, being energetic and 
thoroughly competent. 



l^ENRY EHRHARDT was born in Germany 
IB] in October, 1835, his parmts being John 
^1 and Theresa Dorothy (Gehrholdt) Ehr- 
hardt. The mother was born November 4, 
1800, and died on the same day in 1847. The 
father died in June, 1887, in his seventy-seventh 
year. Henry lived with his grandfather Ehr- 
hardt, for whom he had been named, from the 
age of eight to fourteen. The father and step- 
mother with five children came to America in 
1850, landing at Baltimore on the 20tli of Aug- 
ust. They went thence to Chariton County, 
Missouri, where three brothers of John Ehrhardt 
were already settled; and it took two months to 
get there by railroad and the canal boat on the 
Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. After 
two years the father came to Utah, and in 1853 
to California, where he went to mining for a 
short time near Folsom, but with little success. 
Henry Ehrhardt came to California also in 1853, 
direct from Missouri, with 400 head of cattle. 
In passing along Blue River — all except six of 
the twenty men and two women were sick with 
mumps. Mr. Ehrhardt, being one of the well 
ones, stood guard night and day for the cattle 
during four weeks. After arriving here he 
mined about two months, in the spring of 1854, 
for $30 a month and expenses, in the employ of 
James M. Stephenson, for whom he worked in 
all nearly three years. He then went to herding 
sheep at $40 a month for about eighteen months. 
He had some knowledge of the business from 
boyhood, his grandfather having been engaged 
in sheep business in Hesse Cassel, where he 
lived. In 1857 his brother John and he in- 
vested $1,750 in sheep, for which they found 
free range on Govern meut a:id school lands. 



HISTORY OP BACRAMBNTO COUNTY. 



After three years and ten inontlis tliey sold out 
for $L4,500 in cash. In 1860 Henry Ehrhardt 
made his iirst investment in land, buying 320 
acres; he has been buj'ing land at intervals ever 
since, and now owns about 4,000 acres. He 
raises wheat, barley, oats and alfalfa; keeps 
three to fonr hundred head of cattle and eighty 
to 100 cows for dpiry purposes. Mr. Ehrhardt 
has been School Trustee about twelve years; is 
a member of the " Christian" Church, and of 
the order of Chosen Friends. He was married 
April 12, 1803, to Miss Elvesta George, a na- 
tive of Iowa, and daughter of Andrew and Mary 
E. (Johnson) George, who came to California in 
1852, settling first at Diamond Spring. In 
1854 Mr. George came to this township, and 
kept the Twelve-Mile House on the Lower 
Stockton road for a time. In 1856 he Longht 
a ranch three miles farther south, and built a 
tavern and other buildings, the place becoming 
known as Georgetown, from the name of its 
founder. He died in 1869, aged forty-eight, 
and Mrs. George died in 1886, aged about fifty- 
six. Georgetown is now Franklin. 



f5,DWIX ALLYX BURR was born in the 
': rity of Hartford, Connecticut. October 12, 
^ 1822, and is a descendant of parents whose 
history dates back to Revolutionary times. His 
father, Chauncy Burr, died when Edwin was a 
boy, but his mother, Sarepta A., daughter of 
Ethan Allen, lived to an advanced age. Mr. 
Burr was the eldest of six children, — educated 
at the public schools of his native city, and like 
otlier Xew England boys was taught a trade, — 
that of saddler and harness maker. He served 
five years as an apprentice, two years more as a 
journeyman in the shop of Smith & Bowen, the 
now celebrated firm of Hartford. At the age 
of twenty-two he married Elizabetli O. Alcott. 
She was boin in Middletown, Connecticut, the 
granddaughter of Jonathan Alcott, of Hartford, 
Connecticut, who died when he was over 100 
years old. At the age of twenty-three, he with 



his young wife emigrated to the wilds of Wis- 
consin, and settled at Beloit, where for six or 
seven years he carried on his trade. In 1851 
Colonel Darius Fargo, then a resident of Cali- 
fornia, went to Beloit on a visit, and on his re- 
turn to the Golden State induced young Burr 
to join him, which he did, lea"'ing his wife be- 
hind; indeed, a large party was made up by the 
Colonel, who came direct to Sacramento. To 
save expense, for living was expensive in those 
days, young Burr began at once to work, receiv- 
ing only his board at first, then for monthly 
wages, in the confectionery store of George 
Nagle. In the fall of 1851 he bought out a 
bake-fehop on Sixth street, between I and J, and 
after about six montiis he returned East for his 
wife, determined to make California his future 
home; he intended to return at once but found 
it impossible to obtain passage, so great was the 
rush, and so limited the accommodations. He 
waited three months, and then paid $640 for 
two tickets. Upon his return to Sacramento, 
he engaged in the restaurant business on J 
street, still, however, retaining an interest in the 
bakery. The great fire of 1852, which swept 
the city from Eighth street to the Levee, 
"cleaned him out;" but with characteristic New 
England pluck he started again before the ashes 
were cold. Six or eight mouths later he started 
a confectionery business on J street, between 
Third and Fourth, and here he was burned out 
for the second time, in the fire of 1854, his 
bakery also being burned the same time. It was 
about this time that he went to Folsom, in this 
county, where he built the postoffice building 
and a bakery. There was no railroad to that 
point at that time, and he was compelled to get 
off at Alder Creek, on the Yalley Road, and 
walk the rest of the way. In less than one year 
he returned again to Sacramento, and opened a 
second-hand furniture store, corner of Third and 
K; and less than a year after he, requiring 
larger accommodations for his increased busi- 
ness, rented the corner lot. Fifth and K, for 
$150 per month, and built a one-story brick 
store house. His excessive losses however had 



IIISTOIIY OF SACItAMKNTO VOUNTY. 



crippled liis means, iiiid he gave it up finally 
and oni;a<;od fur a year as clerk with Jlillikin 
I'l-othiTS, on J street, and nt'torwanl they sent 
him lu (irizzly Flat, El Donidu C\)iiiity, to 
take charge of the store at that j)laeo, where 
he remained for another year. About this time 
the Goss & Lambert Couipany began putting up 
a ten-stamp quartz mill, anil Mr. Hurr was en- 
gaged to take cluu'ge of liie woik as superin- 

returned to yaeramento, and engaged iu the 
livery business on Nintii street, and later in the 
feed business on J street, where he was once 
more burned out he, however, started further 
c'own the street; but in the meantime he inter- 
ested himself in teaming, soon after the second 
fire, and ran three teams to Nevada City, Aurora 
and Silver Mountain, mining towns, and re- 
ceived 113^ cents per pound for freight. He was 
in the feed business until 1884, when he retired. 
In 1876 he made a trip East with his wife, 
visiting the Centennial E.\hibition at riiiladel- 
phia, and revisiting the old New England home. 
He was absent over three months, and returned 
fully convinced that, although there doubtless 
are other fine ami desirable places in the world, 
still California has no equal under the sun. 
For two and twenty years Mr. Burr and family 
have resided at their home on O street, in this 
city; there their two sons, Charles C. and Rich- 
ard P., were born; there they lived during the 
trying times of the floods of 18l)2-'63, when for 
throe months the only approach to the residence 
was by boat. Dreadlul times, indeed! but they 
survived, and the afHuence of to-day testifies to 
the i)luckand perseverance with which his many 
trials and disapjiointmeiits have been met. 



ills. C. II. SCHAPER, residing near 
Roseville, was born April 27, 1821), in 
Germany, cacne to America in 18-18, and 
married J. C. II. Schaper April 23, 1850, at St. 
Louis, Missouii. Mr. Schaper was born in (-ier- 
manv November 24. 1S2(). son of .Vn.lrew S.-ha- 



per, and was a carpenter by trade, which busi- 
ness he learned in Germany. lie also came to 
America in 1848, landing at Baltimore. The 
first five years in this country he spent at St. 
Louis, working at his trade. April 6, 1854, he 
started across the plains for California, and 
reached Sacramento October 1. As there was 
but little demand for work in his line in the city 
at that time, he went to the mines at State's Flat, 
and folhiwed mining eighteen months, except- 
ing four months, when he was in Sacramento. 
September 10, 1857, he purchased IGO acres, 
where he now resides and where he has built a 
house and made all the improvements there are 
on the premises, and added eighty acres to his 
real estate by purchase from the railroad com- 
pany. June 29, 1885, he was burned out with 
great loss; but he soon afterward rebuilt. The 
place is sixteen miles from Sacramento and three 
miles from Roseville. Mr. Scliaper died Janu- 
ary 31, 1889, at the age of si.xty-eight years, 
two months and six days, leaving a wife and 
lour daughtei's to mourn his loss, which indeed 
is a severe one, for he was a kind husband and 
father. He was a member of Roseville Grange, 
No. 1(U; also a member of the United Ancient 
Order of Druids, No. t>. The children are: 
Augusta Louie, and Willie, deceased; Caroline, 
wife of William Harms, of Yolo County;* Will- 
helmina, wife of Edward Palm, of YoloCount3-; 
Doretta and Lutzina. The two latter are twins, 
and are at home to lighten the burdens and sor- 
rows of their mother. The farm, which is in 
a gooil state of cultivation, is devoted to grain 
and hay. 

•^•■ ? . ] .. i . S 



^-?T miCHAEL O'MEARA, (Miief of the Fire 
M/ y l>epartinent of Sacramento city, was 
~~nir" born in St. Louis, Missouri, October 10, 
1850. Two years later his father, Michael M., 
Sr., left home and came to California, where the 
family joined him two years afterward. Early 
in life, "Mike," as he was called, began to make 
bis own way in the world, selling papers on the 



UlUTOHY OF tiACUAMBNTO COUNTY. 



Streets of Saoriiineiito, outside of scliool hours. 
During tliis time lie took special interest in all 
that pertained to Confidence Hose, No. l,of the 
old volunteer tire department, of which his 
father was at that time steward. For this he 
acted as "torch boy" wlien only twelve years 
old. At eighteen he became "e.\tra man" for 
that company, and afterward treasurer and fore- 
man. At the age of twenty-one he became a 
full member of the engine company. This was 
before the organization of the paid department, 
in March, 1873. i3ut Mr. O'Meara had some- 
thing else to do besides running to the fires 
with the boys, for under the superintendence 
of Joseph Eailey he was learning the trade of 
bricklayer, working upon the Capitol building, 
which was in process of construction at that 
time. In this occupation lie was employed 
until 1881. Upon the formation of the paid 
fire department he was appointed Assistant 
Chief Engineer, which position he held until 
July, 1887, when he was made Chief of the de- 
partment. Mr. O'Meara is one of the self-made 
men of the city. To liis native sense and energy 
are due tiie self-reliance and prompt decision so 
peremptorily ngcessary in the trying position 
wliicii lie occupies. Notwithstanding his busy 
life, he has found time to devote to several fra- 
ternal and benevolent societies, among which 
may be mentioned Capital Lodge, No. 87, I. O. 
O. F.; Columbia Lodge, No. 42, K.of P.; Red 
Cloud Tribe, No. 41, L O. R. M., and the Coven- 
ant Mutual, lie was married in May, 1874, to 
Miss Margaret, daughter of T. Foley, of this 
city. 



[ILLIAM GUTENBERGEK, i)rominent 
among the enterprising manufacturers 
of Sacramento, was born August 25, 
1828, on the river Rhine, in Western Prussia. 
lie is a descendant of the celebrated Joliann 
Gutenberg, who invented the art of printing in 
1438. His father's name was Philip. His 
mother, wliose maiden name was Catherin 



Kluinp, was a native of the town of Ellerii 
Kohlener, Germany. When fourteen years old, 
William was sent to Coblentz, where he served 
his time learning the trade of molder in one of 
tlie factories on Stepliane Strasse, one of the 
principal streets of the city. Here he was em- 
ployed for seven years, and then took a contract 
for manufacturing stoves; afterward he went to 
Bremen and engaged in the same business. In 
1852 a party of five young men from tlie Bre- 
men shops, among whom was our subject and 
William Klump, a relative, embarked on the 
German ship Ilepublic for America, the land of 
opportunity. Storm tossed and nearly wrecked 
for forty-five days on the ocean, they landed in 
New York November 1, 1852. Soon afterward 
Mr. Gutenberger was engaged by Mr. D. D. 
Reid, of Hampton, Connecticut, and •began 
working in the malleable-iron shops, and con- 
tinued there two years, receiving as wages the 
first year $1 a day, boarding himself, and the 
next year did contract work. Subsequently he 
was employed at Waterbury, Meriden and Hart- 
ford, until the spring of 1855', when he emi)arked 
for California, on the Northern Light from New 
York to tlie Isthiuus, and thence by the steamer 
Sierra Nevada for San Francisco, arriving May 
28. His first employment in the Golden State 
was iu Shasta County, on what is known as the 
Middletown Ditch; then he came to Sacramento 
and for seventeen consecutive years was em- 
ployed in the Sacramento Iron Works, and now 
in the G. & N. Foundry. Commencing here 
as a journeyman, in less than two years he was 
promoted as foreman, which position he held 
during all the fifteen years Ibllowing. Then he 
started in business for himself, in company 
with Julius Leeman, a " Switzer," in the old 
Wigwam on Front street, between L and M, 
and was there two years and nine months, and 
then the boiler was blown up by an Italian 
named Garibaldi. He then bought out his 
partners and started alone; after that he bought 
the property where now located, and since then 
carried on the business alone. Within three 
years he had bought the entire business, and 



lllsroitY OF S.WHAM/CNTO VOUNTY. 



also tlie pniperty, 85 x ISO feet on Front street, 
for wliieli lie paid $S,000; and in lS7l-'72 he 
erected on this the huihlinj^s whicii wci-c Imrni'd 
July 17, ISS-J, l.y whifh iu' K.st $(Ut,(l(H», an.l 
tiiii-tv nuMi \V(MV thrown out ol eniploynienr. 
II.' I'chuilt and was hnrnt out ai;'ain, Octohcr 7, 
1SS7; hi' iii^ain roiiuilt during the succ-eedini^ 
winter. Mr. (}utonlK'r_!j;or was elected City 
'IViisU'c in 1S81, when, although a Democrat, ho 
rcccivi'tl Ihcsupportofinany Rejtuhlican friends, 
lie was married in 1S57 to Catharine Schweit 
zcr, a r.avarian lady who came to California in 
185(1. She was a niece ol'(ieor,-v Nuhss. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cuteidierircr have two children, viz.: 
Julia, now Mrs. llunken, aiid Wiliielmiua. Mr. 
(Tutenl)er{i;er is a member of El Dorado Lodge, 
No. 8, I. (). (). F., in which order lie lias held 
all tlR»otHces except that of Noble CJraiid; he is 

Kniirhlsof rvthiasand Kni.ditsof Honor. 






r.rin-hl, 



jNTON ^rK^•K^:, hopr 

;nship, was born in Dalhauscii, prov- 
ince of Westphalia, Prussia, now in the 
of Cermany, May 22, 1822, a son of 
Carl and Mary Meuke. His mother died in 1844, 
at the age of sixty-four years, and his father in 
1854, at the age of seventy-two. They Inul one 
son, Anton, and one daiiglitor Christine, who 
was married and died in the old country, the 
mother of several children. Marv Afenke. how- 



•y " 



form 



msband. Dierkes, had two 



sous: Frank, who died in New Orleans in 1852. 
after living there one year; anil Charles, who 
died ill Europe. Mr. Meuke, the subject of this 
sketch, was brought upon his father's farm until 
he was nineteen years of age, wliiMi, with the 
consent of his father, he weni f.. work f.r 
Anton Dierkes, from whom he learned the trade 
ot basket-making, remaining with him a year; 
tlieu he was salesman a year for Carl Uoecker; 
the next year he spent with Harry Spiudler, and 
then, in September, 18-1:3, he sailed (or America 
on the ship Agues from Hrenieu, commanded by 



Captain Bosso. After a voyage of fifty-two 
days he lauded in New Orleans, June 12, 1844. 



The 



worked 



radc fordiU'erent parties 
until May, 184(), when he enlisted in the Mexi- 
can War, in the Fourth iiOuisiana Kegiment, 
with the six-iiionths men. They were stationed 
at Matainoras until their time expired. Mr. 
Menko then followed his trade at the Crescent 
City. May 18, 1848, lie married Mary Wolker, 
a native of Oldenburg. In September, 1851, 
lie moved to St. Louis, Missouri, with three 
children, one of whom was born on the way. 
He worked at his trade in St. *Louis for a short 
time, with a man named Taylor, and in 1852 
he stai'ted out in the furniture business for him- 
eelf. April (i, 1854, he left for California, over- 
land, witli a party consisting of eighty-two men, 
winnen and children, arriving in Sacramento 
October 2. Here he commenced work at his 
trade, making baskets, cutting his wilhiws on 
the American River. In the spring of 1855 he 
tipened a fruit and confectionery store in a rented 
building on the Plaza, meanwhile continuing 
the maiml'aet are of baskets. lu ISof) he sold 
oul, rented a farm five miles north of Sacra- 
mento on the road to Marysville, where he fol- 
lowed agi-icultiire and the rearing of live-stock 
until iSlUI. Ketiirning then to Sacramento, he 
purchased a lot on J street between Ninth and 
Tenth, erected upon it the two-story building 
now occupied by Martin's hardware store, and 
lived there a sliort time. Then he followed 
farming again until the fall of 1S()2, on the 
outskirts of Sacramento, on the Nevada road. 
Returning again to the city, he opened a store 
on J street, between Fifth and Sixth, and dealt 
in music and fancy goods until the fall of 1876, 
when lie sold to John F. Cooper. In the spring 
of 1875 he rented a farm near Routier Station 
for the purpose of raising hogs, in which busi- 
ness he has ever since been engaged. In 1880 
he purchased the place, consisting of 114 acres. 
In 1883 he bought the place where lie resides, 
comprising 113 acres, and a short time previ- 
ously 215acres. All these places are in Hrightou 
Township, on the American River. One sea- 





^ 



^/^^^^C^ /^/^^^tyM 



H/STOny OF SArUAMENTO COUNTY. 



son, 1885, he made an exliibition of liops at 
New Orleans and Louisville, Kentucky, receiv- 
ing a diploma at each place. He has 200 acres 
devoted to this crop. For the last five years he 
has raised more hops than any other man in the 
world. During the years 1887-'88 he raised 
2,200 bales each year. In 1883, when hops 
were scarce, he sold his crop of over 78,000 
bales at a net profit of §60,000, which would 
have been still larger if he had held on a little 
while! In fruit he has eighty acres, — 20,000 
trees. Mr. and Mrs. Menke have four children: 
Josie, born July 13, 1853, in St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, and now the wife of John J. Glocken, of 
Sacramento; A. R., born April 7, 1855, in Sac- 
ramento; Henry George, born April 28, 1861; 
and F. W., February 13, 1863. They h ive lost 
four daughters and three sons, all dying young. 
What remains to be told is the credit, so cheer- 
fully accorded by him to Sarah, his wife, the co- 
builder of his fortune, the companion of his 
years; for to/ier industry, /;«;■ foresight, the ever 
vigilant, constant care of every detail, to her ac- 
tivity, business enterprise and what is called 
thrift, is due to a great extent the remarkable 
success which has been attained. Her name 
and her fame has gone al)road, and wiierever in 
all this broad land the raising of hops is known, 
there the name of " Mary Menke, the hop-wo- 
man of Sacramento " has become a household 
word. She has stood well by her husband in his 
life-work, and, possessed of a discriminating 
mind, has ever been a ready counselor and a 
helping hand. Not content with the ordinary 
methods in vogue, they have sought out and 
adopted new methods and new appliances. 
Their buildings, kiln-dryers, presses and appur- 
tenances are marvels of completeness, and mod- 
els of their kind. They spend large sums of 
money every year in these improvements. The 
Menkes find their chief market for their pro- 
duct in the great cities of the East, and with 
characteristic attention to detail they give also 
to this matter their pjrsonal attention, making 
frequent journeys to the Eastern markets, so 
that in all the great business centers not only 



are their names but their faces are known. Only 
fourteen years ago (1875) they " rented a small 
farm for the purpose of raising hops." That 
was the beginning; to-day they are known in 
every business center of the United States and 
Europe as the most extensive growers and deal- 
ers in the world. A few short years ago they 
were making baskets with their own hands, 
from willows cut from beside the softly flowing 
river; to-day they stand foremost among the 
most highly respected and honored of Sacra- 
mento. 



fAMES WEIR, deceased, ivas born Novem- 
ber 21, 1827, in Shieldmains, Ayrshire, 
Scotland, his parents being John and Eliza- 
beth Weir, who were farmers in Scotland, where 
they lived and died. They had a family of five 
children: Elizabeth, Jane, John, Jeanette and 
James. James was raised in Scotland. He had 
access to the public school, and received a good 
education in the higher branches. He wa< em- 
ployed as clerk in a grocery store, learned the 
trade, and followed it till he grew tired of it, 
and determined to come to America and try his 
fortune in this country. In 1853 he left Scot- 
land and landed in Canada, where he remained 
a short time, then went to Ohio and was there 
engaged a year at farming. In 1854 he started 
for California, coming via New York and Pana- 
ma. While crossing the Isthmus he was robbed 
of his baggage, consisting of his clothes and 
some valuable books which he prized highly, so 
that on landing in San Francisco he had noth- 
ing but the clothing on his back. He came 
iminediatel}' to Sacramento and went to the 
mines at Coloma, where he remained a year, 
but was not very successful. Abandoning it at 
last, he came to Sacramento County and ob- 
tained employment with John B. Taylor and 
Mr. Criies, but remained with neither very 
long. He then took up some land in Brighton 
Township, at that time a part of the Folsom 
grant, and had to pay the price of it several 



Uli^TOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



times over before the grant was confirmed. In 
1802 he sold tliat place, which is now owned by 
C. M. Boyce. He had an intention of return- 
ing to Scotland, but changed his mind and 
bdiight a place from llobert Patterson, on which 
he lived until 1875, when he bought the place 
adjoining, from Newell Kane. It contains 700 
acres of tine land, and has all the best improve- 
ments. Mr. Weir was married to Mrs. Ellen 
Sullivan, widow of Ccrnelius Sullivan, by whom 
she had one child, in April, 1863. ller maiden 
name was Kennelly. She was born in Ireland, 
and emigrated to this country in 1853, settling 
in Ontario County, New York. She was there 
married to her first husband, who died in 1858, 
and came to California by water in September, 
1851. Mr. and Mrs. Weir had five children, 
all of whom are living. Mr. Weir died De- 
cember 12, 1888, after an illness of about three 
weeks. lie was a man of strong convictions, 
and once forming an opinion generally abided 
by it. He took an active interest in farming, 
at which he was very successful, and gave most 
of his attention to it. To his family he was 
kind and good, taking pleasure in supplying all 
the wants of his children. He was a highly 
respected citizen in the community in which he 
lived, and his death caused the loss of a much 
honored neighbor and friend as well as a good 
husband and father. He was raised a Presby- 
terian from childhood, and lived up to the doc- 
trines of his religion to within a week of his 
death, when he embraced the Catholic faith. 
He left five children: Mary Elizabeth, Catharine 
Jane, Jeannette, Margaret Ellen and James M, 



«h..,+|*Jmj*|+ 



AD.VME ALMA vo.n TILLOW 



Th 



/ \/ V lady whose name appears at the head of 
~~~" this biographical notice is one who has 
endeared herself to the hearts and homes of the 
people of Sacramento, and we offer no apology 
in according to her this space in the historical 
work of the county, believing that too much 
cannot be said in ])raise of the work that she 



has set herself to do, or of the results which are 
being accomplished by her now popular method. 
A brief mention of her career cannot but be in 
teresting to the hundreds of people whose little 
ones will some time need the fostering care of 
just such a teacher to guide their youthful foot- 
steps along the rugged pathway to knowledge. 
The Madame is a native of the State of New 
York; was brought up amid the refinements of 
the most highly cultured society in the Empire 
State. When by the death of her husband in 
1879, in Wadsworth, Nevada, the duty of pro- 
viding for her boy devolved upon her unaided 
eflibrts, she bravely but quietly proceeded to 
make the most of whatever opportunities lay 
nearest at hand. She at once began teaching 
vocal and instrumental music, traveling from 
Eeno to Battle Mountain each week, to reach 
her pupils, who resided in all the larger towns 
between the above mentioned places. This 
proving too arduous, in the spring of 1881 she 
accepted an engagement with a conservatory of 
music in San BVancisco. Always a lover of 
little children, and peculiarly fitted by nature to 
have the care of them, she became interested in 
the study of the system of kindergarten as 
taught by Miss Emma Marwedel, of San Fran- 
cisco; and very soon became an assistant at the 
pioneer kindergarten of that city. In March, 
1883, she came to Sacramento and started a 
small class on G street, beginning with but five 
pupils; but she was thoroughly imbued with 
the spirit of her work, and accomplished re- 
sults which eventually brought the patronage 
and the support of the leading people of the 
Capital City. She advocates principles for all 
departments of school life, and claims for this 
application the fact that her school so much re- 
sembles a large, busy family affectionately in- 
terested in each other's work and play, though 
widely separated as to age. The day pupils, 
numbering over forty, are conveyed to and 
from the school in a handsome wagonette, being 
always accompanied by a teacher. Among 
them may have been noticed the children of the 
Governor of the Stale, Secretary of State Hen- 



lIlSTunr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



dricks, Chief Justice Beatty, Judges Van Fleet 
and Blanchard, Prof. E. C. Atkinson, A. L. 
llart, L. L. Lewis, Frank Miller, Preutis 
Smith, and most of the leading professional and 
linsitiess men of the city. The system of 
kindergarten and object-teaching for younger 
chiJdren, and the oral method for more advanced 
scholars, is becoming more and more popular 
wherever it is properly introduced; and it is to 
the lasting credit of Sacramento that such 
schools are receiving the patronage of her best 
citizens. Nor can too much credit be given to 
Madame von Tillow, through whose instru- 
mentality this system of teaching was first 
made a success. 



fOHN EIIRIIAPtDT was born in Germany, 
October 8, 1837, his parents being John 
and Theresa Dorothy (Gehrholdt) Ehr- 
iiardt. The mother di^d in 1847, aged forty- 
seven; the father survived her forty years. The 
subject of this sketch received about five years' 
schooling, and then became a helper to his 
father in iiis occupation of shepherd. The 
father, stepmother, and five children came to 
America in 1850, landing in l>altimore, Mary- 
land, August 20. Thence they proceeded to 
Missouri, by railroad for about two hours from 
Baltimore to the canal, then by the canal to 
I'ittsburg, by the Ohio to Cairo, by the Mis- 
sissippi to the mouth of the Missouri, and by the 
Missouri toward their destination in Chariton 
County, Missouri, where three brothers of the 
elder Ehrhardt were already settled. It took 
about two mouths to make the trip, owing 
chiefly to low water in the Ohio and Missouri. 
Arrived at the farm of one of his uncles, who 
owned about a section of land, John went to 
work as a sheplierd. In 1852 his father and he 
were hired to drive 7,000 sheep across the 
plains. They wintered near Salt Lake, and the 
herd was reduced to 2,400 when they reached 
Placerville, California. They arrived on the 



Cosumnes, within the borders of this county, 
June 20, 1853, fourteen months after they had 
set out from Missouri. The subject of tliis 
sketch soon afterward went to work as a shep- 
herd for Long Bros., in Yaca Valley, Solano 
County, at §50 a month, remaining two years, 
and then for Mr. llucker about fifteen months. 
In 1855, in partnership with his brother 
Henry, he bought $1,750 worth of sheep. Af- 
ter ten months they were sold at Colusa at $14 
a head, and the proceeds invested in another lot, 
which they sold three years later for $14,500. 
In 1860, being in poor health, Mr. Ehrhardt 
went East, being absent from March to Septem- 
ber, and on his return traveled to various points 
on the coast for about three years. 1^ 1863 he 
bought 1,240 acres on the Mokelumne for 
$4,000. There he raised cattle and horses and 
hay for feed, and for a time did a dairy busi- 
ness, milking eighty to 100 cows. In 1871 he 
drove some cattle to Modoc, where he bouo-ht a 
ranch, which he kept ten years. In 1876, find- 
ing his ranch on the Mokelumne too much sub- 
ject to overflow he sold it for $10,000; and in 
May, 1876, he bought his present location, two 
miles north of Franklin, 805 acres, wlicre he 
has since made his home. He has settled down 
to raising wheat mostly, b>it has not entirely 
abandoned his life-long interest in the gentle 
sheep, of which he keeps about 200. He also 
raises some horses for his own needs, and a few 
to sell. He tried cattle-raising, but did not 
find it profitable. He, however, owns a ranch 
of 440 acres in Modoc, bought in 1887, wliich 
is devoted to cattle-raising, under the care of 
his eldest son. In 1865 Mr. Ehrhardt was 
married to Miss Caroline Hollman (see below). 
They are the parents of six sons and one dauo-li- 
ter: George Edward, born February 5, 1867; 
Frederick William, July 25, 1869; Henry Les- 
ter, July 25, 1872; William Gardner, January 
18, 1876; John Amos, February 23, 1880; El- 
vesta, JSIovember 19, 1882; Newton Julian, Oc- 
tober 9, 1885. Besides the usual district-school 
education George E. took an academic course in 
Sacramento, and Frederick W. spent three 



UlSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUJSTY. 



terms at Washington College, in Irving, Ala- 
ijieda County. 

Mrs. Caroline (IloUman) Elirhardt, wife of 
John Ehrhardt (see above), was born in Chili, 
Jnly 28, 1847. Her father, William IIoll- 
nian, a native of the State of New York, a 
millwright and miller by trade, had gone to 
Chili to do some work in his line, and was there 
married to Miss Ellen Mar McAra, born in 
Scotland in 182P), daughter of Thomas and 
Jeanett (Jackson) McAra, who afterward emi- 
grated to Chili. Mr. McAra was an arcliitect, 
and was killed by a fall from a building. In 
1S4'J Mr. Ilollman left Chili for California 
with his wife and family, including the aged 
grandmother, Mrs. McAra, but died soon after 
his arrival in San Francisco, leaving four chil- 
dren: Frederick William, born March 12, 1843, 
was drowued in the overflow of the Mokelnmne 
in 1862; John, born in 1845, now rents 350 
acres of the Fay ranch, near the Ehrhardt 
place. He married Miss Emma Chapman. 
They are the parents of four daughters and one 
son; Robert, born iu 1877; Caroline, now Mrs. 
John Ehrhardt; Theresa, born in July, 1848, 
now Mrs. George W. Fountain, living below 
Courtland. They are the parents of two daugh- 
ters and one son. For Mrs. Ellen Mar Ilollman, 
by her second marriage Mrs. Marcus Lowell, 
see sketch of Amos M. Lowell. In her child- 
hood Mrs. Ehrhardt, with her brothers and sis- 
ter, attended the first Sunday-school in San 
Francisco, founded by liev. William Taylor, of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1850. Her 
grandmother, Mrs. McAra, is thought to have 
been the first white grandmother in San Fran- 
cisco; she certainly was the first that went to 
the Sunday-school. The HoUman family has 
been settled since about 1827 near Teekskill, 
New York, the present representatives of the 
homestead being Gardner, Hannah and Caro- 
line, all well advanced in years and unmarried. 
The house is a historic landmark, having been 
the resting place of Major Andre for one night 
on his way to Albany after his capture. Mrs. 
Ehrhardt, on a v'sit there in 1888, accompanied 



by her third son, Henry L., slept soundly in the 
historic chamber, but was much more interested 
in revisiting the scenes of her father's boyhood. 
Her grandfather, Frederick William Hollraan, 
a native of Berlin, Germany, was at one time 
owner of the Croton Mills, which were removed 
in the construction of the Croton Aqueduct, 
and it was he who purchased the present home- 
stead of the family. There are two other 
sisters: Louisa and Mary; Louisa was never mar- 
ried, and makes her home with her married 
sister. Mary Ilollman is the wife of William 
O'Donnell, a music-dealer in New York city. 
They are the parents of four children: William, 
Marcus, Gardner and Annie. The two oldest 
are writers on the metropolitan press; Annie is 
the wife of Walter Hamilton, a business man of 
that city, and Gardner is still eiigaged in per- 
fecting his education. 



tEGRAND R. DAfIS, of Sutter Township, 
was born May 16, 1824, in Prince William 
County, Virginia, son of Isaac Davis, a 
native of Kentucky, and a farmer, and Malinda 
Davis. His father had four brothers: Jilson, 
James, Travis and Harrison. Travis was stabbed 
and killed by a negro who was endeavoring to 
escape. Isaac Davis returned to Louisville, 
Kentucky, and remained there the rest of his 
life, dying at the age of fifty years; his wife 
died at the age of thirty- five years. In their 
family were three sons and three daughters: 
Mary J., Julia. Lyman R., Legrand R., Maria 
N., wife of L. Iv. Figg, of Louisville, Ken- 
tucky; and William, deceased. The subject 
of this sketch was raised on the farm. When 
young he worked at painting with the intention 
of learning the trade, but he abandoned that 
project and resorted to farming. Starting for 
California in 1849, he proceeded as far as St. 
Louis and there his funds gave out, and he 
heard of so much sickness on the Isthmus that 
winter that he was persuaded by his friends to 
remain. He then engaged in brickniaking for 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



\i. AY. Williams, and the next spring started 
again for California overland, leaving tiie Mis- 
souri River at the point where Kansas City now 
is; was four months making the trip, and had 
but little trouble with the Indians or with sick- 
ness. At one place they were halted by the In- 
dians, and one of the company exchanged horses 
with them. They overtook the whites and de- 
manded $20, which was given them. Near Ft. 
Laramie, Mr. AViiiiams was placed in command 
of this train, to succeed the previous captain, 
who had died; and Williams was afterward 
killed by a man named Hunter, at or near Salt 
Lake. The train halted, and the lawyers and 
judges whicii were in it conducted a formal trial 
of Hunter and discharged him. After that there 
was no trouble. They arrived at Sacramento 
August 20. Mr. Davis' first night's sleep liere 
was where the Plaza now is. Until February 
10 he worked in the Soutliern mines, and then 
one summer season on Feather lliver, being 
moderately successful. In the fall of 1851 he 
went to Benicia and burned brick for Timothy 
Sage two months. N"ext he purchased a tract 
of land four miles below Georgiana Slough, con- 
sisting of three-fourths of a mile or more. On 
tiiat he choppsd wool for about two years and 
sold it. In 1853 he sold that land, went to San 
Quentin and made brick for a season, for Gen- 
eral Taylor. At that place he lost about $600. 
During the next fall (1853) he purchased the 
sluop Bianca, of sixty tons register, said at that 
time to be the fastest boat on the river; and he 
used it for floating and hauling wood to San 
Francisco, in which business he made money. 
Ill the fall of 1854 he sold it, and it was after- 
ward sunk on the Sacramento. He had to take 
it back, at considerable loss, raise it, repair it, 
and he sold it again. About that time he pur- 
chased the place where he still resides, four miles 
from Sacramento, oft' the lower Stockton road. 
At that time it was a claim of about 200 acres, 
and he commenced at once to fence and improve 
it. He followed teaming over the mou itainsto 
Virginia City, his ranch being kept up mean- 
time. Since then he lias given his wliole atten- 



tion to agricultural pursuits. At present there 
are 200 acres of the home place, on which he 
mostly raises wheat, with remarkable success. 
He has also other land in crops. Altogether he 
has 500 acres in wheat, 140 in barley and 100 
in oats. Besides, he has about 2,000 vines and 
plenty of other fruit for family use. He is a 
member of the K. of P., and of Sacramento 
Grange, No. 12. Politics, Republican. He has 
made three visits to his home in Kentucky, and 
has crossed the Isthmus five times. He was 
married in 1870 to Emma L. Lennon, a native 
of Kentucky, and they have eight children: 
Newton B., Legrand R., Jr., George W., Lydia 
N., Florence M., Benjamin C, Raymond I. and 
Nellie P. 



tENRY FREDERICK WILLIAM DET- 
ERDING, deceased, was born in Han- 
over, Germany, June 11, 1818. At the 
age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to the 
wagon-maker's trade, at which he served three 
years; then, according to the custom of his na- 
tive country, he was sent out to spend five years 
in traveling and to learn the ways of the people 
and earn his own living, which was to serve as 
a part of his education. At the expiration of 
this time he returned to Hanover and opened a 
carriage and wagon shop, where he prosecuted 
the business until 1845, when he emigrated to 
the United States, landing in New York. Pro- 
ceeding on to St. Louis, he established himself 
there in his trade until 1851. In March of this 
year he started with two yokes of cattle and 
came overland to California, arriving in Sacra- 
mento September 24, 1851. The train con- 
sisted of five wagons, and they did not separate 
until they arrived at Shingle Springs, El Do- 
rado County. On arriving in Sacramento Mr. 
Deterding opened a shop on the corner of Ninth 
and J streets, where he carried on his trade with 
prosperity until April, 1853. Selling out, he 
removed to Diamond Spring, El Dorado County, 
where he openeil a general store, which was 



HI^rORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



managed by his wife while lie turned his at- 
tention to mining. This he continued until 
Fonie time in October following, when he sold 
out liis store and took a contract for hauling logs 
to a saw- mill at Mud Springs, now the city of 
El Dorado. In the fpring of 1854 he moved 
to Logtown, and again engaged in merchandis- 
ing. The next fall he moved his stock to Griz- 
zly Flat, same county, and carried on the 
business there until May, 1857. He then bought 
520 acres of land in Sacramento County, which 
still remains the same and belongs to two of 
his daughters. In the fall of 1857 he built a 
quartz-mill and dam about sixteen miles from 
Car.-on, Nevada, and did quartz-crushing there 
two years, his family meanwhile remaining on 
the farm here. The quartz business, however, 
])roved to be an unsuccessful venture, as he lost 
the $30,000 which he had put into it. Alter 
that he returned to the iarm. On this place 
was a hotel which he conducted, it being on the 
main thoroughfare for all the teaming and travel 
between Sacramento and Virginia City and 
that section of country. In 1879 business was 
entirely suspended and the hotel did not pay so 
well; but it was still kept open. The house is 
still standing. Mr. Deterding was successful in 
almost all his business pursuits, being a good 
manager and financier. In his political sympa- 
thies he was a Democrat. He died August 26, 
1879, and his wife June 18, 1885. Their mar- 
riage occurred in the old country, in 1845; she 
was a native of Germany and her maiden name 
was Wilhelmina Rosenberg. They brought up 
ten children, six daughters and four sons, as fol- 
lows: Mary, who died while crossing the plains; 
Louis, who died at tlie age of seventeen years, 
June 18, 1867; Christina, who died December 
14, 1885, at the age of thirty-three years; Julia, 
who died October 25, 1888, also at the age of 
thirty-three years; Charles William, Matilda, 
Isabella, Wilhelmina, William, who died in 
1869, aged five years; and Frederick, who died 
June 25, 1875, aged only one month. Charles 
William Deterding was born at Grizzly Flat, 
El Dorado County, May 19,1857, and madehis 



home with his parents until after the death of 
his father. His present place of 290 acres was 
purchased November 14, 1883, since which time 
he has been employed there. Previously for 
six years he also worked the home place. He 
has had from 800 to 1,800 acres in cultivation 
at one time. His orchard of 140 acres com- 
prises peaches, apricots, pears, plums, French 
prunes, figs, walnuts, almonds, oranges, lemons 
and limes, all of \Vhich are bearing. The vine- 
yard of tw^enty-live acres has Tokays, Muscats 
and a variety of wine grapes. Fine buildings 
adorn the premises. October 1, 1884, Mr. Det- 
eiding married Miss Mary, daughter of John 
Shields, whose sketch appears elsewhere, and 
they have had two children: Charles, born De- 
cember 10, 1885; and Mary, Ixirn February 27, 
1886. 



|=^JIIAM RIPLEY BECKLEY was born in 
WM Athens County, Ohio, March 2, 1835, his 
^C parents being Lucius Ripley and Mary Ann 
(Gorsline) Beckley. The father was a native of 
Ohio, and the mother of Indiana, her parents 
living near Fort Wayne. Grandfather Daniel 
Beckley married a Miss Camp, and both lived 
to a good old age, perhaps sixty years. In 1844 
the parents, with three sons and a daughter, 
moved to Van Buren County, Iowa, where the 
father was engaged for a time selling the product 
of a local pottery, chiefly to dealers. He after- 
ward moved to Lee County and went to farming 
near Montrose for two years, when he returned 
to his previous pursuit in Van Buren County. 
The grandparents also spent a few yeais with 
him in Iowa, but afterward went back to Ohio. 
In 1850 L. li. Beckley, with his wife and chil- 
dren, crossed the plains to California with three 
ox teams and some cows, forming part of a com- 
pany of over 100 persons and a train of thirty- 
eight wagons. The Beckleys left Bonaparte, 
Iowa, Ajiril 5, but did not cross the Missouri 
until about May 1, not daring to venture into 
the interior because of the backward condition 



ninruJiY OF SACliAilENrO COUNTY. 



of the grass that season. They arrived in Hang 
town, now Placerviile, September 20, 1850, 
whence the fatlier soon went forward to Sacra- 
mento to l)uy flour and other supplies with which 
lie started a bakery at Diamond Spring for a 
few months. In December, 1850, they moved 
to Sacramento, where the fatlier built the Wash- 
ington Hotel, corner of Fifteenth and J streets. 
After a few months he rented it to another 
party, and he conducted the Prairie House on 
the Placerviile road. There the mother died, 
June 5, 1851, and the family returned to the 
AYashington Hotel in Sacramento. In the spring 
of 1852 he was again married to Mrs. Plicebe 
Shaefier, a widow having one son. He was 
burnt out in the great fire of November, 1852, 
and soon afterward bought the Monte Cristo 
House on the Coloma road, which he carried on 
about three years. In 1855 he moved into 
Franklin Township, and the fortunes of the 
family have been connected with this township 
ever since. He first took up 320 acres about 
two and a half miles west of where Franklin 
now stands, with a frontage of one mile on the 
road to the Sacramento River. Soon afterward 
he bought about 1,000 acres five miles north of 
Franklin. He was elected Supervisor for the 
years 1855 and 1856, and was afterward Public 
Administrator for one term. He died M=iy 15, 
1859, after two or three years of broken health, 
leaving three sons and a daughter born of his 
first marriage: Benson D., born about 1833, 
now a rancher of Calaveras Coutity, and the 
father of four cliildren; Edmund J., born in 
1886 or 1837, a hotel-keeper in I'ortland, Ore- 
gon, and the father of one child; Mary Maria, 
born in 1838, by first marriage, Mrs. Isaac 
Allen, and by second, Mrs. S. F. Wheeler, who 
lived in tiiis county from 1850 to 1883, and 
died in Nevada County in 1885. P. R. Beckley, 
the subject of this sketch, worked with his father, 
and afterward ibr a time in charge of his ranches, 
almost continuously from boyhood until the 
death of the latter in 1859. Meanwhile he had 
bought 160 acres adjoining his father's place on 
the road from Franklin to the Sacramento, and 



about 320 acres of low land near the river. Mr. 
Beckley was married December 30, 1858, to 
Miss Sarah Clark Walton, born in Delaware, 
January 3, 1838, a daughter of William and 
Maria (Fountain) Walton, both now deceased, — 
the father, May 27, 1877, aged seventy-eight; 
the mother, December 25, 1885, aged seventy- 
six. The father was of English, and the mother 
of French descent. Their son, John Henry, 
died in Franklin, November 24, 1888, aged 
forty- two, of blood-poisoning, from what seemed 
at first a trifling wound in the hand. Another 
son, William J., died in Iowa, in 1854, at the 
age of nineteen. A daughter, Elizabeth J., was 
married to Dr. B. H. Pierson, one of the first 
residents of Woodland, Yolo County, and pre- 
viously for fifteen years a practicing physician 
in Sacramento. He died in Franklin, January 
10, 1883, leaving three children, now living 
with their mother in Auburn, Placer County. 
Another daughter, Esther Ann, was married to 
T. J. IloUowa}', a rancher of Santa Barbara. 
Tli"y are the parents of four daughters and two 
sons. Mr. Walton with his family came to 
Sacramento in May, 1856, from Iowa, where 
they had settled in 1849, at Farrington, Van 
Buren County. In 1857 they moved from 
Sacramento to the Twelve-Mile House on the 
Lower Stockton Road, which Mr. Walton car- 
ried on about three years. Early in 1859 Mr. 
Beckley built a new house on his place, which, 
however, he soon sold, being invited by his 
father to live near him on his upper ranch. The 
father's death in May threw the estate into 
court for distribution. In 1860 Mr. Beckley 
took charge of the Twelve-Mile House j)revi- 
ously run by his father-in-law. In 18(51 he 
bought the ranch of 320 acres now owned by 
Weller Freeman, about two miles east of Frank- 
lin. In 1864 he was elected County Assessor 
for two years. In December, 1866, he sold his 
ranch and settled in Georgetown, now Franklin, 
of which he has been a second founder. He 
bought four acres along the west side of the 
road, on which he has since erected the most 
substantial buildin;^s in the valley. He first 



HISTOliT OP SACBAMENTO COUNTY. 



put up a slore and dwelling, the former being 
now used as a saloon, having been replaced as a 
store in 1881 by the large two-story brick, a 
consp cuous landmark for miles around, of which 
the upper-story is used as a public hall. The 
dwelling of 1867 is embodied in the two-story 
building known as the Franklin Hotel, begun 
in 1885 and finished in 1887. In February, 
1867, Mr. Beckley opened his plajje for business 
as a general store which he conducted until 
1875, at the same time carrying on general 
farming on the McCraken ranch of 400 acres 
adjoining the village j.lat at its soutiiwest cor- 
ner, which he continued until 1885. Being 
elected Supervisor in 1875 he sold out his stock 
of goods and rented the sto.e. He entered on 
the duties of his office on the first Monday in 
October of that year, and retained it by re-elec- 
tion until 1882. After an intermission of seven 
years in official life he was appointed after the 
election of 1888 to the position of sub-sheriff, 
and entered on the discharge of its duties on the 
first Monday in January, 1889. He has been 
postmaster continuously since 1868. Mr. Beck- 
ley is a member of the Masonic brotherhood, 
and is a highly esteemed and public-spirited 
citizen of Franklin Township — a sort of genial 
head-center of all local interests. Mr. and Mrs. 
Beckley are the parents of ten children, the 
crown and glory of their useful, industrious and 
unpretentious lives: Lucius Ripley, born No- 
vember 23, 1859; William Walton. June 3, 1861 ; 
Mary Maria, January 8, 1864; John Augustus, 
December 26, 1865; George Irville, December 
16, 1867; Lizzie May, May 1, 1871; Isaac 
Freeman, May 25, 1873; Sarah Esther, March 
11, 1876; Laura Alice, January 14, 1877; and 
Ora Edna, July 17, 1883. Of these, the oldest 
daughter, Mary Maria, was married June 29, 
1882, to John W. Hall, a native of Canada, son 
of John E. and Jane Elizalieth (Benjamin) Hall, 
then residing in this township and now in Yolo 
County. John W. Hall had taught school in 
Georgiana Township nearly four years, when, 
at the age of twenty-six, he was accidentally 
drowned, April 1, 1884, while hunting ou the 



Whitcomb place, leaving two children: Elmer 
Ernest, born April 25, 1883, and a posthumous 
child, Myrtle Gertrude, born September 4, 1884. 
The children and their mother are members of 
the Beckley household. Lucius E., the oldest 
son of P. R. Beckley, owns 160 acres in Jenny 
Lind Township, Calaveras County; and William 
W.. the second son, owns an adjoining quarter 
section. 



ILLIAM CURTIS, rancher, was bora in 
' Watertown, Middlesex County, Massa- 
chusetts, August 11, 1831. His par- 
ents, John Thomas and Mary (Bailey) Curtis, 
natives of Lincolnshire, England, came two 
years previously to America. His father died 
May 1, 1850, and his mother, now nearly 
ninety-one years of age, is living with him, the 
subject of this sketch. She has made three 
trips from Massachusetts to California, twice 
by water and once by land. Of her family of 
five children, only two sons are living. At the 
age of sixteen years young William commenced 
driving a milk wagon into Boston, and con- 
linued in that business until he left for Cali- 
fornia. February 5, 1852, on the steamer 
Prometheus, he left New York city, and cauie 
by the Nicaragua route. Embarking on the 
steamer North America for San Francisco, the 
vessel was wrecked when four days out, near 
land, at night. She ran ashore about ninety 
miles below Acapulco. Mr. Curtis then traveled 
to Acapulco on Mexican ponies. Many of the 
passengers, however, had to walk, as there were 
1,100 of them. No lives were lost by the 
wreck. From Acapulco Mr. Curtis came in a 
sailing vessel to San Francisco, arriving May 
10. Where he now resides his bi-other was 
then living. After stopping with him a \'ev/ 
days, he went to Beale's Bar, on the North 
Fork of the American River, and tried gold- 
mining for two weeks, quitting then for want of 
water. His brother was taken sick and after 
his recovery returned to Massachusetts, and re- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



mained there until December, 1888. In his 
absence William took charge of the place, and 
in the course of two years became the owner. 
Up to three years ago- he kept a large dairy of 
eighty to 100 cows. During the past twelve 
years he has been engaged extensively in thresh- 
ing, and during the past seven years he has had 
many cattle in Arizona; has 1,200 head thereat 
present. He makes annual trips to that coun- 
try to look after his interests. On his property 
in this county he has about ninety head of 
horses, young and old, and about forty head of 
cattle. He has 1,500 acres of land in cultiva- 
tion on the Haggin grant, which he has been 
conducting for the past six years. Of the 
homestead tract, on the lower Stockton road, 
there are 200 acres. In the flood of 1852 he 
lost heavily in stock. W itli that exception he 
has been fortunate, and his management has 
been attended with great success. January 1, 
1862, is the date of Mr. Curtis' marriage to 
Susan AY. Potter, uf lone Valley, this State. 
They have two sons and three daughters, but 
the sons are deceased. William Roland died 
at the age of seventeen years, and Frederick P. 
at the age of four years and four months. The 
daughters are Carrie M., Alice Louisa and 
Edna. Politically Mr. Curtis has been a He- 
publican ever since the party was organized, 
and has been an active worker for the advance- 
ment of its principles, participating in the con- 
ventions, etc.; but he has never aspired to any 
office. He has always thought that his own 
business, well attended to, would pay as well as 
any other he could ever hope to reach. 



E. CHAMBERLAIN, one of the Cali- 
fornia pioneers, associated with Sac- 
* ramento since the early days, is a 
native of Dunstable (now Nashua), New Hamp- 
shire, born October 31, 1801, his parents being 
Elijah and Elizabeth (Kidder) Chamberlain. 
The Chamberlains are one of the early New 
Euicland families. Three brothers of that name 



came from England in the early colonial days, 
one of whom settled in Massachusetts. From 
him the subject of this sketch is directly de- 
scended. His father was an extensive Boston 
merchant, who had business interests at other 
places. The mother of the subject of this 
sketch was a native of Dunstable, New Hamp- 
shire, and her father was a minister there for 
many years. When W. E. Chamberlain, our 
subject, was an infant, she resided at Boston, 
but on account, of her health she went to Dun- 
stable to live. Daniel Webster, that great 
tigure in American history, was a relative, and 
sometimes made his home there, so that our 
subject was as intimately acquainted with him 
as with a brother. W. E. Chamberlain went to 
Hopkinton to pursue his education, and while 
there lived with an aunt, Mrs. Webster's 
mother. He attended school there and at Pel- 
ham and Hopkinton. While at Bradford he 
was compelled to quit school on account of 
being attacked with rheumatism. He wanted 
to go to West Point Military Academy, but his 
mother was unwilling. He entered a store at 
Andover, and in 1822 became a silent partner 
with Joel Carter in Boston. In 1824 the firm 
of Simpkins & Chamberlain, Boston, was 
founded. In 1827 Mr. Chamberlain went to 
Cincinnati, where he engaged as clerk in a 
store. He next went to Oxford, Ohio, where 
he engaged in business. In 1844 he went to 
Terre Haute, Indiana, where he was in business 
live years as a member of the exteusive firm of 
Craft & Chamberlain. On the morning of the 
1st of January, 1849, he started for his place of 
business, when he met some one who told him 
his extensive lard works were burned down. 
He proceeded to the scene and saw that the re- 
port was only too true, and that everything was 
destroyed. 'At 10 A. M. he returned to his 
home. When asked by his wife what he in- 
tended to do, he said he was going to California. 
In connection with three or four others a party 
was formed for that purpose, hue the others left 
Mr. Chamberlain out of the arr mgements, con- 
cluding he was too old. He, however, not dis- 



HISTOllT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



couraged, arranged with two other men, and 
tliey ontfitted and started, proceeding to St. 
Joseph, Missouri. They found it difficult to 
cross the river, and after that was accomplished 
many obstacles appeared ahead. There was a 
vast emigration ahead of them, and the grass 
was short; so they sold their wagons, having 
concluded to pack across. Before they got to 
Big Blue (two or three days after leaving the 
Missouri River), the signs of cholera became so 
numerous that Mr. Chamberlain's partners, 
Messrs. Ketchum and Barber, became alarmed. 
In the morning, after a very stormy night, they 
came to Mr. Chamberlain and proposed to go 
back. He told them he would not, but would 
give them $100, and take two mules and part 
of the supplies, and go ahead. Two of the party 
that had left Mr. Chamberlain out on account 
of his age, Mr. Crawford and Colonel Hook 
(afterward sheriff of San Joaquin County), were 
overtaken, and he joined with them. The three 
proceeded on to Little Blue River, and there 
Colonel Hook was taken sick. Crawford then 
insisted on going back, but Mr. Chamberlain 
would not have it that way, and proposed in- 
stead to wait until a train came along, and put 
Colonel Hook aboard. This was done, and the 
two others proceeded on their way. After 
making the last crossing of the Platte, and after 
they had proceeded out of sight of it, Mr. 
Chamberlain became very sick with the dysen- 
tery. He said, " I will have to stop and rest;" 
but the Indian encampment could be seen in 
the distance, and Mr. Crawford refused to wait, 
as he said they would be killed by Indians. 
Mr. Chamberlain put up his little tent, and they 
finished tlieir work of separating. Mr. Craw- 
ford was about leaving, when a train appeared 
over the hills, approaching them. The first 
wagon was that of a yonng Virginian, named 
Wilson. He put one of Mr. Chamberlain's 
mules into his team, and they proceeded to- 
gether. Mr. Chamberlain reached Sacramento 
August 23, 1849. A few days later he went 
with a young man from New York, to a point 
on the Mokelumne River, five miles from lone. 



and went to mining; but their efforts proved ' 
futile. He then went up on the Cosumnes 
River, and remained at Cook's Bar until spring, 
when he returned to Sacramento and purchased 
a little store from Lindley & Booth. Mr. Dye 
built a store on the Plaza to rent to him, and 
after renting it about a year, Mr. Chamberlain 
purchased it. He carried on business there 
until burned out by the great fire of November, 
1852. He was elected city treasurer, taking 
the office in 1854, and serving one year. The 
next year he was elected city clerk and auditor. 
In the spring of 1856 he became connected 
with the bank of D. O. Mills & Co., and has so 
remained ever since. For a time he held the 
position of vice-president and director. He 
has been city treasurer also in 1863, 1864, 1867, 
lS6S-'72,and two years since the last-mentioned 
date. Mr. Chamberlain was married in Sears- 
port, Maine, while a resident of Cincinnati, to 
Miss Charlotte A. Kidder, a native of Sears- 
port. She was a daughter of Nathaniel and 
Sarah (Averton) Kidder, and granddaughter of 
Dr. Averton, of Massachusetts, a celebrated 
physician. Her father was a Boston merchant, 
who, on giving up business, retired to a farm. 
Mrs. Chamberlain came to California to join her 
husband in 1853, via the Nicaragua route. The 
children did not come until two or three years 
later, having remained in Indiana, under the 
tuition of Dr. Scott, Mrs. President Harrison's 
father. Three children have been born to them, 
viz.: Edward (deceased), Florence L. and Will- 
iam Edwin. Mrs. Chamberlain departed this 
life June 1, 1888. Edward, the oldest son of 
W. E. Chamberlain, completed his education in 
Sacramento. He studied medicine with Dr. 
Moss, of this city, and assaying with Henry 
Hawks, of San Francisco. He became con- 
nected with smelting works, and went from there 
to Arizona to look at some mines. He prac- 
ticed medicine there, and was hospital steward 
at Fort Yuma. He afterward went to Mexico, 
where he contracted yellow fever, and died in 
1884, aged forty-three years, leaving two chil- 
dren. Florence L. is the oldest living cliild of 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Chamberlain, and was born 
in Maine. She is the wife of Benton Julian, a 
native of Indiana, and they have three children, 
viz.: Edwin Benton, Harvey Hartley and Wal- 
do Emerson. Mr. Julian has been intimately 
associated with educational matters in Sacra- 
mento in the past, having commenced teaching 
in the public schools in a business college in San 
Eraiicisco in 1856. William Edward, the thirJ 
child of W. E. Chamberlain, and a native of 
Oxford, Ohio, was educated at Phillips Academy 
and at Harvard, where he took the full course. 
He has been connecred with a business college 
in San Francisco, and is a resident of Oakland, 
with business in San Francisco. He is married 
and has two children, viz.: William Edward and 
Florence Gladys. 

f«gllLLIAM HENRY FRYE was bora in 
|«^'| Bourbon County, Kentucky, May 28, 
i^31iri 1813, his parents being James and Eliza 
beth (Baxter) Frye. The father died July 23, 
1822, at about ttie age of forty-five, the mother 
surviving until April 24, 1847, then in her six- 
tieth year. Grandfather James Frye was the 
first of the family to settle in Kentucky, having 
moved thither from Virginia. Soon after the 
birth of W. H. Frye his parents moved to Mis- 
souri, settling in Pike County. His formal edu- 
cation consisted of three months' schooling, but 
on this scant foundation his thirst for knowl- 
edge, aided by exceptional natural ability and 
great industry, has reared a superstructure of 
wide and varied information of which a college 
graduate need not be ashamed. He niade such 
progress by private study that while yet a young 
man he taught school with success, occasionally 
referring to an older teacher in difKcult cases. 
As his judgment and power of reflection grew 
witii his years and experience he came to be rec- 
ognized as an exceptionally well informed man, 
and now, at seventy-six, though physically aged 
bis intellectual powers retain their wonted vigor, 
enhanced by special acuteness of perception, the 



ripened fruit of his many years of independent 
thought and close observation. In early years 
Mr. Frye worked on iiis father's farm, and in 
young manhood had the courage to buy out the 
interest of the other heirs, but the panic of 
1837 made the burden too heavy and eventually 
compelled the sale of the place. He afterward 
traded for some two years, chiefly in pork 
and tobacco. In March, 1849, he started across 
the plains and readied Weaverville September 
6. He had a pleasant journey. He started in 
a large train, but two wagons separated from 
the train and came through by themselves. In 
1852 he commenced buying and selling cattle; 
and in 1853 raised his first crop of barley on 
what is now his liomestead ranch, sixteen miles 
south of Sacramento, on the lower Stockton 
road. He first took up 160 acres, then unsur- 
veyed, to which he has since added by purchase 
three other quarters of as many adjoining sec- 
tions, thus becoming the owner of 640 acres in 
one body. He also owns 170 acres five miles 
north on the same road, now occupied by his 
oldest son. Mr. Frye raises wheat and barley, 
and until recently raised considerable stock. 
I For some years he also carried on a dairy busi- 
ness, but now gives his chief attention to wheat, 
raising only such stock as he needs on his 
ranches. Mr. Frye was married January 7, 1854, 
to Mrs. Sarah Hough, born in Cortland County, 
JS'ew York, October 20, 1823, the daughter of 
Rodney and Sophia (Watts) Sanford. The 
father, a native of New York State, born March 
16, 1793, died in Ohio, March 18, 1840. The 
mother, a native of New York, also died in 
Ohio, under the age of fifty. Her grandfather 
Sanford reached a good old age, and grandfather 
Isaac Watts was over eighty when he died. 
Mrs. W. H. Frye has had four brothers, all born 
in the State of New York: Arthur W., born 
P'ebruary 15, 1816, became a Presbyterian min- 
ister in Ohio, served as Captain in an Indiana 
regiment in the Civil War, and died in Detroit, 
Michigan, in Marcli, 1887; Whitfield, born 
April 30, 1818, a lawyer by profession, has re- 
sided for some vears at Wahoo, Nebraska; 



UISTOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Philo Watts, born January 14, 1821, is a farmer 
in Palo Alto County, Iowa; DeWitt Clinton, 
born October 14, 1827, is a fanner in Ohio, and 
served in the Civil War. All have reared fami- 
lies. Mrs. Frye is a lady of a high order of 
intellect who also takes a deep interest in the 
welfare of humanity. Tiiough well advanced in 
years she still presides over the local Sunday- 
school, a labor of love for the rising generation. 
She is not only a loving wife and devoted mother 
but her maternal solicitude embraces all chil- 
dren within reach of her influence. Her four 
sons have grown to intelligent and upright man- 
hood under her loving cure and watchful over- 
sight, and her heart still reaches out toward the 
young for whose moral welfare she labors with 
unflagging zeal and earnest sympathy. The 
home is a large, handsome structure, containing 
all the comforts and luxuries necessary to a ra- 
tional enjoyment of life, and thoroughly per- 
meatei with wholesome intellectual and kindly 
spirit of both parents. Mr. and Mrs. Frye are 
the parents of four sons: Edward William, born 
January 21, 1856; Charles Thomas, June 13, 
1858; Eugene Hough, January 1, 1861; Jacob 
Henry, September 28, 1863. Each went to 
school from about the age of seven to eigliteen, 
and all have inherited and cultivated a love of 
rejidiiK^. Edward William was married Sep- 
tember 7, 1881, to Miss Mary Hustler, born at 
Marysville, California, October 11, 1856, daugh- 
ter of Asbury B. and Martha J. (Humfreville) 
Hustler, both now living in this county below 
Conrtland. The father is a native of Maryland 
and the mother of Ohio. Both have been in 
California since 1854, the father having made 
his first visit to the State in 1852. Grandfather 
William Hustler, also a native of Maryland, died 
at the age of about eighty at Carlisle, Ohio. 
Grandmother Fanny (Burke) Hustler, born in 
Wilmington, Delaware, died at Carlisle, Ohio, 
of cholera, contracted while nursing the sick in 
the epidemic of 1832. Grandfather Jason Hum- 
freville, born near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1804, 
died near Courtland, California, in 1875. 
Giandinofhcr Mary Ann (Ellsworth) Humfre- 



ville, born in Springdeld, Massachusetts, in 
1811. died near Courtland, California, Septem- 
ber 21, 1881. Mrs. E. W. Frye was educated 
in the district schools, and afterward taught 
school for some years before her marriage. Mr. 
and Mrs. Frye are the parents of two sons: Har- 
bert Henry, born June 25, 1883, and an infant 
son, born August 1, 1889. Charles F. Frye was 
married October 12, 1886, to Mrs. Mary (Day) 
Bascom. The other sons are unmarried. 



tERMAN HUBER, deceased. The subject 
of this sketch was born in Switzerland in 
1835, and came to this country with his 
parents in 1844. They were people of means, 
and settled in St. Louis with their nine chil- 
dren. The father, Henry, first came out with a 
colony of Swiss, most of whom settled in St. 
Louis. Both parents died young, the father at 
the age of forty-eight, and the mother still 
younger. Mr. Herman Huber came to Califor- 
nia in 1851 and went to mining in Hamburg 
Caiion, Placer County, and continued in tiiat 
business until 1869. He made a good deal of 
money, but sunk a considerable part of it in un- 
profitable ventures. On leaving the mines he 
first came to Sacramento, but soon moved to 
Colusa, where he went into business as a money 
broker. In October, 1867, he was married to 
Miss Augusta J. Faulkner, a native of this 
county, born on Mormon Island, daughter of 
Charles Dix and Elizabeth (Binninger) F\aulk- 
ner. His father was a native of Petersburg, 
Virginia, of Scotch descent; the mother was 
born in New York city, December 25, 1826, of 
German parentage. They were married in Sac- 
ramento January 15, 1850. On the evening of 
their wedding they attended a largo ball at Sut- 
ter's Fort. They had to go iu a skiff from the 
Pioneer Hotel, which was kept by Mrs. Huber's 
grandfather. This hotel was the first brick 
house in Sacramento. During the floods in 
1850 they lived for several days on the table, 
and had to have the stove up there to do their 



HISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNT T. 



cooking. The father, Jacob Binninger, lived to 
the age of seventy -four. Mrs. Huber was edu- 
cated at tlie Franklin grammar-school in Sacra- 
mento. Her parents came to California in 
1849 and settled in Sacramento. The father 
died in March, 1857. The mother survived him 
twenty-seven years, and was married to Louis 
Binninger. They kept the Pioneer Hotel for 
many years. She survived her second husband 
eight years, dying in 1884, and leaving two 
daughters: Maggie, now Mrs. Henry Ward 
Watkins, of Oakland, who has a son born in 
July, 1884, and a daughter bom in February, 
1888; the second daughter, LenaM. Binninger, 
lives with her half-sister, Mrs. Huber. In 1870 
Mr. Huber bought a ranch in Yolo County, 
about sixteen miles south of Sacramento, on the 
river, to which he added by further purchase 
until he owned 645 acres in that region. He 
did a large dairy business, milking from 140 to 
200 cows in two places not far apart. In 1877 
he bought 400 acres on the north line of Frank- 
lin Township, six miles south of Sacramento, 
increased by purchase in 1883 to 645 acres, de- 
voted to general farming, chiefly wheat, barley 
and alfalfa, besides some horses ior ranch use. 
Mr. Huber was killed by a fall from his horse 
within a few miles of his home in Franklin 
Township, February 3, 1889, leaving two sons: 
Charles Henry, born December 11, 1869, in 
Todd's Yalley; Herman Louis, in Sacramento 
city, January 30, 1873. Charles H. was gradu- 
ated at Sacramento Business College, and Her- 
man L. is now taking a course in the same 
institution. Mrs. Augusta J. Huber has been 
for six years a member of the order of Chosen 
Friends, Merritt Council, No. 141, which meets 
at Clarksburg, in Yolo Coimty. 



fLE O. GOOURICH, nursery man and 
orchardist, Sutter Township, was born 
February 22, 1840, in Norway, son of Ole 
ami Ida Goodrich. His father, a farmer, came 
with the family to America in 1852, purchasing 



land, and locating in Dane County, Wisconsin, 
and died there in 1854; his widow survived un- 
til 1859. They had eight children, named 
Christian, Ida, John, Julia, Butler, Isabel, Ole 
and Eliza. All except John are living. Olo 
was twelve years of age when he came to 
America, landing in New York city. Proceed- 
ing at once to AVisconsin, he there learned the 
photographer's art, and worked at it until 1863, 
when he sailed from New York on the steamer 
Ariel, and came by the Isthmus to California, 
landing at San Francisco in December, on the 
steamer St. Louis. For a while he was em- 
ployed in a restaurant at Benicia, then he was 
cook on a ranch, which has since been included 
within the city of Oakland; next he herded 
sheep for a short time; next traveled among the 
mountains taking photographic views; then 
was employed by Flint & Olsen, here in Sacra- 
mento, as foreman in their hop yards, remain- 
ing with them Ave years; then worked awhile 
for Mr. Williams in the nursery business; next 
was in partnership with J. S. Harbersoii for 
eleven years, and then during the two floods he 
lost heavily each time. In 1883 he went out 
and purchased thirty-ibur acres of J Burke, and 
commenced to set out a nursery and orchard. In 
1888 he purchased seventeen acres more of D. 
Kocca, and he now has altogether fifty-one 
acres, all of which is devoted to nursery and 
fruit. The place is three miles south of Sacra- 
mento, and a half mile east of Sutterville. He 
has been experimenting with fruit for thirteen 
years, and has introduced several new kinds into 
the market, among them two very excellent 
varieties of peach named by Mr. Hoyt the 
" Goodrich " and " Sacramento," which comes 
in after all the other good varieties are gone; 
also a very early apricot; they are gaining iupop- 
ularity , and Mr. Goodrich has no trouble in dis- 
posing of all his young trees, as well as the fruit. 
He propagates and sells all varieties of fruit trees. 
lie is a very energetic man, a hard worker, hon- 
est in all his dealings, and therefore reliable as 
a nurseryman and horticulturist. Mr. Good- 
rich was married January 1, 1876, to Miss Mary 



ni^rvJir of .saoiumento vou^ty. 



(Tnindon, of Ktiglish ancestry. They have three 
children: William, Elizabeth and Minerva. 

fRSlvlN C;UL<;i<:iv. ordiardist, Sutter Town- 
ship, was born in Comity Tyrone, Ireland, 
June 12, 1832, son of Robert and Catha- 
rine Greer. In 1834 his father died, and in 1836 
Ills mother, witli a family of twelve children, 
sailed from Londonderry for America, landing 
at Philadelphia, where they resided five or si.x 
years, and then emigrated further AN'^est, settling 
in Schuyler County, Illinois, in what was known 
as the Military Tract. Mrs. Greer lived there 
until her death, in 1856. Ten of her children 
are still living, viz.: George, Joseph, John and 
Alexander, in Schuyler County; Mrs. Lucy 
McClintock and Mrs. Jane Williams in Adams 
County. Illinois; Mrs. Charles Miller, Mrs. El- 
len Hamilton, .Vntlrewand Ersldn (irccr in this 
county. Mr. Greer, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, has earned his own livelihood 
ever since he was si.x years of age, never Iiaving 
a dollar given to him during his youth; and be- 
sides, lie has aided in the support of liis mother 
and sisters until he was twenty five years of age. 
From tlie time the family located in Illinois, in 
1842, he lived in Schuyler County until 1850, 
during which time he was employed in his 
brother's store as a clerk. Afterward he learned 
the cooper's trade, and carried on that business 
on a large scale, employing a iiuniber of men, 
until he came to California on account of ill- 
health. March 18, 1850, he left Illinois with 
three others, and after arriving at Independence, 
Missouri, a party of thirty or forty was organ- 
ized to cross the plains with ox teams. They 
liad no trouble until they reached the Big Blue 
River, where the Sioux and Pawnees were at 
war, and they captured a number of emigrants, 
not knowing whether they were friends or 
enemies, but as soon as they became satisfied 
they were friends would release them. These 
were the first hostile Indians Mr. Greer had ever 
seen. At Pacific Springs, near the summit of 



the Rocky Mountains, they met with Asiatic 
cholera. They arrived at that point about two 
o'clock in the afternoon, and before night they 
helped to bury a number of people of other 
trains who had died of that fearful scourge. 
The ne.xt morning Mr. Greer and his party left 
that place to avoid the epidemic. After passing 
Fort Hall they ran short of provisions, and a de- 
tacliment hastened on to this State to procure 
some of the necessaries of life. At this time 
there were ten or tifteeu men in the train, with 
whom Mr. (ireer remained, taking charge of 
the cattle. Had they not found a sack of corn 
in one of the wagons the party would probably 
have starved to death. At the head-waters of 
the Humboldt their supplies were so reduced 
that they ventured to kill one of their cattle; 
but the flesh proved to be so alkaline that they 
could not eat it in any shape. In that part of 
the route they also found the cholera prevailing 
in other trains, and the grave of William Burn- 
side, brother-in-law to Mr. Greer, a member of 
their own party, who had started in advance to 
this State for provisions, and who had died of 
that epidemic. Along the Humboldt, too, the 
Indians were troublesome. In two localities 
not far distant they had attacked trains and 
committed intirdor. Provender was also scarce, 
and their horses and cattle suffered. The first 
supjilies they received were at the sink of the 
Humboldt, from a relief train sent out by Ral.-*- 
ton and others. Thence forward they could buy 
what provisions they wanted, if they could only 
aft'ord to pay nt the rate of a dollar a pint, which 
was the price of every commodity! In crossing 
the forty-mile desert Mr. Greer saw, in both 
man and beast, more suff"ering than he has ever 
witnessed in his life before or since. At the 
old Mormon station they found a plenty, but 
the prices of course were exorbitant. The route 
over the Sierra Nevada was exceedingly rough. 
They arrived at Hangtown, September 6, 1850, 
disposed of their cattle and went to mining, 
which they followed until spring. Then they 
began prospecting toward the south, going be- 
low Fort John to a place called South Grass 



HISTOMY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Valley; but after incurring heavy expenses in 
rcacliing the place, they found the reports they 
had heard concerning tiie region were all hoax. 
There being a heavy snow on the ground, they 
were compelled to remain awhile, and even feed 
their oxen with flour to keep thein from starv- 
iTig, thus limiting their own bread supply. Dis- 
posing again of their cattle and wagon upon 
tlieir return to Ilangtown, they took their blank- 
ets U])on their backs and started out again pros- 
pecting. Mr. Greer was compelled to give up 
miner's life on account of ill-health, although 
while actually employed in mining he had good 
siicces;;. Working in water and exposure in 
camping out brought on rheumatic troubles, 
from which he nuvei' has entirely recovered. 
Coining into the Sacramento Valley he engaged 
liimself upon the ranch of Jerome C. Da/is, and 
cut a large amount of hay during the summer; 
and next began hauling goods to the mines. In 
1853 he settled upon a rancii within Ave miles 
of Sacramento, almost due west from his pres- 
ent place, and began stock-raising and farming. 
In 1855 he visited his old hoiue in the East, 
returning to California well pleased with the 
visit, but disgusted with the country there. He 
was very successful in his pastoral and agri- 
cultural pursuits until 1861-'62, when the great 
flood carried away everything he had; but, un- 
daunted, he continued in the good work of 
recuperation. In 1803 he entered the employ 
of the Sacramento Valley Railroad Company, 
J. P. Robinson, superintendent, llis particular 
station was to superintend and cultivate a large 
ti-aet of land belonging to the railroad company 
in the neighborhood of Freeport, which position 
he filled about four years. During this time, 
September 22, 1864, lie married Miss Harriet 
Ellis, a native of Rushville, Schuyler County, 
Illinois, and a daugiiter of Hon. William Ellis, 
for many years judge of the Circuit Court 
there. In 1868 he became part owner of the 
railroad tract just referred to, buying out the 
entire town site. His position was one of re- 
sponsibility. A great deal of business of the 
town of Freeport was under his supervision. 



His erection of a hotel on the property in 1864 
was the beginning of the town. Business here 
was lively until the railroad was bought up l)y 
the Central Pacific Company, and the track 
taken up. Mr. Greer remained in the employ 
of the company, and as proprietor of the town 
site up to the time of this transfer. In 1874 he 
sold his pi-operty and removed to Sacramento, 
where he bought other property at 812 K street, 
and also at the corner of Ninth and K, \»here the 
Hale block now stands, and engaged in the 
grocery trade for about ten years. In 1882 he 
bought his present ranch of 100 acres, when it 
was entirely devoid of trees and devoted to the 
raising of grain ; but it is now one of the pretti- 
est places in Sacramento County, and the right 
distance from the city to have all the advantages 
of both city and country, and the disadvantages 
of neitJier. It is situated three and a half miles 
from the city, between the upper and lower 
Stockton roads. It is called Fruit Ridge Home. 
The state of everything on the premises exhibits 
the ambitious and well-cultivated designs of the 
owner. For the past two years Mr. Greer has 
also had the superin tendency of what was 
j formerly known as the Winters ranch, or 
Rancho del Rio. In political afi'airs Mr. Greer 
has always been a consistent Democrat, versed 
in the principles and baptized with the spirit of 
Democi-acy. He was an ardent admirer of 
Douglas in his day, and still believes in the 
doctrines of that great statesman. For two 
years he served as justice of the peace of Frank- 
lin Township, and while in ofiice he was gener- 
ally able to settle about four out of every five 
cases without bringing tlieni to formal trial. In 
1854 he drew up the subscription paper for 
building the first school-house in the Freeport 
district, then called the West Union school dis- 
trict. That building is still used as a school- 
house, but has been moved four or five times to 
suit the convenience of the people. Mr. Greer 
has also served as School Director in West 
Union, and also in Capital school districts. 
During his residence in Sacramento city he 
served on the Board of Education two years 



Hisroar of sacramento county. 



with marked efficiency; and since November, 
18S8. lie lias been a member of the Board of 
County Supervisors. Mr. and Mrs. Greer liave 
two children: W. Walter and Robert E. 



fETER A. MILLER, retired contractor, Sac- 
ramento, was born in Cliristianstadt, Swe- 
den, in July, 1827. His father was a 
merchant farmer, who died when he, the subject 
of this sketch, was twenty-two years old, and for 
the next six years he had charge of the business 
of the estate. In 1855, however, he determined 
to emigrate to the United States, sailing from 
Hamburg on the 1st of May, in the ship 
'• Howard." It proved an eventful voyage for 
them. While in the English Channel they col- 
lided with a Frencii transport bringing troops 
to Sebastopol, and in consequence were detained 
for six weeks at Dover, England, for repairs. 
However, they were eventually landed in New 
York, and Mr. Miller went direct to Galesburg, 
Illinois, wliicii place was his home for some 
time. There he learned the trade of brick- 
layer, becoming an expert. He afterward lived 
in Knoxville, Illinois, for about live years, and 
in 1860 left for Califoinia. Having a friend at 
Napa, Peter Littengre, whose brother made one 
of the party, he went directly there and obtained 
work on the stone bridge, then in process of 
biiildi'ig, and remained there until the fail of 
that year, 18til. He then came to Sacramento, 
stopped at the What Ciieer House, and ob- 
tained employment at his trade. When, in 
1862, the City of Sacramento bought and pre- 
sented to the State Agricultural Society the 
grounds for its exhibitions, he got the contract 
for the brick work on the walls, etc. He also 
had the linililing of a stone residence at Putter 
Creek Canon, Solano County, for John Wolf 
skill, a pioneer of 1845. The stone from 
which this dwelling was constructed, and which 
was taken from the Putter Creek Cailon, was 
so soft and so free from grit that it could be 
readily cut with a common saw. It hardened 



by exposure, and the old '■ Wolfskill House " 
still stands, in a perfect state of preservation. 
In 1865 he was engaged in laying the brick 
in the erection of many buildings in the city, 
among them the St. George Building, D. O. 
Mills' Bank, Hastings Building, the Gregory 
Building, Pioneer Bakery, and the El Dorado 
Bank, where Wells, Fargo tfe Co. now are. In 
1866, he built the Washington School-house, 
corner of G and Thirteenth streets, and later on 
engaged in brick-making at the Gra:ie-vine 
brick-yards, on the Yolo side of the- river. These 
brick took the first prize in San Francisco. In 
1880, he had the contract on the Washington 
levee, and in 1881 was engaged in similar work 
under Le Roy & Pierson, and in the reclama- 
tion district, near Courtlaud, and at other points. 
Mr. Miller has always been a Republican in 
politics, and in social relations an Odd Fellow 
since 1862, a member of Sacramento Lodge, 
No. 2, also of Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, F. & 
A. M., and of Chapter No. 3, and is also mem- 
ber of the State Agricultural Society. He is a 
man of domestic habits, married in 1857, to 
Johanna Johnson, a native of Sweden, who 
came to California in 1854, with her brother. 
Tliey have tive sons and one daughter, and they 
are all living at their pleasant residence, situated 
on M street. 

Ipi^ON. EUGENE J. GREGORY is not only 
fS) the Mayor of the city of Sacramento, but 
^(s also occupies a leading and representative 
position as a young business man; is in fact one 
of the best examples that can be cited of what 
the younger generation of business men ought 
to be. The firm of (iregory Bros. Company, of 
which he is the head, has a reputation and a 
trade coincident only with the borders of the 
United States, and has aided no little in placing 
our California products before the world. The 
house was established in the year 1S52 by Mr. 
Julius Gregory, a native of France, but a resi- 
dent of California since the days of '49. The 



IITSTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



members of the present firm are Messrs. Eugene 
J. and Frank Gregory, sons of Julius Gregory, 
who died in May, 1871, after a life of activity in 
more than onedirection that proved beneficial not 
alone to this city and its growing trade interests, 
but as well to the community in general. Eu- 
gene J. Gregory was born in San Francisco on 
the 15th day of August, 1854, and is therefore 
a " native son," both by birth and connection 
with the order of Native Sons of the Golden 
West. He has grown up in this State, obtaining 
a thorough preparatory business and academical 
education in the schools of California. Ten 
3'ears ago he assumed the management of the 
business of the firm of whicii he is the head, 
and has since that time been actively identified 
with the introduction of California products to 
other portions of the country. It is rather, 
however, in his public capacity as Mayor of this 
city, that we wish to speak of Mr. Gregory, 
lie became a candidate for that office at the 
earnest and repeated solicitation of his friends, 
although contrary to his own private wishes in 
the matter, on the occasion of the municipal 
election in 1887. The party lines are usually 
drawn pretty close in Sacramento, and the party 
forces are also pretty evenly divided, majorities 
usually being very small. Mr. Gregory, although 
a Republican of decided yet liberal principles, 
was nevertlielass elected to the position of Mayor 
by a majority of no less than 1,919 votes, the 
largest plurality ever secured in the city. His 
great popularity and the entire confidence re- 
posed in him by the citizens of every class is 
the secret of this gratifying vote. His course 
as Mayor has justified the confidence of the peo- 
])le in the choice they made, as since his elec- 
tion to that post, the purity of subsequent 
elections, the rectifying of abuses in various de- 
partments, and the careful oversight of appoint- 
ments to minor offices, have been in every instance 
secured. This is no wonder, for, as he himself 
stated to the writer, he believes in running the 
city upon the same principles he adopts in car- 
rying on his private business. His prompt and 
decisive action has in more than one direction | 



been the cause of saving large sums to the city. 
Mr. Gregory is looked upon generally as a "com- 
ing man," and if the feeling of tnis community, 
which knows him best, is any test, he will ere 
long be called upon to fill other posts of a more 
honorable, if not more responsible, nature'. He 
is an active member of the Masonic order, in 
which he is a Past Master, and also of the Odd 
Fellows, as well as others of the leading orders. 
Personally, he is a man of captivating presence; 
to meet him is to be his friend; possesses in the 
fullest degree the esteem and confidence of 
every one irrespectiveofsect or party, is an ora- 
tor of no mean merit, is favored in social circles, 
and worthily wears his honors as Chief Execu- 
tive of the Capital City. He was married July 
3, 1874, to Miss Emma Crump, a native of Sac- 
ramento. - They have one son, Julius, now 
nearly thirteen years of age. 



ILLIAM STARK MANLOVE, M. D. 
Doctor Manlove's ancestors were origi- 
nally from Yorkshire, England. Grand- 
father Christopher Manlove was commissioned 
Surgeon or " Apothecary's Mate," to his Majes 
ty's Hospital in North America, August 5, 
1761, during the reign of George III, King of 
England, by General Amherst, Commander-in- 
chief of the British troops in this country. 
This was before the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. He settled first in New Jersey for a few 
years, and then moved into Virginia; was mar- 
ried in Petersburg, and resided there until his 
death. He had five sons and five daughters. 
His third child, John Manlove, was born in 
Dinwiddie Counts', that State, on a plantation 
adjoining the city of Petersburg. There he 
grew up to manhood, studied medicine under 
the tutelage of his father, and was a prominent 
phj-sician of that county for eighteen or twenty 
years — until his death, whicli occurred in 1825. 



He married Miss Ann Kino 



irginian, 



ivho 



survived him for about thirty-five years, and 
died in 1857. They had one son and one daugh- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ter. This son, the subject of this sketcli, was 
born December 9, 1824, at the old Virginia 
lionestead in Dinwiddie County. His prelimi- 
nary education was liad at private schools, he 
then attended an academy, and then the Univer- 
sity <5f Virginia at Charlottesville, and subse- 
quently he attended medical lectures, and after- 
ward a course in the medical department of the 
"University of Pennsylvania." at Philadelphia, 
graduating there in 1847. He practiced his pro- 
fession in his native State until 1849 when a stock 
company of about 125, then organizing in Kich- 
moiid,Va., for atrip to California during the gold 
excitement. Dr. Manlove became a shareholder. 
They sent a committee to New York, who pur- 
chased the ship "Mary Ann," brought it to 
Richmond, loaded it with supplies, and in March 
embarked on their long journey around Cape 
Hurn. Four days oat the vessel sprang a leak, 
and from that until they reached Rio Janeiro 
tiiey had to keep a gang of men pumping, pas- 
sengers alternating with the sailors at this labo- 
rious task. At Rio Janeiro they spent an 
enjoyable month, repairing the ship and recruit- 
ing. They celebrated the Fourth of July at the 
Faulkland Islands. The weather was cold and 
rough as they rounded Cape Horn, but the eight 
days which they passed at Port Conception, 
Ciiiii, were delightful; they arrived at San 
Francisco on the last day of September. The 
company then disbanded, sold the vessel and 
effects, and scattered to various points in the 
State. After remaining some six weeks in San 
Francisco, Dr. Manlove went to the Southern 
mines in Amador County, and was there until 
tlie spring of 1851, mining, trading and practic- 
ing medicine. Then selling his interest, he 
went to Nevada City, and mined and prospected 
through the mining regions in the northern 
part of the State. Not meeting with success, 
and tired of roaming, he selected this county 
for a permanent residence, purchasing his pres- 
ent place, consisting of half a section of land, 
and here he has since remained, farming and 
practicing his profession, with the exception of 
two years, when he was sheriff of Sacramento 



County, 1857-'59. Among the very first to re- 
alize the future of grape culture in this favored 
locality, as early as 1858, he began planting the 
Mission variety, which was at tliat time thought 
to be the best; out of his abundant experience 
he now favors the " Burgundy," and the liner 
varieties of table grapes, Tokays, Muskats, Cor- 
nichons, etc., of these having fifty acres, or 
about one-half his vineyard. The Doctor is the 
standard authority in his section on all questions 
pertaining to fruit culture, and he thinks cher- 
ries the best paying crop; he has half a hun- 
dred acres devoted to them, and to plunis, 
apricots and peaches of the best varieties. The 
Seedling orange does well, — trees seventeen 
years old, well tilled with luscious fruit. He 
has more orange trees than any other man 
in this section, including a considerable plant- 
ing of trees obtained from Florida direct. He 
also has pecans, butternuts. Eastern and English 
walnuts, Japanese persimmons, dates, etc., all 
fruiting. Politically the Doctor has always been 
a Democrat, and lias filled many positions of 
trust and responsibility, beside that of sheriff 
for two years, to which reference has already 
been made. In 1887 he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Bartlett a member of the State Board of 
Viticulture, a position which he tills with credit, 
but perhaps his greatest public work has been 
his connection with the " Patrons of Hus- 
bandry;" sixteen years ago he was chairman of 
the Farmers' Association, which was merged 
into the " Grangers'," or " Patrons'," movement. 
He was chosen the first master of the new or- 
ganization in this county, and was organizing 
"deputy" for the district composing El Do- 
rado, Amador and Sacramento counties tor the 
three first years, during which time he organ- 
ized and put into successful operation no less 
than fourteen local granges. Of his home life 
we need say but little. His wife, to whom he 
was united in September, 1859, is a daughter of 
the late Hon. Sliubel N. Baker, who came to 
California from Coldwater, Michigan, at an early 
day, was a merchant in the city of Sacramento, 
and associate county judge under the old Con- 



HISTORY OF .SACHAMEXTO COUNTY. 



stitution; he was afterward a rancher in this 
count}', where he died some fifteen years ago. 
Tlie family comprises an only son, J. Edward, 
wiio takes charge of the various farming opera- 
tions, and a daughter, Catherine A. The home- 
stead is situated on the old " Jackson road," 
seven miles east of the Capital City; the Placer- 
ville railroad cuts it in twain, and affords them 
a convenient station almost at tiieir gates. The 
house a commodious modern structure, shel- 
tered by gigantic " black " oaks, and surrounded 
by beautiful flowers, tended evidently by some 
loving hand, is a picture of home comfort and 
genial hospitality. Here then we see resting 
from his labors a man whose life has been one 
of more than usual activity, truly a representa- 
tive man. one who has done much to advance 
the agricultural and fruit-growing interests in 
this favored section of the State, and we gladly 
accord to him a prominent place in the annals 
of this county. 

Ji|LIVER PLUMMER, a rancher of Cosum- 
^MU nes Township, wa-! born in Yates County, 
^^ New York, November 26, 1829, his par- 
ents being William and Delilah (Fitzsimmons) 
riummer. The family moved to Illinois in 
1844. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, 
lived to be seventy-six, and the mother to be 
seventy-four. Grandfather George Plummer, a 
native of New Jersey and n Revolutionary sol- 
dier, lived to the age of niuety-one, and his 
wife, Hannah McMurtrie, reached ninety. Re- 
ceiving a limited education in the district 
schools, Oliver worked on his father's farm until 
he set out for California. Crossing the plains, 
he arrived in Sacramento, September 20, 1852, 
and went to tetmingwith the two horses he had 
driven from Illinois. After eight tnonths he 
opened a miners' store. on Dry Creek, near Dry- 
town in Amador County, which he carried on 
about three years. xVlr. Plummer was married 
at Cosumnes, May 18, 1856, to Miss Mary L. 
Wilson, born in South Bend, Indiana, Septem- 



ber 8, 1839, her parents being William D. and 
Elizabeth (Garver) Wilson, both natives ot Ohio. 
The father was born April 3, 1810, and the 
mother in 1813. They left Indiana "for Cali- 
fornia in 1847, but wintered in Missouri, and in 
1848 resumed their journey. The father was 
captain of the emigrant train. On the way they 
heard from returning Mormons of the discovery 
of gold in California. Mr. Wilson and part of 
the company concluded to seek the land of gold, 
while others kept to the original design of go- 
ing to Oregon. On his arrival Mr. Wilson 
mined for a short time on Mormon Island and 
then moved to Hangtown, now Placerville, where, 
in the winter of 1848-'49 he built the first house 
erected in that place. The family then com- 
prised six children; five more were born in 
California; nine grew to maturity and seven are 
living in 1889. In the spring of 1850 he moved 
down on the Cosumnes and purchased 6,000 acres 
of the Hartnell Grant, and built a tavern, long 
known as Wilson's Exchange, across the river 
from what is now the Cosumnes postoffice. He 
was postmaster from the establishment of that 
office until 1868. He was by trade a millwright 
and built the first suspension bridge on the Co- 
sumnes. In 1868 he sold oi.t his ranch and 
hotel and moved to Gilroy, Santa Clara County, 
where he died November 22, 1869. His widow, 
by her second marriage, Mrs. W. A. Angel, died 
at Los Angeles, July 13, 1877. Meanwhile 
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Plummer rented Wilson's 
Exchange in 1857 and carried on the tavern 
business for three years. Mr. Plummer also 
rented some 600 acres from his father-in-law and 
went into cat le-raising and general farming, in 
which lie continued until 1870, after the place 
had been sold by Mr. Wilson. In 1871 he 
bought 230 acres about three miles higher up 
on the Cosumnes. where he still resides, and of 
which about 100 acres are bottom land. He 
does general farming, and makes a specialty of 
corn and alfalfa on the home place. He also 
owns 280 acres below Sebastopol and rents 2,000 
acres, as sheep range, of which he usually keeps 
about 2,500 head. Mr. and Mrs. Plummer have 



UISTOUY OF SACUAMENTO COUNTY 



two daughters and one son: Mary Emma, born 
November 13, 1857, and Alma May, born De- 
cember 24, 1862. These fondly cling to the 
homestead, a help and comfort to their parents. 
The son, Harry AVilliam, born April 3, 1860, 
was married at San Jose, January 1, 1884, to 
Miss Annie Fischer, born in New York, a 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fischer. They have 
two children: Oliver Christian, born September 
28, 1884, and Gertrude, born July 28, 1886, 
who are equally at home with their grandpar- 
ents on the Cosumnes or their parents in Sacra- 
mento. 



tRNOLD D. PATTERSON, deceased, was 
born February 25, 1804, in Carlisle, Penn- 
sylvania. His father, Robert Patterson, 
was one of seven brothers, and born in Virginia. 
He and a younger brother, Benjamin, were both 
Indian scouts in the employ of the Government 
during the war of 1812. At the battle of 
Black Rock, where the city of Buflfalo now 
stands, he was wounded. He was in all that 
frontier war, serving with distinction. He 
piloted Colonel AVilliamson, who was sent over 
by the Earl of Pultney with 800 emigrants to 
settle the estate in Steuben County, New York. 
He and Uri Stephens acted as pilots for those 
emigrants, taking them through about 200 
miles, to the estate, before the war uf 1S12. 
A. D. Patterson came from Pittsburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, to California in 1849, leaving in March, 
and reaching Weaver Creek, El Dorado County, 
in August. He .opened a store at Ringgold 
Coming to Sacramento for supplies, his wagon 
broke down near Joseph Routier's place, and he 
turned out liis cattle that night, and they were 
stolen. This event incidentally led to his set- 
tling in this county. He located on what was 
then the northeast corner of Sutter's grant, 
taking up 160 acres; and his partner, Charles 
Thorn, took up the same amount adjoining. 
About a year afterward, in 1852, Mr. Patterson 
boucrht out Mr. Thorn, who went down into the 



redwoods of San Mateo County. During this 
year Mr. Patterson's family arrived from New 
i^ork, leaving there July 10, and coming by 
way of Panama, landing at Sacramento August 
20. The family then consisted of Mrs. Patter- 
son and five children: James G., Mrs. John E. 
Plater, of Los Angeles; Mrs. C. H. Watt, of 
San Francisco; Mrs. J. C. Foster, of Sacra- 
mento, and Francis, married and living in Can- 
ada. They lost one daughter. Mr. Patterson 
was married in Steuben County, New York, in 
1836, to Mary Starkweather, a native of Scho- 
harie County, New York. Her father was agent 
for the estates of Rutgers and Livingston, and 
Livingston and Van Rensselaer. The latter 
covered almost three counties, during the time 
of the a iti-rent riots. Mr. Patterson lived on 
his farm until 1856, when he moved to Folsom 
and built ami ran the Patterson House, in part- 
nership with J. M. Waters, until 1865. Waters 
took the farm here, and Patterson the Folsom 
property. In 1865 Waters was accidentally 
killed, and in 1868 Mr. Patterson leased out 
the hotel and moved back upon the ranch to 
settle the Waters estate. He built a station on 
the railroad three-fourths of a mile below Rout- 
ier station; in the fall of 1870 the building 
was i)urned, he moved further up, and during 
the following winter built the present station- 
house at Routier. He died December 4, 1884. 
He was postmaster over twelve years. The 
postofiice was first established in 1869, at May- 
hew's station; in 1872 it was changed to Rout- 
ier, and Mr. Patterson appointed postmaster. 
In September, 1851, he was elected sheriff of 
Sacramento County, and held that office in 
1852-'53, and during his term three men were 
executed by hanging in Sacramento, the first 
men banged by the authorities in this county. 
James G. Patterson was born in Steuben 
County, New York, August 21, 1837, and came 
to California in 1852. In 1860 he went over 
to Carson and Virginia City with a wagon, 
crossing the summit of the mountains May 10, 
and spent a year there in mining; then he was 
a year at Austin, Nevada; then a year and a 



IIISTOHY OF SACUA.UENTO COUNTY. 



half in this county, and then was in Nevada 
till 1870. i^ext he mined at Salt Lake until 
1872; spent eight months in Lower Califoj-nia, 
to trace up a copper mine which he had heard 
of at Salt Lake; traced the mine for five miles, 
sunk a shaft forty feet deep and took out sixty 
tons of ore, which proved to contain twenty- 
eight per cent, of copper by an assay of 100 
pounds made in San Francisco. This was the 
last of his mining, with the exception of acting 
as foreman of the smelting works in Sacra- 
mento about a year. He is a mining expert. 
He came to his present place in 1875, which 
comprises thirty-three acres, all in a vineyard 
of choice grapes. December 8, 1884, he was 
appointed postmaster, and was appointed ex- 
p;-dS3 agent February 4, 1885. He was mar- 
ried in Njveraber, 1878, to Mary Crew, adopted 
daughter of Dr. W. S. Manlove. They have 
one son — Arnold D. 



fOLOMON RUNYON was born in Wilt 
County, Illinois, in Xoveuiber, 1827, his 
parents being Armstead and Anna (Harn- 
backer) Runyon. The father was a native of 
Kentucky and of American descent for some 
generations, but the more remote ancestry was 
probably French. The mother was a native of 
Ohio, of German or "Pennsylvania Dutch" 
parentage. Grandparents Michael Runyon and 
wife, the latter an American lady by birth, but 
of English parentage, lived to a good old age. 
Grandparents Harnbacker were also quite old 



wli 



ley 



died. The father, Armstead Run- 



yon, first moved to Preble County, Ohio, and 
afterward to Will County, Illinois, of which he 
was one of the early settlers, locating near Lock- 
port. The subject of this sketch had but scant 
opportunities for education in his youth, just 
enough to learn to read, write, and keep accounts 
in his own way. He worked on his father's 
farm until he was twenty-one, and since then 
lie has labored to some a<lvantage, as is pretty 
generally known, on his own account. With 



his father and brothers, O. R. and A. N., the 
latter now a resident of Michigan, he came to 
California in 1849, arriving in Sacramento 
about the middle of September. He went into 
mining for two years or more, and in 1852 he 
returned to farming, taking up 160 acres of 
State land near Schoolcraft, Solano County, 
which he improved and occupied until 1858, 
raising vegetables chiefly. September 15, 1859, 
he bought the well known ranch on which he 
still resides, about twenty-four miles below 
Sacramento, on the river. There were four or 
five acres of orchard when he bought thirty 
years ago, which he has increased to eio-hty. 
Mr. Runyon was married July 23, 1863, to 
Miss Adaline Bloom, born in Missouri, Decem- 
ber 3, 1846, daughter of William H. Harrison 
and Delilah D. (Dye) Bloom. She arrived in 
this State with her parents September 12, 1850, 
and has been a resident of this township since 
1855. In 1868 the old home was replaced by 
a comfortable mansion, which for many years 
was the finest on the river. December 13, 1871, 
Mr. Runyon bought 155 acres at the head of 
Andrus Island, five miles lower down on the 
river, and on August 21, 1881, he bought the 
286 acres adjoining, making 441 acres in one 
body. Of these about 200 acres are orchard, 
which with the eighty on the home place make 
Mr. Runyon one of the largest orchardists in 
the county. He also owns considerable realty 
in Sacramento and San Francisco, is a heavy 
stockholder and director in the California Trans- 
portation Company, of which he was one of the 
incorporators. He owns a sixth of the stock 
and is a director of the Central Street Railway 
of Sacramento. He is also a member of the 
State Board of Horticulture, and its treasurer. 
He is a Knight Templar, and has taken the 
thirty-second degree, and, as may be judged, is 
kept pretty busy superintending his various in- 
terests, but what is still better is, that he is uni- 
versally regarded by his neighbors as au en- 
tirely reliable, upright man, a public-spirited 
citizen, kindly and obliging in his relations with 
his neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Runyon are the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



parents of one child, Ora, born January 18, 
1875, who is now being educated in Mills Semi- 
nary, near Oakland. 

fHOMAS GALLEY PERKINS, merchant 
at Perkins, was born in Marblehead, Mas- 
sachusetts, January 24, 1830. His father, 
Thomas Perkins, was born in New Hampshire, 
January 20, 1803, and "ran away" from home 
at tho age of fourteen years. Going to Marble- 
head, he fell in with Gaptain Galley, a sea cap- 
tain, with whom he went to sea. He continued 
the life of a sailor until at length he becanje the 
master of the vessel; and he followed the sea 
until 1886. •During that time he married a 
daughter of Gaptain Galley, Miss Mary, who 
was born July 13, 1809. In 1886 they moved 
from Marblehead to Illinois, locating in Han- 
cock Gounty, where he bought a quarter-section 
of land and entered into agricultural pursuits, 
aTid resided there until his death, October 2, 
1844. His wife had died March 15, 1843. Tiiey 
brought up two children to the years cf maturity, 
Thomas G. and Elizabeth; the latter was born 
September 9, 1837, in Illinois, and is now the 
wife of Mr. Savage, residing in Humboldt 
Gounty. Mr. Perkins, the subject of this sketch, 
was six years old when his parents removed to 
Illinois, leaving Boston on the lirst railroad 
built in the Unitid States. Leaving the rail- 
road, he came into New York city on a sailing 
vessel, thence went to Philadelphia and thence 
across the Alleghany Mountains by stage to 
Pittsburg, down the Ohio River by boat, up the 
Mississippi River to Quiiicy, and settling north 
of that place, on the frontier, on the " raw " 
prairie. In those primitive times Mr. Perkins 
had to obtain his education mostly by home 
study, at which he was naturally industrious 
When he was fourteen years of age his parents 
died, and he chose a guardian, by whom he was 
employed ior a time, and then he went to work 
in a store at Pontoosuc, Illinois, where he re- 
mained a year. Then he went upon the rivers 



Ohio, Mississippi, Guinberland and Missouri for 
about two years. Returning then to his guard- 
ian, he worked for him on a salary of $100 a 
year; but as iiis labors there were too severe, 
he remained with hiui only ten months. Leav- 
ing Garthage, Hancock Gounty, Illinois, March 
18, 1850, he came overland to Galifornia, with 
four others, taking five yoke of oxen and one 
wagon, independent of any train. Mr. Perkins 
walked all the way, from a point three miles 
north of Garthage, to Placerville, Galifornia, 
with the exception of half a day. At the head 
of the Humboldt their provisions gave out, and 
at the sink of the Humboldt they had nothing 
to eat but beef and coffee; and the longer they 
boiled the beef in the alkaline water tlie tougher 
it became. Upon reaching Ragtown on this 
side the desert, ihey found plenty of flour, at 
$2 a pound! and thenceforward they had a 
plenty to eat. They reached Placerville about 
the middle of August, and on the 1st of Octo- 
ber they came into Sacramento Gounty. Tiie 
first work in which Mr. Perkins engaged here 
was to haul hay from some place west of the 
Sacramento River to this city, buying it at $20 
a ton and selling it at $40. Soon lie had a two- 
weeks' spell of sickness, during which time he 
lay in a tent near the present corner of Eighth 
and M streets. The Asiatic cholera then break- 
ing out here, he took his team and went to 
Rough and Ready, Nevada Gouuty, to escape 
that fearful scourge. The next spring he le- 
turned and located in Brighton Township. Dur- 
ing the summer of 1851 he was employed on a 
farm on the American River, and in the fall lo- 
cated a piece of ground where Routier Station 
now is, took up his residence in a hut and com- 
menced cutting wood; but was soon taken sick 
again, and until the following spring he lay in 
the Four-Mile House at Iloboken, on tiie 
American River; was there during the fall of 
1852. During the summer of 1853 he was em- 
ployed by a Mr. Jones, at $75 per month, at a 
liotel eight miles south of Shasta. In the win- 
ter of 1854 he was married, in Brighton, and 
he followed farming near Routier Station. Dur- 



niSTOllY OF SAGJlAMENrO VuUNTV. 



ing the summer of 1855 he resided at Forest 
Hill, Placer County, teaming; and in the fall of 
1856 he settled upon his present property, where 
he has ever since resided. He followed farming 
and teaming until 1863; after this date the lat- 
ter vocation was' not profitable. In 1864 he 
opened a st ire and ran it two years only, and in 
the spring of 1881 he established his present 
business. His farm comprises 250 acres, de- 
voted principally to grain and hay; two acres 
are in vines. In early years Mr. Perkins was 
constable for a number of terms; and during 
the war and some time afterward justice of the 
Peace. Up to 1884 he was a Democrat, and 
since that time a stanch Republican. For a 
number of years he has been a member of Capi- 
tal Lodge, I. O. O. F.,and for several years also 
of Sacramento Lodge, F. & A. M. The post- 
office was established at this place in 1864, and 
a short time afterward he was appointed post- 
master, in which office he served until he was 
removed about four years ago, for political rea- 
sons. He was married June 4, 1854, to Rebecca 
Frances Young, a native of New York, who 
came to this State in the fall of 1852, crossing 
the plains from Galena, Illinois. They have two 
cliildren: Harriet Adel, who was born August 
27, 1859, and is now the wife of H. S. Small, 
of Oakland; and Charles Galley, born August 
30, 1862. They have also lost live children; all 
sons, who died young. 



--&=^-^^- 



^^- 



fEORGE THOMAS RICH.— Five brothers 
in England, of a preceding generation, 
scattered into different parts of that coun- 
try, but only one, Samuel, who was born in 
1805, came to the United States, emigrating 
hither at the age of twenty-one years, and locat- 
ing in Michigan. There he carried on the lum- 
ber business two or three years, cutting logs in 
the pineries and rafting them down the streams 
to the mills. The country there being malarial 
he moved on to Iowa County, Wisconsin, about 
forty miles from Galena, Illinois, and followed | 



lead mining there for seven or eight years. In 
1848 he began to think of coming to Oregon, as 
the climate of Wisconsin was too harsh; ard 
while studying over this matter the gold excite- 
ment of this State arose, which determined him 
to come here first and then go to Oregon and 
settle down at gardening and farming. Leav- 
ing Wisconsin, April 9, 1849, with wife and 
one son, — the subject of this sketch, — he passed 
through Lnva and arrived at Gainesville, Mis- 
souri, on the Missouri River, where he found 
twenty-one wagons drawn by horses and mules. 
They all came along together on the north side 
of the Platte River, through the buffalo re- 
gions, by Fort Laramie, and then through the 
Black Hills, and so on by the old stage route to 
Salt Lake City, where they stopped for three 
days. Then they came on by way of the Hum- 
boldt and Truckee rivers, crossing the latter 
twenty-seven times, in some places where it was 
deep and dangerous, tliere being many boulders 
along the bottom. They also came by the place 
where the Donner party met their ill-fate. The 
cabins were still standing, and many evidences 
of terrible suffering were yet visible. This 
party, too, suffered considerably. After cross- 
ing the mountains their first stopping place was 
Deer Creek, in Nevada County, August 3. 
Here they remained three weeks, and tried their 
hand at mining, washing out two or three 
ounces of gold per day. Coming on down into 
the plains, they first struck them at Johnson's 
ranch, on Bear River. Beef was then in line 
condition, and here they had their first good 
feast on that article since they left the States. 
They forded the American River near where the 
railroad bridge now is, and pitched their tent 
about where the State Capitol stands, under a 
large oak tree. The following winter Mr. Rich 
kept boarding-liouse on L street, between Fifth 
and Sixth. Among his boarders were Judge 
Searles, of Nevada; Charles Mulford, a prom- 
inent banker of Grass Valley in early days; 
George W. Wallace, a carpenter, now deceased, 
and Israel Luce, engaged in a marble quarry in 
Inyo County. The flood of that winter being 



HISTOnr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



eleven feet deep in his vicinity, so damaged 
everything that he had to quit the business of 
keeping boarders. During the liigh water the 
family sought refuge in the upper story, and 
were rescued from the windows by boats. The 
preceding fail Mr. Rich had purchased a lot on 
J street, between Sixth and Seventh, from Sam- 
uel Brannan, which is now in the possession of 
George T. In the spring of 1850, while lum- 
ber was selling at vei j high prices, he cut down 
some sycamore trees and made the frame for a 
house on his lot, and covered it with canvas. 
Here he began again to keep boarders, being 
patroniz d by miners and by many in town tak- 
ing their meals there. Bunks were arranged 
for sleeping purposes. This establishment was 
called tiie Miners' Home. The business of the 
city was then carried on mainly on Front street, 
and on J and K up to Third, while tiiis board- 
ing-house was amid the brush and trees, with 
only a house here and there in tiie neighborhood. 
The first steamer that came up from Sun Fian- 
cisco was tlie McKim, with a band of music on 
board, playing all the way. Business was lively 
and crowds of people congregated in Sacra- 
mento from every point. The miners paid all 
their bills in gold dust, and at one time Mr. 
Rich had thousands of dollars scattered about in 
tlie house. One of the principal amusements 
on Sunday was racing up and down J street in 
front of the hotel. All kinds of plugs and old 
horses, etc., were put upon this track; and this 
might be called the first race-track i!i Sacra- 
mento County. Along the American River, 
and especially along the Sutter Lake or "slough,"' 
wild fruit and berries grew in great abundance, 
which were gathered and sold to the baker by 
the quart. Mr. George T. Rich made several 
hundred dollars in this way, with which money 
he bought a tine piano. This instrument is 
still in his possession. During 1851 business 
rapidly inci eased, and buildings were numer- 
ously erected. Business houses then extended 
up to Fourth street on both J and K streets. 
During this year Mr. Rich, lather of George T., 
abandoned the hotel business and opened a 



wholesale store at the same place, under the firm 
name of Rich & Tilley. Up to that time the 
family residence was in the upper story of this 
building; but now Mr. Rich bought a lot on L 
street, between Sixth and Seventh, and erected 
a dwelling-house upon it, wh'ere they resided 
some time. That property is still in George's 
possession. The fire of 1852 destroyed eleven 
blocks of the business part of the city, includ- 
ing the front part of Mr. Rich's store, as it was 
built of wood. The rear portion was built of 
brick. Afterward the front part was rebuilt 
with brick, two stories high, and this property, 
too, is still in the possession of George T. It 
is now occupied by the Miss Brothers' millinery 
store. The firm of Rich tt Tilley continued up 
to 1855, and Mr. Rich then entered a quarter- 
section of land from the Government at $1.25 
an acre, on the upper Stockton road, about six 
miles fi'om Sacramento, and settled upon it. 
This was then nearly all a naked plain, and ap- 
peared to most people to be worth nothing. 
That little hill between the ranch and the city 
was in early days known as Prospect Hill. The 
soldiers from Sutter's Fort would ride out to 
that point to obtain a commanding view of the 
country, -watching for troops from Mexico. 
This country, too, was the natural home of a 
large variety of wild animals, — coyotes, bears, 
wolves, deers, etc., in great abundance. This 
place now is a well-improved farm, devoted to 
hay, grain and fruit. The owner lias just 
planted two acres with table grapes. Seven or 
eight acres are in diiferent varieties of fruit 
trees, mostly French prunes and peaches. Also 
there are two acres of strawberries and three 
acres in blackberries, bearing; ornamental trees, 
some of them twenty years old, grace the prem- 
ises. Among them are oranges and lemons, 
bearing, and arbor-vitse and mountain pine. 
Samuel Rich made this his home from 1855 to 
the time of hia death, December 6, 1868. His 
widow is still residing here, eighty-five years of 
age. Her maiden name was Rosina De Motte, 
and on her father's side she is of French de- 
scent. Her fatiier, John De Motte, was a sol- 




Ud^-c^^^^^C^ ^/f( ^^L^J-f_^^^^. 



IIIHTOUr OF SACUAMENrO COUh'TY. 



dier in the Revoliitiouary War. She was born 
at Hempstead, Long Island, in 1804. George 
Thomas Ricli, whose name heads this history, 
the only son of Samuel Rich, was born in Mil- 
ford, Pike County, Pennsylvania, on the Dela- 
ware, February 17, 1838. His parents moved 
to Wisconsin and thence to California, this last 
removal being made when he was about ten 
years of age. He remained with his father till 
the time of his death, and took posfession of the 
country property while the city property was re- 
tained in his mother's name. He was united in 
marriage, December 23, 1861, in Santa Clara, 
California, with Miss Maria Louisa, daugliter of 
Morgan Fine, an old '49er, who settled in tliat 
county with his family. Mrs. Rich is a native 
of Lafayette Countj', Missouri, and was born 
April 13, 1844. Until she came to California 
she lived with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Rich 
have five children, viz.: Nellie F., born May 31, 
1864; Carrie Rosina, November 6, 1866; Lulu> 
June 18, 1869; Edgar George, October 14' 
1873; Edna May, iXovember 18, 1878. Two 
of these are deceased: Nellie F. died February 
8, 1882, and Edgar George. April 9, 1876. 
Carrie Rosina is the wife of Joseph Holmes, 
and they have an infant daughter who has two 
great-grandmothers still living. Thus there are 
four generations residing at one time in the 
sairie house. Mr. Rich has taken considerable 
interest in political matters. His first Presi- 
dential vote was cast for Stephen A. Dotiglas, in 
1860; since then he has generally voted the Re- 
publican ticket, but is discriminating in his 
choice of candidates. He has been an active 
worker and a member of a number of county 
conventions. One year he was justice of the 
peace of Sutter Township. He is a member of 
the Pioneer Society of this county, and of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Pacific School 
Sacramento district. Has been superintendent 
of the Sunday-scliool, and in many ways he has 
been efficient in measures for the public welfare. 
He has been successful in business, contributing 
largely to the agricultural and horticultural in- 
terests of his locality. For a year he was editor 



of the Sacramento Valley Agriculturist, and 
was also special corresj^ondent of the Rural 
Press and California Patron for Sacramento 
County for a number of years. Six years he 
was a member of the board of directors of the 
G. B. C. A., during which time he was secre- 
tary. In 1881 he was appointed by the State 
Master of the order of Patrons of Husbandry, to 
the office of Lecturer for the Grangers in this 
county, which position he filled two years. At 
one time he was also Master of a Sacramento 
grange, and filled different chairs in that society 
at various times. Postoffice address, 1008 K 
street, Sacramento. 



tYSANDER MAKEPEACE LINCOLN, 
one of the most prominent pioneers of 
Sacramento County, was born in Taunton, 
Bristol County, Massachusetts, January 18, 
1824, a son of Benjamin Lincoln. There were 
Benjamin Lincolns for five generations born in 
the same house where L. M. was born. His 
mother, nee Sophia Makepeace, was born in 
Norton, Massachusetts, December 17, 1795, and 
died in June, 1853. His father was a cotton 
manufacturer, and built and ran a factory iu 
Wareham, Massachusetts, where the family 
moved in 1824. After following that business 
a number of years, the hard times of 1837 
came on. He died in that place December 25, 
1841; he was born December 11, 1789. He 
had seven sons and two daughters, of whom six 
are now living. One is Mrs. Sarah W. Edwards, 
an old resident of this county, and the widow of 
Thomas Edwards, an old Californian, who came 
here iu 1850, and brought his family in 1852. 
He died June 7, 1877, in his sixty-third year. 
James L., the eldest son, is an old sea captain, 
who has recently come to California, ^r. Lin- 
coln, whose name heads this sketch, went to sea 
when he was fifteen years old, in a whaling 
vessel, and followed ocean life for nine years, 
making voyages to the principal ports of the 
world. Leaving New Bedford in the latter 



UISTOUY OF SACnAMKNTO COUNTY. 



part of 1839, lie went to Cape Verde Islands, 
spent a season in the soutliern part of the 
Indian Ocean, and then went to the Sunda 
Islands, whore he witnessed a curious sight, 
namely, the suttee, which consists in burning 
the body of a living widow with the corpse of 
her deceased husband! Then he went to Cocos 
Islands; next passed a season ag.iin in the 
Southern Indian Ocean, and thence came home 
by way of Madagascar, the Cape of Good Hope, 
the Island of St. Helena, etc. Afterward he 
visited the Azores, or Western Islands, and 
various other places along the western coast of 
Africa, Soutii America and the West Indies, 
Gulf of Mexico, etc. For his fourth voyage he 
started in December, 1845, and came around 
Cape Horn, and passed three seasons on the 
upper northwest coast and on the Japan Sea. 
In the meantime he, with the crew of his vessel, 
saved the crews of two other wrecked ships, one 
I'rench and one Gernum, and never received 
any reward. On ai'riving at the Sandwich 
Islands, they found the people frantic in coming 
on board to buy every article of merchandise 
they had, even paying exorbitant prices for 
them. On inquiry as to the cause, it was found 
that they had received iievvs of the gold dis- 
covery in California, and they were preparing 
to come hither as soon as possible to supply the 
market in the mining camps. Here Mr. Lin- 
coln left his ship, which was homeward bound, 
drew his §200 and took the schooner Honolulu 
for San Francisco, arriving in October, 1848. 
With a party of five others, mates and second 
mates, they rushed on to the mines at Phicor- 
ville, where they spent the ensuing winter. 
While there, Mr. Lincoln saw three robbers 
hung, by lynch law, the execution giving the 
name of Ilangtown to the place; it has long 
been called Placerville. In the spring he sent 
to his old home in Massachusetts the first Cali- 
fornia gold ever sent to that neighborhood, and 
it created great excitement. He wrote to the 
people there that if they could prove that that 
specimen was not gold, then California was a 
humbug. He mined at points between Placer- 



ville and the several forks of the American 
liiver until July, 1852. At this time Thomas 
Edwards and family arrived, and Mr. Lincoln 
came down to the valley and engaged with Mr. 
Edwards in a d.iiry. They first leased Mr; Brock- 
way's ranch for a year and tiien bought a set- 
tler's claim for the Edwards property on the 
Freeport road, a mile and a quarter below the 
city limits. In two or three years Mr. Lincoln 
sold his interest to Mr. Edwards and became 
one of about thirty to buy settlers' titles to land 
in the Sutter grant, his being near Sutterville. 
Twenty-one years elapsed before the lawsuits 
over these matters were finally settled, and Mr. 
Lincoln came out with about 150 acres of land. 
Since that time he has sold oft' a portion of this 
tract, leaving him about ninety acres of the best 
land in the valley. Asa liepublican and public- 
spirited citizen, Mr. Lincoln has taken active 
part in various county, congressional and State 
conventions. For twelve or fifteen years he has 
been justice of the peace and school trustee for 
Sutter Township. He is a life member of the 
Sacramento Society of California Pioneers, hav- 
ing two shares of. stock in their property and 
franchises. Mrs. Edwards has four children 
living, — three sons: Eustes R. went to Massa- 
chusetts and learned the trade of machinist and 
now is engaged in farming and fruit-raising; 
Benjamin Lincoln, on home farm; George, a 
graduate of the State University, and now em- 
ployed l)y the Bancroft Publishing Company; 
Sophia E., now Mrs. Gay, at home. Mr. Gay 
is in the freight otHce of the Southern Pacific 
llailroad. The home place consists of 279 acres, 
and there is also a farm of 105 acres on the 



-^^^ 



®M. KKESK, contractor and builder, Sac- 
ramento, was born in Dansville, New 
"* York, .lune 14, 182(5, the third of a 
family of five children, four of whom were sons. 
His father, John Reese, was a native of Penn- 
svlvania, anil was reared in his native State. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO CUUNTY. 



443 



After reacliing manhood he enlisted and served 
in the War of 1812. After his return he emi- 
grated to New York State. The subject of this 
siietch received a common-school education, and 
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner with 
his two older brothers, and afterward worked at 
his trade in Rochester, New York, and also in 
the city of Buffalo. On the 24th of February, 
1852, he went to New York and embarked for 
California, on the ship Georgia, which was dis- 
abled and put back. He was transferred to the 
Ohio at Havana, and iinally arrived at San 
Francisco on the 1st of April, 1852. He went 
to Stockton, and fi'om there on foot to the 
southern mines, and returned to S^icrameiito in 
the same manner, and went to work at his trade 
for George Wallace, the builder. In 1860 he 
went to Virginia City, Nevada, and was there 
during the Indian war, in whicii General Mere- 
dith and Mr.jor Ormsby were killed. In June, 
1864, Mr. Reese M'as married to Miss Carrie E. 
Trimble, daughter of John Trimble, of New 
York, and they have one son living, Charles E. 
Reese, enoaged in mercantile business on J 
street, in this city. Mr. Reese returned to Sac- 
ramento in 1868 and engaged in contracting, 
and since then for the past twenty years has 
been prominently identified with building in- 
terests iu this section of the State. He has 
erected a large share of the finest bnildings in 
tiie Capital City. He is a member of Capital 
Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F., also a member of 
(Accidental Encampment, and a member of Patri- 
archs Militant, and served as District Deputy 
Grand Patriarch. For the past fourteen years 
he has resided at his present comfortable, at- 
tractive home on H street. 

fAMES RUTTER was Iwrn in August, 1S27, 
in Cornwall, England, his parents being 
James and Elizabeth (Barrett) Rutter. He 
was educated and learned iiis trade (at which he 
worked two years) in iiis native town, llaylc 
Cop'perhouse. In tiiis town the engine used to 



pump the water out of Harlem Lake, in Hol- 
land, was built. He came to America in 1849 
and settled in New York, where he worked at 
his trade for a year as journeyman; then left 
New York for the West, going up the Missis- 
sippi River to Churchville, then down the river 
to Quincy, Illinois. He stayed there nntil 1851, 
working at his trade. In January of that year 
he started for Galena, Illinois, leaving his tools 
at Quincy, as there was no mode of conveyance 
til! the navigation opened up in the spring. He 
traveled parallel with the Mississippi till he 
struck Rock Ishuid, then took the stage. He 
found Galena very dull but managed to make a 
living at his trade nntil spring; and when spring 
arrived commenced working regularly. In the 
fall of 1851 he married Tomsine Penberthy, a 
native of Cornwall, England, located about six 
or seven miles from where he was born. In 
April, 1852, he and his wife came across tiie 
plains by means of ox teams with a train of 
twenty wagons and sixty- persons. They reached 
the Sink of the Humboldt without having en- 
countered many thrilling events. From there 
they started to cross the desert at about nine 
o'clock in the morning; had dinner at one 
o'clock at a place where the ground was literally 
covered with the accumulations of the iron 
works from the wagons that had been inirned 
there to cook food. After resting about an hour 
they continued their journey to Carson Valley. 
The last ten miles of the journey was the hard- 
est on account of the sandy roads. They noted 
that the sand was springy, which was caused by 
the accumulation of the carcasses of animals 
that had died there and over which the sand had 
drifted; they traveled over these bodies for a 
distance of ten miles! About the 5th of Au- 
gust they reached Diamond Spring and stop- 
ped there. Mr. Rutter worked at his trade at 
Hangtown for awhile, but soon went to Sacra- 
mento city, where he worked at his trade in the 
Overton iilock on Third and J streets. During 
the fire of 1852 his tools were destroyed and he 
also lost his wages; after that he was occupied 
in helping to rebuild the city, at $10 a day. 



lll.STOUy OF SAVltAMKNTO COUNTY. 



Jamiiiry 1, 1858, lie moved upon his present 
riincli at Florin, lie first pre-empted it and 
afterward located it under the laws of the State. 
The place is beautifully situated about eight 
miles from Sacramento, and is the dividing line 
hetvvcLMi Ijrighton and San Joaijiiiii townships. 
The ranch is what is calletl plains lanti; the 
formation is of a bed rock three feet from sur- 
face, commonly called " hard pan," and the 
water is eight feet from the surface and of first 
quality. The soil will grow anything that can 
be raised in California. The land was unim- 
proved, and there was Spanish cattle ruimingon 
it when he first went there to live. The first 
year he planted 600 peach-trees, which grew up 
nicely, but the grasshoppers came and destroyed 
all but 158 of them; he renewed them and got 
a fine growth. In 1861:, on account of the 
drought, ho had td inipniviso s< nie method of 
watering thorn; he did so and obtained a fine 
growth; this was the commencement of irriga- 
tion. There was very little fruit in the market 
that year, and he could command almost any 
price for his; one-half the proceeds from the 
first crop paid ofi' the mortgage on his farm. 
The first year he also planted a small vineyard, 
principall}' fine Muscats; they fetched from 25 
to 50 cents per pound for the first lots, lie 
kept increasing his vineyard yearly. lie sent 
the first grapes on the railroad, when it was 
completed to Chicago, and realized a large figure 
at that market. His vineyard now consists of 
100 acres in bearing. He has been shipping to 
Martin & Co., of Denver, for the past seven years. 
lie produces a great many wine grapes which 
are consumed hero. In 1872 he was awarded 
the diploma at the American Institute at New 
York city for the display of Muscats, Ale-vandria 
and Flaming Tokay. In 1873 he was awartled 
the silver medal by the American Pomological 
Society in Boston for the best collection of 
grapes grown west of the Rocky Mountains. In 
1874 he sent a fine collection to Nebraska and 
was awarded the modal by the Horticultural 
Society of that State. Some, of the clusters of 
fruit were selected and sent to other fairs. I'\)r 



the last twelve years he has held a regular ex- 
hibition at the California State Fair, and has re- 
ceived hundreds of dollars in premiums. At 
tlie California Fair held in 1879 he was awarded 
the golden prize by the California State Agri- 
cultural Association for wine grapes, table 
grapes and raisins. He is a member of the 
California Fruit Union and the Dried Fruit 
Association (a new society started last fall). Mr. 
liutter has one daughter, Agnes, wife of L. M. 
Landsborough, resident in Sacramento. 



^H-l- 



LLIAM II. UOniNSON, farmer and 
fruit-raiser, Brighton Township, was 
born in Conneaut, Ashtabula County, 
Ohio, April 6, 1832. His father, Israel An- 
thony Ilobinson, was of English descent, and his 
mother, nee Delia Lake, of Dutch, and proba- 
bly born in New York, and they, with one or 
two other families, were among the very first 
settlers in the neighliorhood of Conneaut. They 
reared niiie children, all k)rn in the same log 
house, si,x sons and three daughters, to the years 
of maturity. Their fatlier died there about 
1830, and their mother in 1840 emigrated to 
Aurora, Kane County, Illinois, where she passed 
the remainder of her days, leaving the scenes of 
earth in 1873. Their children were: Henry, who 
died in 186!) in Sacramento; Robert, who resides 
in San Francisco; Henrietta, who resides in this 
county; Charles, died in Placerville in 1850, 
and Sally died in this county about 1876; "Will- 
iam II., whose name heads this sketch; Frank, 
who died in the interior of Oregon while on a 
mining expedition. The boyhood days of Mr. 
William II. Robinson, our subject, were spent 
at home in Ohio and Illinois till he was about 
fourteen years of age, when he went to the lead 
mines in Wisconsin and spent two years with a 
surveying party in Minnesota, when the settlers 
we're few. He was kept on tlu; frontier so 
steadily in his younger days that he never saw 
even a railroad until 1853, when he took his 
first ride from Madison, Wisconsin, to New 



IIISTOIIY OF HACHAMKNTO COUNTY. 



York city, on the way to California. On arriv- 
ing at New York lie took passage on tlie steamer 
Ohio to Panama, and came tlience on the steamer 
John L. Stephens. Leavinfr New York some 
time in December, he landed in San Francisco 
in January, 1854. First he prospected about 
Hangtown a year. The next spring he went 
upon the police force at Sacramento, which posi- 
tion he retained a year. March 12, 1857, he 
located upon his present place at Florin. The 
land was perfectly barren, and lie raised his first 
two crops without a fence, and herded the stock 
off the place nigiit and day. He has made this 
farm his home ever since, witli the exception of 
two years when he was deputy sheriff under E. 
F. White, 18G9-"71. His iarm contains 100 
acres, devoted to fruit and grain. Has thirty- 
five acres in trees and vines, mostly the latter, 
and the remainder in grain. In the first place 
he set out 100 orange trees eleven years ago, 
but the frost has killed them all out except 
six, four of which are in bearing. Politically 
Mr. Robinson, as well as his father, was a Whig, 
and has been a Eepublican ever since that party 
was organized. He has been a delegate to every 
Republican county convention except one since 
1871. He was married January 24, 18G0, to 
Lydia E. Smith, daughter of Thomas M. Smith. 
She came with her parents to California, arriving 
December 1, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson 
Lave one son, Frank T., born April 8, 1866. 



fOHN P,. STUDARUS, orchardist, etc., 
Brighton Township, was born in St. Gall, 
Switzerland, December 10, 1824, brought 
up on a farm, and when seventeen years old 
learned the trade of baker, following it five 
years in one locality. In 1847 he sailed from 
Havre to the United States in a sailing vessel, 
landing at New York after a voyage of forty- 
two days. With him came an old schoolmate 
named Nokear Stahele, who remained with him 
two years before separating. It was Mr. Stud- 
arus' intention to go to Cincinnati; but on reach- 



ing Pittsburg he found the Ohio River so low 
that it was impossible to go down on the boat. 
He remained at Alleghany City, adjoining Pitts- 
burg, until 1850, engaged in gardening, etc., for 
other parties, and then with his friend rented a 
dairy farm. He drove a milk wagon for his 
friend until his brother arrived from Switzer- 
land; then he worked for another dairyman until 
the fall of 1848, when he went down the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans; was there about three 
weeks without finding any work that suited him; 
and he left there, the Asiatic cholera breaking 
out in the city at the same time. Going to Cin- 
cinnati, he found employment. For the first 
three weeks he was engaged on the packet steamer 
running between Cincinnati and Madison, Indi- 
ana, in 1849. Became sick and lay up at a 
boarding house in Cincinnati for a few days. 
Being also out of money, he was obliged to ac- 
cept the first offer of work that was made, and 
he drove a milk wagon in that city seven months, 
during the time the cholera was raging. Over 
5,500 ])eople died there in three months. In 
August he went to Pittsburg, sick. His old 
comrade took him to his house until he recov- 
ered; and while there he nlet a young lady whom 
he had known in Europe, Mary Reach by name, 
and married her, in Alleghany City, rented a 
couple of rooms and worked at whatever he 
could find to do until he heard of a family near 
Wellsville, West Virginia, named Arbuckle, 
who wanted a farmer to take charge, preferably 
a German. He and his wife went there and 
worked for wages six months, and then took 
part of the place on shares. Remained there 
until March, 1853, when with two children they 
came overland to California. They were. delayed 
two weeks at Weston, Missouri, twenty-eight 
miles below St. Joseph, by sickness of children. 
They arrived at Diamond Spring, El Dorado 
County, about the first of September; and a 
few miles from there, at a place called Logtowii, 
Mr. Studarus commenced mining, being- there 
somewhat over a year; then he came down into 
the Sacramento Valley, near where Brighton 
now is, and rented a farm on the American 



JIISTOnr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTr. 



River for six years. He then, in 1857, bought 
tlie squatters' title to the place where lie now 
lives, a part of the old Folsoin grant. The 
place comprises 338 acres, all in one body, most 
of it being river bottom. For several years his 
principal crop was barley; afterward brooin-cori;, 
Indian corn and melons. After the Central 
Pacific Railroad was completed the demand for 
fruit increased, and he commenced setting out 
trees and vines, until he now has 120 acix-s cov- 
ered, nearly all in bearing condition. Mr. Stud- 
arus is one of the charter members, and at 
present a director, uf the Sacramento Cannery, 
which was established in the summer of 1888, 
and he is also a charter member of the American 
River Grange. In his political sympathies he 
was a Republican during the war, but recently 
he has been Democratic. His wife died in Oc- 
tober, 1872, the mother of fourteen children, of 
whom nine are now living, three sons and six 
daughters. The following year he married Bar- 
bara Bollenbacher, who died December 10, 1884, 
the mother of three children: a son, Joseph and 
a daughter, are twins. 



ip^ON. JOSEPH STEFFENS.— California is 
%m\ '^ wonderful land; its inhabitants have 
■^(1 become renowned the world over for a 
spirit of energy, enterprise, pluck and perse- 
verance, that has never been seen elsewhere; it 
is a land of gigantic undertakings, and grand 
achievements, even in this country of great at- 
tainments, its success is unparralleled. Here, as 
elsewhere, the moral is true, that a steady and 
persistent following of right courses, diligent 
attendance to business, and the adoption of cor- 
rect methods, is the truest source of successful 
advancement. It is a pleasure to write the his- 
tory of the lives of Californians; there is always 
variety, instruction and interest; yet never in 
the recollection of the writer has he undertaken 
a sketch more full of all that is valuable for the 
purpose of either private reading, or of public 
study, than the life of the Hon. Joseph Steffens. 



No man in this part of California occupies a 
positionof more prominence as a public-spirited 
and far-seeing citizen than he. In his office oE 
President of the Board of Trade of this city, lie 
has accomplished a great work for the develop- 
ment, not only of Sacramento, but also of Cen- 
tral and Northern California. It is impossible 
to do full justice to this subject, yet facts and 
particulars can be given, which will enable one 
to form as close an acquaintance as can be had, 
without a personal meeting. lie was born Janu- 
ary 15, 1837, in the township of York, Upper 
Canada. In 1840 the family removed to Car- 
roll County, Illinois, where they resided for 
many years. As with so many others of our 
prominent men, the early life of Mr. Steffens 
was passed uponafarm, the summer being spent 
in work, and the winters at school; and it was 
there that he laid the foundation from which he 
has reached his present height. Not being of 
a very robust nature, his parents feared that he 
could not endure the severe labor of regular 
farm employment: accordingly, when nineteen 
years of age, he entered the Rock Island Semi- 
nary, where he took an academic course; later 
he entered " Bell's Commercial College," Chi- 
cago, as a student of mercantile branches; upon 
completingacourse, he taught school for several 
terms; but, being anxious to devote himself to 
commercial life, he became a clerk for C M. 
Clayton, dealer in paints and oils, at Freeport, 
Illinois, in 1859. He remained with this firm 
three years; and there perfected himself in the 
line of trade in which he has been constantly 
engaged ever since. Desiring to test for him- 
self the truth of the stories current in the Mid- 
dle States, and to take advantage of the oppor- 
tunities afforded an ambitious young man in 
this glorious State, he decided to come hither. 
In the summer of 1862 he crossed the plains 
with Levi Carter of Stockton, passing through 
Sacramento on his way, and arrived at San Fran- 
cisco, September 9, of that year. He found 
employment almost immediately with Fuller 
& Heather, dealers in paints and oils, as book- 
keeper, the salary being but $50 a month. His 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



abilities in this line of trade, his knowledge of 
the business, and his active attention to the in- 
terests of his employers, won their confidence, 
and he was soon promoted to better positions. 
He remained with this liouse until its consoli- 
dation with that of Cameron, Whittier & Co., 
under the name of Whittier, Fuller & Co., now 
so well known in the paint and oil trade; it be- 
ing the leading firm on this coast. Fuller & 
Heather had bad two houses, one in San Fran- 
cisco and the other in Sacramento. Upon the 
consolidation, the stores of the two firms were 
merged into one, located on the corner of Fourth 
and Pine streets, where Mr. Stefi'ens continued 
for a year; at the end of tiiis time, in 1869, he 
was sent to Sacramento, to take charge of the busi- 
ness here. He continued to act as manager of 
the Sacramento house until 1874, at which date 
he was admitted a member of the firm; and has 
since that time been a resident partner, controll- 
ing the financial affairs of the house in this part 
of the State. He is director of the California 
State Bank. Such in brief, is a record of the life 
of the Hon. Joseph Stefi'ens; but to give a fair un- 
derstanding of the importantpart performed by 
him, in tiie liistory of tliis section, would be to 
almost write the history of this period; so ac- 
tive a part has he taken in all public matters. 
He has been President of the Board of Trade 
since December, 1882, and is the most active 
and responsible member of that valuable board; 
the annual reviews issued by the Board of Trade 
are documents of great value. We shall not, 
however, in this place, refer to this subject at 
greater length, as in another portion of this vol- 
ume the matter is treated' fully, wjth the as- 
sistance of both president and secretary of tiie 
board Mr. Steti'ens is also an active member 
of the Sacramento Improvement Association, 
and is President of the California Museum As- 
sociation, and takes a most lively interest in it. 
He is distinctively a business inan_ but interests 
himself intelligently, in local and national poli 
tics, as they effect the well-being of the nation, 
and the community in which he resides, and 
where lie lias so mucli at stake; he is not a poli- 



tician, however, although frequently importuned 
to enter political life. In 1884 he was induced 
to permit his name to be used in the city elec- 
tion as a candidate for mayor on the Republican 
ticket. So close was the election that after one 
week's canvass, out of 4,000 votes polled, he 
lacked but thirty-one of being elected, — a higli 
tribute to the esteem and jjopularitj' of a busi- 
ness man, whose hold on the hearts of his fel- 
low-citizens had been gained by a life of intel- 
ligent devotion to their common welfare. Mr. 
Steffens is a gentleman of quiet and pleasant 
manners, captivating address, and of social and 
cultured tastes; he is an eloquent and effective 
speaker, and a graceful writer. His speeches 
are full of matter worthy of preservation; being 
sound, thoughtful, and argumentative; grace- 
fully and clearly expressed, and interspersed 
with wit and happy humor; noteworthy among 
them, may be mentioned the address at the 
opening of the Exposition of the Citrus Fair 
at Ashland, on the completion of the California 
and Oregon Railway, where he appeared as a 
representative of this city; at Placerville, where 
he likewise represented Sacramento, on the com- 
pletion of the railroad to that point, and his 
letters and address at the time of the Margaret 
E. Crocker flower festival. Tiiese are not only 
interesting and valuable for their referrence to 
important events and persons connected with 
the history of Sacramento, but they reflect the 
highest credit upon their author, for ability, 
culture and taste. The letters written by Mr. 
Steffens to theRecord- Union, dinvmg the course 
of a journey made through the East in 1881, in 
company witiiJMr. Albert Gallatin, during which 
they traveled some 12,000 miles, are of peculiar 
interest, and contain thoughts and suggestions 



•eat value; and a noteworthy feature about 



them is the correctness of the forecast, and pre- 
dictions as to what the future would bring forth 
in this happy land. Mr. SteflenS is the owner 
of much property in this city, his palatial resi- 
dence at No. 1224 H street, being one of the 
most notable structures in tiie city, and is 
pointed out to strangers with pride by our citi- 



JlltiTOh'Y OF i^AUnAMKNTO COUNTY. 



zens. Mr. Steffens was_ married January 15, 
1805, in San Francisco, to Miss E. Louise Symes, 
of Iloboken, New Jersey; they have four chil- 
dren, whose names are Josepli Lincoln, Lulu, 
Laura and liOttie. 

^-^•%¥ 

tLEXAiN'DER STEVENSON was born 
in November, 1S31, in Poughkeepsie, 
Dutchess County, New York, his parents 
being Alexander and Letitia (Wallace) Steven- 
son. His grandparents on both his father's and 
mother's side came originally from Scotland. 
Those on the paternal side emigrated to the 
United States prior to the Revolutionary war, 
and located in Virginia. Some time after, 
while they were making a tour through Ireland, 
Alexander, the futhor of the subject of this 
sketch, was b irn. The grandfather was a 
soldier in the war, and his wife was a nurse 
and helped to care for the wounded soldiers. 
His mother's grandfather Wallace came to the 
United States, remained awhile, then returned 
to Scotland, where he died. Two of his sons 
located in Maryland, where the mother of our 
subject was born. Alexander Stevenson, Sr., 
with his wife and family moved in 1839 or 1840 
from Dutchess County, New York, to Michi- 
gan, locating in Oakland County. Mr. Steven- 
sun died there August 15, 1848. By trade he 
was a miller, which business he followed till he 
went to Michigan, after which he engaged in 
farming. Mrs. Stevenson died February, 1849, 
after the death of her husband. They had 
eight children, six sons and two daughters. 
Alexander is the only member of the family 
who came to California. He was <juite a child 
when taken to Michigan, where he attended 
school for a short time, but most of his educa- 
tion was obtained by practical experience. 
After the death of his parents he ran the home 
farm and cared for the younger members of the 
family. Finally, being somewhat ran down in 
health, he determined to seek a change of 
climate and of scenery; accordingly, on the 



25th of March, 1852, he set out for California. 
The members of the party with which he went 
were all strangers to him, with the exception of 
one person; but, notwithstanding that, they all 
became the best of friends and made the whole 
of the journey together, — cooked their meals 
together and slept together. He had not a 
quarrel or difference among them. They trav- 
eled through the States, and on the 5th of May 
crossed the Missouri River at Council Bluffs, 
and went into camp two miles out. They trav- 
eled from Fort Laramie to Green River; at this 
place they were overcharged by the man who 
ferried them across. A trial was given him at 
Salt Lake City, which resulted in their getting 
back the money paid for ferrying. They stayed 
at Salt Lake fourteen days; left there July 10. 
On reaching the borders of the desert they en- 
camped for the night, and the next evening at 
4 o'clock started across, arriving in Carson Val- 
ley next morning. They struck Carson River, 
reached Hangtown on the 25lh of September, 
all healthy, hearty, and feeling tine. They had 
no trouble whatever on the journey. Once they 
came near having trouble with the Pawnee In- 
dians, but by taking the advice of Mr. Steven- 
son to treat them kindly, got through the 
difiiculty all right. On the evening of the day 
of their arrival, the}' bought picks, pans, rock- 
ers, and everything necessary to commence 
mining the next morning, the whole seven of 
them being in partnership. They worked fifteen 
days, and at the end of that time had an auction, 
took the gold dust to Hangtown and sold it, 
then divided the proceeds ($16,000) among 
them. Tlu?n they separated, each going his 
own way. Mr. Stevenson sold his wagon and 
team of four horses, and continued mining until 
November 5, when he was taken sick and had 
to go to Sacramento. He was there during the 
tire of 1852, and remained there until 1853, 
when he went back to mining. In March he 
i came to this valley and located on a place a 
] little south of where he now lives. From that 
time he has been engaged in farming, inter- 
I spersed with mining at odd times. In 1860 he 



IIIsrOHY OP- SAOUAMENTO COUNTY. 



bought his present place of 330 acres, situated 
in San Joa([uin Townsliip, nine miles from 
Sacramento, on the npper Stockton road. He 
lias been a land-owner since March, 1853. He 
has been operating in the mines to a eonsidei- 
able extent up to within the past three years. 
As long as he was mining in Placerviile he 
made money. In Virginia City, Nevada, he 
was operating in both mining and milling, 
and claims with good success. In Arizona, 
however, he met with reverses, having put in 
about §20,000 from time to time. He has some 
mining interests tiiere now, but according to 
Mr. Stevenson's own views there is not a very 
flattering prospect. In 1859 he was married 
to Miss Louisa Foulks, a native of Mansfield, 
Richland County, Ohio. They have two chil- 
dren: Josephine F., born December 11, 1862, 
and Alfred, born January 20, 1863. Foiiticaliy 
Mr. Stevenson has never taken an active part, 
but is Democratic in his views. 

•«^h|. ; ,.;.?.,^ 



fOHN B.TAVLOIi.fariner, Brighton Town- 
ship. Benjamin Taylor, the father of John 
B., of English descent, married Margaret 
Brown, of German ancestry; both, however, 
were natives of Baltimore County, Maryland. 
In 1844, with five children, they moved to 
Ohio, settling in Seneca County, of which Titiin 
is the county seat. There Mr. Taylor followed 
farming until his death in 1865. Several years 
afterward his widow moved to Mexico, Audrain 
County, Missouri, where she lived with a mar- 
ried daughter until her death in 1873. She 
was born in 1796, and her husband in 1792. 
The children are: Edward, in Sun City, Barber 
County, Kansas; John B., the subject of this 
sketch; Benjamin Franklin, in Brown County, 
Nebraska; Mrs. Margaret A. S. Farah, in Aud- 
rain County, Missouri, and David W., in this 
county. Mr. J. B. Taylor was born August 30, 
1826, in Baltimore County, Maryland, and was 
eighteen years old when he removed to Ohio. 
He worked at the carpenter's trade until he 



joined a party of flfteen young' men at Tiflin, 
some of them married, for coming overland 
with mule teams to California. They went to 
Cincinnati by rail, thence to Independence, 
Missouri, by river, where they bought their out- 
fit of teams, wagons and provisions, making a 
good preparation for a long and tedious journey 
through plain, mountain and desert. Leaving 
Independence May 2, 1849, they crossed the 
backbone of the continent at South Pass, and 
went into camp at Fort Hall, in what is now 
Idaho, 600 miles from Sacramento, being in 
doubt whether there was any gold in California; 
and while there a ptrty of Mormons came along 
on horseback from California, on their way to 
Salt Lake, who exhibited their bags of gold dust 
which they had picked up in California. The 
next fears of the party were that the goM would 
be all gone before they got here! They took a 
vote whether they should abandon their wagons 
and proceed on pack mules, one German per- 
sisting in favor of keeping the wagons. On 
their mules they came, making about forty 
miles a day, and arrived in Sacramento August 
15. This city then consisted of but one frame 
building and a large number of tents and cloth 
houses. The party then divided into small 
companies and went to the mines. One com- 
pany of ten, including Mr. Taylor, went to 
Beale's Bar, on the north fork of the American 
River, engaged in inining awhile, and then 
went to Kelsey's, El Dorado County, and win- 
tered there. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Taylor 
went to Yuba, in Nevada County, and took 
some mining claims; but being sick he was not 
able to attend to them, and in about two months 
lie sold them and came to Sacramento, with the 
intention of returning East. Here he met 
John N. Goetschius, a merchant from Cold 
Springs, El Dorado County, who wanted him 
for a partner; and he accepted the offer, re- 
maining with him until the fall of 1852; then 
selling out his interest there, he returned to 
Tiffin, Ohio. The next February he went to 
Missouri and bought a herd of horses and 
cattle, returned to Tifiin and married Miss A. 



lIISTOliY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



E. Goetscliius, March 17, 1853. Shortly iiftt-r- 
ward, witli liis wife, lie took the train i'or Cin- 
cinnati, a steamer np to St. Joseph. Missouri, 
completed his outfit with the cattle and horses 
lie had purchased, and May 3 started again 
across the plains and mountains for the far dis- 
tant West, arriving in Placerville in 120 daye, 
and settling on the place where he now is, — 
on the Coloma road and hordering on the 
American River, fourteen miles from Sacra- 
mento, September 20, 1853. There he con- 
ducted a hotel until 1858, and since then has 
followed agriculture. In 1857-'58 he engaged 
also in mining on his own place, on the border 
uf the river, and found it a paying business. 
During that time he also was a member of the 
County Board of Supervisors. His farm is 
488 acres in extent; ten acres are in vineyard, 
and twenty in larger fruit of various kinds. 
The soil is a santly loam, rich and productive, 
and the place is well clothed with tine build- 
ings, etc., all of which are the product of Mr. 
Taylor's industry. He is a member of a Pio- 
neer Society, and of the Masonic fraternity. He 
has three daughters: Alice Amelia, wife of M. 
L. Wise, of Sacramento; Anna Florence, wife 
of Charles Studarus, and Margaret Isabelle, re- 
siding at home. Postoffice, Koutier. 



-|->«*|-' 



fA. WHITE, M. D., County Physician, 
was born in Howard Ccunty, Missouri, 
® December 20, 1848; came to California 
in 1804; attended school in Sacramento, and 
here also studied medicine in the office of Dr. 
G. L. Simmons, in this city, and continued his 
studies in the office of Dr. II. L. Nichols; 
graduated at the Long Island Medical College 
in the class of 1869, and at the Jeflt'erson Medi- 
cal College at Philadelphia, in the class of 1870. 
Returning to California he first practiced his 
profession at Davisville for three or four 
months, and then removed to Sacramento and 
became an assistant to Dr. A. C. Donaldson, the 
county physician, who had partially retired 



from practice. The County Hospital, was then 
at the corner of Tenth and L streets, in Sacra- 
mento. The next year the patients were re- 
moved to the new building, and the Doctor 
changed residence accordingly. Owing to the 
increasing infirmities of Dr. Donaldson, Dr. 
White was appointed to succeed him in office in 
March, 1872; and since that date, with the ex- 
ception of one term of two years (1879-'80), he 
has held that position. (See history of the 
hospital elsewhere in this volume.) In 1S(^)8 
Dv. White married Miss Cora J. Smith, of 
Butte County, who had emigrated from that 
part of Missouri where the Doctor had passed 
his boyhood, and even during the same year 
that he came West. They have two sons and 
two daughters living. Their eldest daughter 
and youngest son are deceased. The Doctor is 
a member of the orders of Freemasons, Red 
Men and United Workmen, and in politics is 
Democratic. Is also a metnber of the national 
and the county medical associations. 

tON. WILLIAM CARY VAN FLEET, 
.fudge of the Superior Court of Sacra- 
mento, California, was born March 24, 
1852, in Maumee City, Ohio, near which place 
his father still resides, now at an advanced age. 
Upon the father's side he is of an old family 
that emigrated from Holland, while on the 
mother's side he is connected with the histori- 
cal American families of Boone and Lincoln, 
his grandmother's father being a Boone, while 
her inother was of the family from which sprang 
Abraham Lincoln. He was brought up and edu- 
cated to the point of leaving school, in his native 
town, and in the city of Toledo. In 1869 he 
came to California, remaining in Sacramento, 
where he immediately began the study of law 
in the office of Messrs. Beatty & Denson, the 
former of whom (his uncle by marrjage), the 
well-known and universally esteemed Judge H. 
O. Beatty, was formerly Chief Justice of the 
State of Nevada, but has now retired from ac- 



Ill,'<TOi:y OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tive practice. Judge Denson, the other mein- 
ber of the firm, formerly occupied a seat upon 
the bench as Judge of tiie District and Superior 
Courts of this county. In 1873 Judge Van 
Fleet was admitted to the bar, and in the fol- 
lowing year commenced to practice at Elko, 
Nevada. He remained there only two years, 
however, returning to Sacramento in 1876, and 
has since that time been actively identified with 
the history of this city. In 1880 he was 
elected a member of the State Assembly from 
Sacramento, upon the Kepublican ticket, in 
which party Judge Van Fleet has always taken 
an active and intelligent part. During his 
term he held the chairmanship of the Military 
Committee, and also of that of the Committee 
on the Yosemite Valley and Big Trees, being 
the only member who was chairman of two 
committees. In 1883 Judge Van Fleet was 
appointed by Governor Stoneman one of the 
Board of State Prison Directors, which position 
he resigned on liis election to the bench. lie 
was elected to his present position upon tlie 
bench of the Superior Court in the year 1884, 
holding office for the long term. Judge Van 
Fleet is an active inember in high standing of 
the Knights of Flonor, the order of Odd Fel- 
lows, ot the Masons, and of the Knights Tein- 
plar. In 1882 he went East to Baltimore as 
Grand Representative of the Knights of Honor. 
Judge Van Fleet has the reputation of being a 
good lawyer, sound in practice, active and dili- 
,gent in his attention to the interests of clients,' 
and deeply read in all branches of the law. As 
a judge he is fair and impartial, firm and fear- 
less in his determinations, bringing to bear upon 
all points an accurate knowledge of the minuter 
technicalities, as well as the broader principles 
of the science of law. Personally he is a highly 
popular man, commanding the esteem and con- 
fidence of all circles to the fullest extent, and is 
regarded as a man who has open before him the 
highest walks of judicial life, being fitted by 
birth and personal characteristics to fill any 
position to which he may be called. lie has 
been married twice, the first time in 1877, to 



Mary Isabella Carey, the daughter of Hon. R. 
S. Carey, of Sacramento; his wife died, how- 
ever, during the first year of their marriage, 
leaving an infant son. He was married the 
second time in January, 1887, to Miss Lizzie 
Eldridge Crocker, daughter of Clark W. Crocker, 
of San Francisco, by whom he also has a son. 



ILLIAM J. SCHULZE,son of Frederick 
Schulzc. was born near Berlin, Germany, 
February 4, 1835, and was nine years 
of age when his parents emigrated with their 
children to America, landing at New York. 
They first located at Watertown, New York, 
and there William learned the blacksmith's 
trade and followed it about twenty years. His 
father is still a resident of that State; his 
mother died when he was ten years old. Pie 
came to California in 1857, by way of New 
Orleans and the Isthmus, being twenty-one days 
from New Orleans to San Francisco. He fol- 
lowed his trade five months in the latter city, 
visited Stockton and Sacramento, and then went 
to the mines at Gold Hill, etc., traveling around 
until his money gave out. Then he started 
back to his shop at the Eleven-Mile House, on 
the Jackson road, and pursued his vocation 
there a year; then he established a shop on the 
Andy Kelley ranch, on the grant line, near 
Sheldon. After running that a year he went to 
Richland and built a shop, but the flood de- 
stroyed it and drove out the residents, and he 
returned and bought back his old shop on the 
grant line and conducted it five years longer. 
Sheldon was quite a town then, but after the 
railroaa was built to Elk Grove the business of 
Sheldon was moved there. In 1864, owing to 
ill-health, he quit the shop, according to the 
advice of physicians, and purchased his present 
ranch, the west half of the northwest quarter of 
section 27, and the southeast qnarter of section 
32 of township — north, of range — east, 
which is tive miles from Elk Grove and sixteen 
from Sacramento. At the time of the pun-b;i«' 



IIItiTOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



this land was a desert-like plain, with the ex- 
ception of a small amount of tinil)t'r. All the 
improvements, therefore, that are seen upon it 
to-day are the work .if Mr. Schulze's hands, 
and it is one "of the best farms in Sacramento 
County. Mr. Schulze is one of the county's 
best citizens. He was married April 10, 1863, 
to Miss Louisa Milens, whose people were 
natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Schulze 
have nine children, viz.: W. M., born January 
13, 1864; Frank A., July 12, 1865; Louisa S., 
November 10, 1866; John L., March 10,1868; 
Edmond G., December 7, 1870; Clara E., Au- 
gust 12, 1872; Minnie B., December 28, 1873; 
Herman P., December 5, 1879; Lena S., No- 
vember 4, 1883. Herman P. died July 20, 
1885, aged live years, seven months and five 
days. 



fOHN TRYON, a resident of the city of 
Sacramento, was born in the Province of 
Quebec, Canada, iu February, 1824. His 
father, David Tryon, was a boy at the time of 
the Revolutionary War, grandfather Tryon at 
that time living in Vermont, United States, but 
liis sympathies were with his mother country, 
and he with his family moved across the line, 
goino- 200 miles by o.x teams into the timber 
and settling on " rent lands," at Clarenceville, 
Province of Quebec. David Tryon grew up 
there and married Jennie Crawford, a native of 
Scotland; the subject of this sketch was their 
only son. He grew to manhood, and at the age 
of twenty-three was married to Adelia A. Bil- 
lings. She having died in 1861, he was again 
married, to Miranda R. Billings, a Canadian, her 
father being a Vermonter, but not near related 
to his iirst wife. By this second marriage there 
were four children. In 1869, he with his family 
removed to Atchison County, Kansas. After 
six years they took up a homestead in Pottawa- 
tomie County, living thereon seven years, then 
removed to the southern part of tlie State, 
within fifty miles of Indian Territory. Falling 



heir to the estate of Ephraim L. Billings, who 
had come to California in the early day and set- 
tled in Sacramento, and died in January, 1883, 
they removed to this city, where they have made 
their home ever since. 



FAY, the genial proprietor of the 
Eldred House, was born in County 
Galway, Ireland, in 1830, son of 
Michael Fay, a farmer and stone-mason. The 
family consisted of eleven children, three of 
whom were sons. When a mere boy, our sub- 
ject's elder brother Patrick bad gone to Lincoln- 
shire, England, and when Michael grew np he 
joined him there, and after a year or two they 
came to America together, in the ship Alice 
Wilson. After a voyage of nine weeks and 
three days they landed in New York, July, 
1847. He went to Montgomery County, New 
York, for a year, where he was engaged in 
driving a team; then went to Wayne County, 
in the same State, ior a time. In the spring of 
1852 he left New York for California. He 
sailed to the Isthmus on the steamer Prome- 
theus, crossed the Isthmus, and came up the 
coast on the steamer Independence. His brother, 
who had come to the coast in 1851, was mining 
at Cook's Bar, on the Cosumnes River, and our 
subject joined him there. He was quite suc- 
cessful in mining; working with a common 
"rocker," he made $16 a day. In 1858 he 
purchased a ranch in this county, where he en- 
gaged in farming until 1873, when he moved 
liis family to Sacramento. He purchased the 
Eldred House of Sid Eldred, of which he has 
been proprietor for five years. Always taking 
an active interest in politics and affiliating with 
the Democratic party, he was brought forward 
by them as their candidate for county treasurer 
in 1881. For thirteen years he has been a 
member of the order of Odd Fellows. For 
several years he has traveled extensively over 
the State, and after a careful investigation of 
the advantages o*' the diflferent cities, gives it as 



ULSTORY OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



his opinion that Sacranieiito is not excelled by 
any portion of the Golden State. He was mar- 
ried in October, 1863, to Mrs. Minerva (Tat- 
inan) Perry, widow of M. Perry, a native of 
Illinois. They have two daugliters. 



tENRY TRTECHLER, a pioneer, was born 
in Staffa, Canton Zurich, Switzerland, in 
1821, his parents being Henry and Eliza- 
beth (Brain weldt) Triechler both natives of 
Switzerland. Erom the tender age of twelve 
years our subject was compelled by circum- 
stances to face the world alone. First he worked 
in a cotton factory, then as a tailor's apprenticej 
spent two years in traveling and later on worked 
as a tailor, all before he was twenty-two years of 
age. He then emigrated to America, sailing 
from Havre, France, September, 1844, in a 
nierclu.nt vessel for New Orleans, being forty- 
eiglit days on the voyage. At New Orleans he 
i-eadily found employment at iiis trade, but in 
1845, during the yellow fever epidemic in New 
Orleans, he went to Meuipiiis, Tennessee, and 
early in the spring of 1846, went to San Antonio, 
Texas, but returned again to New Orleans and 
later on went to Baton Rouge, Mississippi, 
where he carried on business on his own account. 
During the summer of 1849, having heard ac- 
counts of General Fremont's exploits in Galifor- 
nia, and of the discovery of gold liere, he, with 
characteristic promptness of action, obtained 
passage on the steamer Falcon. Among others 
who came at that time was Mr. W. R. Strong, a 
merchant of this city, whose sketch appears 
elsewhere in this volume. They arrived in 
Sacramento January 6, 1850, having spent a 
month in a sailing vessel coming from San Fran- 
cioco: fare $B6.00. Our subject was sufFei'ing 
from an attack of Panama fever, but, undeterred 
by this circumstance, he went almost immedi- 
ately to Nicholas, on the Feather River, remain- 
ing there for a few weeks only and then going 
to the Auburn mining district. His mining 
experience not proving a success, he returned 



again to Nicliola-j and spent some time in the 
hay fields of the valley, subsequently returning 
to Sacramento and purchasing a ranch on the 
river, seven miles south of the city, where for 
three years he experimented in farming. Re- 
turning to Sacramento in 1858, he started the 
Mechanics' Exchange on I street, between Front 
and Second streets, where he afterward built a 
hotel, which he kept for fifteen years, when de- 
clining health compelled him to retire from 
active business. He sold the furniture and fix- 
tures and leased the property. He then built 
his brick residence on H street, corner of Twen- 
tieth, where he had owned a lot for some time. 
Mr. Triechler is an active member of the Sacra- 
mento Lodge of California Pioneers. Of his 
home life a passing notice will suffice. He was 
married January 31, 1868, to the oldest daugh- 
ter of Bezirkrichter Marcus and Anna B. Zim- 
inermann, of Trasedingen, Canton Shaffhausen, 
Switzerland. They have seven children: Al- 
bert, Amy, Marcus, who died in infancy; Henry, 
the oldest son, born January 9, 1864; Hattie, 
the oldest daughter, born April 1, 1869; Alber- 
tina, born January 19, 1872, and George Mar- 
shall, the youngest, named in honor of the 
discoverer of gold, James Marshall, was born 
N(.vember 17, 1876. The family were intimate 
friends of General Sutter and James Wilson 
Marshall. 

-^^€(i~®l-^^ — 

fEORGE W. CALLAHAN was born in 
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in Feb- 
ruary, 1845, the son of Daniel E. and Re- 
becca (Sebring) Callahan, who crossed the plains 
from Wisconsin in 1849, and settled in Sacra- 
mento, where for many years they kept what is 
known as the Golden Eagle Hotel, the first in 
the Capital City. The story of Daniel Callahan 
and his wife, in connection with the early days, 
would fill a volume. A few brief items, which 
is all the scope which this work permits, will be 
found interesting to the many friends and ae- 
(piaintiinces wiio still romoinber the genial ho-st 



lIlSTOliY OF i>AVnAMENTO COUi^TY. 



of the Ctolden Eagle, llv. crossed tlie plains 
with ox teams, bringing with hin? his wife and 
two children, — William H., his younger son, 
was born in Sacramento, — arriving hei'ein Sep- 
tember, 1849, having been six months on the 
tedious journey; they camped on the corner of 
Filth and JVI streets, and duiing the Hood of the 
follt>wing year lost everything. Procuring a 
team lie began teaming to the mines, the mother 
t; king in washing and having a few boarders. 
In the spring of 1851 he bought a lot on K 
street, near the corner of Seventh, and erected 
thereon a frame building, which in its turn was 
destroyed by the great lire of that year. Hotel 
accoinuiodations there were none, and lodging 
almost impossible to obtain. He erected a 
iai'ge canvas tent with bunks similar to those 
tound on river steamers, and later on trailed a 
span of horses for a small frame building which 
was erected beside the canvas tent. This hotel 
soon became headquarters for all the speculators 
and horsemen in the city, drawn thither by its 
proximity tt) the horse market, which was lo- 
cated on the same square and carried on by Toll, 
Captain Smith, AVrightmire, and other celebri- 
ties of those days. Toll's livery stable was 
across the way, and this was the busiest corner 
of the city. One day Wrightmire, with a piece 
of chalk, drew upon the canvas lent the picture 
of an eagle, and from that day Callahan's place 
was known as the (Julden Eagle. After the fire 
the corner lot was purchased and a more com- 
modious building was erected, which eventually 
grew into the imposing edifice of the present 
day and was kept by Callahan u.itil 1874. He 
was a man of many friends, generous to a fault, 
fond of sport; his •' pack of hounds"' were known 
by all, and many a good story is related of mine 
host of the Golden Eagle. A politician, a 
Democrat, but numbering among his friends 
men of all parties, when in 1876, he was brought 
forward as the candidate for the office of County 
Treasurer, an office which he filled for seven 
years; he was elected by the handsome majority 
of 2,000 votes, in a district clearly Republican 
by at least 1,880 majority, lie die.l in 1883; 



his wife at tliis writing still survives him. His 
son, George W. Callahan, received his prelimi- 
nary education in the Sacramento schools, and 
was brought up in his father's hotel. He was 
united in marriage to Miss Minnie A. Howell, 
daughter of L. V. II. Howell, of Sau Francisco. 
He left the hotel in 1874 to become Deputy 
Sheriti" under the atiministratiou of Hon. 11. M. 
LaKue, after which he was connected with the 
Sacramento Bank. In 1881, he went to Deming, 
New Mexico, where for a year he kept an 
" eating house." Later on he went East and 
traveled extensively throughout the States. 
Returning, he became interested in silver min- 
ing in Chawanda in the Dolores mining district 
for a time, returning again to California; was at 
the time of his father's demise, in charge of his 
extensive ranch in Placer County, an occupa- 
tion which he still follows. His address is 
Diamond Spring, F^l Dorado County. 



fOIIN SCHEI.L, a Sutter Township farmer, 
was born in Christiania, the capital of Nor- 
way, April 15, 1852, the son of John and 
Jennie Schell, in whose family were two sons 
and four daughters. Four of these came to 
America, namely: Jacob, who is now residing 
in this county; Carrie, residing in Jamestown, 
Dakota; Autonia, in St. Petei-s, Minnesota, and 
John, our subject. At the age of twenty years, 
in 1872, Mr. Schell, after having learned the 
trade of blacksmith, came to the United States, 
landing at Portland, Maine. He worked at liis 
trade nearly three years in Chicago, and then 
came to California; stopped six months in San 
Francisco; then four years was engaged at his 
trade at New Hope, San Joaquin County, on 
the Mokelumne River, and since then has fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. Renting a piece of 
land near the same locality, he worked into 
farming and out of blacksmithiug gradually. 
After raising eight crops there, in the fall of 
1883 he purchased his present place on the 
upiier Stockton road, five miles from the (^iiiitol 



UISTOUr OP SACIIAMENTO COUNTY. 



building. The 230 acres he has here are devoted 
to fruit and grain. Tlie orchard consists prin- 
cipally of poaciies. The vines are mostly of 
wine grapes. Half the peach-trees are bearing, 
and all the vi leyard. The residence is on a 
high knoll, giving a line, commanding view of 
a large extent of country. Shade and ornamen- 
tal trees are gracefully set around, among them 
a few orange and lemon trees. The soil is a 
reddish, sandy loam, peculiarly well adapted to 
fruit. Mr. Schell began in California with 
almost nothing, and the present comfortable 
home attests his industry, economy and good 
judgment. In San Joaquin County, his farm 
was among the tules, and the high waters caused 
him a loss of §5,000 one year and $3,000 
another; and it is indeed wonderful how well he 
has succeeded in getting ahead. He used to 
raise a good deal of live-stock. He is a member 
of Industrial Lodge, No. 157, of Sacramento, I. 
O. O. F. He was married in 1872 to Laura 
Hansen, a native of Norway, who came to this 
country about the same tim j that he did. 



_^ 'IIANCIS A. BURKE, a farmer of Sutter 
Ipl Township, was born in April, 1848, in 
TJ*' Boston, Massachusetts, a son of John A. 
and Sarah (Chandler) Burke, the father a 'na- 
tive of Ireland and mother of Massachusetts. 
His father came to America at the age of ten 
years, was a farmer by occupation, married in 
Boston and came to California in the fall of 
1850, from Boston, by way of Cape Horn, the 
trip occupying about six months; mined 
Mormon Island two years, with moderate suc- 
cess; and in 1852 his wife and one child (the 
subject of this sketch) cajae to California by 
way of the Isthmus. He then started a board- 
ing-house and conducted it until 1854; then 
settled in the country on the Sutter grant, made 
several changes of residence, but finally located 
on tlie Freeport road three and a half miles 
fnnn town, on a place now consisting of 260 
acres. He died in Sacramento, in January, 1884, 



at the age of fifty-seven years, and his wife is 
still living in Sacramento. In their family 
there were only one son and one daughter. The 
daughter, Sarah, died at the age of twenty-two 
and a half years, in 1857. The son, the subject 
of this sketch, was reired on a farm, and still 
has the old home-place as above described. He 
has been a resident of Sacramento ever since he 
was four years old. The floods of 1861-02 
almost covered his farm with water, and ha lost 
most of the fencing and some of the farm ani- 
mals. A great abundance of furniture lumber 
and otlier goods was lodged upon his farm by the 
flood and afterward identified by the owners. He 
remembers many amusing incidents connected 
with those times, one of which was this: A pair 
of pantaloons was recognized by one who said he 
thought he ought to know them, as he was mar- 
ried in them three times! The Fourth and Fifth 
Regiment were encampad at that time on what 
is now his ranch. Mr. Burke came to this place 
>vhen it was utterly wild, but by getting a start in 
the world by the dairy business he has improved 
the ranch so that it is now one of the best in the 
country. At present he conducts a general farm- 
ing business. As to society relations, he is a 
member of the Y. M. I. of Sacramento. He 
was married in 1871 to Miss Lottie, dauo-hter 
of John G. and Margaret Hoffman, father a 
native of Pennsylvania, and mother of Ireland. 
They have three sons: Geoige, born June 27, 
1872; Howard B., December 17, 1874; and 
William A., July 9, 1882. 

THO SHAW GRIM, rancher of Lee Town- 
ship, was born in Ohio January 20, 1833, 
his parents being Andrew and Polly (Mor- 
rison) Grim, both deceased, the mother several 
years ago, in Iowa, and the father, in Nebraska, 
about 1883, aged seventy-six. O. S. Grim was 
reared on his father's farm, first in Ohio and 
afterward in Iowa, and in 1852 came across the 
plains to California. In the same party when 
made up at CoumcII Hluffs was the Timmoiis 




ursroHY OF sachambnto vountt. 



Ikinily of four sons and two daughters with their 
father, the mother having died in Iowa. AVith 
the help of a minister whose station they reached 
on tlie way, (). S. Grim was married August 10, 
1852, to Miss Sarah Frances Timinons, born in 
Illinois, February 3, 1880, daughter of Henry 
and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Timmons, and reared 
in Lee County, Iowa, whither her parents moved 
in 1837, being among the tirst settlers of that 
county. The father died near Richland, on the 
Sacramento, in 1858. On their arrival in 
California, in the fall of 1852, Mr. and Mrs. 
tirim wei.t to work to make their first "stake," 
she in douiestic work and he as a miner in 
Plunket's Kavine. After three months they 
rented a small place on the Sacramento River, 
near Richland, where Mr. Grim went to raising 
vegetables. In 1854 he became owner and con- 
tinued the same business until 1866, when he 
sold out, and moved to Placer County, near 
Auburn, afterward to Modes to in 1875, to 
Stockton in 1877, near Stockton in 1881, and, 
in 1888 to the place they now occupy in Lee 
Township, then owned by William Edward Tim- 
mons, the brother of Mrs. Grim, who needed 
her care, being in broken health. He had al- 
ways been rather weakly and had never married, 
and at his death, September 11, 1884, Mrs. Grim 
inherited his ranch of 1(50 acres, where the fam- 
ily has since remained. It is well adapted to 
general farming in all kinds of grain, and Mr. 
Timmons had some success in fruit-growing, 
but the orchard has not been renewed. Mr. and 
Mrs. Grim are the parents of seven living chil- 
dren, all born in this State: William Ira, born 
February 16, 1855, married in Stockton, Janu- 
ary 2, 1878, to Miss Nancy Elizabeth Tew, born 
in California December 27, 1860, and now liv- 
ing in Woodland, Yolo County; has two chil- 
dren — Laura Emily, born December 6, 1878, 
and Walter, born October, 1880; Mary Ann, 
born April 23, 1858, was married in Modesto, 
October 3, 1874, to Bergen Erocaw Halsey, now 
of Clipper Gap, Placer County: has one child — - 
Earl, born June 16, 1888; John Henry, born 
October 28, 1800; Charles Augustus, November 



10, 1867; George Andrew, May 10, 1869; 
Frank Edward, April 10,1875; Albert, June 
16, 1880. All the children have received a 
district-school ed\u-ation. 



fBEN RICIITER PARVIN was born in 
Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, 
Pennsylvania, October 17, 1815, his par- 
ents being Artlmr Davis and Catherine (Knab) 
Parvin, both natives of that State. The Parvins 
were of the William Penn immigration; were 
Quakers then and as far as known are Quakers 
now, followers of the golden rule, laying more 
stress on moral conduct than on religious dog- 
mas. The father was a farmer and miller as 
was his father before him, and bjth lived to be 
about seventy-eight. The mother of E. R. I'ar- 
vin lived to be eighty-four, and the known mem- 
bers of both families have been long-lived peo- 
ple. The formal education of the subject of 
this sketch was limited to about three nionths' 
schooling, but he learned farming and milling 
in the school of experience. He also did some 
work on steamboats, and picked up carpentering, 
and learned to distil liquor but not to drink it. 
In 1849 he came to California and mitied four 
months, but ditl not take kindly to it, and soon 
wei't into teaming, which suited him better. 
Has always been fond of a good team ; had one 
when young on his father's farm and has one 
now at the age of seventy-four. He carried on 
the freighting business from Stockton south- 
ward to the mines about six years. In 1855 he 
sold his team to the United States and came on 
the Sacramento River where lie engaged in chop- 
ping wood, grubbing and clearing lands, often 
receiving payment in mortgages. In 1859 he 
tirst bought land on Grand Island, where he now 
resides, about four nules below Courtland. He 
lost heavily by the flood of 1862, the mortgaged 
lands losing a great part of their value, and 
purchasers being few at any price. Original 
surveys and records were so inaccurate and 
poorly kept that he has had to buy a part of the 



IIISTURY OF tiAGRAMENTO COUNTY. 



457 



650 acres he now owns, three times, first from 
an alleged owner, then Irora the State and lastly 
from the General Government. But he has out- 
lived all those annoyances, has made his title 
clear, and now has ninety acres in orchard, with 
a fine home, one of the most substantial and im- 
posing on the river, planned by himself and 
built with a view to firnniess and durability, un- 
der his personal supervision with careful atten- 
tion to every detail. It was erected in 18S2 at 
a cost of S15,000 and supplemented in 1885 by 
the erection of a large tank, a warehouse and 
storehouse, at a cost of several thousand more. 
Mr. Parvin was married in San Francisco in 
1861 to Mrs. Eliza (Kelly) Henderson, a native 
of Ireland, where her father, William Thomas 
Kelly, fought in the Rebellion of 1798. She 
came to San Francisco in 1859, and was there 
married to her first husband, Henderson, who 
died without issue. She has a brother residing 
in Brooklyn, New York, named Joseph Kelly, 
and a nephew on this coast named Joseph Ab- 
bott. 

..« 

fAMUEL HOWARD GERRISH, for many 
years a foreman in the railroad shops of 
the Central Pacific Railroad Company, in 
this city, was born December 27, 1834, at Ports- 
mouth, New Hampshire, The family is one of 
the oldest in New England. His father, Will- 
iam Gerrish, was born at Lebanon, Maine, one 
of a family of thirteen children, twelve of 
whom were sons. He was a clock manufact- 
urer and a merchant. He died in 1837. The 
founder of the family in America was Captain 
William Gerrish, of the British army, born in 
Bristol, England, who emigrated to America 
during Cromwell's time, in 1638. (3n his 
mother's side he is a descendant of the well- 
known Hartford family of New England; his 
grandfather Hartford was a New Hampshire 
farmer and a soldier of the War of 1812, in 
which war he died; Samuel Howard, for whom 
he was named, was his maternal grandmother's 



father and was a Revolutionary soldier. When 
in 1837 his father died, our subject was two and 
a half years old. Although later on his mother 
removed to Boston, lie remained in Dover to 
attend school. His brother-in-law, John B. 
Wood, was editing a newspaper at Great Falls, 
and at the age of fifteen years young Gerrish 
proceeded to that village to learn the trade of 
printer. After about one and a half years he 
went to Boston and worked at his trade in a job 
office on Washington street. After a year had 
passed he concluded to learn the trade of machin- 
ist and went to Northampton, Massachusetts, 
where he worked for Dimock Bros, six months; 
then went to Holyoke, where he worked for the 
Hadley Falls Company one and a half years. 
Leaving there, he worked for a time in Boston 
and New York. His brother-in-law, R. M. 
Whitehouse, was foreman of the Connecticut 
River Railroad repair shops located at North- 
ampton, Massachusetts, and he went there and 
worked seven years. In 1860 he came to Cali- 
fornia, with George A. Stoddard, leaving New 
York June 5, coming by the Panama route and 
arriving in San Francisco on the 28th. He be- 
gan working for E. T: Steen and continued with 
him for a year and a half. For the next four 
years he was engineer on the United States dry 
dock in the Mare Island Navy Yard. Then he 
came to Sacramento and was employed by Goss 
& Lambard, proprietors of the Sacramento Iron 
Works. In May, 1866, he was employed for 
the railroad company and ran the first engine for 
the Central Pacific shops, where he worked and 
made the first tools used. His brother, J. L. 
Gerrish, now of Oakland, was also employed at 
the time in the same shops. He has held many 
positions of trust, — among them that of trustee 
of the City Library and secretary of the board. 
He has been a Freemason since 1863, when he 
joined Naval Lodge, No. 87, of Vallejo; he is 
now a member of Concord Lodge, No. 117, of 
Saeran)ento, and has been a Master of that lodge 
during three years. He is also a member of 
Industrial Lodge, No. 157, I. O. O. F., of which 
he is a charter member. He was also a mem- 



J/I.STOJiy OF t^AVHAMMNTO COUNTY 



ber in 1866-67 of the California National 
(iiiards, Company D, Infantry, Captain Dason- 
ville. l5oinfi; of a scientific and statistical turn 
of mind, ho has kept a record of the rainfall and 
temperature in his experiments in acclimating 
tropical trees ever since he came to Sacramento, 
making, as a voluntary observer of the Uiiited 
States Signal Service, monthly reports to Wash- 
ington. Of his home life we need say but little. 
lie was married September 4, 1S55, to Sarah J. 
Kogors, a native of J^orthampton, Massachu- 
setts, whose ancestors came over on the May- 
flower in 1620. Her father, Thomas Rogers, 
was a carpenter, builder and contractor. Mr. 
Gerrisii has four daughters and one son. Their 
home is on Ci street, where they have lived for 
tvvciity-one yeiirs. 



S 



-^^ 



l,l,i.\M K. DIXON" was born October 
::■.', 1S57, son of AliVed and Martha 
i~-o^i (^Higgot) Dixon; the former a native of 
New Brnnswick and tiie latter of Ohio. Alfred, 
the father, was raised on a farm and went with 
his parents to Ohio in 1837, where lie resided 
until 18-13, when he went to Quincy, Illinois. 
Tiu're he liegan the study of law with tiie iirm 
ot IJrowning & Rnshneli, remaining with them 
for two years, and lie was there admitted tt) the 
bar. He removed to Porter County, Indiana, 
and engaged in the practice of law, farming as 
well, which he continued until 1860, when he 
came to California, crossing the plains. They 
brought horses witii them, which they sold on 
reaching California. Their journey lasted six 
months, the iirst halt being made in Sacramento 
County. He soon purcliased a farm in this 
county, northwest quarter of section 30 and 
southwest quarter of section li), to.vnship 6. 
The farm is one of those through which the old 
overlantl road used to pass. He gave up his 
|)ractice of law to a great extent and engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. In 1880 he went 
East on a visit, and while in New York city he 
was out ill the wet, and the result was pncu 



inonia, which resulted in his death, September 
10, 1880. His wife was with him during his 
last hours. He was a very ambitious man, de- 
termined and persevering in all his undertak- 
ings. He will be long remembered by his many 
friends in this county. William E. Dixon, the 
subject of this notice, was raised on a farm and 
came to California with his parents. He was 
married April 26, 1882, to Miss Julia I. Barnes, 
a native of New Brunswick. They have live 
children: Edna B., Anna M., Alfred C, Aubrey 
E. and Jennie 11. Mr. Dixon is one of the best 
farniei's in this county; one among the largest 
graiii-raisers. 

PF. BEANS lives one mile from Elk (rrove, 
which is his postoffice, and sixteen miles 
® from Sacramento. He was horn in Bucks 
County, Pennsylvania, in 1839, and lived there 
until 1856. At the age of sixteen years he 
came to California across the plains, first set- 
tling in El Dorado County, where he remained 
until 1803; he then settled in this county, on 
his present farm. Mr. Beans was married in 
1870 to Mrs. Mary E. McFall, a native of Rome, 
New York. 



fORMAN I. STEWART was born Febru- 
ary 25, 1833, in Oswego County, New 
York, son of Samuel and Fannie (Cronk) 
Stewart; the father, a farmer by occupation, is a 
native of Massachusetts, and died in Oswego 
County, New York. In his family were eight 
children, six of whom are still living, three in 
California. Norman was raised on a farm and 
remained at home until 1852, when he came to 
California, sailing from New Y'ork October 12 
on the steamer Pacific to the Isthmus, which he 
crossed by going up the Chagres river, then 
having his choice of locomotion for the remain- 
der of the distance (twenty-flve miles) walking 
or riding on mule-back. After a close inspec- 



imsronr of haguamknto gounty. 



tioii of the mules lie decided to walk. It was 
during the rainy season and liis journey can be 
better imagined than described. On reaching 
tiie coast he took passage oil the steamer Cor- 
tez for San Francisco, where he remained but 
eight days, then came to Sacramento by boat, 
remaining here during 1852 -'53, engaged in 
the wood business with his brother, Henry 
Stewart. He was here during the flood and re- 
members it well; they used their o.\ team and 
wagon as a ferry-boat to transfer people, as well 
as merchandise, about the city. In the spring 
his brother purchased a ranch and employed 
him for the followingyear at $675. In January, 
1854, he took up 320 acres of land, where ho 
now lives, fourteen miles from Sacramento, on 
the upper Stockton road, which at that time was 
a vast plain covered with the roving herds of 
Spanish cattle. After being in California 
twenty-one years he returned East on a visit to 
his old father and mother, seeing them for the 
last time, as he has never been back since. His 
ranch is now one of the best ranches in the 
county. He does a general farming business 
and has five acres in vineyard. He was married 
November 4, 1858, to Miss Jane E. Thompson, 
daughter of Thomas J. Thompson, whose sketch 
appears elsewhere in this book. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stewart have seven children, viz.: Mary, born 
October 28, 18G0; Henry C, February 2, 18G5, 
and died July 23, 1884; Samuel P., born De- 
cember 1, 18(37; Fannie, born May 30,1869, 
• lied February 11, 1888; Jennie, October 14, 
1873; Norman I., April 9, 1877; and John II., 
October 30,188-1. 



fll. STEWART was born in the town of 
Williamstown, Massachusetts, April 28, 
* 1823, of Scotch parents. He learned the 
carpenter's trade at Oswego, New York. In 
early manhood he married Miss Charlotte 
Woodworth, and made his home at Rockford, 
Illinois, until 1850, when he came to California. 
Vfter remaitiing two years in the upper part of 



the State he went East for his family, and re- 
turned with them to his new home. Subse- 
quently he removed to Cloverdale, Sonoma 
County, where his wife died, leaving him two 
sons, Clarence and IJicliard, who are now citi- 
zens of this county. In 1858 he inai'ried Miss 
Martha I). Kenfield, the good wife who for 
twenty-nine years, with incessant afi'ection, has 
ministered to his every want during his abiding 
affliction, — paralysis of the lower limbs, render- 
ing him a cripple for life, unable to walk witli- 
out aid, — which came upon him in 185!), the 
effect of hardships endured in early manhood. 
In 1805 he came to San Bernardino and pur- 
chased a valuable property, and from that time 
has been one of the foremost workers in the ad- 
vancement of the in atei'ial interests of that county. 
He was one of the projectors of the Silk Center 
Association, by which the water of Santa Ana 
River was diverted upon the then barren plains 
of Jurupa at Riverside, where are now nestled 
among the orange groves thousands of happy 
homes. While acquiring for himself that com- 
petence he has enjoyed and now leaves to his 
family, he has at the same time enabled others 
to do that tending to their prosperity. As a 
friend he was steailfast and true in fair weather 
and foul; as he was tender in sympathy for the 
misfortunes of his neighbors, so was he cheerful 
in their prosperity. With him, in all the rela- 
tions of husband, father and friend and brother, 
the whole flow of years has borne a uniform flow 
of affectionate regard and unselflsh love. 



:^=i^:S.c^"^^A 



^'"^ 



fOIIN R. WILLIAMS, proprietor of the 
Michigan Bar Pottery, was born in Eng- 
land April 7, 1844, his parents l)eing J. S- 
15. and Hannah Elizabeth (I*awsey) Williams. 
The father was a physician, and the family is 
well connected, more especially on the mother's 
side, several of her immediate relatives ranking 
pretty high in the East India Company. One 
of Mr. Williams' cousins, a certain Mr. Simp- 
son, who was in Califoi'nia in 1847, and went 



inSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



from here to Australia, is now the owner of 
many millions in England. J. B. Williams ran 
away from home in 1854, and went to sea in a 
vessel bound for St. John's, New Brunswick, 
and went back in April or May, 1856. He was 
then apprenticed to an uncle, George J. Pawsey, 
a iiricU-mason and builder. Early in 1858 he 
again ran away and went to New Zealand. Ee- 
turning to England and his trade, he became a 
skilled workman in that line. Yielding once 
again to his roving disposition, he came to this 
country in 1801, but with no intention of mak- 
ing his home here, and after some wanderings 
went back to his home and settled down to 
work. Mr. Williams was married in England, 
August 21, 1866, to Miss Susannah Sach, a 
daughter of John and Mary Ann (Bowtell) 
Sach. The father is still living in England, 
aged sixty-four, and the mother died there at the 
age of forty-seven. The only child of Mr. and 
Mrs. Williams, Emma L., was born in England 
May 2, 1867. She is now doing business as 
dressmaker on her own account in San Fran- 
cisco. Mr. Williams set out for America with 
a view to make it his permanent home in 1869, 
arriving in New York the day after Christmas, 
and getting to Chicago, January 2, 1870. He 
worked at his trade in that city, and was there 
joined by his wife and child in June, 1870. He 
grew with Chicago, and took contracts of vari- 
ous kinds in brick-work. The rebuilding of 
that city after the great tire of October 9, 1871, 
increased his opportunities, and he profited by 
them. In August, 1874, he left Chicago for 
California, and went into business in San Fran- 
cisco in 1875 as contractor for sewer pipe and 
brick-work, and agent for supplies in those 
lines. Among other interests he became agent 
for the sale of the products of the Michigan Bar 
jjottery and sewer-pipe manufactory, then owned 
by Mr. Addington. He leased the work in 
1881, and bought them toward the close of 
1884, coming to Michigan Bar as owner thereof 
on January 1, 1885. In April of that year he 
was seriously hurt in his left arm, which is still 
somewhat weak, and he occupies himself chiefly 



with the sale of the stoneware product of the 
pottery in the cities and villages of this section. 
The sewer pipe department he has leased to the 
San Francisco Sewer-Pipe Association. In 1888 
he discovered a valuable surface deposit of fire- 
sand on an adjoining piece of land, and bought 
forty-five acres, of which twenty-five acres are 
covered with the deposit. He also owns ninety- 
five acres, including the Orr bank, which is 
thought to be the best clay in the State for the 
manufacture of stoneware. With his recent 
acquisition of fire-sand he is well equipped as to 
materials for sewer pipe, stoneware, tire-brick, 
as well as white and yellow ware. He will 
probably form a corporation for the more ex- 
tensive production of those commodities in the 
near f.ture. He owns twenty-two acres ad- 
joining his other realty, but situated in Ama- 
dor County. Of the 162 acres about eighty are 
devoted to general farming, a little fruit and the 
raisinsj of some cattle and horses. 



W^ J- SMALL, superintendent of motive 
Ifffll power and machinery at the railroad 
*^Ig ® shops in this city, was born at Cobourg, 
Canada, in 1848. His father, Benjamin Small, 
was the superintendent of the rolling mills at 
Toronto, and prominently connected with the 
building of the Grand Trunk Railroad of Can- 
ada. He grew up in the city of his nativity, 
and was taught "pattern-making" in the shops 
under the supervision of his father. He be- 
came an iron-worker in the shops of William 
Hamilton & Sons, where he also acquired the 
machinists' trade. He spent three years in the 
shops of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad 
at Chicago, and afterward went to Wyandotte, 
Kansas, with the "Kansas Pacific Road" (now 
part of the Union Pacific). After staying with 
that cora])any two years he received the appoint- 
ment of chief draughtsman of motive power in 
the shops of the Northern Pacific at St. Paul, 
Minnesota. After two years he was called to 
the Wabash road as chief draughtsman. Two 



IILsrOUY OF HACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



years later his services were transferred to the 
International & Great Northern Railroad, and 
he was with them when their shops were re- 
moved to Palestine, Texas, and when the Galves- 
ton, Houston & Henderson was absorbed by 
the International & Great Northern, he was 
made master mechanic by General H. M. Ploxie 
(since deceased) at tiie time when the gange 
of that road was changed to standard. Two 
years later he was offered the position of gen- 
eral master mechanic of the Texas Pacific road, 
with headquarters at Marshall, Texas, filling 
that position for three years. For five years he 
was assistant superintendent of machinery at 
Brainerd, Minnesota, for the Northern Pacific 
system, and in 1887 held a similar position with 
the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at Read- 
ing, Pennsylvania. He left that position one 
year later to accept the position wliich he now 
holds with the Southern Pacific. Mr. Small was 
united in marriage, in 1880, at Marshall, Texas, 
to Miss Mary Planch, daughter of Major E. A. 
Blanch, who for years was the chief engineer of 
the original Southern Pacific Railroad. Their 
family consists of four children, three of whom 
are girls. 



— — t^-^^^*!— — 

imLFRED GREENE McMANUS was born 
SI April 28, 1828, in Murray County, Ten- 
^=5=- nessee, his parents being Jonathan and 
Susan (McCaslin) McManus, both natives of the 
same State. The subject's great-grandfather 
was an Irishman from the north of Ireland, and 
his grandmother on his father's side was a 
Scotchwoman, and a cousin of General Greene, of 
Revolutionary fame. AYhen the subject of this 
sketch was f(Mir years old his parents removed 
from Tetmessee to Illinois, locating in Madison 
County, where his mother died in 1836, leaving 
four children, one son and three daughters. His 
father was married again, to Elizabeth Kell. 
They moved to Texas, locating on Trinity 
River, where the father died in 1862. By his 
seco:id marriage there were four children, one 



son and thrte daughters. Alfred G. McManus 
remained with his parents in Illinois till he was 
twenty-two years of age, then worked in various 
places in that neighborhood. AYhen twenty- 
one years old he bought eighty acres of Govern- 
ment land in Madison County, borrowing the 
money for that purpose, and giving a mortgage 
on the property as security, which he paid by 
hard work at $12 a montli. He made improve- 
ments on it and rented it. October 6, 1853, he 
was married to Clarissa Clementine Best, a na- 
tive of Madison County, Illinois. In the spring 
of 1854 they moved upon his farm, and lived 
there until August 22, 1875, when they started 
for California, renting the farm for the next two 
years; they afterward sold it. They arrived in 
Sacramento on the 5th of September, entire 
strangers in a strange land. He rented the 
Van Trees ranch on Deer Creek for one year, 
and in April bought his present ranch of 320 
acres in Brighton Township, on the Jackson 
road, twelve miles from Sacramento, which is 
chiefly devoted to general farming. Politically 
he is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. McManus 
have two children: John Franklin, born Oc- 
tober 26, 1861; and Albert Greene, born Janu- 
ary 16, 1858, who married Emily Lee April 22, 
1880, a native of Sacramento County, California, 
daughter of Dr. Richard Henry Lee. Albert 
Greene married Enuly McManus, and they have 
one son, born December 31, 1880, named Albert 
Wesley. 



fOEL D. BAILEY.— Joshua T. Bailey, the 
father of the subject of this sketch, was a 
native of Virginia. For a time he resided 
in Ohio, and in 1832 emigrated to Wisconsin, 
where he carried on the business of smelting 
for six or seven year.~. He was married at Fort 
Mineral Point, Ohio County (now Fayette 
County), January 13, 1833, to Miss Susan 
Hughes, daughter of David and Sarah (Pense) 
Hughes, who born February 28, 1815, in 
Licking County, Ohio. Her father emigrated 



UlSTOHY OF 8AUHAMENT0 OOUA'Ti. 



from Ohio to Illinois in 1818. He served 
under General Harrison in the war of 1812, and 
died in Illinois in 1823. In 1828 Mrs. Bailey 
went to Wisconsin with her mother and step- 
father, Samuel Townsend, who has been dead 
several years. Her mother is still living in 
Gi'ant County, Wisconsin, at the age of ninety 
years, where she was a pioneer. She has had 
many experiences in pioneer life; she has gone 
out into the liarvest field with the men and held 
her own, cutting grain with sickles, although a 
small woman, for she had a strong constitution 
and great strength. Mr. Eailey, with' his son 
Joel, came to California in 1849. In 1853 he 
went back to Wisconsin after his family. His 
wife and two daughters, and Mrs. liailey's 
sister-in-law, Susan Hughes, came with a party 
ot twenty-two men, bringing with them some 
large heavy stock, such as horses, oxen, mules 
and cattle, also seven wagons to hold provisions; 
as soon as one wagon was emptied they dis- 
carded it. They were seven months in coming 
across, having to stop in order to allow their 
cattle to feed by the way. On arriving, Mr. 
Bailey bought land on the little dry hill close to 
where the family residence now is. The house 
was put up in 1854; it was built by degrees, a 
small portion being put up first in order that 
they might occupy it. He set out a fine vine- 
yard of wine grapes in 1862. He died June 
11, 1886. Mrs. Bailey is still living and enjoy- 
ing good health at the present writing. She is 
seventy-two years old. They had eleven chil- 
dren, viz.: Mrs. Belle Plumer, resident in Lee 
Township, Sacramento County; Kachel Ann 
(deceased), wife of Mr. Ross, of this county; 
Joel D. Bailey, Joseph James (deceased), George 
W., resident in Templeton, San Luis Obispo 
County; Frank, resident in Arizona; William 
Henry (deceased); Mrs. Nellie i51air, wife of 
Albert Blair, of Sacramento; Charles 11., resi- 
dent near Hicks ville, Sacramento County; Joshua 
T., resident in Brighton Township; and Edwin, 
who died young. Mrs. Bailey, in her girlhood, 
was in Wisconsin during the Indian troubles, 
and hud to go to I'"'ort Funk for protection in 



the month of April, and did not get out until 
the following October. She and another girl 
made cartridges for the garrison when the am- 
munition was exhausted. Joel D. Bailey, the 
subject of this sketch, came to this State in 
1849 with his father, landing in Placerville the 
10th of September. From that time he wan- 
dered about from place to place in the northern 
part of the State. When his father located on 
White Rock Spring, in Sacramento County, he 
was with him and remained there for about six 
months. Then he went to Yreka. In the 
winter of 1851-"52 he started for Wisconsin 
via Panama, stopping at Tehama on the Sacra- 
mento River. In 1853 he returned to Califor- 
nia, crossing the plains with cattle and bringing 
them to this county. In 1857 he took up 160 
acres adjoining his father's ranch. He was 
married September 27, 1871, to Nancy New- 
iiigham, a native of Hancock County, Illinois, 
born January 18, 1844. In 1852 she crossed 
the plains with her parents, Absalom and Mary 
Newlngliam, one sister and a brother. On the 
journey her father died of cholera. Arriving 
at Portland, Oregon, the family stopped there a 
short time, then came to Sacramento County in 
December, 1852. Her mother is now the wife 
of R. II. Lee, and resides in Brighton Town- 
ship. She started for the East in 1854, on the 
Yankee Blade, and when twenty-four hours out 
the steamer struck a rock and was wrecked ; 
thirty lives were lost, but Mrs. Newingham and 
her family were saved. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey 
have two sons: William Francis, born Septem- 
ber 27, 1872, and Charles Augustus, born Octo- 
ber 17, 1874. 

tARON DOTY OAKLEY, a rancher of 
Natoma Township, Sacramento County, 
about eight miles from Folsom, was born 
in Essex County, New Jersey, June 25, 1817, 
his parents being Aaron and Sarah (Doty) Oak- 
ley, both natives of that State. The father, 
b<irii August 5, 1783, died in 1858, and the 



nisrOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



mother, born August 20, 1788, died in 1863. 
The grand fatlier, Joseph Doty, born in 1751, 
was a soldier of the Revolution, a member of 
the Washington Life-guard cavalry, and lived 
to be ninety-three. His wife, Martha (Allen) 
Doty, also born in New Jersey, in 1755, lived 
to be seventy-seven. They had been over fifty 
years married at her death. Grandfather Thomas 
Oakley had come fivin England with his father, 
and was married to Nancy Clark, a native of Hol- 
land. He owned a sawmill on the Passaic and 
was drowned in his own mill-pond about 1812, 
but his wife lived to the age of ninety-three, 
dying in 1838. The great-grandfather, also 
Thomas Oakley, of Oakley Hall, England, was 
twice a widower, with cluldren by both wives, 
when he emigrated to America some time before 
the Revolution and settled at Huntington har- 
bor on Long Island. A. D. Oakley learned 
bricklaying and plastering from 1834 to 1837, 
earning two dollars a day as early as 1837. He 
located in Brooklyn in 1837, and there worked 
at his trade, but after the great fire in Charleston, 
South Carolina, in 1838, he worked at the re- 
building of that city for about three years. 
Meanwhile lie was married in Brooklyn, July 
16, 1839, to Miss Sarah J. Housey, born in 
Brooklyn, April 16, 1819, daughter of Joiiu and 
Maria (Ackerman) Housey, the former a native 
of England, and the latter of New Jersey, of 
Dutch descent. Returning to Brooklyn in 1841, 
he continued his business of brick-laying and 
plastering in that city for seven years. Having 
lost his first wife, December 16, 1842, he was 
again married in Brooklyn, July 14, 1847, to 
Miss Sarah A. Minich,born in Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania, April 20, 1827, daughter of Jacob 
and Anna (Gamber) Minich. The mother died at 
the age of forty nine years, and the father at 
sixty-six. Mr. Oakley moved to St. Louis in 

1849, and left there for California April 20, 

1850. Taking 141 days to cross the plains, he 
arrived in Sacramento September 13. 1850. He 
first followed the dairy business in a small way 
for one year, working occasionally at liis trade 
at twelve dollars a day, and acting as policeman 



for six months. He then went into the team- 
ing business between Sacramento and "Hang- 
town," keeping at one time seventeen teams on 
the road, and running a general store at Placer- 
ville in 1852 and 1853. His teamsters took 
orders and delivered goods all along the route. 
May 10, 1854, Mr. Oakley " squatted " on the 
place he now owns, which was not then sur- 
veyed. It was not ^in the market until eight 
years later. From 1864 to 1885 he has been 
acquiring land and now owns 880 acres. Mr. 
Oakley has been a school trustee and clerk of 
the board twenty-eight years, and justice of the 
peace from 1868 to 1884, except one term of 
two years. Mrs. Oakley died May 29, 1880, 
leaving four children, all born in California: 
Eugene Minich, born November 16, 1850, was 
married December 20, 1883, to Miss Eveline 
Saul, a native of this State, and daughter of 
Charles Saul, of Natoma Township, and has two 
children, a boy and a girl; Henry Louis, born 
January 1, 1857, superintends the cattle and 
farming interests on his father's place; Carrie 
Belle superintends his household and cares for 
his personal comfort. His youngest child. Miss 
Bonnie, is a school teacher by profession, hav- 
ing received her diploma or certificate from the 
Normal School at San Jose in 1886. Besides 
these there is his oldest son, the only child of 
his first wife, A. D. Oakley, oi" San Francisco. 
He was born in Brooklyn, April 29, 1840, was 
married in this county in 1873 to Miss Marion 
Van Trees, born in California in 1854. They 
have four children — two sons and two daughters. 

~*-% ' '' '' " i"*^' "*°' 

fOHN A. GILMORE was born in November, 
1825, in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, a 
son of Samuel and Rebecca (Wilze) Gil- 
more; the father a native of Irelaid and the 
mother of Pennsylvania. As a boy John was 
raised on a farm. In 1861 he went to Ashland 
County, Ohio, where he remained eighteen 
months, then, in 1863, started for California, 
crossing the plains and bringing horses, which 



IlfSTOnr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



were sold at San Francisco. He reached Sacra- 
mento July 10, 1863, and remained there t\^o 
3'ears, working at the blacksmiths' trade. In 
1864 he crossed the mountains to Carson City, 
where he was engaged at his trade; he after- 
ward sold out and went to Belcher Orchard. He 
next ran a threshing-machine, with success, for 
about twenty years. He then purchased 160 
acres of land in San Joaquin Townsliij), May 6, 
1876, and in March, 1879, *240 more acres, the 
wiiole situated twelve miles from Sacramento 
on the upper Stockton road. As a farmer he is 
very successful. He has been a member of Elk 
Grove I. O. (). F., No. 274, for seventeen years. 



fAMES O. COLEMAN was born at Hop- 
kinsville. Christian County, Kentucky, in 
1845, the Sim of H. H., a brother of W. 
P. Coleman, pioneer banker of this city, and 
Barbara A. (Hopper) Coleman. Her father 
migrated from Kentucky during the early days 
to Illinois, and settled in Warren County. 
"When in 1863, through the advice of his physi- 
cian, young Coleman was compelled to seek a 
milder climate and a change of scene, he first 
went to Washington Territory, but soon came to 
Sacramento. Securing a clerkship in a mercan- 
tile house, he remained here until 1866, then he 
returned to his native town on a visit and was 
induced to remain, which he did for seven years, 
engaging in the hardware business; but the de- 
lightful climate and pleasant associations finally 
induced him to return, when, with a view to 
permanently locating, he traveled extensively 
throughout the Golden State, and after thorough 
investigation decided to settle in the Capital 
City. He opened an exchange and brokers' 
office on J street, where he has l)een since en- 
gaged in business. He is a man of marked 
financial and executive ability, enterprising and 
public-spirited. It was he who first proposed 
the plan of the " Festival of Flowers," which in 
May, 1885, was tendered to Margaret E. Crocker, 
in recognition of her magnificent gifts to the 



city. He it was, in connection with William 
Oi'msby, who eight yeai's ago organized the 
open-air concerts which have been so po])ulai-, 
and continue to be a distinguishing feature of 
the city. It was he who was largely instru- 
mental in organizing the Sacramento Improve- 
ment Association, of which he was the first 
secretary, and Dr. Simmons the first president. 
When in 1886, at the grand banquet held at the 
pavilion in honor of the meeting of the G. A. R., 
when 1,800 people were seated, he, being on the 
executive committee, did much to make the 
occasion the success that it was. These in- 
stances are well known, and others might be 
cited, for so fully has he established a reputa- 
tion in this direction that no ocoirrence of this 
character would be considered complete without 
his aid and counsel. His friends feel assured 
that if called to the broader field of public use- 
fulness, his ability to organize, originate and 
control will be brought forward to the lasting 
benefit of the department under his control, and 
to the material advantage and advancement of 
the interests of his friends and constituents. 



fHARLES AUGUST WICKSTROM was 
born in Sweden, in 1855, his parents being 
Zacris and Katrina (Klaus) Wickstroin. 
They came to America in 1878, and are now 
living in Clay County, Dakota, being owners of 
480 acres in that State. They have four sims 
there and one daughter in Sweden. Grand- 
parents Wickstrom lived to a good old age, the 
the husband being over eighty and the wife 
being over seventy when they died. Charles A. 
preceded the other members of his family, ar- 
riving in California in 1875. He first went to 
mining near Gibsonville, Sierra County, and 
afterward in Nevada County. He spent about 
five years in mining, and. at one time had accu- 
mulated quite a sum, but lost it again. In 1881 
he came down to San Francisco and went into 
\ the theatrical business, running the Coliseum 
with its accessories, in which he has been sue- 





A/" 



lllsroUV OF HACHAMKJ^TO (JOUNTY. 



cessfnl. He exclianged tlie Coliseum tlieatre 
fur otlier property in 1884, and on September 9, 
18S5, lie liouglit 100 acres on Grand Island, 
about five miles above Isleton. He has six acres 
in fruit and raises some vegetables, chiefly 
b(;ans. He lias a comfortable home on the place, 
and enjoys a country life, busying himself witli 
various improvements, and spending on his 
place all the time he can without prejudice to his 
business interests in San Francisco. Mr. Wick- 
strom was married in 1881 to Miss Liesetta 
Huth, born in (rermany 1801, daughterof Johan- 
nes and Ann Margareta (Rudolph) Huth, now of 
San Francisco, where they have three sons and 
three daughters besides Mrs. Wickstrom. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wickstrom are the parents of two 
children: Charles Gottfried, born June 12, 
1882; Lillie, September 23, 1887. Mr. Wick- 
strom is a member of Druid Grove \o, 15, in 
San Francisco, and of the Swedish Society of 
that city. 



fAPTAIX ALMEIiT FOSTER, one of the 
best known residents of Sacramento city, 
"^^ was born in Kennebec County, in the town 
of Waterville, Maine, October 16, 1820. His 
])Hrent8 were Samuel S. and Mary (Smith) Fos- 
ter. His father, a millwright, was a native of 
Sufnner, that State, and his grandfather was 
also a native of Maine. His mother was a na- 
tive of Steuben, Maine. Captain Foster was 
reared at Waterville, and when he arrived at the 
age of fourteen years liis parents removed to 
Clinton, that State. He served an ajjprentice- 
8hi|i at edge-tool and mill work in Maine. The 
man he worked for, Noah Buothby, moved to 
Waterville, and after learning the trade young 
Foster worked a year at Fairfield. He came to 
California with a party of eight, one of whom 
was Captain Greenleaf T. Page, now deceased; 
also Dr. Guptel and Rufus Kendall, Gardner 
and Charles Waters, Henry Gullifer and Will- 
iam H. Hudson. They sailed from Newbnry- 
y)ort on the brig Charlotte, Captain liartlett. 



January 22, 1849, rounded Cape Horn, were 
driven off in a gale, going below 02' south. 
They stopped at Port Concepcion, Chili, where 
thej lay ten days. That was the only part they 
made on the voyage. July 22 they arrived at 
San Francisco, wliere they stopped long enough 
to get together a bateau, on which they loaded 
their material that they had brought with them. 
They came to Sacramento, and then proceeded 
to Park's Bar on the Yuba River, on their boat. 
They mined tliere for some time and then Cap- 
tain Foster, in company with Gullifer and John 
Lawrence, of New York, and liobinson, set out 
to find winter diggings, having heard good re- 
ports from Trinity River district. They started 
with their boat, went down the Yuba and 
Feather rivers and up the Sacramento to a point 
nearly opposite Cliico, and there ran out of 
provisions. When they landed at Potter's 
ranch at Chico, they had seen only one white 
man, and he had then lost iiis way. Indians 
were plentiful enough, and they followed them, 
at one time there being about 400 in tJie party. 
There was an island jnst below which is now 
Butte City. The Indians had a fish dam, sub- 
stantial enough to serve as a foot bridge; and 
our party could not get over this with their 
boat. The Indians lifted it oyer. They saw 
the lost man, who called to them, and they gave 
him something to eat, having killed a deer a few 
days previously. He told them where they could 
get some flour — at Potter's ranch. Robinson 
and Captain Foster went to Redding Springs, 
where Shasta is now, when there was no one 
there except some parties from Oregon who ha<l 
some Oregon flour, as black as a hat. They paid 
%% a pound for the flour. On prospecting 
around there they found among the dirt which 
some laborers were shoveling a quantity of 
shining material; and even the poorest of that 
yielded 50 cents to %\ per pan. It was a rich 
" And," and the Held was what was termed " dry 
diggings." Captain Foster saw a man with a 
pint fup half full of gold dust which he had 
picked up that day! He and his partner were 
looking around for better diggings, intending 



UlSTUHY OF SAUHAMENTO COUNTY. 



to go to Trinity River, but finally concluded to 
return to the Yuba lliver. The second day 
after they arrived tliere Mr. Kendall died and 
Captaii^ Foster was taken sick; and Captain 
I'age was so ill, indeed, that fears were entei-- 
tained of his death. They placed him upon a 
bed with an awning rigged over him. Captain 
Foster, though ill, crawled upon his hands and 
knees, made some milk gruel and gave it to 
Page, which revived him and saved his life. 
The Montague party buried twelve out of the 
thirty-six of its members. On the 10th of Oc- 
tobei' they were camped opposite Sacramento; 
and thence they went to San Francisco. In the 
]>arty were Captain Page, Foster and Guliifer. 
At San Francisco they found an old captain, 
with the brig North Bend, who insisted upon 
their going to Oregon; which they did, and 
spent the winter there. h\ the spring of 1850 
Captain Foster made a trij) with Banks and 
others on a bateau up Honcut Creek. Securing 
teams, they proceeded on up to Stringtown and 
mined there awhile. They undertook to turn 
the river, co-operating with others; but even 
after that should be done it was ascertained that 
they could not work the grounds. After i-e- 
maining there some four or live months, tliey 
went down the river early in the fall to wiiat is 
now Jackson, and a week later Captain Foster, 
being still an invalid, came to Sacramento. 
Johnson, the second mate, was at this time the 
captain of the old schooner, E. A. Slicer. Fos- 
ter saw him leaving the levee at Sacramento, and 
in a brief conversation he asked him what he 
was doing; and he said, "Jump on." Page 
came through from Oregon with the Governor 
Joe Lane party and found Mr. Foster on tlie 
schooner; they went up to Shasta together and 
followed mining tiiere eight or nine months, 
and then, with a view of finding a more profit- 
able business in steamboating, they posted them- 
selves on the amount of freight goitig north. In 
September, 1851, they started at a point not 200 
yards from the present Middle Creek Station on 
the California & Oregon Railroad, and canoed 
down the Sacramento, sounding all the way. 



Foster selected Red Bluff as the head of navi- 
gation, which was soon proved to be correct. 
He bought an interest in the steamer Orient, 
which was running to Colusa at the time, hav- 
ing made a few trips. They bought this vessel 
with the understanding that when tiie water 
arose it was to go to Red Bluff; and it was the 
first to go there, in November, 1851, Mr. Fos- 
ter being the second pilot. On coming down 
the river, the water fell quickly and they were 
caught on a bar at the Lassen place, now tiov- 
ernor Stanford's Vina ranch. Digging a canal 
til rough the bar to deep water they got away. 
January 3, 1852, they left Sacramento with a 
half load of freight for Red Bluff. On that trip 
Mr. Foster was the first pilot. The journey 
there and back this time was made in five days, 
and they never scratched bottom. After this 
the captain made regular trips to that point 
during high water, and as far as Colusa during 
low water. The rate of freight at that time be- 
tween Sacramento and Red Bluff was $100 a 
ton; and they had more than they could carry 
even at that high rate, one or two trips ahead 
being always pre-engaged, until the Marysville 
boats commenced running and brought the 
freight down to $70 a ton; but the Orient re 
tained a plenty of trade, on account of its repu- 
tation. (In low water they used to run as far 
as Colusa, and in high water they went all the 
way through.) When the Steam Navigation 
Company was formed, March 1, 1854, the Ori- 
ent was turned in with the rest of the vessels. 
This arrangenieiit continued three or four years, 
and finally they got to running steamers with 
barges all the way up to Red Bluff. Captain 
Foster sold out his interest in the Orient in 
1853, and purchased an interest in the Cleo- 
patra, with which he made his first trip Decem- 
ber 12, that year. He went into the Navigation 
Company on its formation, and continued in the 
same trade. He made the pioneer trip up the 
American River, during the flood, to Patterson's 
ranch, about eighteen miles uj). He liad to go 
out to where they could connect with teams. 
He went on routes where they could get no one 



lllarom' OF SACUAMENTO COUNTY. 



else to go; ran on the Napa route a short time. 
In 1865 he went on the steamer Chrysopolis 
from Sacramento to San Francisco, and was with 
that vessel until 1872, when he was taken off 
to straighten things out on the San Joaquin 
River. When they built the wharf at Knight's 
Landing they sent him there to inaugurate the 
business: then, in May, 1873. they gave him 
charge oF all the lighr-ivater boats, with Sacra- 
mento for headquarters, until 1882, and then was 
made superintendent of river steamers, and since 
then has held that position. Captain Foster was 
married in Oakland, December 12, 1853. to Miss 
Charlotte Brown, a native of Maine, born at 
Clinton. She came to California in 1852, with 
her mother. Of the four children in the family 
of Captain Foster, only one is now living, 
namely, Frank L., who was born June 27, 1864, 
and is now a pilot on the river. Tlioie who 
died were: Ericsson, born June 3, 1855, and died 
July 16, 1863; Annie X., born December 27, 
1857, died July 21, 1863; Albert C, born De- 
cember 26, 1861, died August 20, 1864. The 
father of Captain Foster, Samuel C., was born 
August 6, 1798, and died in 1885. His mother, 
whose maiden name was Mary Smith, was born 
Marcli 28, 1801, and died in April, 1887. Cap- 
tain Foster, being one of tlie most prominent citi- 
zens of Sacramento, deserves more than ordinary 
mention in the history of this community; and 
we have given considerable space to his early 
life on the Sacramento River because it consti- 
tutes the most important part of the histc^ry of 
navigation in this part of tiie State. 



||9^AN1EL H. BUELL, fruit-raiser, was born 
fl|fl May 7, 1832, in Groton, Grafton County, 
-i^ iSew Hampshire. His father, also named 
Daniel, was a native of the same State, but his 
forefathers were Welsh. In 1844 he located in 
Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio, for five year?, and 
then was seven years in Avon, Lake County, 
Illinois, and until 1864 at New Hampton, 
Chickasaw Countv, Iowa, then until 1871 in 



Nemaha County, Nebraska, and finally he came 
to California. Since his residence in Illinois he 
lived witJi his son, the subject of this sketch, 
until his death, January 7, 1887, at the age of 
eighty-lour years. He was a member of the 
Grange, and in politics a Democrat. In his 
family were one son and two daughters; .both 
the girls died when young. Daniel H.'s mother, 
whose maiden name was Abigail Anable, was a 
native of New Hampshire, and died in Illinois 
in 1853, at the age of fifty years. Mr. Buell, 
our subject, was married in 1854 to Miss Susan 
D. Arnold, of Illinois, born June 10, 1832, of 
Vermont parents. Mr. and Mrs. Eii#ll have had 
six children, in the following order: Edwin A., 
born July 17, 1855, and died January 7, 1881; 
Charles L., born March 15, 1859; Frank H., 
October 9, 1860, died December 31. 1880;Celia 
v., born April 5, 1864, and now the wife of 
George W. Carlisle; Julius H., September 11, 
1867; Daniel S., October 26, 1873. The living 
are all residents of California. Mr. Buell came 
to California in 1871, settling immediately upon 
his present property of 160 acres, which he 
purchased of Calvin Siddall, twelve miles from 
Sacramento, four miles from Elk Grove and 
three and a half from Florin; here he devotes 
his attention principally to the production of 
fruits. He has fifteen acres in a vineyard of 
table grapes. For a time he raised many straw- 
berries. Sixty acres of his place has been di- 
vided up among his three children. All he 
possesses he has made by hard labor and econo- 
my, and he has iiad many drawbacks. He is a 
member of the Grange at Florin. In politics 
he is a Republican. 



L. DAVIS, farmer, was born March 28, 
1827, in Dayton, Ohio. His parents 
® were Jacob and Mary (Humphreyville) 
Davis, the former a native of Virginia, who 
emigrated to Ohio in early day with his father, 
and followed the blacksmith business most of 
the time. He removed to Iowa while it was 



IIJUTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



jet a Territory, and was engaged in agriculture 
near Tipton, Cedar County, until his death, at 
the age of seventy-one years; his wife died in 
the same county at the age of sixty-live years. 
They had six daughters and four sons. The 
names of the latter were: Charles D., D. L., 
Jaton li. and Jacob. Charles was in both the 
Mexican war and the war of the Rebellion, and 
died at Baker City, Oregon, in 1875. Jason 
H. is also deceased; and Jacob is in Nebraska. 
Mr. Davis, our subject, left Iowa in 1851 for 
California, sailing i'rom New Orleans to tlie 
Isthmus and landing at San Francisco March 8, 
1852. On the same evenin:^ he took a boat to 
Sacramento, landing liereat the tiuTC of theflood 
and was taken by boat to the old fort. He im- 
mediately started for the mines near Hangtown, 
where he followed mining until the fall of 1853, 
with moderate success. Returning to the Sac- 
ramento Valley, he located on what is now 
known as the Jane Mahan ranch, plowed the 
land with ox teams and raised a crop of gi-aiu. 
He continued there seven years, being very suc- 
cessful in agricultural pursuits. In 1800 he 
returned to Iowa by water, by way of the Isth- 
mus and New York city, and the next year 
came again to California, this time overland, 
ar.iving here in July, the trip hither occupying 
about four months. The greater portion of this 
journey was made by himself and family, con- 
sisting of wife and four children. He located 
upon his present ranch in 1861, the only man 
on that plain at the time; to-day he has one of 
the finest ranches in this locality, well furnished 
with a good residence, beautiful yard and taste- 
ful arrangements throughout. Although he 
came to this State without means, he now has a 
splendid ranch of l,12t) acres, all in a state of 
good cultivation. His politics may be known 
by the fact that he cast his first vote for Taylor 
and last vote for Harrison. In 1849 Mr. Davis 
married Miss Elizabeth Murray, and they have 
six sons and three daughters living; three chil- 
dren are deceased. The living are: John J., in 
Oregon; Mary, wife of D. Watkins, of Nevada; 
Henrietta, wife of C. Cantrell; Lizzie, wife of 



Ed. Riley; D. L., Jr.; Alexander, at home; Jason 
H., Thomas N. and Charles D. 



fRANCIS EDWARD CONNOR, a rancher 
of Cosumnes Township, was bcjrn in Lis- 
more, County Waterford, Ireland, January 
1, 1815, his parents being John and Kate (Geary) 
Connor, both now deceased, the father at the 
age of seventy-three and the mother at sixty- 
five. Grandfather David Connor was quite old 
at his death. The grandparents Geary were 
also well advanced in years when they died. 
One of Mr. Connor's fondest recollections of his 
boyhood is having seen printed and manuscript 
books in tlie Irish language, the property of his 
uncle Edward Geary, who was not only an adept 
in the lore of his people, but was also a good 
English and classical scholar and made a busi- 
ness of preparing young men for the univer- 
sities. Mr. Connor received an elementary 
education and was brought up on a farm. His 
people on both sides were of the class of small 
farmers. He came to America in 1847, and 
was for some years variously employed in the 
East, one of his most pleasant occupations being 
that of companion and nurse for sixteen menths 
to a Mr. Ilalsey, of Providence, a wealthy gentle- 
man who traveled much in the eastern section 
of the country. About 1850 he went South, 
and January 22. 1854, he left New Orleans for 
California, by the Panama route, arriving in San 
Francisco on Washington's birthday. Had his 
share of the gains and losses of a miner's life for 
seven years, and in 1861 bought the 420 acrejs 
which he still owns and occupies about two miles 
from Michigan Bar. F. E. Connor was married 
in New Orleans in August, 1853, to Miss Mar- 
garet Hassett, also a native of Ireland, born near 
Tralee, County Kerry, March 22, 1827, her par- 
ents being James and Catherine (Ready) Hassett. 
She came to America at the age of twenty, and to 
California about six months after her marriage. 
Mr. and Mrs. Connor are the parents of the fol- 
lowing named children: James Blennerhassett, 



IHSTORl' OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



born June 9, 1854, was married May 17, 1887, 
to Miss Margaret Roach, a native of this county, 
daiigliter of Michael and Mary (Dalton) Roach; 
Kate, born May 6, 1856, now Mrs. John Weizel, 
of Sacramento, has one child, John Edward, 
born November 22, 1886; Arthur, born January 
17,1859; Richard Albert, December 6, 1863; 
Margaret Ellen, Jan nary 19, 18G7. 



jis^|||ILLIAM FLOYD NEELY was born 
November 18, 1821, in Maury CountV) 
^^ Tennessee, son of John and Margaret 
(Stewart) Neely, the former a native of Virginia, 
and the latter of Tennessee. When eighteen 
years old lie went into the hotel at Pontotoc, 
Mississippi, owned by W. L. Dogan, where he 
remained five years, having sole charge and man- 
agement of same. During the latter part of 
his stay the proprietors of the hotel, who were 
owners of keel-boats, proposed that he should 
take charge of one of the boats, which lay at 
the head waters of the Yazoo River. He fol- 
lowed this business for several years in different 
boats, connected in all cases with cotton ship- 
ments. One of his vessels was destroyed by 
fire and the men had to swim or float ashore. 
He met all such trying incidents with courage 
and a cool head. In 1852 he and eight other 
young men, all chums, started for California 
via Memphis and Greytown, where the party 
hired five of the natives to take them across 
Nicaragua Lake in a sailing smack, at a cost of 
$10 apiece. They arrived in San Francisco 
after a journey of seventy-six days. Going to 
Sacramento, Mr. Neely obtained work in a hotel 
as waiter at $60 a month, which was soon raised 
to $75; at the end of two weeks he was offered 
$100 a month if he would only stay, but he re- 
fused. The autumn of 1852 found him at the 
mines, where he remained si.x months, lie 
next went to teaming, receiving $100 a montli. 
At the end of two months he opened a store in 
a mining district, where he remained a year. 
Next he purchased teams and commenced freight- 



ing, following the same for nearly fourteen 
years at Virginia City and other places. This 
was the beginning of his success. In August, 
1867, he purchased his present ranch. He was 
married, August 27, 1867, to Miss Martha Whit- 
ten, a native of AYashington, Maine, and on the 
27tli they took their supper iti the log cabin 
erected on the ranch, and from that time till the 
present have been constant residents of Sacra- 
mento County. They have built and improved 
their home till it is now one of the nicest in the 
county; and in this home you will meet with 
that hospitality rarely met with except with the 
old Californians. Their farm is principally 
planted in orchards and vineyards. Oranges 
were eaten by the writer of this biographical 
sketch at lunch, which were the fruit of trees 
planted by William Neely when they first set- 
tled on the ranch. Mr. Neely was a Democrat, 
politically, until Fort Sumter was fired on, "when 
he changed and has been a Republican from that 
time to the present. 



tLFRED COFFMAN, farmer of Sacra- 
mento County, was born in Hamilton 
County, Illinois, June 12, 1823, son of 
Jacob and Ayre (Fowler) Coffman. The father, 
Jacob, a native of Germany, came to this 
country when four years old and settled in 
Kentucky, where they subsisted by digging the 
ginseng and selling it, and hunting deer and 
dressing their skins. He was well acquainted 
with Daniel Boone. He moved to Illinois, and 
was there during the Black Hawk war, in 
which he took part. He was the first man to 
settle in Burlington, Iowa, which place he 
found while swimming the Mississippi River 
after Indians for whom he had a deadly hatred. 
When sixty-two years of age he moved to 
Missouri, to a town called Jamestown, five 
miles from St. Joseph. He became so fond of 
frontier life that he followed it until his death, 
which occurred in Illinois, at the age of seventy- 
two years. He shot his last deer in Illinois, 



nhsTonr of sacrambnto county. 



wliile (111 luirsc'liack, ^luirtly ln'ibn^ his deatli. 
His s.iM Alfml liiis Ilio ol<l riHu witli wliidi ho 



AiriTil. Ill 



suhj 



cct ul' this 



kilU'd llio . 
sia'tcli, lull, .wed laniiiii^' and cattle-raiMiijr in 
Illinois, I'oi- lil'teon years. In 1^75 he came to 
Sacramento (\)iinty, and he and iiis hrotlier-in-law 
rented tiie Curtis ranch, which he worked four 
years. In 1S79 he bought a farm of 320 acres, 
tliiitecn miles from Sacramento on tlie upper 
Stockton load one mile from Elk Grove. He 
was married in 1S4I, to Miss Sarah Femberton, 
a native of Kentucky, who died in 1865, leav- 
ing sixteen cliildren, three sets of twins, five 
living to" become twenty-one years of age. He 
was married again in 1866, to Miss Elsie 
Howard, a native of Iowa, by whom he liad 
three children, two id' whom livec] to become 
of age. Seven of ihe children of Jacob Coli- 
iiiaii are living, the yoiiiioi'sl being sixty-six 
years (d' age. The siilijeet of ibis sketch carries 
on a general farming business. He was at one 
time one of the greatest grain-raisers in this 
county, iiaving had as high as 7,000 sacks of 
wheat from one year's crop. In the State fair 
of 1887-'88 he took a premium on wheat. He 
raises his own vegetables, fruit and grapes. He 
lias an orange tree from which he sold $10 
worth id' fruit in 1SS8. He is a member of 
Klk (Irovc 1. (). (). F., No 274. 



SRAEL LUCE was born in the village of 
Newfield, near Ithaca. Tmupkins County, 
New York, the son of James and Mary 
(Jiarbcr) Luce, both natives of New Jersey. 
Grandmother Barber was a sister to John Ab- 
bott, a scion of the Tompkins (^ounty family of 
that name. The , Luce family is a numerous 
one throughout New England, and the family 
traditions show them to have been of Englisli 
ancestry. Three brothers emigrated to America 
in the colonial days; one settled in New Jersey, 
one in Massachusetts, and one in Kentucky. 
AVhen Israel was nine years old his family 
moved to Elmira, where he grew to manhood. 



At the sigc of twenty he went to "West Troy, 
New York, to learn the marlile-eutters' trade; 
inonmnental work he learned at Tittslield, Massa- 
chnsi'tts, and was cniployed at Woonsocket, 
Khode Island, where he cari'ied on tiie marble 
business for three years, lieturning to Pitts- 
field, he went into partnership with Charles 
Rule. From Pittslield he went to Worcester, 
Massachusetts, where he caught the gold fever 
and started for C^ilifornia, sailing on the John 
Castner for the mouth of the Rio Grande, lie 
left New York January 29, and arrived at San 
Francisco on the 25th of May, 1849. He came 
directly to Sacramento, on his way to the Colo- 
ma mining districts. In September he returned 
to Sacramento, clerked in a store till March, 
1850, when he went up the American River 
nine miles and built the Nine-Mile House, of 
which he was part proprietiir I'or a time; but as 
selling rum was not agreeable to his conscience, 
he sold out and came again to Sacramento; 
mined at Cape Horn, beyt)nd Colfax, in 1851. 
In December, 1850, he bought a lot of marble 
on the wharf at San Francisco, brought it to 
Sacramento,' and established the first marble 
yards, February, 1851, on the east side of 
Seventh, between J and K streets. In 1853 he 
formed a co-partnership with Mr. A. Aitken, 
and they established themselves on K street, 
near the Golden Eagle Hotel. For twenty- five 
years this firm carried on the business, dis- 
solving in 1878. During the following year 
Mr. Luce again started business near the old 
stand, where his s m is at present located. For 
eighteen of the twenty- live years, Liice it Aitken 
worked the quarry at Indians' Diggings, El- 
Dorado County. In 1872 Mr. Luce prospected 
on the McLeod River, and spent six tnonths at 
Tehachapi in 1877. In September, 1885, he 
located the Inyo marble quarries, of which so 
much has been said of late, and of which lie is 
the superintendent. This stone is of pure 
white dolomite, susceptible of a liigli degree of 
polish, very beautiful, and more durable than 
granite. Mr. Luce is one of the oldest Odd 
I'ellows in the State, having been initiated into 



UltsroHY OF SAORAMBNTO COUNTY. 



the order at Berkshire Lodge, No. 57, Massa- 
chusetts, ill May, 1848, and joined Eureka, No. 
4, by card. In the early days he was especially 
devoted to politics, was a Democrat u]) to the 
time of the late war, and since then a Republi- 
can. Business cares and advancing years have 
made it impossible for him to take an active 
part in matters political, but he takes an inter- 
est in all public matters, especially those per- 
taining to the welfare of Sacramento. Mr. 
Luce has been twice married. His first wife, 
to whom lie was married in 1848, was Mary 
Adeline Nichols, of Worcester, Massachusetts. 
She died in 1861, leaving two sons and one 
daughter, as follows: Mary R. Marsh, John C. 
and G. W., the former in business here in the 
Capital City, and the latter in San Francisco. 
In 18GB he was united in mirriage to Mrs 
Eliza Elliott, by whom he has had two children, 
viz.: Fannie, now Mrs. W. W. Clary, and 
Charles S., who is employed in the money order 
department of the Sacramento postoffice. The 
Luce homestead on M street is one of the old- 
time land-marks, the abiding place of generous, 
old-time hospitality. 



fAMES HARKINS was bom May 12, 1827, 
in North Ireland, son of Cornelius and 
Catherine (Shields) Hark ins; the father 
died in Ireland in 1836, and the mother came 
to America in 1840, bringing with her her son 
.latnes. They landed in New Orleans May 2, 
1840. From there they proceeded to St. Louis 
where the mother was married again, to Walter 
Cunimings. James served four years at the 
blacksmith trade with Mr. Driseoll, and after- 
ward worked at his trade until 1852. A])ril 
17 that year he started for California, crossing 
the plains with cattle and mules via North 
Platte and Fort Laramie. After a trip of four 
months they arrived in Ilangtown, August 27, 
1852, and went to work at once in the black- 
smithing shop of Joseph Hinds. From there 
he came to Sacramento city in 1854: started in 



blacksmithing for himself In 1877 he came 
to his ranch, wliicli ho had located in 1858, 
situated about eight miles from Sacramento, 
lie does a good farming business, has been very 
successful as a farmer and stock-raiser. His 
new and elegant residence was erected in 1884; 
all the surroundings denote neatness and order. 
He was married February 2, 1851, to Cecilia 
Quinn, a native of Ireland. They liave had 
seven children, viz.: Cornelius J., born March 
29, 1852; Mary A., October 15, 1856, and died in 
December, 1800; John F., born August 28, 
1858, drowned during the flood at Sacramento; 
Hugh W., born July 4, 1860, died December 
16, 1861; Eliza, born July 18, 1865, died in 
April, 1871; Catherine T., November 14, 1861, 
and Matilda V., July 28, 1870. 



"-s*-"?-" 



fOIIN MAHON, an honest and enterprising 
citizen of this county, and one of its ex- 
tensive hop-growers, was born March 1, 
1849, in Ontario, Wentworth County, Canada, 
liis parents being William and Catharine (Ash- 
berry) Mahon, — the former born in County 
Tyrone, Ireland, and the latter in County*rip- 
perary. Both were small when they emigrated 
to Canada, where they were afterward married. 
William Mahon was a blacksmith by trade un- 
til so advanced in years that age required a 
cessation from toil. He and his faithful wife 
are now living in Wentworth County. They 
have two children: James, resident in Canada, 
and John. John Mahon, our subject, was 
raised in a small village, and was brought up to 
work. The advantages of an education in early 
life were somewhat slighted by himself, and 
since then have been mostly self-acquired. He 
remained with his parents until tiiirteen years 
of age, since which time he has made his own 
way in the world. He worked six years for a 
man named George Abrey, who had a farm and 
saw-mill together. In 1870 he came to Cali- 
fornia, and commenced life in the g<)lden West; 
In; landed in Sacramento with $30 in his packet. 



in 



HISTURY OF SACRAMENTO COLfNTY. 



hired out to a man named Hayiiie, just east of 
tlie city, and remained tive years until he failed 
in business. He owed Malion $935, of which 
he paid iiim thirty cents on the dollar. This 
was a rough experience for a young man, but, 
undaunted, he determined to go into business 
for himself, lie leased fifteen acres on the 
Haggin grant, on the American River, and put 
it in hops; to this small beginning he added by 
degrees. In 1882 he came down to the Cos- 
umncs Eiver and leased about lifty acres of C. 
fl. Cantrell, and put thirty acres of it in hops. 
lie was' so successful that in 1884 he bought 
tlie place, which contains 500 acres. This is 
part upland and part bottom-land, very rich and 
productive, and will raise anything. He has 
now fifty acres in hops, and is one of the largest 
hop-growers in this county. Besides this, he 
is doing a general farming and stock-raising 
business, and paying considerable attention to 
the raising of fruit, for which he has the soil, 
climate, and all that is necessary, without irri- 
gation. He has about thirty acres in orchai'd, 
principally almonds, just coming into bearing; 
it is the largest orchard in this part of the coun- 
try, and as fine as one wishes to see. He is a 
memtier of the order of Odd Fellows, which he 
joined in 1874; he also belongs to Elk Grove 
Lodge, No. 274. He was married in 1871 to 
Olive Chalmers, a native of Canada, daughter 
of Peter and Harriet Chalmers. She came to 
this State in 1871. They have four children, 
viz.: Katie, born March 18, 1880; John Will- 
iam, June 29, 1882; Olive, November 18, 
1884; and Nellie, November 19, 1886. 



I^ERMAN LEIMBACH, farmer, San Joa- 
|mj\ quin Township, was born in Hesse-Cassel^ 
"^^ Germany, December 25, 1816, a son of 
Justus and Mary E. Leimbach. There were 
six children in the family, and neither parents 
nor children came to America excepting the 
subject of this sketch and one brother who 
lived in Baltimore; and in the old country only 



one is now Jiving. Herman was raised on his 
father's farm, and at the age of twenty-seveif or 
twenty-eight years, in March, 1845, he sailed 
from Bremen on the brig Eberhardt, and in 
forty-nine days landed at Baltimore. First he 
was employed by Rothermacher at Baltimore at 
wagon-making, for $4 a month, and at the end 
of tiie first month he went to Lancaster to work 
in a brick-yard, but remained there only two 
weeks. Then he was employed in a brewery at 
$6 a month. Next he obtained a situation in a 
hotel, which was an easier position than any he 
had ever had in his life. At the end of four 
years the gold excitement of this State brought 
him hither. He came by way of Cape Horn, 
with Frank Russell, of Sacramento, on the brig 
Osceola, from Philadelphia. There were sixty- 
five passengers on board. They stopped at Rio 
Janeiro and at Tocohona, Chili. The weather 
was very rough, and they were twenty-seven 
days rounding Cape Horn, having nothing to 
eat but hard- tack soaked in water. They landed 
in San Francisco August 7, after a voyage of 
207 days. Mr. Leimbach came to Sacramento 
by boat, paying $13 or $15 fare, taking over a 
week to make the trip. Going above Marys- 
ville with two others, he followed gold-mining, 
using a cradle made from the rotten base of a 
tree. The three made about $5 apiece on their 
own claim. At tlie end of about two months 
Mr. Leimbach returned to Sacramento, bought 
three yoke of cattle for $300, and in a few hours 
sold them for $1,500! Then he bought another 
team for $900 and went to freighting, many 
times having to unload and carry the freight 
for a quarter of a mile on his back. After the 
first trip he was taken sick, brought the team to 
Sacramento and turned thein out. The flood 
soon came, and he never saw the oxen afterward. 
The wagon, being in a house, was saved. The 
flood coming on in the night, he went to the 
building and found it full of mules that had 
come in for shelter, lie made a raft out of 
drift-wood, and went to the hills for safety. He 
had the ague for some time. On recovering he 
worked for Charles Henry two weeks, for his 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



board. Alter the flood subsided he bought a 
mule for $10, and went upon a piece of land 
owned by another party, and began making hay, 
selling it for $75 a load in Sacramento. He also 
cut wood and sold it to steamboats for $16 a 
cord. lie remained on this place about three 
months. About six weeks afterward the cholera 
broke out, the owner of the property became 
frightened, and oifered to sell out his interest 
for $300. Mr. Leimbach bought it, and in a 
short time sold it for $1,100,— $500 cash, and 
the balance on a note. Then he settled on the 
Miller ranch, about a mile distant. In the 
spring the old gentleman and one son died of 
small-po.x, and Mr. Leimbach lost his $600 
note. ]^ext he went upon a stock ranch with 
thirty-four head of hogs, which he had pur- 
chased for $900. He sold seven head of fat 
specimens on foot, weighing about 300 pounds 
each, for 25 cents a pound. In 1855 he pur- 
chased his present farm of 820 acres at $12 an 
acre, paying $500 cash and promising the bal- 
ance at 2 per cent, interest. He made hay and 
sold it in Sacramento at $27.50 per ton in the 
hay yards. Before his note was due the holder 
ofiered to throw ofi' the interest if Mr. Leim- 
bacli would pay the principal, which oflfer he 
accepted, putting in a watch and an old cow to 
make up the balance. From these transactions 
dates the beginning of Mr. Leimbach's pros- 
perity in Sacramento. Of land he has had as 
much as 1,440 acres at one time. At present 
lie has 1,280 acres. Besides farming he has 
kept a dairy, in 1856-'57 leasing thirty-three 
cows of Mr. Robinson, for $400 a year. In 
that enterprise he made $1,100 the first year. 
On the expiration of the lease he had sixteen 
young cows, which enabled him to keep on in 
the business until the latter part of 1867. Then 
he made money in the sheep business for ten 
years, and since that time he has been a suc- 
cessful farmer. He has live shares in the 
Grangers' Bank in San Francisco. In his social 
relations he is a member of the Pioneer Society. 
He fully knows by experience what are many of 
the bitter trials and privations of pioneering in 



California. He has a fane house on the upper 
Stockton road, upon a well-improved farm. Mr. 
Leimbach was married April 19, 1854, to Miss 
Catharine M. Bullivant, a native of London, 
England, and they have eight children: Albert 
E., Amy, Elizabeth, Edith, Maria, Mabel, Justus 
and John, all living in this county. 



tP. AND SIDNEY SMITH are the sons 
of Anthony Smith, a farmer of Canajo- 
* harie, Montgomery County, New York. 
Their mother was of an old Connecticut family 
remarkable for its longevity, their maternal 
grandmother attaining the age of ninety-seven 
years, and her sister, Mrs. King, of Hartford, 
Connecticut, lived to be 103 years old. AVhen 
Sidney, the elder brother, was a child, the family 
removed from Canajoharie to Rome, New York, 
and here on the 6th of January, 1812, A. P. 
Smith was born. In 1816 the family removed 
across the State line into Yermont, settling at 
Whiting, opposite Fort Ticonderoga. At that 
time A. P. Smith was about four years old, but 
Sidney, the elder, a lad of thirteen or fourteen, 
was already engaged in a country store, and 
when eighteen he went to Troy, New York, 
and entered the store of Daniel Marvin, and he, 
being somewhat of an invalid, very soon became 
the buyer for the lirm, making trips to New 
York city for that purpose; he remained in this 
responsible position until 1827, when he went 
to New York and engaged in the business firm of 
Henry Sheldon & Co. In 1830, in connection 
with Daniel Peck, who was a fellow-clerk, estab- 
lished the dry-goods house of Smith, Peck & 
Co., of Troy, which later on became Smith, 
Redfield & Co. In 1835, A. P. Smith entered 
the store as a clerk, but his early training and 
natural bent of mind toward horticultural and 
agricultural pursuits, induced him in a few 
years to withdraw, and he engaged in the ex- 
periment of silk-worm culture, he being among 
the first to open a "cocoonery," and to engage 
in' raising the Morus Multicaulis, in 1844. 



IHSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Daring the wonderful* excitement consequent 
upon the discovery of gold in California, Mr. 
A. P. Smith became one of a party of thirty 
who purchased the barge William Ivy and came 
to California via Cape Horn; as stated, the 
original ownership of the vessel and cargo was 
vested in about thirty persons, but through 
gambling, buying, selling and trading, during 
the long voyage, by the time they arrived in 
San Francisco in July there were a half dozen 
who owned both. Arriving at Sacramento, Mr. 
Smith at once bought of Captain Sutter fifty 
acres of laud on the American River, paying 
for it $100 per acre, and tlie firm of Smith, 
Baker & Barber, nurserymen and gardeners, 
was established. A full description of the land 
titles in 1849 having already appeared in this 
volume, it is unnecessary to repeat them here, 
or go into detail in regard to the floods which 
again and again- destroyed the labor of many 
months. But, to go back to tiie other brother 
whom we left in the dry-goods store at Troy, 
where he remained until 184:4, in 1850 he went 
to the old farm in Vermont, and remained there 
until 1853, when, his brother having returned 
from California on a visit, he was induced to 
join him and come to Sacramento in the fall of 
the year. They opened a store on J street 
where Dr. Simmons' office now is, Sidney at- 
tending to that part of the business, while A. 
P. gave his attention to the gardens, which 
grew and, "like a thing of beauty," bid fair to 
become a "joy forever." No e.xpense was spared 
in its adornment; peaches, pears and grapes 
from the East vied with the fruits and flowers 
of the tropics, and grew side by side. The 
property advanced in value rapidly and in 1855 
one of the partners of the house of Booth & 
Co. offered $75,000 for it, but was refused, and 
it was estimated to be worth fully $100,000. 
But alas, for human expectations! liow true it 
is that " best laid plans of mice and man gang 
aft agley!" The floods of 1861, followe* by the 
still greater floods of 18G2, caused the levee, 
which had been built along the bank of the 
American River, to burst above the gardens and 



then the labor of years, the beautiful Smith's 
Gardens, the popular pleasure resort of Sacra- 
mento, were swept away. In the meantime 
Sidney had returned home in 185(3, on a visit, 
and in 1858 his wife, Almira Smith [iiee Town- 
send) daughter of Henry Townsend, a merchant 
and mill man of Troy, New York, whom he 
had married in 1838, joined him and here they 
made their home, and here their only daughter, 
wife of Major Plubbard, died. Sidney Smith 
scill survives; the younger brother, A. P. Smith, 
died in 18 — . At this writing the health of 
Sidney Smith, considering his eighty-six years, 
is quite remarkable. 



fARON FOSTER CORE was born in Ross 
County, Ohio, in 1830, his parents being 
Isaac and Sarah (Helms) Core. The father 
was a native of Ohio and of "Maryland-Dutch" 
parentage. His grandfather Heims lived to a 
good old age. The father of A. F. Core owned 
a farm and the son was reared on it, receiving 
the usual common-school education of the 
period. In 1850 the father made a trip to Iowa 
and bought a fractional quarter-section of about 
150 acres in Marion County. In 1852 the son 
bought a similar quarter-section adjoining the 
previous purchase and put in a crop. The 
mother had died a few years before, leaving five 
sons and four daughters. In 1854 the family 
moved to Iowa and the holding was increased by 
later purchases to 850 acres. The father died 
there in 1875, aged seventy-three. In 1859 A. F. 
Core came to California, and went to mining in 
Shasta County, but with poor success. In 1861 
he came into what is now Franklin Township, 
and took up a quarter-section and worked with 
a partner, who also iiad taken up a quarter-sec- 
tion, raising grain on both for two years. In 
1863 they divided interests. Afterward Mr 
Core sold out his right in that land, and in 1875, 
bought 160 acres, and four years later another 
160, " adjoining by corners," both of which he 
still owns, tills and occupies. He raises wheat 



IIISrORT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



chiefl.y, but has also a small vineyard and a still 
smaller orchard, besides growing a little hay 
and barley. It is excellent land for wheat and 
vines. In 1863 Mr. Core was married to Miss 
Elizabeth L. Carroll, a native of Iowa, daughter 
of Mordecai and Lydia (Taflinger) Carroll. Mr. 
Carroll lived to a good age, and Mrs. Carroll is 
now about seventy-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Core 
are the parents of five children: Isaac N., born 
in 1865; Edward Riley, in 1867; Lydia Ann, 
in 1869; Ella, in 1871; and Nathaniel, in 1876. 



fACRAMENTO HOME SCHOOL, 1321 
H street, is a home for young children, 
not only in name but also in fact. Such 
is evident from the records, as well as the kindly 
face of the teacher, Mrs. Frances M. Ross, who 
has had charge of the scliool ever since she es- 
tablisiied it in 1870. Mrs. Ross, a native of 
Rochester, Massachusetts, is a daughter of Clif- 
ton 'Wing, a sea captain and in later life a mer- 
chant. Her mother, Anne Maria Freeman, was 
a native of Sandwich, Cape Cod, where, in sight 
of old ocean, the family spent their summer 
holidays. She is the eldest of live children. 
Those who have been so fortunate as to visit 
Cape Cod remember what are known as the 
Wing schools there, three of them being under 
the auspices of the Society of Friends, or 
Quakers. At one of these Miss Wing was edu- 
cated; and not only that, but her proficiency led 
to her engagement as a teacher for a time after 
her graduation. After that she removed to Bos- 
ton with her parents. In 1852 she emigrated 
to California with her husband, David S. Ross, 
who had come as a pioneer of 1849. She came 
around Cape Horn, in the bark Saxonville, Cap- 
tain Hutchins, with her husband and son and 
sister and daughter, was 158 days on the voy- 
age, and landed at San Francisco May 7, 1853. 
After arriving in Sacramento, she saw the neces- 
sity for better school facilities for her youngest 
son tlian were obtainable hero, and in May, 1870, 
she began teaching him. The fact becoming 



known, Mrs. Charles Crocker, Mrs. E. B. 
Crocker, Judge Sanderson, Rev. W. H. Brown 
and James Anthony, of the old Union, sent 
their children also, and before the expiration of 
the first year she had a school of respectable 
proportions. Every patron feels assured that 
his child receives as much attention there as 
if there were but one pupil in attendance. 
Mrs. Ross is a lady of pleasing address, refine- 
ment and culture, enjoying to the fullest extent 
the confidence and esteem of her patrons and 
of those who are so fortunate as to be admitted 
to the circle of her acquaintance. 

-^-^-^ 

fR. W. R. CLUNESS.— There is no mem- 
ber of the medical profession in Sacra- 
mento, or, indeed, in Central CJalifornia, 
who stands higher in the esteem and confidence 
alike of his brother practitioners and of the 
public in general than does Dr. Cluness. Dur- 
ing his long residence here of now over twenty- 
six years he has at all times enjoyed a practice 
of as large dimensions as he has cared to manage, 
and has been and is frequently called in consulta- 
tion by the physicians not alone of Sacramento, 
but also of San Francisco and other sections of 
the Pacific coast. Dr. Cluness was born Decem- 
ber 29, 1835, in the city of London, Canada, 
his father's name being David Cluness. The 
father is now deceased, but liis mother is still 
alive at a good old age and dwells with a younger 
son in Ontario. Three brothers and four sisters, 
the renniinder of the family, all reside in Canada. 
In the schools of London Dr. Cluness received 
his preliminary education and prepared himself 
for entry atQueen'sCollege in the old " limestone 
city " of Kingston at the foot of Lake Ontario, 
one of the best known and most prcsperous 
universities in Canada. Hero Dr. Cluness grad- 
uated as B. A. in 1855, and immediately be- 
gan a course in medicine, receiving the degree 
of M. D., and at the same time that of M. A., 
also, in 1859, and finally, in 1871, was elected a 
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and 



IirsTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Surgeons, Kingston. Removing to California in 
1859 lie settled in July of that year at Petaluina. 
Although enjoying a good practice in that town 
lie soon perceived that a city of greater promise 
was better suited to one of ambition, and accord- 
ingly came to Sacramento July 1, 1863, since 
which time he has been identified with this 
city. Sliortly after coming here he was appointed 
a member of the Sacramento Board of Health, a 
position he held for twenty-four years, or until 
1887, when he voluntarily resigned on account 
of private reasons. He is now and lias been since 
1873 a member of the State Board of Health. 
Dr. Cluness was one of the organizers of the 
I'acitic Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1868, 
and was appointed Medical Director, holding 
the position still, appointing all medical ex- 
aminers and deciding upon all applications for 
insurance. Tlii.; conipiny has proved the 
strongest and most successful of all formed on 
this coast, and is now doing buf iness in twenty- 
three States and Territories. Of the most note- 
worthy undertakings, with which he has been 
connected, outside of the strict lines of the pro- 
fession, is the celebrated "Oak Shade Orchard," 
in Yolo County. With Mr. C. W. Reed, he 
pnrchased the 350 acres of which it is composed, 
in 1868, and planted it in mulberry trees, sev- 
eral thousand of which were set out. They 
built two large cocooneries, each 150 feet in 
length, and made preparations on a very exten- 
sive scale for silk-raising, having by far the 
largest establishment in the State. For several 
years it was carried on, several million cocoons 
were produced, eggs hatched, etc., but it was at 
last discoveied to be a premature enterprise 
and was consequently abandoned. This experi- 
ment was watched with very great interest gen- 
erally throughout the State and great regret 
was felt at its want of success. The land was 
afterward planted to fruit trees of the following 
varieties: pears, almonds, plums, peaches, apri- 
cots, nectarines and figs, as also a fifty-acre vine- 
yard, chiefly of Muscat grapes. Some of the 
pear trees are now twenty years old. This 
rancli is situated near Davisville and about 



twelve miles from Sacramento. Messrs. W. E. 
Brown, L. A. Garnett, and John Rosenfeldt, all 
of San Francisco, were associated with Dr. 
Cluness and Mr. Reed in the silk company, 
which still owns the ranch, but Mr. Reed has 
since dropped out. Dr. Cluness was married in 
September, 1863, at Petaluma, to Miss Mary 
Laird. They have three children, two of whom 
are daughters at home with their parents. The 
son, Dr. W. R. Cluness, jr., is a graduate of the 
medical department of the State University at 
San Francisco. He is now attending a course 
of lectures in the College of Piiysicians and 
Surgeons in New York city. After its com- 
pletion he will proceed to Europe, and at Loudon 
and elsewhere take a further course of advanced 
studies. Such is an epitome of the life of Dr. 
W. R. Cluness, a physician who has known 
unusual success in his practice, a result due no 
doubt to careful study of each case and a prompt 
adoption of the snitable remedies, as well as long 
experience and a thorough initial grounding. 
Personally, he is a gentleman of pleasant 'and 
genial manners, courteous and affable to all. 



fAPTAIN THOMAS LITTLEFIELD 
chief engineer on the steamer Dover, was 
born in Brunswick, Maine, August 10, 
1826, his parents being James and Hannah 
(Pliggins) Littletield, both natives of the State 
of Maine, the father a farmer. He is the third 
of a family of seven children, of which family 
his brother and himself are the only survivors 
at the time of this writing. Thomas, as a boy, 
attended the common district schools, but when 
only fourteen years of age he went to sea, going 
out on the merchant ship United States, of Bath, 
Maine, Captain Swarton, for three years, and 
then for two years on the Trenton. About this 
time his brother, second mate of the ship jSTew 
Jersey, died at Havre, France, and Thomas de- 
cided to abandon the sea forever. He entered 
the emply of the "Waterman machine shop, near 
Providence, Rhode Island, becoming a thorough 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT 



machinist. He was afterward employed on the 
steam frigate Saranac, making and putting in 
her machinery. On tlie 1st of May, 1849, he 
left Boston harbor fur California, in the bark 
Susan Jane, Captain Prior, being one of the nine 
passengers. The ship New Jersey, whicii sailed 
half an hour before the Susan Jane, and which 
was not sighted during the entire voyage, came 
through the Golden Gate and anchored beside 
them at San Francisco, within half an hour of 
their casting anchor. The Susan Jane was 
laden with a cargo of lumber, one-half of which 
was owned by the ca]:)tain; this sold readily for 
$350 per 1000, and realized quite a little for- 
tune. When Mr. Littletield landed at six 
o'clock on the 6th of October, his sole acquaint- 
ance on shore was Jesse Merrill, but he soon 
secured employment in a blacksmith's shop, and 
later, in company with his friend Merrill, he 
came to Sacramento and went to the mines at 
Salmon Falls, on the American River. Plere 
they realized about $100 a day; but the exag- 
gerated reports of other greater finds in other 
localities induced them to leave and go to El 
Dorado Canon on the north fork of the Ameri- 
can River, where they built a Hume which 
])roved to be an utter failure. It is worthy of 
note here that the parties who took their claim 
at Salmon Falls realized in a very short time 
over $45,000. He then gave up mining, went 
to San Francisco, November 1, 1850, and se- 
cured a position, first as fireman, then engineer 
on the steamer H. T. Clay, a side wheeler run- 
ning to Sacramento from San Francisco. He 
has been on the river and bay continually as en- 
gineer since that date. In 1855 he was on the 
Nevada, running from San Francisco to Peta- 
luma in opposition to the steamer Secretary, 
when she exploded her boiler, killing forty-five 
people. For several years he was employed by 
the Steamshi]) Navigation Company. During 
ail the later years he lias been employed by the 
Sacramento Transportation Company, and at 
this writing is the chief engineer on the Dover, 
belonging to that company. The Captain has 
been twice married, first in 1857 to Mrs. Henri- 



etta Rodfern. They had three children: Thomas 
Decatur, George Lyons and Martha W. (de- 
ceased). On the 2d of Septembej, 1874, he 
was married to Maria Antonette Newton, daugh- 
ter of Judge Newton, of Woodbridge, New 
Jersey. The Captain is a Knight Templar, an 
Odd Fellow, and also a member of the Legion 
of Honor and Chosen Friends. In politics he is 
a Republican. 



1^ L. NICHOLS, A. M., M. D.— The oldest 
1H) practicing physician in Sacramento is 
■^sll* Dr. Nichols, the subject of this sketch; 
born in the city of Augusta, Maine, his parents 
being Asaph R. and Lucy (Lambard) Nichols. 
His father, a prominent attorney at law holding 
many positioiisof responsibility and trust, having 
been clerk of the Supreme Court for many years 
and Secretary of State, also postmaster; he died 
in 1860, at the age of sixty-five years, while his 
mother reached the advanced age of eighty-one. 
Both families were prominent in the annals of 
New England, going from Massachussetts to 
Maine about the year 1800. The Doctor's pre- 
liminary education was had in Jiis native city, 
and he graduated from the medical department 
of the celebrated Bowdoin College, in the class 
of '45, subsequently taking a post-graduate 
course at the Jefferson Medical College at Phil- 
adelphia; he returned to his native city and at 
once commenced upon the practice of his pro- 
fetf-.ion. In the meantime his maternal uncle, 
Allen Lambard, had emigrated to Sacramento, 
in 1852, and had, in connection with General 
Redington, established the Lambard Flouring 
Mills, located on the corner of Second and I 
streets, and also the Sacramento Iron Works, 
where the driving wheels of the first locomotive 
ever used on a California railway were turned. 
And it was owing to Uncle Lambard's enthusi- 
astic description of the opportunities to be had 
in California, that the Doctor concluded to mi- 
grate to the Golden State, which he did in 1853, 
landing in Sacramento in January of that year. 



UlSTORT OF SAGRAMENTU COUNTY. 



and, opening an office at Second and I streets, 
began the practice of his profession, which has 
been continued witiiout interruption, except by 
official duties as will appear further on, for over 
thirty-six years. Earnestly anxious for the ad- 
vancement of his adopted city, the Doctor early 
became interested in political matters, and in 
the campaign of 1858 was chosen president of 
the board of county supervisors, and under the 
bill known as the Consolidation Act, was, as 
president of the hoard ex-officio mayor of the 
city. In 18G7 he was elected Secretary of State, 
liolding that position for four years, and ex- 
officio member of the Capitol Commission and 
the Board of State Prison directors. He was 
appointed by Governor Ilaight one of the Trus- 
tees of the State Library, filling the unexpired 
term of Governor Bigler. For six years he has 
been a member of the State Board of Health, 
and secretary of that association; he is also the 
health officer'of the Capital City. The Doctor 
was married in 1847, prior to his corning to 
California, to Miss Cole, daughter of Samuel 
Cole, a merchant of Augusta, Maine, and a scion 
of an old New England family. They have 
one son and two daughters. It will readily be 
seen that the Doctor's life has been an unu.-ually 
busy one, strictly devoted to the advancenient 
and well-being of the cause of hsmanity. In 
politics he has been a life-long Democi'at, cast- 
ing his iirst vote for President James K. Polk, 
but never a partisan in the offensive sense of 
the term; he was on the reception committee at 
the time of the visit of Horace Greeley to Sacra- 
mento in 1859, and presided at the mass meet- 
ing held at the St. George building upon that 
occasion, and also at the meeting held at the 
celebration of the laying of the Atlantic cable in 
1851). 



►>+^ 



I^AXS PEDER CORNELIUS, a Sutter 
|W| Township farmer, was born in Zealand, 
*^sl| Denmark, February 20, 1846, son of Ras- 
mus and Chirsten Cornelius. Rasmus died in 



November, 1888, and Chirsten is still living in 
the old country. They brought up six children, 
four of whom are now living: Hans, Frederick 
(a merchant in Rjngsted, Zealand), Anna, So- 
phia, in Copenhagen, and Marion Christina, in 
Sacramento. Mr. Cornelias remained with his 
parents until he was twenty-two years of age, 
obtaining a good education and learning the 
carpenter's trade, and also working some in the 
woolen mills where his father was superintend- 
ent. He was then in tlie Government service 
six months; next he went to Greenland, where 
he was employed in making shafts and other 
equipments for mining camps for gne summer. 
October 15, 1869, he left for the United States 
and landed at Philadelphia December 4, unable 
to speak a word of English'. Accordingly he 
found it difficult to obtain employment. He 
went through New York State and Michigan to 
Chicago, where he obtained a situation, through 
an employment agency, away down in the State 
of Mississippi, sixty miles below Memphis, at 
Friar's Point, on the bank of the Mississippi 
River. He was there employed, with interrup- 
tions, for five years, running a saw-mill there 
four years. Life in this depressing climate was 
to him quite a contrast to " Greenland's icy 
mountains," and he found it to be advantageous 
to his health and his spirits to drift northward. 
During this period he was married, in May, 
1871, in Chicago, to Anna Tromena Johnson. 
He was a carpenter in Chicago, a part of the 
time in the shops of the Chicago & Northwest- 
ern Railroad Company. He came to California 
in 1875. locating in Sacramento and engaging 
for the railroad. A year afterward a siege of 
sickness compelled him to give up his place 
there. After his recovery he entered upon his 
present place, where he has since resided; it 
contains ninety acres, and is located on the up- 
per Stockton road three and a half miles from 
the city limits. He started in here raising hay 
and grain, but for the last three or four years he 
has turned his attention more to fruit-raising. 
His wife died January 3, 1886, the mother of 
four children, as follows: Lizzie, born July 29, 



HISTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY . 



1873; Mary, N^ovember 24, 187^; Robert, Jan- 
nary 25, 1879; and Johnnie, March 9, 1882. 
Mr. Cornelius married his present wife April 
24, 1889, wedding Mrs. Margaret Sparrow, of 
this county. 

fYRUS TOWLE, fartner, was born in Co- 
basset, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 
October 2, 1829; his parents, Ezra and 
Sybil (Barnes) Towle, were natives respectively 
of Cohasset and New Hampshire. Ilis father, 
whose principal vocation in early days was that 
of a sailor, was about eighteen years of age when 
he went into Massachusetts, and commenced a 
seafaring lite, which he kept up for about thirty 
years. The summer season was devoted to 
mackerel iishing, and the winter to the coast 
trade of the Soutiiern States, chiefly New York, 
Baltimore, and so on southward. He was en- 



gag 



in the business of 



carrying oysters from 



Baltimore to Boston, and corn and other products 
from the different Southern ports to New York 
and Boston. From the time he was twenty-one 
he was master of a ship until he quit the sea. 
He then followed farming for a while in Massa- 
chusetts, and rain a stage line from Cohasset to 
Hingliam. to connect with the steamer May- 
flower, running from Hingham to Boston in 
oppositi(jn to a railroad company. This business 
he followed until he died. His widow survived 
him a number of years. They had six children : 
Cyrus; Joanna Maria residing in Cohasset; 
Sybil Barnes, in Chester, Vermont; Mary Eliza- 
betli, in Cohasset; Ezra, who died in 1865, in 
Cohasset; and Benjamin Barnes, who died some- 
time in the '60'6. Cyrus Towle was reared in 
Cohasset, Massachusetts, and lived there until 
1852. During the summer lie followed mack- 
erel fishing from the age of sixteen to twenty- 
one, and during the winter he worked at shoe- 
making. After he was of age he entered the dry 
goods business in Cohassjt, continuing therein 
until 1852. May 3d, that year, he left home, 
went to New York city and bought a ticket for 



California, embarking May 5 on the steamer 
Northern Light, which took him safely to Grey- 
town, then called San Juan del Norte, at the 
mouth of the San Juan lliver; was a week 
going up that river and crossing Lake Nicara- 
gua to the Pacific Coast; remained at San Juan 
del Sud twenty-six days, being in all thirty-two 
days on the Isthmus; left there on the steamer 
S. S. Lewis and arrived at San Francisco July 
5, and at Sacramento two days afterward. In a 
few days he reached Baker's ranch in Placer 
County, and hired out as a mule-packer. He 
worked at that four or five months, at $100 a 
month and boarding and lodging furnished. 
This work consisted in conveying goods and 
provisions from the store at Baker's ranch to 
the mining camps, along a mule trail on the 
sides of the hills, by mule train, there being no 
wagon road at that time. One of the amusing 
incidents occurring on one of these journeys 
happened as follows: A keg of butter was 
knocked ofl' the pack in passing a rock, and 
rolled down a hill at a declination of about forty 
degrees and traveled about a mile before it 
landed at the bottom. Only a "grease spot" 
was left! That winter, after quitting business, 
he engaged in placer mining for a short time, 
with varying success, making from 25 cents to 
$16 a day; some days he worked hard and ob- 
tained but 25 cents, and on one day, by working 
only three hours, he obtained $16. He worked 
at mining until his health failed, and he had to 
quit when he was making $4 a day. During 
the last of February he bought a mule team and 
engaged in hauling freight from Sacramento to 
Bird's Valley, near Michigan Bluff", till about 
the 1st of December, 1854. Then, exchanging 
his team for lumber and hay, he started a hay 
yard on the corner of Ninth and K streets, 
Sacramento. The next spring he sold out this 
business and engaged in teaming again. Lo- 
cating his present ranch daring that summer, 
he put in his first crop, in the winter of 1855-'56, 
and continued teaming meanwhile. He cooked 
his first meal, a supper, on this ranch, August 
1, 1856, and since that time that place has been 



HISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



liis home. It first comprised 160 acres; in 
1867 lie sold hnifof it. At first he raised liay 
and grain, and for the last twenty years he has 
been principally engaged in fruit-raising. When 
tlie postoffice was first started at Florin, in June, 
1869, he was appointed postmaster, which po- 
sition he filled until January 1, 1876. In po- 
litical matters he has always been a strong 
Kepublican. He is a member of the Grange, 
joining at Sacramento in 1873. Mr. Towle was 
married January 1, 1874, to Anna Maria Ames, 
who was born in Lunenburg, Essex County, 
Vermont, February 27, 1832, and came to Cali- 
fornia in 1873, arriving at Sacramento April 12. 
Tiiey have no children. 

fEORGE TIIISBY, deceased. Tiie subject 
of this sketch was born in Scarborough, 
England, May 15, 1828, his parents being 
William and Mary (Trattles) Thisby. At about 
the age of twenty-one George Thisby came to 
the United States and among his earliest occu- 
pations in this country was that of night-watch- 
man on a Mississippi steamer for two or three 
y-ars. In 1852 he came to California, being 
employed to drive cattle across the plains by the 
southern route to Los Angeles. He afterward 
went to mining for a year or two in the neigh- 
borhood of Nevada City, with such ill success 
that lie came down on the Sacramento in the 
spring of 1854, having only 10 cents in his 
]iocket. He was employed by Mr. Madge at $40 
a month, and in the autumn of that year he be- 
came his partner, the arrangement continuing 
two years. He then bought fifty acres on 
Georgiana Slough, about thirty-two miles south 
of Sacramento, with a cabin of 10 x 12 feet upon 
it, and only two or three acres cleared, paying 
$350 cash and 3 per cent, per month interest on 
an equal amount, and proceeded to clear it. He 
also rented twenty acres on Grand Island, pay- 
ing one-third of the proceeds. In 1859 he ran 
a trading boat of five tons' burden frotn Walnut 
Grove to Sacramento and Stockton. In the 



flood of 1862 he lost all his stock except a span 
of horses and one cow. In November, 1862, 
he paid a visit to his old home in England, re- 
turning in June, 1863. In the autumn of 1864 
he bought the sloop Franklin, of thirty-five tons, 
and was her captain for three years in the San 
Francisco trade. In 1868 he planted an orchard 
of about ten acres on his slough ranch, now in- 
creased to about thirty acres by his widow. In 
1867 he bought for $5,000 the place of 222 
acres, on the river, still occupied by the family, 
thirty-two miles south of Sacramento, having 
rented it for the preceding year, and put it in 
charge of Henry Hebb. From 1868 onward he 
gave his undivided attention to farming. It had 
only three or four acres of orchard when pur- 
chased, which he increased to about fifteen. He 
was a director of the California Transportation 
Company from its organization, being the first 
man to pay $1,000 cash for stock in the new 
concern, and was vice-president of the company 
at the time of his death. Mr. Thisby was mar- 
ried August 8, 1869, to Miss Rebecca Elliott, a 
native of Ireland, born in Enniskillen, March 26, 
1848, daughter of Henry and Sarah Elliott, both 
of the same name but not related within any 
known degree of kinship. The widowed mother 
came to America in 1865, and to California in 
1870. She died February 21, 1885, aged eighty, 
at the home of another daughter, Mrs. Anna 
Sidwell, of Rio Vista. Mrs. Thisby came to 
America in 1861, accompanied by her oldest 
sister. She found employment in New York 
city for five years, first as a nurse-girl, and 
afterward as seamstress, and in 1866 came to 
California, arriving at Rio Vista on Thanksgiv- 
ing Day. Here she worked chiefly as seam- 
tress and milliner, and at general housework for 
one month, for which she received $45. She 
has one brother and two sisters living: John, a 
farmer in Sullivan County, New York; Ellen, 
now Mrs. J. M. Gleason, of this (Andrus) isl ind; 
Mrs. Anna Sidwell, of Rio Vista. Mr. Thisby 
was accidentally killed on his own ranch by fall- 
ing from a wagon loaded with hay and being 
dragged along by his team. September 24, 1880, 



in STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



dying twenty-four hours later, witliont liaving 
recovered sufficiently to explain the circum- 
stances. The surviving children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Thisby are: Piiilip Henry, born June 1, 
1870; Mary J., December 28, 1871; George, 
September 24, 1873; William Jolin, October 
15, 1875; Robert Francis, June 4, 1877; Leon- 
ard Charles, October 2, -1878. Philip H. has 
taken a course at a business college in San Fran- 
cisco; Mary J. was educated at Mills' Seminary 
in Oakland, an(J afterward at Irving Institute 
in San Francisco; and the other childreti are at- 
tending the district school. Since the death of 
her husband Mrs. Thisby has added eighty-one 
acres of the adjoining Westfall ranch to her 
place on Georgiana Slough, has increased the 
acreage in fruit, cleared up some more land, and 
improved the home place very tnaterially by the 
erection of a new bam at a cost of about §2,000, 
and the expenditure of about $4,000 on tiie 
house, making it a very comfortable home for 
the family. 



►>4J^V-^ 



fULLlVAN TREAT, deceased, in his life- 
time here a prosperous farmer and exem- 
plary citizen, was born in Aurora, Erie 
County, New York, January 18, 1811. Ilis 
father, Timothy Treat, was born in Rutland 
County, Vermont, and when a young man 
moved into New York State and married there 
his first wife. The only child by this marriage 
was the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Treat died, 
and Mr. Treat afterward married again and 
brought up a family of eleven children. One 
son died in the late war, and a daughter died at 
the age of three years. Two sons and three 
daughters are in this State. Timothy Treat 
served with distinction in the war of 1812, and 
in 1839 he moved from New York State to Cass 
County, Michigan, when the primitive condi- 
tion of that country occasioned him many hard- 
siiips and monotonous periods of privation. He 
lived there until 1865, when he came to Cali- 
fornia and made his home with his son, Sullivan 



Treat, until his death, which occurred March 3, 
1875, when he was eighty-nine years of age. 
He was a very healthy, stout man, and did as 
much work as two ordinary men should do. He 
was very strong and in good spirits up to within 
a few days of his death, and, like John Wesley, 
" ceased at once to work and live." For his 
second wife he married Miss Bentley, who died 
in Michigan. The subject of this sketch was 
brought up in Erie County, New York. When 
of age he started out with no means but his 
brain and muscle, to make his own way in the 
world. After working some time in his native 
county, he went to Berrien County, Michigan, 
in 1836, three years before his parents moved 
to that State. Two years afterward he went to 
Cass County, Michigan, settling in Silver Creek 
Township, where he entered 240 acres of Gov- 
ernment laud; 200 acres of this was in heavy 
timber, which he cleared excepting a small 
grove reserved for wood. He resided there until 
he came to California; and while living there, 
December 25, 1843, he married Miss Caroline 
M., daughter of Cyrus and Mahala (Wiltsey) 
Gage, who was born in Ledyard Township, Ca- 
yuga County, New York, March 11, 1824, and 
in her sixteenth year came with her parents to 
Wayne Township, Cass County, Michigan. 
They have one daughter, Alvira H., now the 
wife of Julius Everson, a sketch of whom ap- 
pears in this volume. On account of Mr. Treat's 
poor health there, lie and his family left Michi- 
gan for California May 10, 1859 — eleven of 
them altogether in the party — coming overland, 
with three wagons, three tine horses and twenty- 
two head of pure-bred cattle, some of them 
fresh cows; but all were yoked together and 
used as teams. All the cattle but one died on 
the way by the use of alkaline water! On ar- 
rival here, Mr. Treat rented a place the first year 
witiiin four miles of Elk Grove, and the follow- 
ing season bought 160 acres about a quarter of 
a mile east of the uppar Stockton road, and east 
of old Elk Grove. At that time the plains were 
bare of improvements. There he followed farm- 
ing, and also raised some fine sheep and Iiad 



niSTORr OF SAGMAMBNTO COUNTY. 



many fruit trees. He was tlie first to raise 
imicb fniit fiict'essi'ully in tliis section. He also 
introduced tlie custoni of deep plowing and 
suuimer-lalliiwiiig-, with signally good results. 
He had also other land, — 640 acres elsewhere in 
this county and 176 acres in Yolo County. At 
the time of his death heowned 976 acres, wliich, 
with the exception of that in Yolo County, is 
still in the possession of his widow. His death 
occurred January 21, 1880, after he had just 
passed his sixty-nintli birthday. He never saw 
a sick day after coming to California until his 
last illness; nor has Mrs. Treat yet seen a sick 
day since coming here. He was a quiet man in 
his manner, attending to his own business, and 
was a good neighbor and citizen, greatly assist- 
ing all public local institutions and bestowing 
many charitable contributions known only by 
the beneficiaries themselves. In his political 
sympathies he was a Republican. 

^^-^ ■ 

tC. TEAINOR, prominent in the live- 
stock trade, is a resident of Sacramento. 
* He was born in New York city, June 1, 
1830, and while yet small he was a " tly boy " 
iu the Ilerald otKce, of that great metropolis. 
Tiiat was the day of old-fashioned presses. Ar- 
riving at the age of fifteen years, he was em- 
ployed by his uncle, iiobert McKinnin, in the 
ol(> Catharine Maiket in that city. Seven years 
later, namely, in January, 1852, he came to 
California in the ship Ohio, Captain Whitney, 
by way of Panama, arriving at San Francisco 
April 8. His first work there was in the" em- 
ployment of William Montgomery. Subse- 
quently, being acquainted with Bishop Goodrich, 
of Sacramento, who kept the Queen City Mar- 
ket, corner of Seventh and J streets, he came 
liere in June, 1852, and was employed by him 
until November, when the market was burned 
out. They at once bought a read^'-made house, 
and in ten or twelve days resumed business at 
the old stand. Mr. Trainor afterward associated 
himself with Andrew Weston and Christopher 



Green (whose sketch as one of the mayors of 
Sacramento appears in this volume elsewhere), 
in a little shop on J street, between Front and 
Second, where the Tremont House now stands, 
ai'd where they were at the time of the great 
flood. In September, 1853, in company with 
Mr. Goodrich, he went first to Shasta, and Jan- 
uary 1, to Yreka, near the Oregon line, and in 
May returned to Sacramento. Mr. Trainor then 
began in business for Rolla & Werner, for whom 
Mr. Green was then book-keeper. In 1856 he 
formed a partnership with Mr. Green, pur- 
chasing the interest of Rolla & Werner, and 
this business they continued for many years. 
About 1860 they acquired ranch property in 
Yolo County, eight miles northeast of Dixon, 
in what was called "the pocket," and there they 
had at one time as many as 5,000 sheep. The 
native breeds were crossed with the Spanish and 
French Merinos. The firm continued in sheep- 
raising, in connection with the market, until 
about 1874-''75; but in the meantime, in 1SB9 
or 1870, they bought a ranch in Placer County, 
where they had 5,000 sheep, and also had some 
1,600 acres of land in grain, Mr. Trainor being 
the active outside business man of the firm, 
while Mr. Green attended more particularly to 
the interests of the market. They are still en- 
gaged in the live-stock business iu Arizona, 
where thej' now have 5,000 head of sheep and 
2,000 head of cattle. In 1867 Mr. Trainor 
built a house on H street, where R. S. Carey 
now resides, and lived there many years. He 
now resides at 1222 Tenth street. He is a 
prominent member of El Dorado Lodge, No. 8, 
1. O. (). F. Peing one of the '-boys," he took 
an active interest in the volunteer tire depart- 
ment; became a member of the Exempt Fire- 
men's Association. He was also the cliief or- 
ganizer of the Washington Guards, a Yolo 
County organization, Captain Miithews, which 
in 1862 was attached to the Sacramento Battal- 
ion, and served during the war. Mr. Trainor 
was early an active Democrat, a member of the 
County Central Committee, and chairman of 
the same; but he was never an office-seeker or 



in STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



an office-holder. His father, Charles Trainor, 
was a native of Donegal, Ireland; was a "free- 
lander," and compelled to emigrate to the "land 
of the free," America. The maiden name of 
the mother of the subject of the foregoing 
sketch was Mary McKinnin, and she was a 
native of the city of New York. His grand- 
mother was a Quakeress, a native of Dublin, 
who came to New York in tlie year 1799. In 
1858 Mr. Trainor was married to Rose Toland, 
daughter of George Toland, of Sacramento. 
Their children are named Daniel, Isaac, Charles, 
Frank, Alfred and Walter. 



fHARLES EDWARD ADAMS, proprie- 
ter of the hay and feed store at 1108 and 
1110 J Street, Sacramento, was born in 
Randolph County, Illinois, March 28, 1841. 
When seven years old his parents moved to 
New Orleans. In 1853 he took steamer for 
California, coming to Sacramento; spent about 
two years in the State, during which time he at- 
tended school. In 1855 he returned East, going 
to Massachusetts, for the purpose of com])leting 
his education After graduating he went to 
St. Louis and entered the office of the Missouri 
Repuhlican with a view of learning the printing 
business; he went to New Orleans in 1859, stay- 
ing about six months. In the fail of the year 
he determined to come to California; taking 
steamer, he arrived in San Francisco early in 
1800 and came directly to Sacranieutu. Shortly 
after his arrival he entered the grocery store of 
James I. Felter, remaining till the breaking 
out of the war in 1861, when he enlisted in Com- 
pany F, Second California Cavalry, foi- the period 
of tliree years, holding the position of Quarter- 
master Sergeant. Part of his company was 
assigned to provost duty, with headquarters in 
San Francisco, where it remained until the e.x- 
piration of term of service, when he was mus- 
tered out. In February, 1865, he went to 
Mazatlan, Mexico, and opened a hoel; this 
place was then occupied by the French. Mr. 



Adams, however, being a loyal citizen of the 
United States, had his wife make an American 
flag, which he flung to the breeze July 4, 1865. 
This was the only emblem of the Republic dis- 
played, and his courage and patriotism were 
amply repaid by the universal respect it com- 
manded. In December of this year Mr. Adams 
thought to improve his circumstances by going 
to the mines. Accordingly, he sold his hotel 
and went to a mining camp near Durango. He 
remained here about a year with varying 
fortunes, when the clamor of war raised his war- 
like spirit, and, believing himself safer in the 
Mexican army than the disturbed condition 
of the country would warrant as a civilian, he 
dropped the pick and shovel, and, going to the 
city of Durango, where Americans were at a 
premium, he was given a commission as Cap- 
tain of Engineers. At this time the campaign 
against the French under Maximilian was being 
vigorously pushed. Shortly after his commis- 
sion was received, orders were given to lay siege 
to the city of Queretaro. After some bombard- 
ments and numerous engagements, which lasted 
about two and a half months, Maximilian 
surrendered the city unconditionally May 15, 
1867. The next move was upon the city of 
Mexico, and thither tiie army went, under com- 
mand of General Forflro Diaz, the present pres- 
ident of the Republic of Mexico, and had the 
satisfaction, on June 31, 1867, of forcing the 
city to capitulate. In his capacity of Captain 
of Engineers, Mr. Adams was very close to 
General Diaz, and speaks of him in the highest 
terms. He remained with Diaz until the end 
of the year, when he went to the State of Zaca- 
tecas, determined to make his fortune or "bust," 
by again engaging in mining. He returned to 
California in Fei)ruary, 1875, making a " bee 
line" for Sacramento. In 1876, Mr. Adams 
opened a hay and feed store, which he has car- 
ried on ever since, meeting with good success. 
In 1864 Mr. Adams married Miss R. D. Hite, 
of Sacramento County, who accompanied him to 
Mexico, sharing all the hardships and privations 
of a soldier's life, as well as the dangers. They 



HISTORY OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



have been blessed with three children, two sons 
and one daughter. In politics Mr. Adams is a 
stanch Republican, and in 1860 took a very 
active part in the Lincoln campaign, though not 
old enough to vote. He takes a great interest 
in the local government, and though he has 
done his party great service, has never been an 
aspirant for political honors. Mr. Adams is a 
prominent member of the G. A. R., having 
joined Sumner Post, No. 3, of this city, in 1867. 
He has creditably filled all the offices in the 
Post, including that of Commander. Is also a 
member of tiie Masonic fraternity and of the 
Knights of Honor. In the latter order he has 
been Assistant Grand Dictator and for a number 
of terms has held the office of treasurer in the 
local lodge of which he is a member. Mr. 
Adams' success in business is due to his strict 
integrity and careful attention to the wants of 
his patrons. He is devotedly attached to Sacra- 
mento, and although he has seen much ot the 
world, has found no place so attractive as the 
city he has chosen for his home, and where — 
his wanderings having ceased — he is willing to 
end his days. 



-^•^ 



j)»^ 



fAMES THOMAS CHINNICK was born 
February 19, 1843, in Devonshire, England, 
son of Robert and Sarah (Wooland) Chin- 
nick, who came to the United States in 1874, 
locating in Philadelphia. The former died Feb- 
ruary, 1877, and the latter in F'ebruary, 187G. 
There were nine children in the family, of wliom 
live — two sons and three daughte-s — are dead. 
Four died in the old country, and one, Eliza- 
beth, in New York city, at the age of thirty- 
two years, the mother of one child, who is also 
d'ead. The living are William John, resident 
near Trenton, New Jersey, a florist and farmer 
who grows a great many flowers for the New 
York markets; Robert Henry, blacksmith and 
machinist, resident in Erie, Pennsylvania; Ed- 
win, carriage blacksmith and spriug-maker, 
resident in Philadelphia. James Thomas, the 



subject of tliis sketch, was raised in Devonshire 
to the age of fourteen years, then went to Bris- 
tol, where he commenced learning his trade of 
carriage blacksmith and spring-making, lemain- 
ing there until he was past seventeen years old; 
then he went to London, and continued in the 
same business until 1872. In July of that year 
lie sailed for New York, landing there July 2, 
1872; thence to Trenton, New York, where he 
made a short visit to his brother. Going to 
Railway, New Jersey, he worked at his trade for 
a man named Pennoyer. In the fall of 1873 
his employer shut down, and he went to work 
for Hatfleld & Jackson. In the fall of 1873 he 
went to Philadelphia, and worked there for 
Petrie, Grizel & Co., large carriage manu- 
facturers. In the fall of 1875 he left there for 
Ravenna, near Cleveland, Ohio, where he en- 
gaged with Merts & Riddle, remaining there 
until April, 1876. During all this time he was 
working at piece work, as it paid better than 
day work. Next he went to Camden, New Jer- 
sey, where he worked for Charles Coff'ery, a 
large carriage-builder, and remained with him 
till September, 1876, when he met a man named 
Schreb, who was in partnership with Dolan. 
They were patentees of carriage springs, which 
were being manufactured by William Pritchard, 
corner of Eighth and K streets. Mr. Schreb 
urged him to come here and work for Pritchard 
by the piece, which he did. In 1879 he went 
into business for himself at Elk Grove. He has 
been very successful, and is doing a good deal 
of machine work, carriage work and general 
jobbing. He is a natural mechanic. Early in 
life, when a mere boy, he evinced a strong de- 
sire for and interest in mechanical arts. He 
entered upon tlie duties of acquiring the pro- 
fession of his choice, and in due course of time 
was able to master its many intricate difficul- 
ties. He is possessed of a strong inventive 
faculty, and his busine--s has been built up by 
the tirst-class work he turns out. He was mar- 
ried August 17, 1878, to Benicia Walton, 
daughter of Elijah AValton, an old pioneer of 
this State. Mrs. Chinnick was born in Sacra- 



niSTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



meiito County, Jainiar}' 25, 1S55. Thej have 
one daughter, Etiiel Blanch, born August 17, 
1882. One child died in infancy. Mr. Chin- 
nick is a member of the Masonic order of Elk 
Grove, Lodge No. 173. 

flMOTHY LEE.— About a year prior to 
the beginning of this century, there was 
born in County Kerry, in the south of 
Ireland, Timothy Lee, who grew up to be a 
plasterer by trade, and was married to Louisa 
Kuach, a native of London, England, but of Irish 
parentage. He emigrated to the New "World in 
1847 or 1848 settled in New York city, and, 
in 1849, sent for his family to join him there. 
He was the father of thirteen children; he is at 
this writing ninety j^ears of age and still enjoys 
life in the City of Churches. When the younger 
Timothy, subject of our sketch, joined his father 
in New York he was about fourteen years old. 
He was educated there and learned his father's 
trade. In 1855 he removed to Madison, "Wis- 
consin, where for some years he carried on his 
trade. In May, 1858, a party for California 
was made up, which our subject joined. Tliey 
crossed the Missouri River at Council Bluffs, 
went north of Salt Lake, through Sublette's cut- 
oft' and located at Bear Creek in Shasta County. 
They were engaged in mining until 1862 on 
Middle Creek, and then went to the Nez Perce 
mining district. In 1863 he built a bridge 
across tiie Spokane River, getting a charter 
from Idaho to do so. This bridge was located 
about si.xteen miles below Cordalaine Lake and 
twenty miles above Spokane Falls and near the 
scene of Colonel "Wright's battle witii tiie Nez 
Perce Indians, at which time 960 head of ponies 
were destroyed. In the year 1868 he sold out 
his bridge and made a trip East, going to New 
York and "Wisconsin, where, in November, he 
was married to Miss Minnie Helm, and upon 
his return to the coast he came to Sacramento; 
since that time he lias made it his home. In 
1876 he held tiie office of deputy siierift' for | 



four years, in the year 1880 was a member of 
the police dep-irtinent, and later w.is under- 
sheriff' during the administration of Sheriff' 
Estell. At the expiration of Estell's term, he 
was employed by the Central Pacific Railroad as 
one of their special officers. In 18S8 he was 
elected chief of the Sacramento force, which 
position he holds at this writing. He well 
deserves tlie respect of his fellow-citizens. 



tOBERT ALLEN was born in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, about eight miles from 
Zanesville, October 25, 1825. His father, 
Jacob Allen, a farmer from New Jersey, fol- 
lowed teaming during the war of 1812, and in 
Ohio followed farming during the summer, and 
during the winter drove horses east of the 
mountains. The maiden name of Robert's 
mother was Fisher: she died when he was nine 
years old, and his father then discontinued 
housekeeping. Mr. Allen, the subject of this 
sketch, went to Farmington, Van Buren County, 
Ohio, where he learned the blacksmiths' trade. 
This he followed, in partnership with another 
man, and a year later opened a shop in company 
with his brother Charles. "When the California 
gold fever broke out they started for this State. 
Leaving Farmington, they attached themselves 
to a party of forty, crossed the Missouri River 
May 10, and came by way of Fort Kearney, 
Fort Hall and the Lassen route, with ox teams. 
They divided their train into caravansaries of 
fifteen wagons each at Independence Rock, and 
Mr. Allen and his brother came on in company 
with one other man. They struck the Sacra- 
mento River at what is now Stanford's Vina 
ranch. For the first three weeks they followed 
mining at Salt Springs, near Shasta; then with 
teams they came to Sacramento, arriving No- 
vember 15, 1849. Here tiie subject of this 
sketch began teaming. On iiis first trip he 
took 1,600 pounds of whisky and flour to 
Auburn, at $1 a pound, being eleven days on 
the way. Next he made a trip up to Blue 



JILSTony UF SAGliAMENTU COUNTY. 



Eaiiks, above Monnoii Island, and moved a fam- 
ily to Mud Springs. Returning to Sacramento 
he turned his cattle out; then rented a bar in 
tlic old Kentucky House on J street, between 
Fifth and Sixth, and ran it until the fall of 1850. 
JJel'ore the water had fully receded he went to 
ilarysville, and thence to Cox's Bar, where he 
loUowed mining during the ensuing summer. 
In the fall he came down to Sacramento, and at-- 
tended bar in the old Sutter Hotel on Front 
street for two months or more. In 1851 he en- 
gaged in teaming from here to Nevada, buying 
goods here and selling them on the streets 
there. He had a fine four-horse team and two 
i.x teams. This business he followed during 
the fall and winter of 1851-'52. Then he was 
at Shasta for a while, but did no mining there. 
In two or three weeks he bought an interest in 
a blacksmith-shop on J street, in Sacramento, in 
partnership with Mr. Woods; si.x months after- 
ward he bought out his partner's interest and 
conducted the shop alone until the latter part of 
1852, when he injured his back and was laid up 
for two months. Quitting blacksmithing he 
worked for L. R. Beckley on the Coloma road, 
at the Monte Cristo Exchange. Then he and 
Mr. Sullivan entered the grain and feed busi- 
ness on J ttreet, the firm name being Sullivan 
& Allen. Continuing thus until the spring of 
1854 Mr. Allen went to Placer County, to a 
place called Carlton, tliis side of Auburn, where 
they followed merchandising until 1859. Mr. 
Allen then came to Sacramento and went into a 
barley speculation, in which he lost $11,000! In 
18G1 Mr. Beckley's place, on which he had a 
lien tor services, fell into bis hands. He 
bought some young cattle and worked with 
them until 1864, in the meantime engaging to 
some extent in the cattle trade. June 24, 1802, 
he married and began keeping house at the 
Monte Cristo^ Exchange. From 1863 to 1866 
he was employed in the cattle and dairy busi- 
ness in Yolo County. Returning to Sacramento, 
he engaged in the saloon business, keeping the 
Norfolk saloon on K street, between Fifth and 
Sixth, until January, 1868, when he rented the 



fair-ground for the years 1868-'70. In 1871 
he with his family made a visit to the East, the 
gVeater part of the year, returning in August- 
In January, 1872, he rented the fair-ground 
again, and left it January 1', 1873. He was 
then engaged in the clothing tratle until the lat- 
ter part of 1877, on J street, between Fifth and 
Sixth. In 1878 he obtained the fair-grounds 
for the third time, holding the lease during the 
years 1878-'80. In 1881 he engaged in con- 
tracting for street improvements. From 1883 
to 1885 he had the Agricultural Park for the 
fourth time. Mr. Allen is a Democrat in his 
politics; is a member of the Pioneer Associa- 
tion of Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, F. &. A. M., 
and also of the Chapter and the Commandery, 
and is a veteran Odd P'ellow. His wife's maiden 
name was Catharine Elizabeth Davis; she was 
born seven miles from Shawneetown, Illinois, 
November 5, 1844; her father, James A. Davis, 
was a sea-captain, and her mother was formerly 
Miss Jane O'Neal. After the death of her 
father she came with her mother across the 
plains to California, locating in Sacramento, and 
resided here and at Alder Creek. Her mother 
died in February, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Allen 
have two children: Edward P. and Jennie, and 
another son, Robert, who died at the age of 
twenty-two months. 

^-^-.^i 

tARVEY ALVORD, a representative 
farmer of Lee Township, was born in Sep- 
tember, 1816, in Syracuse, New York, 
being a son of Ashael and Eva Regine (Mang) 
Alvord. The Alvords are American for more 
than one hundred years, the ancestry being 
Welsh. Miss Mang was a German by birth. 
The grandfather Alvord, and one son, fought 
in the Revolutionary War. Ashael Alvord was 
a farmer, and his son, Harvey, having received 
the usual district-school education of sixty years 
ago, afterward helped on his father's farm. At 
twenty-one he went to farming on his own ac- 
count, and in 1845 removed to Missouri, where 



UISTOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



lie lionght a farm in Caldwell County. In 1849 
lie sold out and came to California, iirst going 
to njining in Placer County, where his lather, 
who had accompanied hira,died soon after their 
arrival, in November, 1849, aged about sixty- 
tive. Mr. Alvord worked at mining some seven 
or eight months, and in the spring of 1850 
went to ranching on Coats' ranch, and ferrying 
across tlie Cosumnes. He carried on the ferry 
business for about three years, and farming un- 
til 1857, having become owner in 1852. In 
1858 he sold out and went East, but in 1860 
moved West again, settling in Nevada, Color- 
ado, where he again followed mining until 1863. 
He then went to Montana, where he engaged in 
building and running quartz mills, having 
learned the business while in Colorado. He 
remained in Montana about eighteen years; and 
in 1882 moved into Wyoming. His health 
breaking, he returned to tlie Cosumnes in 1884, 
and bought a small portion of the old Daylor 
ranch from the Grimshaw estate, containing 
only about twenty acres, but with an excellent 
house upon it, where he is tranquilly spending 
his declining years. In 1844 he was married 
to Miss Mary A. Alger, a daughter of Elijah 
and Penelope (Rector) Alger, of Syracuse, New 
York. The father was a salt manufacturer, and 
lived to the age of seventy-two. The mwther is 
still alive, is eighty years of age, and makes her 
home with Mrs. Alvord. The Algers are 
American for some generations. Mr. and Mrs. 
Alvord are the parents of two daughters: Mary 
Penelope, born in New York State, now Mrs. 
Orlando North, whose husband owns and super- 
intends large stock-ranches in Nevada and 
Wyoming; and Frances Lulu, born on the Cos- 
umnes, now Mrs. Lewis C. Rockwell, whose 
husband is a lawyer in Denver, Colorado. Mrs. 
Rockwell has seven living children: Harvey 
K, born in 1873; Clinton Alvord, in 1877; 
Lewis Orlando, in 1878; Mary Frances, in 1881; 
Emerson Everett, in 1883; Annie Lulu, born 
November 20, 1884, in Denver, Colorado; and 
Paul Nellis, in 1887. During the absence of 
Mr. Alvord in Montana, Mrs. Alvord conducted 



the Alvord House at Idaho Springs, two and 
one-half years; fit Golden City about eighteen 
months, and from 1876 to 1879 in Denver. 
When the Windsor was put up in that city in 
1879 she felt that it would overshadow the Al- 
vord, and not only being willing to run a sec- 
ond-class hotel she sold out and retired from 
the business. She was married when quite 
young, and is still hale, heartj- and cheerful. 



tBSALOM MORGAN ADDINGTON, a 
potter by trade, and at one time owner of 
the Michigan Bar pottery, was born in 
Wayne County, Indiana, September 28, 1824, 
his parents being Morgan and Jane (Menden- 
hallj Addington. His great-grandfather Ad- 
dington was an English emigrant to Virginia 
in 1776, probably then in middle age. A great- 
grandmother, known in later life as Mrs. Town- 
send, whether his wife or not is not known, died 
in Wayne County, Indiana, in 1837, at the 
remarkable age of 104 years. - A brother of the 
Virginia immigrant settled in the State of New 
York, and from these two it is thought the 
American Addingtons are descended. John 
Addington, the grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch, died in Wayne County, Indiana, 
many years ago, aged sixty-four. The grand- 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Absalom Mendenhall, cf 
Fountain County, Indiana, were both about ths.t 
age when they died. Mr. and Mrs. Morgai; 
Addington moved to Fountain County in 1830, 
and the father was a farmer there until his 
death in 1837. A. M. Addington began to 
learn the trade of potter in Green County, Wis- 
consin, in 1840, spending two years there. He 
afterward spent two years at a puttery in Foun- 
tain County, Indiana, going to school both 
winters. He then worked at his trade for six 
years at different points in the East. In 1850 
he came to California and went to mining eight 
years. In 1859 J. W. Orr erected the Michigan 
Bar pottery, Mr. Addington helping to build 
and afterward working for him as potter, 'flu; 



4b8 



HISTORY Ob" 8AGUA3IENT0 COUNTY. 



works were moved to tlie present location at 
Orr's claj-bank in 1862, Mr. Addington still 
remaining connected with the niamifacture of 
the goods. lie tiled pre eni[ition papers to 100 
acres. In 18C5 lie bought the land and pottery 
of Mr. Orr, and continued the manufacture 
until he sold out to the present proprietor, J. 13. 
Williams, in 1884. He still works there, but 
his family icsidence is in Oakland. Mr. Ad- 
dington was married in Knoxville, Illinois, in 
1852, to Miss Martha Boyd, born in Ohio, July 
3, 1830, lier parents being Robert and Jane 
(McKibben) Boyd, both deceased. The father 
was born in Kentucky, the son of a Scotchman, 
and the mother in Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish 
parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Addington are the 
parents of four living children, born in this 
State: David Morgan, February 9, 1853, now a 
physician at Upper Lake in Lake County, and 
the father of three children: their mother, before 
marriage was Miss Abbie Yates, being also a 
native of this State; Anna, born July 19, 1859, 
now Mrs. William Beaugner, of Oakland, has 
one child; ThoniaS M., born February 15, 1862, 
is now living in Felton, California; Charlie 
Boyd, born November 20, 1870, is learning the 
potter's trade from his lather. 



JPSENRY ALLTlfCKER, of San Joaquin 
l^n Township, was born June 6, 1844, in 
^fii Germany, a son of George and Maggie 
(Swick) Alltucker, farmers, who never came to 
this country, and are both deceased. Henry 
was reared on a farm in the old country, came 
to America in 1866, landing in New York city, 
resided one year in Pennsylvania, working at 
odd jobs, and in 1867 came to California, by way 
of the Isthmus, being three weeks on the voy- 
age. The first year here he was fireman at the 
Pioneer Flouring Mill and two years at the 
Lambart Mill; next he was one year on a por- 
tion of Jack Korti ranch; from there he went 
to Owen's place, on which he remained eight 
years, and Qnally he purchased his present 



property of 846 acres; he also has 320 acres 
near Sheldon. He raises mostly wheat and 
live-stock. All his ])resent wealth he himself 
has accumulated by his own industry and shrewd 
judgment. He has otie of the best of ranches. 
It is located six miles from Elk Grove and 
twenty miles from Sacramento, and only two 
miles from the railroad station; it is part bottom 
land, hounded on the south by the Cosumnes 
River. A small but good vineyard is on the 
place. Mr. Alltucker is a member of tlie orders 
of I. O. O. F., F. & A. M., and K. T. In 1874 
he married Miss Christina Olson, a native of 
Sweden, who died in 1885, leaving two children, 
Emma C. and George H. 



1 



'^■^■^ 

l.KXANDER BROWN was born in Ports- 
mouth, New Hampshire, March 10, 1849, 
his parents being John and Agnes (Rob- 
ertson) Brown, who had emigrated from Scot- 
land about 1839. They moved to Lawrence, 
Massachusetts, in 1851, where t!ie father died 
in 1858. The mother came to California in 
1861 with three children, John, Christina and 
Alexander, of whom the two last went East in 
1862, but returned to California in 1866. The 
mothei* who was born in 1821, is living with 
her daughter, Mrs. S. Y. Drury, of Newcastle, 
California. Grandfather Alexander Brown was 
eighty when he died. The maternal grandpar- 
ents were also long-lived and died in Canada, 
whither they had emigrated from Scotland. The 
subject of this sketch received the usual educa- 
tion till the age of twelve, but when he went 
East in 1862 he became a clerk in a grocery 
store for four years. On his return to Califor- 
nia in 1866 he went to work in the pork-packing 
business in San Francisco for some years, and 
then to butchering on his own account for a 
year or two, and afterward into the Iruit and 
produce business for wages for five or six years. 
February 11, 1879, he came to Walnut Grove 
and helped his mother in the hotel business for 
two years, and then bought and sold fruit for 




^Ar/A )t 



<:^^<^^ 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



about two years. April 23, 1883, lie opened a 
general store, and on June 1, 1886, he suc- 
ceeded his mother in the hotel business. Mean- 
while, in 1884, he had rented 300 acres in the 
Pearson district, since increasing it to 3,830 
acres. On this he raises barley and all kinds of 
vegetables, making a specialty of beans. In 
1887 he raised two crops of barley on a portion 
of it, and fully 2,000 acres in the district are 
capable of yielding two crops every year, but 
labor cannot always be economically used to 
produce that result. Besides his hotel, store 
and ranch business, Mr. Brown is agent for the 
Southern Pacific Railroad's line of steamers, 
Wells, F'argo & Co.'s Express, the Western 
Union Telegraph Company, is assistant post- 
master, owns and conducts the warehouse, and 
as can readily be imagined is very busy indeed. 
But this list doe.s nut quite exhaust the cata- 
logue of his industries. In September, 1887, 
he bought a ranch of 4,385 acres in Colusa 
County, and entered into possession of the same 
on April 23, 1888. This is devoted' chiefly to 
stock-raising. Mr. Brown was married Febru- 
ary 14. 1871, to Miss Kate Stanford, born in 
this State, April 21, 1854, daughter of C. P. and 
Helen (Emmons) Stanford, of San Francisco. 
Mrs. Brown's parents and maternal grandparents 
are still living. Her paternal grandparents died 
some ten or twelve years ago, about two years 
apart, aged about eighty. Mr. and Mrs. Brown 
are the parents of five living children: John 
Stanford, born October 14, 1873; Arthur Alex- 
ander, July 6, 1878; Frank Emmons, February 
1, 1888; Agnes Helen, April 27, 1884; Alex- 
ander, Jr., September 2, 1888. 

-^^€@:»-^— 

^ON. DWIGHT HOLLISTER.— On the 
TOj\ east bank of the Sacramento Biver, six- 
^sls teen miles south of the Capital City, in 
Sacramento County, we find the home of the 
Hon. Dwight HoUister. To say that he is a 
representative man, while it is true, does not 
express the position which has been attained by 



him in the State, in the county, and in the 
neighborhood; for in all these he has been 
prominent for many years. The historical vol- 
ume of Sacramento County would indeed be in- 
complete without at least a brief page from the 
story of his life, and a glance at his ancestry, 
which will be read with interest by the many 
friends and acquaintances which his public 
service, his well-known hospitality, the pre- 
eminent qualities of head and heart, have gath- 
ered into his life. Born September 27, 1824, 
near Marietta, Ohio, his parents being Sereno 
and Mary A. (Ryan) HoUister. His mother 
was a native of the Emerald Isle, but brought 
up in the Buckeye State from a child. His 
father, a native of Connecticut, moved to Wash- 
ington County, Ohio, near Marietta, in 1820, 
and was married there February 22, 1823. He 
died September 2, 1880, aged eighty-three 
years. Grandfather Roger HoUister was born 
in Connecticut, May 23, 1771, and was there 
married to Miss Hannah Stratton, October 11, 
1792. He was the fifth in descent from Lieu- 
tenant John HoUister, who was born in England 
in 1612, and emigrated to Connecticut in 1642. 
The Strattons are also American for several 
generations. Dwight HoUister was educated in 
the district schools, and afterward took an 
academic course in Marietta. At the age of 
twenty he began to work on his own account. 
He clerked in a dry goods store about three 
years, and did some flat-boat trading down on 
the Ohio and Mississippi. His health not 
being ot the best, he came to California by way 
of New York and Cape Horn in 1849, mainly 
with the view of receiving some benefit from 
the long voyage. Learning in one of the South 
American ports that the discovery of gold in 
California was an assured fact, he went to 
mining for one 3'ear in Placer County. His 
success was not phenomenal, and he went to 
trading among the miners. In company with 
a comrade he conducted a trading post and 
tavern for another year. A third year was 
spent in the position of a hotel clerk in Sacra- 
mento. In 1852 he went into the nursery 



490 



UISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



biibiness as joint partner in the tiriii of Wliite 
& Ilollister, in which he lieid an interest for 
twelve years. Meanwiiiie, in 1857, he went 
back to Marietta, wliere he was married on De- 
cember 8, to Miss Nannie 11. Alcocic, a native 
of that place, born of an English father and a 
Virginia mother. Returning to California, he 
boiicrht the ranch on which he still resides, two 
miles north of Courthuul, on the Sacramento 
River. The ranch cmitains over 600 acres, all 
bottom land, hut some uf it is too low for culti- 
vation. He uses a part for dairy purposes, 
keeping about 100 cows, and raises all the pro- 
duce necessary to their sustenance. But the 
great work of his life has been the growing of 
California fruits. He is widely known and 
esteemed as the "pioneer fruit-grower" of this 
section of the State. As early as 1852 he first 
engaged in the nursery business, and it was 
this foresight into the undeveloped possibilities 
of California as the fruit-raising center of the 
world which has brought affluence and opu- 
lence to the subject of our sketch. Mr. Hollis- 
ter has been for many years closely identified 
with the Masonic fraternity as a Knight Tem- 
plar, and in political matters has taken a promi- 
nent part, affiliating with the Republican party 
since its organization. He has been called upon 
to fill many ofiices of trust and responsibility, a 
duty which he has not shirked because of the 
many personal inconveniences to which it has 
necessarily subjected him. He was chosen to 
represent his constituents in the Legislature of 
his State in the sessions of 1865, and again in 
1884. He was known among his associates as 
one true to the interests of his section, fearless 
in the expression of what he believed to be 
right, and tireless in his efforts in the direction 
of wise legislation. Of his home life we need 
say but little, although much might be said 
with propriety of the individual members of his 
household, which is composed of Mr. and Mrs. 
Ilollisterj two sons, Charles Edwin and Frank 
E., and one daughter, Blanche, all of whom 
have received superior educational advantages. 
Both sons have attained to the degree of M. A., 



and the younger qualifying himself for business 
life by extended experience in a commercial 
house at San Francisco. They are both inter- 
ested with tlieir father in his extensive farming 
and fruit-growing interests. Here, then, we 
see the picture of one of the fair homes which 
industry and thrift has built up beside the 
softly -flowing Sac.amento, in this land of golden 
sunshine. Looking backward we see the turbid 
tide, the trials and hardships incident to the 
pioneer days. Looking forward we see a laud 
flowing with milk and honey, a fair domain rich 
in the development of the bounteous resources 
of nature, while for the present we see the con- 
spicuous land-mark of a happy home, not built, 
it is true, in a da}', but the outcome of years of 
painstaking labor, a monument to a successful 
life. 

ILLIAM BREEDING, rancher of Co- 
sumnes Township, was born in Virginia, 
January 8, 1826, his parents being 
Squire H. and Sally (Burton) Breeding, both 
natives of Virginia and of long-lived parentage. 
The father, born in 1801, and the mother, about 
1807, died in 1862, being separated in death 
only fifteen minutes. Grandfather Jeremiah 
Breeding, born and brought np in Shenandoah 
County, Virginia, lived to be sixty, and his 
wife, a Miss Husk before marriage, was about 
seventy at her death seven years later, about 
1845. William was reared on his father's 
farm, learned farming chiefly and worked at 
home until his removal to Missouri in 1851, 
where he worked for others in the same line. 
He arrived in Sacramento September 26, 1853, 
and was engaged in mining fifteen years. In 
1868 he bought his ranch of 120 acres, two miles 
south of Michigan Bar, and has been farmingever 
since, raising chiefly cattle and hay. In May, 
1866, he was married to Mary Ann Thornburgh, 
born in Virginia, August 19, 1833, daughter of 
William and Catherine (Rickey) Thornburgh. 
They moved to Missouri in 1837. The father, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



a native of North Carolina, died in his sixty- 
ninth year, in P^ebrnary, 1846; and the mother 
was eight-fonr wlien she died March 18, 1886. 
Grandmother Elizabeth (Hoflf'mon) Rickey, born 
in Pennsylvania, saw her ninety-ninth birthday. 
Tl)e liickeys were of French and the liofFmons 
of Dutch origin. Grandmother Thornburgli 
was a Miss Martha Ballinger before her mar- 
riage. Mr. Breeding's education was also rather 
limited but sufficient for all ordinary purposes. 
Mr. and Mrs. Breeding are the parents of four 
living children: Emmett, born May 20,1867; 
Martha Alamo, January 10, 1870; Una Catha- 
rine. July 1, 1872; William Walter, April 18, 
1876. All have had or are receiving a good 
education. 

fA. BRANSCOMBE, a farmer, was born 
September 30, 1850, in Canada, son of 
* John and Elizabeth (Clark) Branscombe, 
natives also of that province, both of whom 
also died in that country, the father September 
28, 1882, and the mother January 21, 1889. In 
tlieir family were four daughters and five sons, 
as follows: Katie, Sallie, Hannah J., Sophia, 
William, Samuel, Robert, Arthur and Samuel; 
six are still living. Mr. Branscombe, our sub- 
ject, was reared on a farm in Prince Edward 
County, Canada, and came to California in 1870, 
and for a while worked for wages. Three years 
afterward he returned to Canada with the in- 
tention of remaining there; but before lie 
crossed the Sierras he was liomesick, and when 
lie reached the coUl climate of Canada he de- 
termined to settle in California for the remainder 
of his life. Although he was offered good in- 
ducements by his father to stay thei'e, he refused 
them and returned here in 1874. He rented 
land until 1881, when he purcliased his present 
farm of half a section, which appeared to most 
people at that time to be very poor; but the' 
very first crop paid for the land. He is a good 
manager of his ranch, following general agricul- 
ture and having a small vineyard and orchard. 



Indeed, he has been more than successful, as his 
premises demonstrate. lie is a man of untiring 
energy and undiminished ability. Although he 
has suflfered several severe accidents, by runa- 
ways and by being run over by the cars, etc., he 
is still in good health. December 29, 1880, he 
married Miss P. A. Tice, daughter of George 
and Vashti (Woodward) Tice, herfather a native 
of New York and lier mother of Indiana. They 
have no children. 

'Y^OBERT BARNETT, Revenue Collector 
- K^ for the Fourth District, United States of 
■^ii America, just entering the prime of life 
and the zenith of his popularity, was born at 
the St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, on the 29th 
of May, 1847. His father, Robert Barnett, M. 
D., a practicing physician of the Crescent City, 
migrated to the shores of California in 1849- 
when the younger Robert was but three years 
of age, and died at Colusa in 1857. In 1862 
young Barnett left school to make a start in life 
for himself, and became a cattle herder, follow- 
ing a band to the mountain pastures; this oc- 
cupation he followed until 1868, when he began 
clerking in a hotel in the town of Colusa. He 
was so popular that in the following year he was 
chosen by the Democratic party for the position 
of town treasurer, which otfice he held two terms, 
and afterward was returned as one of the "city 
fathers," as the trustees were termed. AYas elected 
countytreasurerof Colusa County, and re-elected, 
serving in all seven years. In 1884 he was 
elected to a seat in the State Legislature and 
served in the session of 1884 and 1885, and 
then resigned to accept the position he now 
holds, the Collectorship of Internal Revenue, 
taking possession of his office August 1, 1885. 
In the session of the Legislature of 1884 and 
1885, he was one of the twenty Democrats, the 
Re])ublicans that year being in large majority, 
lie interested himself especially in the irriga- 
tion bill, and others of minor importance. 
Speaking of his having held the ofiice of treas- 



IIISTOBT OF tiACRAMENTO OOUJ^TY. 



nrer of Colusa County, a singular fact is recorded 
of his wife's family. This lady, Mary (Vincent) 
Baruett, a daughter of Williaui Vincent, who 
was treasurer of Colusa for two terms, was the 
widow of J. Hop. Woods, who was treasurer 
foi' ten years; and her uncle, John Dunlap, also 
held the office, as the genial ex-treasurer remarks; 
"quite a family aftair." Mr. Jiarnett was prom- 
inent in organizing the order of Knights of 
Pythias, in Colusa County, being a charter 
member and was also a prominent Odd P^'ellow 
there. He is a member of the Chapter and of 
Colusa Lodge, No. 2t0, F. & A. AI. 



fOHN T. BARRY, proprietor of the Valley 
Press Printing House, Sacramento, was 
born in Louisburg, County Mayo, Ireland, 
in 184:0, emigrating to the United States in 
April, 1848; was partially educated at St. 
John's College, Worcester, Massachusetts; spent 
some months in New York city. In 1857 he 
joined the army that was sent to Utah to sub- 
due the rebellious Mormons and establish the 
supremacy of the General Government. He 
resigned his commission in 1858, and came 
westward, arriving in Sacramento in November 
following. Within a few days he went to San 
Francisco and obtained employment in a news- 
paper office, where he remained until 1860. 
Thence, going to Virginia City, Nevada, he be- 
came part owner of the Territorial Enterprise, 
then a weekly paper. In 1862 lie was com- 
missioned by Governor Nye as First Lieutenant 
of a company of Nevada volunteers, and was 
placed in command of the infantry at Fort 
Churchill, Major McDermit being in command 
of the fort. He resigned in 1864, returned to 
Virginia City, and in connection with Hon. 
William Woodburn and others, started the 
Daily Constitution, which, after a short time, 
was abandoned. He then returned to California 
and was commissioned Major in the Mexican 
army by President Benito Juarez, and in con- 
junction with General Williams and Colonel D. 



E. Hungerford (father of the now celebrated 
Mrs. John W. Mackay), organized an expedi- 
tion to help drive the Maximilians out of 
Mexico. Among his officers weie the now 
celebrated Henry George and the Hon. J. F. 
Linthicum, Receiver of the United States Land 
Office at Sacramento. The expedition proved 
a failure, and in November, 1865, in conjunction 
with a gentleman named Lyons, he purchased 
The Monitor, a weekly newspaper of lai'ge cir- 
culation, then and now printed in San Fran- 
cisco. This ])aper he published until 1877. 
Having soon after lost most of his means in 
mining stocks, he resumed his business as a 
printer, and worked in various offices until the 
inauguration of Governor Stoneman, when he 
came to Sacramento and worked in the State 
printing office until after the election of Gov- 
ernor Bartlett. He then went to San Diego, 
where he owns considerable property; finally 
returned to Sacramento, and in August, 1887, 
bought the interest of Rev. C. M. Davis in the 
Valley Press Printing House, associating him- 
self with Charles D. Monagan, whose interest 
he also purchased in February, 1888, becoming 
the sole proprietor of the establishment. The 
Valley Press is one of the best equipped book 
and job offices in Sacramento. In politics Mr. 
Barry is a Democrat, and was nominated for 
State Printer in 1871, but with his whole party 
was defeated. August 15, 1868, he married 
Miss Kate E. Fenton, of Santa Clara. They 
have had three children, two of whom are 
living, a daughter and a son. The son, Charles 
J., graduated last year first in the first class of 
the Sacramento Institute; and the daughter, 
Marcella J., graduated from the State Normal 
School at San Jose, in July, 1889. 



fOSHUA JAMES BAILEY was born in 
Adams County, Ohio, March 27, 1828, his 
parents being Isaac E. and Polly (McNeil) 
Bailey. He was reared on his father's farm, 
and was educated in the district schools. The 



IIISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



family removed to Wisconsin in 1840, and in 
1849 he began to work for liimself, bnt still on 
his ta'her's farm. In 1S5U, with his father and 
brother, he came to California and went to 
mining, chiefly in the foot-hills of the Xevada, 
where he remained until 1855, with little actual 
net results. He then came down into the valley 
of the Sacramento, where he went to work on 
ranches and at teaming. In 1861 he rented 
about 160 acres from H. C. Ross, remaining on 
that place fourteen years. In 1875 he bought 
627 acres of Mr. Wolcott, which he still holds. 
Only twelve acres are bottom land, on which he 
raises corn, alfalfa and fruit. On the uplands 
he raises wheat, barley, oats and grapes, besides 
cattle, of which he sells a few hundred dollars' 
worth every year. The Bailey family to which 
he belongs are of old Virginia stock. J. J.'s 
grandfather, Joel, whose wife, a Perkins, was of 
English descent, moved into Ohio. In 1878 he 
was married to Mrs. Louisa D. (Joiner) Benton. 
They are the parents of live living children: 
LEary Lauretta, born February 24, 1879; Isaac 
Xewton, May 13, 1880; James William, May 
22, 1884; Alice Josephine and Alfred Willis 
(twins), May 29, 1886. Mr. Bailey is a worthy 
and respected citizen, and has been twice elected 
a school trustee. He was reared a Baptist, 
while his wife is a Methodist, but church 
opportunities of any kind are few on the 
Cosumnes. 



[:;)RS. MARY E. MclXTYRE, the widow 
of Bernard Mclntyre, was born in this 
county, April 6, 1853. Her husband, 
a native of Ireland, came to California in 1852, 
and for two years labored as a gardener along 
the river for a Mr. Kelley, who ran away owing 
Mr. Mclntyre a large sum. Then he worked 
for Mr. Aiken a year, and finally in 1861, 
bought the present homestead of fifty-four 
acres, where his family now resides. Being an 
industrious and economical man, he converted 
the original wild tract of land into a profitable 



ranch. He died January 9, 1887, and is re- 
membered by the community as having always 
I)een an honest and upright gentleman. The 
children are Mary L., Bernard P., William J., 
Sarah A., Philip A., Francis A., Cecelia i). and 
Robert E. 



T-^TII.LIAM A. BIRCH, farmer, San Joa- 
i A / niiin Township, was born June 13, 1836, 
i'=b;^ and was a son of George and Frances L. 
(Wright) Birch, father a native of Scotland and 
mother of Long Island. His father, a farmer, 
came to this country about 1820, landing at 
New York, was married about 1830, on Long 
Island, and in 1835 settled in Livingston County, 
Michigan. They had two children: Jane E., 
who is the wife of John McCullough and lives 
in Amador County, this State; and William A. 
The parents came to California in 1854, with 
ox teams, and located near Diamond Spring, 
where the father followed mining for some time. 
They are both now deceased, the father dying in 
July, 1870, and mother June 4, 1864. The 
subject of this sketch came with his parents to 
this State in 1854. In 1864 he married Miss 
Razelo Jane Campbell, who afterward died, 
March 9, 1881. J3y tiie first marriage there 
were three daughters and one son: Frances R., 
born July 25,^1870^ Polly J., June 13, 1873; 
Augusta, November 28, 1874; and William U., 
August 8, 1877. The second time Mr. Birch 
married Mrs. Fanny Jones, who was born in 
Brockton, Massachusetts, and by this marriage 
there v?ere two children: Frank, born June 24, 
1886, and died June 26, 1888; and Martin, born 
May 4, 1888. After arriving in California, Mr. 
Birch followed mining, both here and in Idaho, 
with varying success; and since 1857 he has 
been farming in San Joaquin Township, fifteen 
miles from Sacramento and eight miles from Elk 
Grove. There he has 480 acres of land and 
devotes special attention to the rearing of horses. 
He commenced his struggles in this county 
without any means, and all he has in possession 



494 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT}-. 



he has made by his own unaided efforts. His 
rancli is well improved. Is a kind and generous- 
hearted man. His first vote was cast for Doug- 
las; but he has long been a stanch Republican. 
He still carefully preserves in a scrap-book a 
specimen of the ticket which he first voted. 



fRS. G. VERNON EWING AND ELIZA- 
BETH W. EWING— Dr. G. Yeruon 
Ewing was born in Hayesville, Ashland 
County, Ohio, February 12, 1831, and was edu- 
cated at Vermillion Collegiate Institute. He 
began the study of medicine and surgery at the 
age of eighteen years as a student of the cele- 
brated Drs. Armstriiig and Glass, of Hayesville. 
After pnrsiiing his studies one year under these 
popular pliysicians, he entered the Cleveland 
Medical College, of which the late Prof. H. A. 
Ackley, the celebrated surgeon, was a professor. 
He graduated in the class of 1852, of which the 
late distinguished Dr. Bliss was a member. 
After graduating he returned to Hayesville and 
immediately entered upon the practice of his 
profession, devoting specal attention to surgery 
and diseases of I'emales. In 1858 he was mar- 
ried to Martha S. Kuhn, daughter of Rev. J. 
Kuhn, professor of languages in Vermillion 
Collegiate Institute of Hayesville. She died in 
1867, leaving five chiklrwi, four of whom are 
still living. In 1854 he settled at Rock Run, 
Stephenson County, Illinois, where he continued 
in practice for fourteen years, when in 1869 he 
removed to Chenoa, Illinois, where he practiced 
till 1880, when he opened an office for practice 
in Chicago and at the same time took a special 
couroe of one year in Rush Medical College, in 
surgery, under the late Prof. Moses Gunn, and 
diseases of females under Prof. Byford. In 
1883 he came to Amador City, California, for 
the benefit of his health, and in a few months 
removed and settled permanently in Sacramento, 
where he continues to devote his time prin- 
cipally to the practice of surgery and the dis- 
eases of females. In these branches of prac- 



tice he has had very extensive experience and is 
a snccessful operator, having performed many 
of the most important and critical operations. 
The Doctor was married the second time in 
1870, to Elizabeth Wilson, a native of Lexing 
ton, Ohio; her father was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and emigrated to Oiiio in early days, 
settling at Lexington; her mother was Isabel 
McCoy, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. She 
was born in 1839, educated at Lexington Semin- 
ary, Ohio, under the care of Prof. Richards 
Gailey, and graduated at Washington Female 
Seminary, Washington, Pennsylvania, and was 
engaged in teaching for several years and was a 
successful educator. When she married the 
Doctor in 1870, she engaged in the study of 
medicine and graduated in 1884 at " The Wo- 
man's Hospital Medical College of Chicago;" 
soon after she joined her husband at Sacramento 
and entered with him in practice. She has 
devoted special time and attention to female dis- 
eases, and is doing a very large practice in these 
"n connectioT with a general practice. 



^-#-h-^« 



fOIIN B. BROWN, vineyardist, was born in 
Ilarrisburg, Virginia, March 10, 1844. 
His father, Fleming T. Brown, also a 
native of that State, was a millwright. In 
1851 he purchased property in Iowa, and lived 
there six years. Selling out then, he came to 
California across the plains with ox teams, 
being five months and four days on the way, 
and having no considerable difficulties. One 
night there were four shots fired into their 
camp, but without damage. The first two 
years here Mr. Fleming T. Brown spent at a 
ranch. (His wife, nee Jane Southern, also a 
native of the Old Dominion, died December 
21, 1857.) Ne.xt he followed teaming a year, 
and then in 1859 he located upon a ranch in 
San Joaquin Township, wliere he resided nine 
years. This lie sold in 1868. In 1870 he 
went to Oregon and remained two years. He 
has made one or two other trips to that State. 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



He is still living. He has had one daughter 
and two sons, as follows: Mary A., born June 
5, 1839, and is now the widow of Albert FrHser, 
of San Francisco; George M., born April 30, 
1841, and died February 14, 1888; and John 
B., born March 10, 1844. The latter was mar- 
ried December 9, 1868, to Miss Catharine Reese, 
a daughter of John Keese. Their children are: 
Mary F., born September 29, 1869; John F., 
April 29, 1872, and diea June 4, 1874; George 
D., May 19, 1874; Lloyd E., April 24, 1876; 
Fred E., September 12, 1880, and Jessie J., 
December 29, 1883. Two, unnamed, died in 
infancy. Mr. John B. Brown j.urchased his 
present property, forty acres, in January, 1883, 
ten miles from Sacramento and one and a half 
from Florin; and on this p'ace he devotes his 
attented to the raising of toble fruits. He has 
also 210 acres of land in Placer County, excel- 
lent for general farming. He is a member of 
Elk Grove Lodge, IS^o. 274, L O. O. F., and in 
his politics is a Republican. 



fMOS MARCUS LOWELL was born in 
San Francisco, January 25, 1852, being a 
son of Marcus and Ellen Mar (McAra) 
Lowell. Tiie father, a native of New York 
State, came to California in 1849, and followed 
mining for two years. In 1851 he went to 
making brick in San Francisco, and was there 
married in 1851 to Mrs. Ellen Mar (McAra) 
Hollinan. See sketch of Caroline (HoUman) 
Eiirhardt. After two years at brick- making 
Mr. Lowell moved to Sacramento with his 
family, including the four children of Mrs. 
Lowell, liy her former marriage. He conducted 
an academy tor young ladies for about two 
years in that city, and was afterward engaged in 
the freighting business for some years. Li 
1858 he took up 160 acres on the Mokelumue, 
and afterward became owner of 2,500 acres 
there, a large ])ortion of wliich was overflowed 
or swainji land. In the great flood of 1862 he 
lost heavily, and, becoming disgusted with such 



lands, he sold out and returned to Sacramento, 
and resumed the freighting business. In 1864 
he was again in San Francisco engaged in con- 
structing a macadamized road toward the Cliff 
House, on which he again lost a considerable 
amount through damage by heavy rains, re- 
quiring the reconstruction of the road. Back 
again to Sacramento County, he went into the 
business of distilling at Brighton for three 
years, and lost about $20,000 in that venture. 
Since 1867 he has been engaged in various 
trading ventures, even to Honolulu once or 
twice, but has never recovered fully from past 
disasters. Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Lowell are the 
parents of the following children: Amos M. 
(see above); William Harrison, born June 12, 
1853; Charles Henry, February 22, 1859; Isa- 
bel Mary, October 12, 1860, now the wife of 
Charles Suramermacher, a native of Sacramento; 
Ira Nehemiah, born February 28, 1862, and 
Emma Matilda, born in 1864. The subject of 
this sketch left home at the age of thirteen, and 
went to work on a farm for Mr. Henry Ehr- 
hardt. In 1870, with his brother William H., 
he rented a dairy of seventy-five cows from Mr. 
Ehrhardt, which they carried on for two years 
He then rented, with his brothef-in-law, George 
"W. Fountain, the John Julian ranch of 216 
acres, where they carried on a dairy business of 
sixty cows, besides raising some fruit and hay. 
In 1873, again with his brother William H., 
he carried on a milk business at Winneinucca, 
Nevada, for two years, returning to this county 
in 1875. In 1876 the two brothers rented 
6,000 acres at Fremont, on the Sacramento, where 
they milked 350 cows, and had 1,100 head of 
cattle all told. There they engaged in making 
cheese, and did very well, but by the floods of 
1878, 1880 and 1881, they lost all they had 
made, and withdrew from the business. In 
1881 the subjcL-t of tiiis sketch went into the 
brick-making business for one year at Mountain 
View, in Santa Clara County. He then rented 
the Freeman ranch of 400 acres, eleven miles 
south of Sacramento, on the lower Stockton 
road, for two years. In 1885 he superintended 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the construction of the levee in the Pearson dis- 
trict, and afterward went to work in the railroad 
shops in Sacramento, in the carpentering de- 
partment, for two years. In November, 1887, 
lie went to work for the Sacramento Transporta- 
tion Company as superintendent of their brick- 
makingbusiness, just below Freeport, where he is 
still employed. In 1881 Mr. Lowell was married 
to Miss Ida M. Davis, born in Illinois, daughter 
of J. Y. and Mildred (Butler) Davis, now of 
San Francisco. They are the parents of two 
children: Amos Marcus, Jr., born May 16, 
1882, and Mildred Ellen, born August 24, 1884. 



"T r.s. M 

\/ V held. 



MARY LEE was born in Spring- 
Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 
*^^^ January 4, 1820, her parents being 
Austin and Nancy (Harkness) Pennock, both 
natives of the New England States. They were 
married in Salem, New York, and afterward 
moved to Pennsylvania, where they made their 
home from 1809 to 1833, when they moved to 
Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois, where they 
farmed until 1867, thence moved to Beloit, 
Wisconsin, where Mr. Pennock di6d in October, 
1868, in his eighty-fifth year; his wife died in 
November, 1871, in her eigthy-ninth year, near 
Osage Mission, Kansas, where she had moved 
after her bereavement. They had seven chil- 
dren, of whom four are now living, viz.: Silas, 
resident in Minnesota; Daniel, resident in Be- 
loit, Wisconsin; John, resident in Sacramento 
County, California; and Mrs. Lee, the subject 
of this sketch. Mrs. Lee was in her fourteenth 
year when her father moved from Pennsylvania 
to Illinois, where she was married in 1840 to 
Absalom Newnham, a native of Ohio. In April, 
1852, a party of thirty families, called Callison's 
Company, was organized to go to Oregon. 
They all met at the Missouri River, where they 
separated again into smaller companies. They 
had no trouble with Indians on the way, but 
many of the children were sick with the 
measles, and cholera was raging on the plains, 



and three of their party died with it, viz.: Mr. 
Newnham, who died about seventy miles below 
Fort Laramie, on the north side of the Platte 
River, on the 1st of June; Mrs. Briston two 
days later; and Mrs. Browning, who died this 
side of the Snake River, near Fort Hall, about 
the 1st of August; she had contracted the dis- 
ease by eating salmon bought of the Indians. 
They crossed the mountains about the 7th of 
September, traveled up the Willamette River 
about 100 miles until they reached Mount 
Pleasant, in six months and seven days from 
the time they started. They stayed there till 
the 1st of December, then went down to Oregon 
City, remained there three weeks waiting for the 
steamer. Mrs. Lee came by water to Sacra- 
mento; the voyage was very rough and stormy, 
lasting seven or nine days. They arrived in 
Sacramento a few days before Christmas, 1852. 
In the fall of 1854 Mrs. Lee (then Mrs. Newn- 
ham), with her family of four children, started 
for the East with the intention of remaining 
there. About the middle of October they left 
San Francisco on the steamer Yankee Blade, 
which was then considered to be a good steamer, 
and had been previously sold to other parties, 
and was then making her last trip for the old 
company. After she had been out twenty-four 
hours she struck a rock and beat a hole in her. 
The crew could do nothing, and she finally 
sunk. There were about 1,400 passengers on 
board, of whom, as far as could be ascertained, 
thirty-seven were washed ashore during the 
night. They were buried the next day. Mrs. 
Lee, with two children, were taken on a small 
boat, in order that they might be taken to land; 
but when she saw that two of her children yet 
remained on the boat she insisted on returning, 
saying that all should die or be saved together. 
About nine o'clock she and the children were 
taken to shore in one of the sniall boats. They 
lay in the sand, with others of the passengers, 
a week before they were taken back to San 
Francisco. Their food consisted o^' mussel sonp, 
with a few crackers washed ashore from the 
wreck. They used the cans to make the soup 



niSrORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



in, pearl oyster shells for spoons, and life-pre- 
servers for buckets to carry water, which had to 
be brought about a mile. As it was consider- 
able trouble to get the oysters, and crackers 
were scarce, they had only one meal a day, and 
that about noon. On the last day of their so- 
journ there, just as they were about to partake 
of their soup, the joyful news came that a 
steamer was waiting seven miles down the coast 
for them. They drank a little soup and started, 
having to make their way through the trackless 
sage-brush and sand. It was a weary walk, but 
they were very thankful for the opportunity to 
get away from the desolate place. They all got 
safely on the boat before dark, and were kindly 
received, and a bountiful supper was prepared 
for all. They arrived at San Francisco the next 
day, about ten o'clock, and Mrs. Lee returned to 
Sacramento. After this event Mrs. Lee re- 
mained here until 1869, when she made a trip 
East, with no intentions of remaining there, 
however. She met with a stormy voyage, 
whicb, however, did not jirove fatal to any one. 
The children of her first marriage are: Mary 
J., wife of George Cirby, resident near Ilose- 
ville. Placer County; Nancy A., wife of Joel D. 
Bailey, of this county; James, resident in this 
county, and Alice E., wife of James Patton, of 
Sacramento County. Mrs. Lee was married to 
Ptichard H. Lee in October, 1856, by which 
marriage there is one child: Emily, wife of Al- 
beit G. McManus, of Sacramento County. Mrs. 
Lee is now making her home witli her son, 
James Newuham. 



\MES McCLEERY, a pioneer of 1849, was 
born in Beaver County, in tiie western part 
of Pennsylvania, January 11, 1817. The 
McCleery family are ail of Scotch origin. Tiie 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch came 
to Beaton in tlie early days. liis mother, nee 
Sarah Welch, was a Pennsylvania Quakeress, a 
native of Westchester County, that State. After 
a limited schooling, Mr. McCleery learned the 



trade of wagon-maker, at the manufactory of 
James AVilsou, at New Brigliton, Pennsylvania. 
At the end of three years he went to Warren, 
Ohio, and started in business there for himself*" 
in 1855, in company with an older brother. 
Moving tiience to Galena, lilinos, he followed 
his trade there for eleven years, under the firm 
name of McCleery & Pitts. In the spring of 
1847 he married Miss Sidney, daughter of Cap- 
tain George Garritt, of Philadelphia, who had 
moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and died there in 
1840. In February, 1849, Mr. McCleery started 
with a party for California, and crossed the 
plains with o,\ teams, by way of the Truckee 
route and Sublette's cut-off, arriving in this State 
August 17. His first business enterprise was 
the manufacture of shingles, getting his stock 
from the redwood timber back of and near where 
the city of Oakland now is. Shingles were then 
worth $40 per thousand. But the news spread 
abroad, and one day in February, 1850, there 
arrived in San Francisco twenty-one ships laden 
witli shingles and lumber, and the price went 
down to §6 ])er thousand! and this ended the 
enterprise. Then Mr. McCleery came to Sacra- 
mento, and proceeded to the Oroville mining 
district, thence to Big Bar, on the American 
River, thence to Todd's Yalley, and afterward, 
in company witii the late Charles E. Green, of 
Davisville, he went to Shirt-tail Canon, in Pla- 
cer County; thence he went to Nevada City, 
being attracted by reports of the Gold Lake dis- 
coveries, which were a humbug. In 1851 he 
returned to Sacramento, arriving on the day of 
the first case of cholera here. He soon formed 
a partnership with Charles Fitch in tiie I'urniture 
trade, on Fourth street. At this time he was 
in very poor health, owing to e.Kposure in the 
mines, and the doctors advised him to return 
East if he wished ever to see his kinsfolk. He 
made the trip, joined his family at Philadelphia, 
and soon afterward left for St. Joseph, Missouri, 
expecting to locate there; but the severity of the 
climate induced him to locate in St. Louis, 
which he did in 1852; but he could not be 
satisfied there, and on Christmas day started for 



IIISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



CaliFornia. Coming direct to Sacramento, be 
engaged in the wagon-manufacturing business 
in partnership with Ed. Kimball, a brother of 
the famous wagon-manufacturer of Sau Fran- 
cico. Continuing in this business until 1865, 
he was elected by the Republican party to the 
ofhce of third trustee for the unexpired term 
of David Kendall, and was re-elected for the 
next full term. Subsequently he was Deputy 
Assessor for three years, and again lield the 
office of third trustee. Still [later he acted as 
Deputy State Census Marshal, and School Cen- 
sus Marshal. In 1838 he became connected 
witli the Odd Fellows, and is now the oldest 
member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 2, of which 
he was Director and Secretary for over ten years. 
He has also passed all the chairs of the subor- 
dinate lodge and encampment, and was a mem- 
ber of the Grand Lodge of California for ten 
years. He is a member of the Exempt Fire- 
men's Association, of which society he has been 
president; and was also secretary of the Pioneer 
Association 1883-'84. 



WILLIAM H. LUTHER, a prominent 
fruit-grower who resides in Sacramento, 
was born in Salina, now a part of Syra- 
cuse, New York, April 4, 1827. His parents, 
Constant and Aurilla (Williams) Luther, were 
natives of Rhode Island. His father emigrated 
from that State to New York in early day and 
engaged in the manufacture of salt and in fann- 
ing, and died when our subject was a lad. The 
latter graduated at the Monroe Institute at El- 
bridge, Onondaga County, New Y'ork, in 1839. 
For four years he was clerk in the store of Noah 
^Yuud, in his native town; next he spent a year 
with Alfred Ilaydin, learning the carpenter's 
trade; then for two years he had charge of the 
grain department of the mercantile house of 
Daniel Dana; and thence until IS-iG he was in 
the service of Kingsley & Hollister, wholesale 
grocers. February 14, 1849, in company with an 
elder brother, he left New York city on the ship 



Elizabeth Ellen, Captain Truman, and came by 
way of Cape Horn to California, arriving at 
San Francisco September 18. Here his first 
venture in a business way was to secure passen- 
gers for arriving ships which were bound for 
Sacramento and the mining districts. In this 
capacity he operated for Captain Vale, of the 
schooner Yalasco, and was quite successful, as 
he secured 400 passengers, in addition to a cargo 
of freight. On arriving at Sacramento he and 
his brother had but little cash on hand; never- 
theless, they pushed on to Placerville, then 
called " llangtown," and camped out at the 
diggings near by their friend James Alvord, 
who had previously located there. Not being 
successful, they became discouraged and were 
about to return to Sacramento, when one day 
William took a stroll over to Cedar Ravine and 
found a vein of gold, or rather of slate laden 
with gold. From the first panful he obtained 
about $50 worth of the shining metal. Com- 
municating the all-important discovery to his 
brother, they went to work together and iij; the 
expiration of the first month they had " a large 
pickle-jar full of gold!" A fitting illustration 
of the ups and downs of mining fortune may 
here be given in Mr. Luther's own words: " It 
was growing late in the season, and nearby our 
claim was the cabin of two miners who had 
been uniformly unsuccessful. Having no pro- 
visions, we bought their supply at an outlay of 
about $600. This afterward proved a valuable 
find ; for the roads were well-nigh impassable, 
provisions advanced in price, and at times were 
not to be had at any price. Here we remained 
until spring, when, lured by stories of opportu- 
nities in El Dorado Canon, we sold our claim 
and went there in April, locating between the 
North and the Middle Fork of the American 
River. Tiie snow was very deep and we re- 
mained there until July, but never 'struck the 
color,' and 'we then learned that the parties to 
whom we had sold our claim for $600 had in 
the meantime cleared $15,000. In 1851 we put 
in a flume above Spanish Bar, on the Middle 
Fork of the American. We called it the Indi- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ana Ripple. After weeks of toil we found that 
it was useless, because of another flume below 
us. "We then stacked our fluiue and material 
on the river bank; but before it could be trans- 
ferred to another location it was all swept away 
by the floods. Nothing daunted, however, we 
secured 300 feet below the other flume and went 
to work. Here we found a crevice which pan- 
ned out §100 to the foot. In tiie spring of 1852 
we formed the Empire Company, and by unit- 
ing our forces s,ucceeded in turning the river 
from its channel. On Mondaj' morning, after 
this work had been going on for some time, I 
arose very early and found that Indiana Ripple 
had gone dry in the night, and, unaided, I took 
out over fifty pounds of gold during that morn- 
ing, and the company realized over §165,000 
during the following six weeks." In October, 
that year, Mr. Luther went to his New York 
home on a visit. Returning the next April, by 
way of the Isthmus, he joined his brother in 
this State, who in the meantime had bought a 
ranch in Amador County. Here he remained 
until 1857, when he made another trip to New 
York State and married Miss Sarah J., daughter 
of D. Alvord, and a native of Farmington, Con- 
necticut. Returning abnost immediately with 
his bride, he settled on his ranch in lone Val- 
ley, where he made a specialty of vegetables and 
fruit. In 1879 he came to Sacramento to reside. 
In 1863 he joined the Pioneer Association, in 
which society he has been a director for ten 
years. His family comp ises a wife and three 
daughters. 

'^■&-^ 

EORGE ALEXANDER McDONELL, 
farmer, was born April 28, 1829, four 
miles east of Cornwall, Canada, and went 
to Brighton, on Lake Ontario, about eighty 
miles from East Toronto, when eight years uf 
age. His parents wqtg Duncan McDonell, mer- 
chant, born in Canada, of Scotch parents, who 
was in the war of 1812 and was a half- pay 
officer at the time of his death, in 1852, and 



Mary (Chisolm) McDonell, also a native of 
Canada, daughter of Colonel Chisolm, who was 
at one time a Member of Parliament. She died 
February, 1877. In 1859 G. A. McDonell was 
in Kansas freighting goods by wagon across the 
plains from Atchison and Fort Leavenworth to 
Pike's Peak, where he was at the time of the 
excitement there and witnessed some strange 
things. Returning to Canada, he went to the 
Cariboo mines in British Columbia, going by 
steamer to St. Thomas and to Victoria, and 
there took river boats up the Eraser River to 
Fort Douglas; thence he packed across the 
mountains, following the river, crossing two or 
three small lakes on the way, and arriving at 
the mines about the middle of July. Finding 
there that the cost of a square meal was §3.50 
and everything else proportionately dear, and 
not having much money, he concluded not to 
remain; September 5, 1862, he i-eached San 
Francisco with §1.50 in his pocket. He found 
that city full of discontented men seeking for 
work. He went to an employment office for a 
job and was sent to Alviso, above Red Wood 
City, where he went to Avork bailing hay; then 
cooked for awhile for §40 a month; next went 
to pitching hay. After finishing there he re- 
turned to San Francisco, saw an advertisement 
in the paper for a wood-chopper, obtained a let- 
ter of introduction from a friend in this city 
and came to Sacramento. He took a contract for 
chopping wood along the line of the Valley 
railroad, from Mr. Robinson. That winter he 
cut 800 cords of wood, and the next hauled 
1,600 to the railroad track for shipment. Next 
he followed teaming over the mountains for 
several 3'ears, until the railroad was built past 
Reno, Nevada. In 1869 he purchased his pres- 
ent farm, which is about eleven miles east of 
Sacramento. He has 160 acres devoted to grain 
and ten acres in vineyard and orchard. He was 
married April 23, 1873, to Eliza Fisher, daugh- 
ter of Philip Fisher, who was born in Sacra- 
mento County, April 4, 1856. They have six 
children, three sons and three daughters: Mary, 
born March 15, 1874; Ida, May 15, 1876; 



UlUTOUY OF SAOBAMENTO COUNTY. 



George, July 8, 1881; Archie, July 22, 1882; 
Grace, February 7, 1885; and Eddie, July 2, 
1887. 

fREDERICK MEYERS was born in Ilan- 
o?er, Germany, June 8, 1822, his parents 
being Henry and Sophia (Klingenberg) 
Meyer, by American iisage Myers or Meyers, 
the latter spelling being preferred by this branch 
of the family. The fatlier died in 1847, aged 
fifty-two. Grandfather William Meyer reached 
the age of 103 and his wife was nearly eighty. 
Frederick Meyers received the usual common - 
school education of his country and was brought 
up to farm work. In 1857 he came to Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, and thei-e worked for two years in a 
starch factory, and afterward in various pur- 
suits for two years. In 1859 Mr. Meyers was 
married in Cincinnati to Miss Katrina Yerbarg, 
also a native of Hanover, born October 21, 1840, 
daughter of Diedrich and Margareta (Kattnm) 
Verbarg. Her father died in September, 1888, 
in his eightieth year; the mother, born in 1813, 
is now living with another daughter, at North 
Vernon, Indiana. Mr. Meyers, who had been a 
soldier in his native land from the eighteenth to 
the twenty-eighth year of his age, serving against 
Denmark in 1848, he entered the Union army in 
1861, enlisting in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, and 
became a corporal, in Company F, his imperfect 
knowledge of English alone preventing his further 
advancement, tieserved under General Mitchell, 
and was discharged for wounds received in the 
service. On his recovery, lie worked in different 
lines for a few years, and in 186(5, with his wife 
and two children, accompanied liis brother, H. 
AV. Meyers, on his return to California. Arrived 
on Grand Island, he bought seventy-two acres 
of his brother. The land was mostly in willows 
and tules then, but he has now twenty acres in 
orchard, besides raising other marketable prod- 
ucts. He has a comfortable home, and expects 
to become rich by the thorough reclamation of 
Grand Island. In August, 1883, he bought a 



fruit farm of twenty acres on Schoolcraft Island, 
Solano County, now occupied by his son. Mr. 
and Mrs. Meyers lost their oldest child, Caro- 
line, at the age of seventeen, and have two 
children living: Henry Frederick, born in Ohio, 
December 19, 1865, and Anna Aurelia, born in 
California, January 2, 1870. Miss Meyers was 
educated in St. Gertrude's Academy at Rio 
Vista, and besides the usual acquirements has 
attained special proficiency in music. She is 
also an artist in crayon work of more than ordi- 
nary ability, and has embellished her home with 
many line pieces of work from her own pencil, 
as well as with some artistic needlework. 



fOSTER N. MOTT, the pioneer peach- 
grower of the State of California, was born 
in 1819 in the city of New York, educated 
at Rockaway on Long Island, attending the 
common schools during the winter and laboring 
on his father's farm during the summer, and 
learned the trade of smithing in New York, 
after which he worked as a journeyman for 
several years. In 1848 he married Miss 
Frances L. AVood, datighter of Captain Thomas 
Wood, of the New York and Savannah Steam- 
ship Line. lie became one of a company of 
young business men who expended $20,000 for 
machinej'y and traps and came to California 
around Cape Horn, in the ship Daniel Webster, 
being 156 days on the voyage. The ship was 
laden with two years' provisions, a saw-mill, 
machinery and lumber for building a scow, and 
with the latest inventions for gold-washing. 
The latter, on their arrival in California, were 
found to be nselet^s. Tlie party arrived in San 
Francisco July 21, and proceeded to build a 
stern-wheel steamer or scow, 20x40 feet. This 
took two months' time. This steamer was the 
first to leave San Francisco and arrive at Sacra- 
mento without accident or delay; but running 
up the American River they stuck on a bar, 
and after several fruitless attempts to free the 
vessel, they abandoned it forever. Mr. Mott 



IIlSTUKr UF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tlien proceeded to Cigar Bar, on the Yuba River, 
with a party made np of nine of the original 
company; bnt becoming severely afflicted with 
the malarial element uf that section, their num- 
ber was soon reduced to four, and in September, 
1850, Mr. Mott gave up mining altogether. 
Going to Marysville, he bought an interest in a 
bakery there. During the summer of 1853 he 
returned to New York, wliere he remained two 
years. Returning with his family in 1855, he 
located upon a ranch in Y'olo County, and en- 
gaged in stock-raising and fruit-growing. Dried 
peaches from Chili were being brought here in 
large quantities for consumption, and from the 
stones of these he raised the iirst peach seed- 
lings ever grown in the State. These trees 
started the celebrated G. G. Briggs fruit ranch 
in Yuba County, from which, in 1857, $70,000 
worth of peaches was sold in San Francisco 
that season. In 1874 Mr. Matt purchased 
2,700 acres of land in Sacramento County, and 
for tlie next ten years he devoted himself to 
sheep-raising. He moved to Sacramento in 
1875, where he still resides. In 1885 he bought 
and planted a raisin vineyard at Fresno, from 
which, at its second year, he marketed seven 
tons of raisins; the third year, forty-live tons. 
Mr. Mott, in his political principles, is a Re- 
publican. He voted at the iirst election in 
1849, for Americans, but has never been a 
politician or aspired to office. He is a director 
in tlie Pioneer Association at Sacramento. 



fAMES B. McGUIRE, pioneer manufacturer 
of iron doors, 520 K street, Sacramento, 
was born August 13, 1824. His parents, 
Lawrence and Mary (Highland) McGnire, came 
from County Kings, Ireland, and settled in 
Connecticut in 1827. Here he attended school 
taught by a brother of the celebrated Lorenzo 
Dow. In 1832 the family removed to Cincin- 
nati, where he remained until 1849, when he 
joined the Dr. "Woodruff train and came to (Cali- 
fornia across tiie plains; but, as with so many 



who came in that manner, dissatisfaction arose 
and the party was broken up. Mr. McGuire 
joined James Huff and Henry Greathouse, and 
proceeded westward. At Fort Hall they left 
their wagons and packed their effects upon their 
horses. They came by way of the sink of the 
Humboldt, crossed the valley and came into 
Sacramento August 21, 110 days after leaving 
St. Joseph. Mr. McGuire made a prospecting 
tour to the Spanish Bar, on the American River, 
and those two weeks were the first and last of 
his mining experience. In the fall of that year 
(1849) he started in business in Sacramento, 
locating on Third street, between J and K, but 
varying his occupations during the winter 
months by making trips to Marysville on 
trading expeditions in a whale-boat. Later he 
built a shop on Sixth and J streets, where for 
many years he conducted his business, in 
1860 he located on J street, where he still car- 
ries on the business. Mr. McGuire was married 
September 1, 1856, to Miss Mary, daughter of 
John Cofl'ee, who came to California in 1849 
from Boston, and kept a hotel on Fifth street, 
between J and K. Mrs. McGuire died in 1879. 
The children are: Joseph, Belie, Agnes, Lillian 
and William. The subject of this sketch has 
never been in any sense a politician, but has 
always been interested in the affairs of the city, 
lie early became identified with the volunteer 
fire department; was foreman of Hook and 
Ladder Company No. 2, and is a member of the 
society of Exempt Firemen. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Pioneer Association, and has been 
both a director and president of that society. 



►^^ 



fTEPHEN TURNER MORSE, deceased, 
was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, 
New York, May 15, 1820, his parents be- 
ing Stephen and Sarah (Turner) Morse. Stephen 
Morse was born in Connecticut, went to Florida, 
at the age of twenty-one, as one to form a colony, 
and was compelled to leave on account of the 
Indians. From there he went to Canada; cleai-ed 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



a farm and was prosperous; but was compelled 
to either lose his farm or enter the king's serv- 
ice; he chose the former, and went to New York 
State, where, for a long time, he drove a stage 
between Buffalo and Albany. There, when he 
was forty years of age, he married Sarah Turner. 
To them were born ten children, seven sons and 
three daughters. Of these, one son and one 
daughter died there. In 1847, with his family, 
he removed to Lockport, Illinois, where, a few 
months later, he died of dropsy of the heart, at 
the age of sixty-seven. Sarah Morse, his wife, 
was a native of Erie County, New York; was 
married at the age of twenty, and diedatPlain- 
lield, Illinois, aged seventy-six years. The sub- 
ject ot this sketch was brought up to work on a 
farm, but afterward learned the trade of black- 
smith at Warsaw, Wyoming County, New York, 
and in his early manhood worked at it at vari- 
ous points in Missouri, Mississippi and Alabama. 
In 1844 he went to Lockport, Illinois, working 
at his trade there nntil 1849, when he came to 
California and engaged in mining, off and on, 
for three years or more. Abont 1853 he came 
down to the Sacramento River and worked at 
his trade for some years at Onisbo, two miles 
below Courtland. About 1854 he bought a 
ranch on Miner Slough in Solano County, and 
afterward a second one in that neighborhood. 
In October, 1858, he bought the 156 acres at 
the head of Sutter Island, on which his family 
still reside. For many years he devoted his 
attention chiefly to alfalfa, but in later years he 
turned towards frn it-growing. There are now 
over thirty-five acres in orchard along the river, 
and alfalfa is still grown in large quantities in 
the rear. They also own 200 acres of the old pur- 
chase on Miner Slough, a part having been sold 
by Mr. Morse some years ago. Mr. Morse was 
married in October, 1859, to Miss Martha A. Bur- 
son, born in Oliio, November 12, 1839, daughter 
of John and Eliza (Massy) Bur&on, both Ameri- 
can and both now deceased, the father reaching 
the age of seventy. Grandfather Thomas Massy 
was a native of Virginia and a soldier of the 
Revolution. His wife, Elizabeth, lived to be 



eighty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Moise are the 
parents of four living children: Sarah Eliza, 
born April 30, 1861; Annie Leona, October 18, 
1867; Henry Hare, November 27, 1872; Edith 
Martha, July 18, 1877; William Turner, born 
June 9, 1863, died August 17. 1865. Sarah Eliza 
was married, December 21, 1881, to John C. 
Smith, a rancher of Yolo County, about nineteen 
miles below Sacramento, on the river. They 
are the parents of three children. Early in 1889 
a great calamity befel this happy family by the 
sudden death of the husband and father. While 
loading hay from his barn, on January 10, he 
slipped and fell upon his head, breaking his 
neck and dislocating both wrists. Death was 
instantaneous and in that resjiccta merciful dis- 
pensation to him. To the children, and especi- 
ally to the wife, the shock was something awful, 
the recollection of which is still almost as pain- 
ful as the actual experience. Mr. Morse had been 
a Mason for over thirty years and was buried 
with the honors of the order, January 13, in 
their cemetery at Sacramento. By his neigh- 
bors he was regarded as an honest, reliable man, 
whose word was as good as his bond, and his 
death was imiversally regretted. 



|P^ENRY O. MORGAN, a farmer and fruit- 
IBi '■**'*^'"> ^^"^^ born in Essex County, New 
-i^ Jersey, January 16, 1828, son of John and 
Elizabeth Morgan. When of age he left his 
parental home to take care of himself. In 1845 
he emigrated to Brown County, Illinois, and 
was a resident there most of the eight years he 
was in that State. April 11, 1853, he started 
for California, with a small party who were 
coming with ox teams, and arrived at Sacra- 
mento September 7 or 8. His first work here 
was to assist in threshing grain, then was em- 
ployed two months on the R street levee, and 
ever since that time he has been engaged in 
farming, excepting the three months he spent in 
mining in Sonora. His present farm he pre- 
empted from the Government. At first it com- 



UISTOUY OF SACRAMENTO ChUJSTY. 



prised a quarter of a section, but he has since 
sold half of it. It is devoted to fruit and grain, 
is situated on the Fruit Ridge, in Sutter Town- 
ship, two and a half miles from the city limits, 
between the upper and lower Stockton roads, 
and the soil is well adapted tofruitsof all kinds. 
Mr. Morgan was married in 1860 to Elizabeth 
Young, a native of Germany, and they have one 
son and four daughters, named Jennie, George, 
Lottie, Katie (deceased) and Sallie. 

aLLIAM McLaughlin, who has been 
.,,,„ recently elected to the office of Second 
Trustee of this city, was born in County 
Donegal, in the extreme north of Ireland, in 
1842. His father, a small farmer, having died 
when he arrived at the age of eighteen, he emi- 
grated to America, where he had two brothers 
and two sisters living. He came in a sailing 
vessel from Londonderry, at the mouth of the 
river Foyle, and, after a long but uneventful 
voyage, landed in the city of New York, going 
directly to Philadelphia to join his relatives, 
where he lived for nine years, acting as a private 
watchman in a mercantile house. In the mean- 
time his two sisters had become residents of 
Sacramento, and were delighted with the place 
and the prospects here. They urged him to 
join them, which he finally did, leaving New 
York on the Colorado, August 16, 1865, cross- 
ing the Isthmus and steaming through the 
Golden Gate on the 9th of September. He 
came soon afterward to the Capital City, engaged 
in the draying business on his own account, 
and, it is needless to say, has prospered. Always 
a Democrat in politics, his personal popularity 
induced his party to bring him forward in 1880 
as their candidate for County Supervisor, but 
he was defeated, it being a bad year for Demo- 
crats. In 1883 he was again nominated for the 
same office and elected by a handsome majority. 
In 1886 he was put forward as the regular 
nominee for the office of trustee, and failed of 
being elected by only 250 votes, notwithstand- 



ing that a branch of his own party had put 
another candidate in the field. In 1889 he 
came up again as the choice of his party and re- 
ceived the endorsement of a handsome majority 
of his fellow-citizens, being elected to the office 
of second trustee and supervisor of streets. He 
is a typical gentleman, full of energy, yet court- 
eous and affable in manner, an efficient officer 
and a warm personal friend. He is a member 
of Concord Lodge No. 117, and also an active 
member of Chapter No. 3, Council No. 1, and 
Commandery No. 2, F. & A. M. Mr. Mc- 
Laughlin has been twice married, first in 1864, 
at Philadelphia: wife died leaving one sou; and 
in 1876 he was married for the second time, to 
Mios Mary Ferrell, a native of Philadelphia, a 
daughter of Thomas Ferrell, who came to Sacra- 
mento in the early days. They have had two 
children, only one of whom is living. 



fAMUEL H. MERWIN, a Sutter Township 
farmer. The Merwin family are of Welsh 
origin. About two and a half centuries 
ago, three brothers came from Wales to this 
country, one of whom settled in Connecticut, 
and afterward became connected with Eno-lish 
and Irish families by marriage. Daniel Mer- 
win, grandfiither of Samuel H., was a native of 
Connecticut, and died in 1820. In his family 
were four sons and one daughter who grew up, 
all born also in Connecticut. Two sons, Sam- 
uel and Lewis, were Methodist ministers. Dan- 
iel moved to New York State when all his 
children were very young, and they passed their 
lives there. Lewis, a farmer and local preacher, 
and the father of Samuel H., married Ruth Rey- 
nolds, a native of New York State. Her grand- 
father, Eli Reynolds, was born in Ireland. In 
Lewis Merwin's family were three sons and si.\- 
daughters, all born in the Empire State. One 
of tiie daughters now resides in that State, and 
the others in Los Gates, California. Samuel H. 
Merwin was born in Delaware County, New 
York, May 1, 1826; was six years old when his 



UI STOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



mother died, and he was then taken care of by 
relatives. In 184-7, during the Mexican War, 
he went to New York city lor a year, and tlien 
was employed upon various farms until 1856, 
when lie came to this State. He sailed from 
New York on the steamer George Law to the 
Isthmus and tlience to San Francisco on the 
Golden Age, arriving during the last of May, 
when the vigilance committee were hanging 
two men, Casey and Cora, who had killed the 
editor of the San Francisco Bulletin. The voy- 
age was unusually long and tedious. Com- 
ing to Sacramento, Mr. Merwin entered the hard- 
ware store of Massol, Merwin & Co., as a clerk, 
on J street between Third and Fourth. That 
Merwin was his brother. lie remained with 
them until they closed business in 1869. He 
then purchased his present place, five miles from 
the State House. It comprises 160 acres, and 
is devoted to general farirjing, in which Mr. 
Merwin is signally successful. He is a member 
of the Grange at Sacramento and of the Method- 
ist Church. Was a Republican until recently, 
being now a Prohibitionist. He was married 
February 26, 1863, to Sarah P. Young, a native 
of Cumberland County, Maine, as were also her 
parents and grandparents. Her grandfather, 
Nathaniel Young, was one of General Wash- 
ington's aides in the Revolutionary War. She 
came to California in January, 1862. Mr. and 
Mrs. Merwin have three sons and three daugh- 
ters, as follows: Ruth H., born February 7, 
1864; Charles L., June 1, 1866, and died July 
21, 1867; Henry, born May 25, 1870; Ella F., 
April 8, 1872; Willie C, August 4, 1875, and 
died March 22, 1886; Mary E., born February 
28, 1877, and died May 19, 1877. 



^ENRY WATSON (in German, Watzen) 
^m\ was born in Hanover, near Bremen, Sep 
^ftf tember 5, 1836, his parents being Albert 
and Mary (Bohrmau) Watson. The father died 
in 1877, and the mother in 1879, in Germany, 
at about the ago of seventy; and grandmother 



Mary Watson lived to be over seventy. Henry 
Watson received the usual schooling of his 
country from his sixth to his fourteenth year. 
Befoie he was quite fourteen he went to sea, and 
suffered much abuse in that service. In 1851, 
on a voyage from Nicaragua to New Orleans, a 
German- American passenger of St. Louis, prom- 
ised his protection, and young Watson availing 
himself of the kind offer, fled from his persecu- 
tors, accompanying his friend to St. Louis, and 
going to work for him. In 1852, still in his 
employ, he helped to drive cattle across the 
plains, arriving in Sacramento August 12, 1852. 
After working a short time on a farm he went 
to mining that winter in Amador County, and 
continued at that work for over eight years. In 
1861 he went to teaming from Sacramento 
across the mountains to Nevada, and followed 
that business for three seasons. In 1864, witli 
a partner, he rented the 260 acres on which he 
still resides, and in 1865 they bought it, and in 

1871, the adjoining 240 acres. In December, 

1872, Mr. Watson bought his partner's interest 
in the 500 acres, and in 1887 he purchased the 
480 acres adjoining on the west, making a ranch 
of 980 acres in one body. He raises wheat and 
cattle, and does a dairy business of between 
twenty and thirty cows. November 28, 1872, 
Mr. Watson was married in Sacramento to Miss 
Christina Hashagen, born in Hanover, near 
Bremen, February 14, 1844, a daughter of 
Diedrich and Meta (Brugemann) Hashagen, 
both deceased, in Germany, aged about seventy. 
They are the parents of four children: Meta C, 
born October 15, 1873; Albert H., April 17, 
1875;^ George F., August 30, 1878; Katy M., 
October 25, 1885. Mrs. Watson came to Sac- 
ramento direct from Germany, in 1869, where 
she worked until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. 
Watson are members of Sacramento Grange, 
No. 12; and usually attend the meetings of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church held in the Pacific 
school-house, on the lower Stockton road, where 
their children also attend school and Sabbath- 
school. They now occupy a good, substantial, 
handsome and convenient home, replacing the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



" cabin " which so long constituted tlie resi- 
dence of tl)e thrifty Mr. Watson in his bachelor 
days. 

— '^■m-^^ — 

fEORGE WILSON, rancher, Brighton 
Township, was born in Greenup County, 
Kentucky, four miles from the Big Sandy 
River, the dividing line between Kentucky and 
Yiiginia, December 8, 1815. His father, 
Thomas Wilson, was born on James River, 
Dinwiddle County, Virginia, and died about 
1845, at the age of sixty-three years. He en- 
tered the war ot 1812 as Orderly Sergeant, and 
was mustered out as Captain. George's mother, 
whose maiden name was Mary Isabelle Pogue, 
was a native also of Greenup County, Ken- 
tucky, and was one of thirteen sons and daugh 
ters. His grandfather, Stephen Wilson, a 
native of Virginia, had seven sons and six 
daughters, the most of whom passed their lives 
in their native State. The eldest of these was 
Thoma?, wiio in 1828 emigrated to Illinois, lo- 
cating in Vermilion County, and in 1836 to 
Iowa County, Wisconsin, and afterward, in 
September, 1837, to Lee County, Iowa, where 
he died. His wife died in Illinois in 1829. In 
their family were four sons and two daughters, 
viz.: Robert, who has resided in Iowa County, 
Wisconsin, ever since 1832; George, Mary 
Isabelle, in Benton County, Oregon; James P., 
in Lane Countj', Oregon; Elizabeth, who died 
in Iowa County, Wisconsin; and Stepiien H., 
who died on the plains during the Pike's Peak 
excitement. George Wilson, our subject, at 
about the age of nineteen years, in company 
with four others, made an exploring expedition 
into Illinois, examining the Rock River region, 
and then Iowa. He located Government land 
in Cedar County, in the latter State. In 1836 
he juade a trip into AVisconsin. Returning to 
his home in Vermillion Count}', ho voted for 
General Harrison for President in 183G, and he 
lias never missed a vote since, not even at minor 
elections. He then sold his Iowa claim and 



bought a quarter-section in Vermillion County, 
and the following March sold it, took teams up 
into Wisconsin, and engaged in hauling lead 
and breaking prairie until the fall, when he went 
to Lee (bounty, Iowa, where he took up land, 
improved it and lived until 1850; and during 
his residence there, February 9, 1838, he mar- 
ried Rhoda C. Kilgore. In 1844, during the 
agitation that existed between the States of 
Iowa and Missouri concerning their boundary 
line, he responded to the call for troops for ten 
days, raising the first battalion company under 
the call, and was on the frontier. No blood was 
shed in that affair, however. At the first elec- 
tion held in his township he was elected town- 
ship clerk; shortly afterward he was elected 
county assessor for two years, and still subse- 
quently school inspector also for two years. He 
was also postmaster of Van Buren postofKce, in 
Lee County, for about seven years. In 1847 he 
raised a company of cavalry for the Mexican 
war, but it was never called into service, as the 
war was soon closed. In 1850, after selling out 
there, he bought three quarter-sections of land 
in Appanoose County, and made his home there 
until he came to California. It was in that 
county, one year before starting to this State, 
that his wife died, April 28, 1851. December 
31, that year, he married again, that time Leaner 
Flinn. Leaving his farm May 5, 1852, he ar- 
rived in this State, October 10, coming overland 
with eight families and a hundred head of stock. 
After passing a month in San Joaquin County 
he came to this county, where he has since re- 
sided excepting one year, from JSIovember 1, 
1854, to about the 1st of November, 1855, in 
Santa Clara County. In the latter year lie 
bought a place on the Sacramento River, and 
about the same time took up 160 acres, where 
he now lives. The former place he sold in 1859. 
For five years he also owned 1,2S0 acres on 
Staten Island. He has since purchased 240 
acres more, of which a part has since been dis- 
posed of. At present he has 240 acres. By 
his first marriage Mr. Wilson had five children: 
Mary Isabelle, Elizabeth E., Cyrus P., Amanda 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO C'OUNTT. 



M. and Matthew K., all born in Iowa. The 
youngest died there; the four others came to 
this State. By the second marriage were born 
Sarah Ann, at Carson Valley; Edwin A., Julia 
F., Dexter T., Ilayden F., Ida May, Georgia 
Ivy, Ulysses Grant and Cerita Alice, all of 
whom are now living in this State. 

— 1->^^>- 

fOSEPH WISE was born in Missouri, April 
1, 1830, his parents being Philip and 
Nancy (James) Wise. The father was 
born in 1802, in North Carolina, whence his 
parents moved in 1807 to Missouri. He was 
three times married, Miss James being his sec- 
ond wife, by whom he had five children. Of 
these three are still living, the subject of this 
sketch being the oldest. Philip Wise lived to 
be sixty-four, and his mother reached the age of 
seventy-five. Joseph Wise came to California 
in 1852, accompanied by his half-brother, 
David, now living near Corning, Tehama County, 
aged sixty-five. They mined five or six months 
in El Dorado County, with no great profit. In 
1853 Joseph Wise came down to the Sacra- 
mento and worked on the place he now owns, 
less than a mile north of Walnut Grove. In 
1856 he bought out the owner's right, and 
eventually perfected title to 304 acres. He had 
an orcliard for fifteen years, but of late years his 
principal industry has been raising beans. He 
is now preparing to plant a new orchard of 
about twenty-five acres along the river front, 
continuing to raise vegetables on the back land. 
Mr. Wise was married October 22, 1856, to Miss 
Nancy Jane Phipps, a native of Indiana, born 
October 22, 1840, daughter of George W. and 
Nancy (Hall) Phipps. The father was a native 
of North Carolina, and tiie mother of Pennsyl- 
vania. The father came to California in 1849, 
and in 1851 went back to Iowa, and returned 
with his family. The mother died in 1854, and 
the father in 1860. Grandfather Phipps died 
in Missouri at a very advanced age, believed to 
liave been 105 years, though a newspaper stated 



it to be 115, perhaps through a typographical 
error. Mr. and Mrs Wise are the parents of 
seven living children: Philip, born October 18, 
1857, married Miss Mary Lucilia P)each, born 
near Freeport, on the Sacramento. They have 
two children: Joseph Clinton, born August 20, 
1886, and a girl baby, born in May, 1888. They 
reside about a mile north of Walnnt Grove- 
Louisa Jane, their second child, is the wife of 
II. T. Lufkin, merchant, Walnnt Grove. Nancy 
Cordelia, born March 27, 1861, is still a faith- 
ful helper to her mother in her liousehold cares. 
Joseph Lincoln, born October 5, 1863, has pre- 
empted 160 acres about four miles from Brad- 
ley, Monterey County; William Francis, born 
November 19, 1865, has biniglit 160 acres near 
his brother, Jessie, born July 16, 1869; and 
David Daniel, July 12, 1876. Mr. Joseph 
Wise has been a school trustee twenty years, but 
has filled no other office, being fully occupied 
with the care of his farm and family. 

iRS. MARV NICHOLS, a ranch-owner 
in Cosnmnes Township, was born in 
Illinois in 1841, her parents being 
Hosea and Freelove (Hawkes) Armstrong. The 
father was a native of Kentucky, and the mother 
was born in Missouri, in 1813, of New England 
parentage. The latter died August 27, 1867; 
the former, November 27, 1870, aged sixty-one. 
Grandfather Joshua Armstrongdied in Kentucky 
at an advanced age, and his fatiier is said to have 
reached nearly 100 years. The subject of this 
sketch came to California with her parents in 
1850. The family lived at Ne/ada City, in this 
State, for a short time, and settled in Amador 
County in 1852. Siie was married April 22, 
1855, to Edwin Nichols, a native of New York 
State, born iii 1830, son of Willard and Elizabeth 
(Jewell) Nichols, both being of New England 
parentage. The father died in Ohio in 1876, 
aged about seventy; and the mother, born about 
1808, is now living* with her son Willard, in 
Kansas. Epwin Nichols came to California in 



IITSTORT OF SACRAMENTO GOUNTT. 



1850; followed mining for about four years, and 
then went to fanning in Amador County. In 
December, 1860, Mr. Nichols bought 240 acres 
on Willow Springs Creek, in the southeast 
corner of the township, 200 of which are still 
in the possession of the family. The land is 
adapted to the raising of any kind of crop known 
to north California husbandry, Mr. Nichols 
died in September, 1875, leaving seven children. 
Charles E., the oldest, died in 1876, aged nine- 
teen. The six children living in 1889 are: 
Albert F., born in December, 1859, married 
Miss Lizzie Kneiss May 29, 1889, and is now 
in business as a blacksmith at lone, California; 
Nellie, April 16, 1862; Clara Belle, August 19, 
1864, now the wife of AVilliani G. Lyn, an 
orchardist of San Bernardino, has one boy, born 
February 7, 1888; Grant, November 5, 1868; 
Emma Lenora, February 17, 1872; Walter Roy, 
April 18, 1873. 



fF. WOODWARD, a pioneer, was born 
December 30, 1827, on the island of 
* Ceylon in the East Indies, where his 
father, William Henry Woodward, a native of 
New Hampshire, had been sent as a missionary 
bythe Board of American Missions. His mother's 
maiden name was Clarissa Emerson. He was 
the oldest of four children, and at the death of 
his father was sent to Chester, New Hampshire, 
and was cared for and educated by his uncle, 
Nathaniel French Emerson, and principal of the 
High School at Chester. At the age of seven- 
teen he left school to learn the trade of brick- 
layer; he served for one year only, and as he 
was troubled with asthma, he went into a store 
in South Boston, Massachusetts. Then he started 
on the long voyage around Cape Horn to Cali- 
fornia in 1849, on Sunday, April 1, on the brig 
Crononicus. He had but a vague notion of 
what lay before him, for it proved a tempestu- 
ous trip, and it was on the 2nd of November 
before they entered the Golden Gate and set 
foot on the sand dunes of San Francisco; but 



the worst feature was that he was entirely out 
of money and a stranger. He found employ- 
ment with a brick mason at $6 per day, but not 
being satisfied with this and having made three 
acquaintances, he started for the mines, via 
Sacramento. They first went to Larkin's Store, 
sixteen miles south of Nevada City, in the Deer 
Creek mining district, but soon started for Gold 
Lake. They packed across the mountains, but 
were driven back by a snow-storm in June; the 
history of these eventful days in the mountains 
■would jiloiie fill a volume, but the scope of this 
work forbids their repetition; suflice it to say 
that at length, weary of that kind of life, he re- 
turned to Sacramento iind resumed work at his 
old trade. In 1855 he began taking contracts 
on his own account, being largely interested in 
bricking up buildings raised to the new grade. 
In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Captain De 
Merrit's company of Sacramento Rangers, Com- 
pany F, Second Cavalry, and did garrison duty 
at San Francisco, being in active service for over 
one year. Mr. Woodward has been twice mar- 
ried ; first in 1858 to Mary F. De Puy, adopted 
daughter of S. F. De Puy, of San Francisco; she 
died in 1858, and in 1863 he was again married, 
to Jane Maria Leet; their children are: Florence 
Annette, Edward Clarence and Blanche Myrtle. 

fAMES B. WELTY, a prominent citizen of 
Sacramento County, was born in William- 
son County, Illinois, April 15, 1832. - His 
father, Jacob Welty, was born near Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania, and was but a child when his 
parents emigrated with him down the Ohio 
River into Kentucky. In 1818 they removed 
to Franklin County, Illinois, into that portion 
which was subsequently set olF as Williamson 
County, with Marion as the county seat. It 
was in that county that he married Mary Ann 
Keaster, whose acquaintance he made in that 
State. They made that their home until they 
came to California, in 1869, and they are now 
living in Lake County. They have six sons 



HISTORY OF SAOEAJifENTO COUNTY 



ami four daughters, of wlioin four are now living, 
viz.: William Bradford, deceased; John Frank- 
lin, who died in infancy; Nancy Eineline, who 
resides at Creal Springs, Williamson County, 
Illinois; Rachel Parmclia, deceased; James B.; 
Madist)n Warren, deceased; Lewis Alexander, 
residing near Lalceport, Lake County, California; 
Levi, who died in childhood; Martha Jane, re- 
siding at Creal Springs; and Mary Elizabeth, 
who died in infancy. Jacob Welty is now 
eighty-nine years of ago, and his wife four years 
younger. Mr. James B. Welty, our subject, in 
his younger days worked on his father's farm, 
and just before he was of age he started, with 
his father's permission, for California. Engag- 
ing as driver of horses and cattle across the 
plains for Darris & Huston, of Platte County, 
Missouri, he left Fort Leavenworth, May 6, 
1853, and arrived in this State September 15. 
In his party were fifty persons and fourteen 
wagons. The journey was comparatively a 
pleasant one. Only one of the party lost his 
life, and he was drowned in Green River. On 
arriving here, Mr. Welty began work on the R 
street levee, at $50 a month and board; but two 
weeks afterward he went down below Sutterville 
and chopped wood all winter for Clarksoti C. 
Freeman. In the spring he came to the city 
and engaged in brick-making for the same man. 
The next winter and for a year longer he cut 
wood again, opposite Sutterville, and then went 
into the wood business with a team and wagon, 
hiring others to cut the wood and taking a part- 
ner, James Ilaworth, and opening a wood-yard 
in Sacramento. Finding this business rather 
unjirofitable in the course of a few months, they 
in company with Michael Shields, purchased the 
lirick-yard ranch, of 120 acres, located below 
Sutterville on the west side of the river. At 
the end of the first year, Welty ■& Haworth 
bought out Shields' interest, and two years 
later Mr. Welty bought out Ilaworth and be- 
came the sole proprietor, remaining so until 
October, 1876. During his residence there lie 
was the witness of many pleasant and some very 
sad scenes. During the floods of 1861-'62 his 



brother Madison Warren was drowned. On 
this ranch Mr. Welty raised a considerable 
quantity of fruit and vegetables. While a resi- 
dent there, May 2, 1871, he married Mary A. 
Bader, in Sacramento city. She was born near 
Cape Girardeau, Missouri. After selling out 
that ranch, in 1870, he bought his present place 
a quarter of a section, in Sutter Township, 
about five miles from Sacramento, between the 
upper and lower Stockton roads, where he is en- 
gaged in general farming. He is a member of ' 
Sacramento Grange, No. 12, and also of Cali- 
fornia Lodge, K. of II., and of Harmony Lodge 
K. & L. of H., all of Sacramento. He has 
always been an industrious, economical, and 
honest citizen and a judicious philanthropist. 
His children are: Mary May, born March 22 
1872; Eugene Edwin, October 8, 1874; and 
James William, February 2, 1883. 

fEORGE S. WILLIAMSON, farmer, was 
born July 22, 1845, in St. Louis, Missouri, 
a son of Peter Thomas and Ruth (Shaw) 
Williamson. His father was born February 
26, 1818, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 
and his mother January 27, 1820, in Lucerne 
County, that State. Parents were married April 
1, 1841, in St. Louis, Missouri, whither Mr. 
Williamson had emigrated at the age of seven- 
teen years. He there learned the carpenter and 
joiner's trade and was employed for a number 
of years by Captain Case, a noted contractor 
and steamboat builder. In 1849 he crossed the 
plains to California, leaving his wife in St. Louis. 
Making his first stop at Nevada City, he opened 
tnere a ten-pin alley. The next year he returned 
East by way of New Mexico, and in 1851 he 
came again to this State with his family, over- 
land. He first settled on the Norris Grant and 
followed teaming. In the meantime he resided 
at several points on the grant. During the flood 
of 1852, while living in what is now the eastern 
part of Sacramento city, their family were res- 
cued from their house by a boat. The water 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



rose to the second-story windows. Their daugh- 
ter Joscaline was born there. The winter of 
1853 they passed on the property now owned 
by D. Cantrell ; and the next spring he settled 
upon the tract wliere he spent the remainder of 
his life, dying there September 6, 1884; his 
wife died October 14, 1875. When he first set- 
tled here the country was a bare plain, with 
scarcely a resident upon it. He was an ingeni- 
ous and industrious man, deliberate in his judg- 
ments, kind in his disposition, and remembered 
with the highest respect by all who were ac- 
quainted with him. In his family were five 
children: Delia, born December 21, 1841, died 
December 31, 1845; Luzette, born September 
12, 1843, died, September 6, 1846; the next 
was George S., whose name heads this article; 
Payne, born October 3, 1848, and died March 
11, 1882; and Joscaline, now the wife of James 
Sales, of Sacramento. George S. still conducts 
the old homestead, which comprises 181 acres. 
The farm of his sister Joscaline consists of 258 
acres. His farm is choice bottom land and in 
good cultivation. Has three acres of fine fruits. 
He is a practical mechanic and engineer. Mr. 
Williamson was married December 11, 1872, to 
Miss Ellen Hanley, a native of Massachussetts. 
He is a member of Elk Grove Lodge, No. 274, 
I. O. O. F., and of Elk Grove Lodge, No. 173, 
F. & A. M. 



ilLLIAM ELWELL EASTMAN was 
born in Vermont in 1828, his parents 
being William Elwell and Mary 
(Walker) Eastman. He is of tiie Concord 
(New Hampshire) branch of the Eastman 
family, his great-grandfather being the first 
male child born in Concord. He lived to a 
good old age, being over eighty when he died. 
Grandfather Phineas Eastman, a blacksmitli by 
trade, moved into Orange County, Vermont, 
and lived to be eigiity; his wife, Lucy Cogs- 
well, was about sixty-five. William E. East- 
man's maternal grandfatiier, Lieutenant Walker, 



of Vermont, was a hero of the Revolution, and 
lived to be seventy -five, dying at the home of 
Mr. Eastman. Grandmother Walker survived 
him ten or twelve years, and was over eighty 
when she died. The mother of the subject of 
this sketch was sixty-five at her death, and the 
father, who kept a grocery store for many years 
at Manchester, reached the age of seventy-nine. 
William E., Jr., spent three or four terms at 
the Canaan Academy, and at the age of nine- 
teen went into his father's store, where he re- 
mained until 1857. He then entered the flour 
and grain business on his own account, running 
a mill and dealing in flour at wholesale. Li 
1865 he moved to Chicago, where he went into 
the retail grocery business, and was burned out 
six years later in the great fire, recovering only 
four and a half per cent, of his insurance. He 
lost everything, house and store, stock and fur- 
niture. Resuming business, he found himself 
crippled through want of adequate capital, and 
in 1875 he came to California and settled at his 
present place, about two miles north of Walnut 
Grove, on the Sacramento. Here he bought 
200 acres at $15 an acre, now assessed at $80. 
He suffered from overflow lor some four years. 
In 1888 he added to his rancii, wliich is now 
about 250 acres. His orchard of ten acres has 
been increased sevenfold, and ofl" his back land 
he sold 1,000 tons of alfalfa in 1888. He raises 
some horses, having usually between thirty and 
forty, and also pastures a good many for others. 
In 1866 Mr. Eastman was married, in Concord, 
New Hampshire, to Miss Lucy Carter, a native 
of that city, daughter of Simeon and Eliza (Ab- 
bott) Carter, tier fatlier, who was a native of 
New Hampshire, died comparatively young, in 
1850; but her mother, also a native of Concord, 
is now living at Hopkins, New Hampshire, 
aged eighty-two, having a sister, Mrs. Mendel 
Sampson, who is eighty-eiglit, both remarkably 
well preserved in mind and body. Her grand- 
mother Carter lived to be eighty-eiglit. Mr. 
and Mrs. East nan are the parents of two chil- 
dren, both born in Chicago: Arthur Carter, 
April 17, 1869; Ella Gibson, August 30, 1874. 



HISTORY OF SAORAMBNTO COUNTY. 



Both children received tlie usual district-school 
education, and the son is a willing helper on the 
farm. 

^-^--^ 



fOHN BLACK, the father of Andrew Black, 
Supervisor of Sacramento, has had an event- 
ful and interesting history, a brief outline 
of which is given below. He was born in 
County Sligo, Ireland, about the year 183G. He 
emigrated with his parents to Toronto, Canada, 
when a boy, and in 1850 we find him a cabin 
boy on one of the lake vessels; later on, before 
the mast in a voyage of six or seven months to 
the Bermudas. He then came to San Francisco 
and obtained employment as a clerk at $150 per 
month. In July, 1851, he came to Sacramento 
and was employed as roustabout in unloading a 
cargo of flour. Whether this early dealing with 
of life had any connection with his 



the 



after occupation, we leave for some other 
chronicler to record; suffice it to say that very 
soon after we And him engaged with William 
Crowley, the joint owner of a lunch stand on 
Front street, between J and K, and doing a 
lucrative business. They called this place the 
Union House, and after eight months of pros- 
perity, sold out just before the great fire of 
1852. Then, securing a contract for furnish- 
ing the Navigation Company, he bought the 
property on L street and started a bakery, and 
for twenty-five years lie continued in the busi- 
ness. In order to supply his trade he bought a 
cracker machine and began the manufacture of 
crackers. In 1862 he moved to his present 
quarters. No. 1119 Front street, putting in the 
most approved machinery, Ruger's Centennial 
Self-Scrapper and Hall Bros.' Reel Oven. His 
trade now e.xtends over the entire coast. In 
1856 Mr. Black was married to Rosa Leavy, a 
native of Ireland, who died in 1883, leaving 
two sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom, 
Andrew Black, is the youngest member of the 
Board of Sup'rvisors of Sacramento County. 
He was born July 12, 1858, in this city, and is 



a graduate of the public schools. He early be- 
came interested in the business of his father, 
and in 1874, after his return from a visit to 
Australia, he settled down to business and was 
foreman of the shop for several years. Although 
a young man, he has already made his mark as 
a politician, being on the County Central Com- 
mittee of his party frem 1884 to 1888, at which 
time he secured the endorsement of his party 
for the office of Supervisor, receiving a hand- 
some majority vote at the ensuing election over 
his Republican competitor, Mr. S. J. Jackson. 



fEORGE DART, M. D., Homeopathic Phy- 
sician, was born at Brockville, on the 
banks of the St. Lawrence River, in Leeds 
County, Canada, February 25, 1828. He re- 
ceived a common-school education there and 
learned the trade of cabinet-maker. He after- 
ward read medicine and studied in the office of 
Dr. I. S. P. Lord, of Batavia, Illinois; took a 
partial course at Rush Medical College, and be- 
gan the practice of his profession in Warren- 
ville, Illinois, and then removed to De Peyster, 
St. Lawrence County, New York, where he 
lived three and a half years. During that time 
he attended the Detroit Homeopathic Medical 
College, and graduated at that institution, Feb- 
ruary 11, 1875. He became a member of the 
American Homeopathic Institute in June of 
that year. For many years the severe northern 
climate of New York had materially affected 
his health, which at length became so much im- 
paired that he was obliged to seek a milder 
climate. Accordingly, in the fall of 1879 he 
came to Sacramento to visit his daughter, Mrs. 
P. F. Pierson, of this city, and was so much 
pleased with the salutary climate here that he 
determined to remain, and opened an office on 
J street, where he remained five years. In the 
spring of 1881 he made a trip East, and return- 
ing in the fall of that year, decided to locate on 
the Bay. He went direct to San Francisco, but 
the humidity of the atmosphere brought on his 



UlSTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



old trouble, bronchitis, and after spending a 
year and a half there he was compelled to aban- 
don a rapidly growing practice and return to 
Sacramento. Here he has had the good fortune 
to regain his health, and speaks highly of the 
advantages of the climate here. The Doctor 
was married in Canada, when twenty-three 
years old, to Miss Orilla Able, whose father was 
a Yankee Quaker. They have three daughters 
and one son. The Doctor has been a careful, 
painstaking student all his life, and well de- 
serves the confidence which his friends repose 
in hiin. He is a gentleman of culture and of 
great urbanity of manner. 



fLISHA DALY, an agriculturist of Center 
Township, was born November 23, 1823, 
in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, son of John R. 
and Hannah (Doyle) Daly, the father also a 
native of that State, and the mother of Delaware; 
both lived and died in Harrisburg, Pennsylva- 
nia's capital, and both at the age of about thirty- 
two years. There were five children in the 
family: John R.,Eli8ha, Mary S., Elizabeth, and 
William, who died in Placerville. Mr. Daly, 
whose name heads this sketch, is a carpenter by 
trade. He worked in a woolen factory when a 
boy. In 1844 he went to Rock Island, Illinois, 
and worked at his trade there ten years, in com- 
pany with his brother John R. In 1854 he 
came to this State, being four months on the 
way and stopping first at Placerville. He spent 
six months on Schofield's ranch on Dry Creek; 
then he purchased property on Thirteenth and 
K streets, Sacramento, and resided there until 
1859, teaming; and tlien he moved up on his 
present property in Center Township, fourteen 
miles northeast of Sacramento and eight miles 
from Folsom. Tliere are 472 acres in the ranch, 
which is in the best farming district in the 
township. He has been justice of the peace in 
this township. He is a member of Roseville 
Grange, No. 161, and politically is a Republi- 
can. In 1853 he married Miss Eliza Ramsey, 



of Davenport, Iowa, and a native of Ireland, and 
they have thirteen children, viz.: Elisha R., 
Jane E., wife of Charles W. Summers, of Sacra- 
mento; Hannah, wife of Jonathan Churchman, 
of Sacramento; Louis S., Josephine E., Mar- 
garet P., wife of Charles Johnston; George W.; 
Mary R., a school teacher; Engene M., Emma 
H., John S., Arabella C. and Minerva C. George 
and Louis are proprietors of a general store in 
Antelope, where they have also the postotiice, 
telegraph otfice, and the express business of the 
Wells-Fargo Company. Mr. Daly, who is quite 
feeble, still manages his own affairs. Mrs. Daly's 
father still lives in Rock Island, at the age of 
ninety years. She visited her Eastern home in 
June, 1885, but says she is content to remain 
in California the rest of her life. Captain J. 
Daly, grandfather of Elisha, was a native of 
Ireland, a sea captain, and died at New Orleans. 
He was the owner of sea vessels in 1812, during 
the war with Great Britain. 



fOHN C. DOLSON, a San Joaquin Town- 
ship rancher, was born in Orange County, 
New York, April 7, 1823, a son of Freder- 
ick and Margaret (Moore) Dolson. His father 
was a native of Germany and a farmer by occu- 
pation, and in his family were five sons and four 
daughters. He died at the age of fifty-one years, 
and his wife at the age of sixty years, in Orange 
County, New York. Mr. Dolson, of this sketch, 
was brought up on the farm and came to Cali- 
fornia in 1850, by way of Panama, being three 
months on the route. He followed mining four 
years at Pilot Hill, near Georgetown, but he did 
not make much money, although the mines had 
been very rich. In 1854 he returned to Orange 
County, New York, again by way of the Isth- 
mus; and during this year he was married to 
Hannah O'Conor, a native of Ireland. In 1855 
he came again to this State and resumed mining 
for two years on the American River, with 
rather poor success. In 1857 he settled on his 
present ranch, a half mile from Elk Grove, and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



liere he has prospered as a general farmer, as he 
lias well deserved to do. lie lias eight children, 
in the following order: Oscar J., horn Octoliei' 
1, 1855; John J., November 17, 1857; David 
r., January 4, 1861; Maggie M., May 4, 1863; 
Willie, May 22, 1865; Mary E., August 23, 
1869; Alice E., December 31, 1871; and Joseph 
II., October 23, 1874. 

fEORGE HARVEY KERR was born Oc- 
tober 1, 182U, in Washington County, 
Pennsylvania. (For his ancestry, see sketch 
of Josepli Hampton Kerr, elswhere in this work.) 
He had the advantage of the public schools of 
Mercer County, where his parents moved when 
lie was three years old, and also of the academy 
at West Greenville, county seat. From there 
he went to Jefferson College, located at Can- 
iionsburg, which was afterward removed to 
Washington and consolidated with the college 
tliere. At intervals between his schooling and 
after leaving school he learned the carriage- 
making trade, serving an apprenticeship and 
following the business three years. April 15, 
1852, he determined to come to California, and 
accordingly made his way to New York, where 
he took the steamer Illinois to Panama, and 
from there to San Francisco the ill-fated vessel 
Golden Gate. lie was taken sick on the way; 
lay in Sacramento State Hospital for thirteen 
weeks, a private patient, paying $3 a day. He 
spent the summer of 1853-'54 teaching school 
at Diamond Spring, El Dorado County, lie 
came to Elk Grove and took up a quarter-sec- 
tion of Government land in 1854. In 1857 he 
started a fruit-growing business, and in con- 
nection witli that farming. Believing that fruit 
cannot be grown successfully without irrigation, 
lie lias in general used that method except for 
grapes, and been successful. He has ten acres 
devoted to orcliards of various kinds of fruits, 
and fifty acres are devoted to vineyard, — two- 
thirds table and raisin grapes and the remain- 
der wine grapes. Has cured his own grapes for 



the past twelve years, and the best judges say 
that there are no better raisins produced in the 
State of California than the Elk Grove. Mr. 
Kerr is a member of the First Presbyterian 
Ciiurch at Elk Grove, having first joined the 
church in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in 
1845. He took an active interest in building 
the church property and the Grange Hall. One 
of tlie first things he was interested in on com- 
ing to Elk Grove was establishing Sunday- 
schools at San Joaquin. Politically he is a 
Republican, and has voted for every Republican 
Presidential candidate since that party has 
been established. He was married in 1864 to 
Mrs. Mary Springsted, a native of Aylmer, 
Canada. She was a widow with two children, 
both of whom are married and residing at Elk 
Grove. 



fAMES M. FRALEY was born in Maryland, 
November 24, 1827, his parents being 
Frederick and Ellen (McIIenry) Fraley, 
both natives of Frederick County, Maryland. 
They were the parents of nine children, all now 
deceased e.xcept tlie subject of this sketch and a 
younger sister, Mrs. Dr. iivart, of Baltimore. 
The father had learned the trade of wagon-maker, 
at which he worked for some years in Frederick 
and Cumberland. About 1840 he moved into 
Alleghany County, Maryland, where he owned 
a farm and kept a public house. He had been 
reared on a farm until the age of eighteen. 
James M. was educated in the district schools to 
the age of fifteen, supplemented by a two years' 
course in a high school. At the age of seven- 
teen he was employed in driving iiis father's 
team, usually from Cumberland to Brownsville, 
and sometimes to Wheeling, besides helping 
occasionally in farm work. In 1849 his mother 
died, and the family was soon scittered into four 
or five States. James M. went peddling with a 
team, dealing mostly in copper kettles, for a 
manufacturer in Cumberland, and remained in 
tiiat business until February 1, 1852. He then 



niSTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



went to Wliiteliall, Greene Count}', Illinois, 
where he had three married sisters, and spent a 
year there. On March 29, 1853, in company 
with Dr. Boyse, of Wiiitehall, and some others, 
he set ont for California. The party comprised 
ten men and six women, with four wagons 
drawn by ox teams. At St. Joe, Missouri, they 
joined a larger party, but soon separated and 
proceeded by themselves, suffering no special 
inconvenience They came by the old emigrant 
route to Carson Valley, and then by Johnson's 
cut-ofF into California. They arrived at Ris- 
tine's ranch, just eight miles below Sacramento, 
having been si* months in making the journey. 
For a month or two he drove a team for $75 a 
month, but was taken sick with typhoid fever, 
and for four months was unable to work. Early 
in 1854 he went to work for the California 
Stage Compan}', taking care of their horses, at 
which he was employed for nine months, when 
he was again taken sick. In 1855 he engaged 
in farming on the shares, putting about 165 acres 
in grain which was destroyed by the grasshop- 
pers, involving a loss of quite a sum of money 
and his time. In 1856 he went to work for A. 
M. Plummer, who kept a public-honse on the 
old Jackson road, about thirteen miles from 
Sacramento, remaining with him about three 
and one-half years. In 1860 he purchased an 
outfit and went to teaming, chiefly over the 
mountains into Nevada. In 1865 he bought a 
farm of 320 acres, near the Twelve-Mile House, 
but continued teaming until 1869, after which 
he gave undivided attention to his ranch until 
he sold it in 1879. He kept the Twelve-Mile 
House two years, when he sold out and moved 
into Sacramento, where he kept a saloon for 
nearly two years. November 1, 1882, he rented 
the Slough House, about eighteen miles from 
that city, which he still conducts. Mr. Fraley 
was iirst married, in 1848. to Miss Sarah Ellen 
Lawson, a native of Maryland, and daughter of 
a farmer on the Potomac. She died ten months 
later of childbirth, the child also dying. In 
December, 1881, he was again married, to Miss 
Addie Laurell, a native of Portland, Maine. 



She died in March, 1885, without issue, leaving 
him again alone in the world. 

fEWELL*KANE was born July 1, 1842, in 
St. Joseph County, Indiana, his parents 
being Newell and Arminda (Stiles) Kane. 
His father spent his boyhood days, up to Octo- 
ber 4, 1826, in Raleigh, North Carolina, where 
he was born April 27, 1802, and there learned 
the millwright's trade; then moved to Detroit, 
where he was married February 16, 1832; 
thence went to Jonesville, ninety miles from 
Detroit, and bought a farm, which he cultivated, 
at the same time working at his trade. He 
built a mill in Homer and lived there a short 
time, then moved to Marshall, and in 1840 went 
to St. Joseph County, Indiana. He bought land 
in Noble County a? a speculation. Prom Indi- 
ana he returned to Michigan and resided on his 
farm of 320 acres until the winter of 1851-'52, 
when, having caught the gold fever, he sold out 
and started for California, January 1. He sailed 
from New York via Panama, on the steamer 
Pioneer, and landed in San Francisco on the 6th 
of March from the steamer Golden Gate. He 
went immediately to Sacramento, thence to Mor- 
mon Island, where he kept hotel through the sum- 
mer. In 1853 he returned to Sacramento for 
the purpose of going into business, but the 
flood prevented him from so doing. Going to 
Brighton Township, he bought 205 acres of 
land, the locality then being called the Thirty- 
mile Desert, owing to the scarcity of water from 
Sacramento to the foot-hills sotne thirty miles 
distant. The land was covered with brush and 
trees, mostly white oak, and wild animals were 
plentiful, the California lion and wild cattle 
causing at times great fear among the settlers. 
He worked upon the place, cultivating and im- 
proving it to what it now is. August 28, 1887, at 
the age of eighty- si.x years, he died. Mrs. Kane, 
his wife, was born in Palmyra, New York, April 
2, 1813, and came with her parents, David and 
Elizabeth (who was of Scotch descent, daughter 



niSTOBT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ot'-lolu) Cutnmings, wlio was at one time sheriff 
of New York) Stiles, to Michigan. Slie is of a 
liardy race; her great-grand I'atlier Stiles came 
over in the Mayflower; her grandfather lived to 
the age of 115 years; and her father, David 
Stiles, lived to the age of 107 years, and the 
year before he died could put his hand on a 
seven-rail fence and juinp over ii! Other mem- 
bers of the family also lived to a good old age. 
She died July 8, 1889, gangrene having set in 
in her right foot, and alter suflfering great pain 
for months, lier foot decaying by inches until 
amputation became necessary, after which she 
survived but a short time. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Kane are: Maria Louise, who, a 
few days before her death and while she was 
then conlined to her deathbed, wrote the follow- 



ig poem : 



MY IJDUIAI,. 



Where shall the dead and the beautiful sleep* 
In the vale where the willow and cypress weep; 
Where the wind of the west breathes its softest sigb, 
Where the silvery stream is floating nigh, 
And the pure clear drops Of the rising spray 
Glitter like gems in the bright noon's rays; 
Where the sun's warm smile may never dispel 
Night's tears o'er the form they loved so well ; 
111 the vale where the sparitling waters flow; 
Where the fairest, earliest violets grow. 
Bury me where my sister lies, 
Bury me there beneath the skies. 

Where shall the dead and the beautiful sleep V 
Where the wild flowers bloom in the valley deep; 
Where the sweet robes of spring may softly rest 
In purity o'er the sleeper's breast; 
Where is heard the voice of the sinless dove, 
Murmuring gently its soft note of love; 
Where no column proud in the sun may glow. 
To mock the heart that is resting below ; 
Wliere pure hearts are sleeping forever blest; 
Where the wandering Peri love to rest; 
Where the sky and the earth are softly fair, — 
Bury me there, bury me there 

Sylvina Josephine, born March 8, 1835, and died 
February 17, 1853, in Sacramento; Edward, 
born March 2, 1837, died February 5, 1853, in 
Sacramento; Delia Caroline, born July 14, 
1839, died August 8, 1841; Theodore F., born 
June 4, 1845, and now resident in Portland, 
Oregon: Alfred, born December 13, 1847, died 



September 12, 18G2, on the farm; Maria Caro- 
line, born October 15, 1849, wife of W. W. 
Brison, of Sacramento. Newell Kane, Jr., coin- 
meiiced to earn his own way in the world when 
eighteen years of age. He took 300 acres of 
land, ill 1860, adjoining tlie home place, and 
afterward bought 500 more, east of the home 
place, called the Oak Tree Farm. In 1878 he 
disposed of it and moved to Sacramento, where 
he bouglit property on the corner of Seven- 
teenth and J streets, and lived there till the 
summer of 1879. Then he inoved to Oakland 
and resided there about three years. Next he 
took a trip to Washington Territory, up the 
Skagit River, during the gold excitement at 
that place. Frotii there he wandered to Port- 
land, Oregon; stopped there a short time and 
then returned to Oakland, where he kept hotel 
about two years. Then he sold out his business 
and removed to Idaho, where he speculated 
somewhat in town and mining property. He 
made his liome there about one year, when he 
returned to California, and has made Sacramento 
County his home ever since. He has been at 
the home farm since his father's death. He was 
married on April 16, 1865, to Miss Franeelia 
Ann Hatch, daughter of N. V. Hatch, of Sacra- 
mento city. They have three children: Joseph- 
ine Eunice, born October 21, 1868, now the 
wife of Montgomery Pike, of Santa Maria, 
Santa Barbara County; Arthur Edward, born 
October 16, 1869; May Louise, born February 
19, 1872. 



^ 



mON. REUBEN KERCHEVAL, deceased, 
^m\ the subject of this sketch, was born in 
"Wi Ohio, in December, 1820, his. parents be- 
ing Louis and Mary (Runyon) Kercheval. The 
father was born in Virginia about 1796, and 
rendered some service in the war of 1812. The 
mother was a Ke ituckian. Grandtather James 
Kercheval, by birth a Virginian, moved with 
his family into Kentucky, and his son, Louis, 
was there married. The Kerchevals are of 



nisrOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Huguenot extraction, their ancestor, Louis, 
leaving France upon the revocation of the edict 
of Nantes. He found refuge in Switzerland, 
then in England, aid finally in America. He 
was of Dijon family, whose castle on the liliine 
was in existence as late as 1854. The name 
denotes horse-lover, the initial C being changed 
to K for euphony. The parents of Reuben 
Kercheval moved from Kentucky to Ohio about 
1818, and thence to Will County, Illinois, in 
1830. The pon's formal education consisted of 
a single term in a district school, but being fond 
of reading he became a well-informed man on 
general topics and public affairs. He came to 
California in 1850, and tried mining for six 
weeks. Reared on a farm he discarded the 
uncongenial business of mining, and with his 
brotiier, Albert F., now of Los Angeles, settled 
on Ryer Island, on the Sacramento, before the 
close of 1850. After a few years he and his 
father bought tiie place on Grand Island, and 
subseque itly he bought out his brother's inter- 
est, and became owner of 334 acres, in one body, 
at the head of Grand Island. In 1856 he vis- 
ited his old home in Will County, Illinois, re- 
maining several months. In June, 1857, Mr. 
Kerciieval was there married to Miss Margaret 
Brodie, born in Ohio, daughter of Clement and 
Sarah( White) Brodie, who afterward settled in 
Will County, Illinois. They were the parents of 
live daughters and one son: the latter, Robert 
John, of New Lenox, Illinois, died in Decem- 
ber, 1872, leaving three children: E-ther, John 
Clement and Sadie. One daugliter is also de- 
ceased, leaving three sisters of Mrs. Kercheval 
still living in 1889: Sarah E., now Mrs. A. 
Smith, of New Lenox; Mrs. Maria Page, of 
Joiiet; and Mrs. Louisa Stevens, of St. Paul 
Minnesota. Grandfather Robert Brodie was a 
Scotch emigrant, and tiie father of four sons: 
Clement, the father of Mrs. Kerciieval; James, 
an export in diving, lost his life in the exercise 
of his ciUing; Joseph, who died young in the 
fifties; John, who died at Lafayette, Indiana, in 
1885, aged eighty-two. Thomas, the youngest 
son of John, served in the Union army, in the 



Civil War of the Republic, is now a member of 
the Gratid Army, and lives with his family 
near Williamsport, Indiana. Grandfather John 
White, who died in the girlhood of his daugh- 
ter Sarah, was the son of an English emigrant. 
Another son, known as Judge White, lived near 
Whiteleysburg, Delaware, where also one or two 
of the older sisters of Mrs. Kercheval were born, 
her only brother being born in Columbus, Ohio, 
lierself at Qrbana, in that State, and the younger 
sisters in Wells County, Indiana. Soon after 
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Kerche- 
val they set out for California, arriving on 
Grand Island, in August, 1857, where they con- 
tinued to reside together for nearly twenty-four 
years. Later on public duties shared in Mr. 
Kercheval's time and attention, with his busi- 
ness of fruit-grower and the cares of his family. 
He was elected to the Legislature for two 
terms, 1872-73 and 1877-78. He was also a 
Mason, and at one time Master of Franklin 
Lodge,' as well as fourth officer, and a thirty- 
second degree member of the Scottish Rite 
'Consistory of California. Mr. Kercheval died 
in May, 1881, leaving four children, born on 
Grand Island: James Louis, in 1858; Howard 
Douglas, in 1860; Josephine, in 1865; Hartley, 
in 1868. Besides the usual local schooling, all 
the children have been given the opportunity of 
a higher education: James L. at the California 
Military Academy; Howard D. at the Cali- 
fornia Military Academy, then at the Berkeley 
Gymnasium, and finally in the University of 
California; Josephine at the Irving Institute, 
then as -pupil of Professor Michelson, then in 
crayon portraiture and music, as pupil of Pro- 
fessor Hartinann, and in 1889 as a member of 
the class of Mrs. Fish, — all of San Francisco; 
Hartley, at Sackett's Academy in Oakland. 
James L. was inirried in 1885 to Miss Nellie 
Kelly, of San Francisco, where he is employed 
as freight clerk of tiie steamer J. D. Peters. 
Howard D. was married in 1882 to Miss Mattie 
Stewart Barkley, of Sacramento. They have 
three boys: Reuben, born in 1883; Elbert, in 
1885; and Howard Gholdsen, February 12, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



1888. Mr. H. D. Kercheval was for some years 
in the service of the California Transportation 
Company, and in 1889 is deputy assessor of 
Sacramento Connty, and trustee of Grand Island 
Reclamation District No. 3. Hartley was 
married to Miss Mamie Hall, of Grand Island, 
in May, 1889. Since the death of Mr. Reuben 
Kercheval the estate has been enlarged under 
the able management of his widow, Mrs. Mar- 
garet B. Kercheval. She has purchased eighty 
acres three miles below, and sixty-eight two 
miles farther. She has erected a handsome 
two-story residence, now occupied hy Howard 
D., about a mile below the family mansion at 
the head of the Island, and more recently a less 
pretentious, but scarcely less elegant, one-story 
and basement cottage, on the eighty- two acre 
place, now occupied by Hartley. The new pur- 
chase, live miles below, is being cleared of tim- 
ber, and will be all planted before the close of 

1889. There are now about seventy acres of 
orchard on the other ranches. The year 1889 
is also signalized by a combined effort to fully 
reclaim the whole island, in which work Mrs. 
Kercheval is actively interested. With untir- 
ing industry and a business ability truly re- 
markable in a lady, Mrs. Kercheval is ever 
busily engaged in enlarging, improving and 
beautifying her landed possessions. 



^ICIIAEL KEEFE, an extensive farmer 
six miles south of Sacramento, was born 
in P'ort Carrington Township, Franklin 
County, New York, October 4. 1841. His 
parents were John and Margaret (Murphy) 
Keefe, natives of Ireland. Three weeks after 
their marriage in 1835, they came to America, 
landing at Quebec. Thence they went to New 
York State by way of Montreal and Lachine. 
Mr. Keefe had a brother in Franklin County, 
New York, and after sojourning with him f.n- a 
while settled upon a place of his own. He died 
in 1868, at the age of sixty-seven years. His 
widow is still living there, at the age of seventy- 



six years. In John's father's family were six 
children: David, John, Daniel, Michael, Mat- 
thew, and Mary, all of whom are now dead. 
John Keefe had twelve children: two died in 
infancy, and those who grew up are David, 
Johanna, Bridget, Michael, Mary, Margaret, 
Abigail, Daniel, Katie and John. X\\ these are 
living excepting Bridget, who died in Wiscon- 
sin. The others are scattered over the United 
States, two of them — John and Micliael — being 
in this county. Mr. Michael Keefe, whose 
name heads this notice, has made his own way 
in the world since he became of age without a 
dollar of help from anybody. He packed pork 
four months in Chicago; worked for Isaiah 
Strong, a cattle-dealer in La Salle County, Illi- 
nois, ten months; then he visited a point above 
Green Bay, Wisconsin, where his sister had just 
died; then in Chicago again for a short time 
during the cold storm of the winter of 1864; 
then worked a short time for Abner Strong, 
brother of Isaiah, La Salle County; then, on 
account of the sickness of his father, he returned 
to New York and remained there with his par- 
ents until May 19, 1864, when he started for 
California. He sailed upon the steamer Illinois 
to Panama, having some trouble to effect a 
landing, hs it was during the war; and on the 
steamer America to San Francisco, landing there 
June 27. For a short time he worked for 
Colonel McNasser, in Franklin Township, this 
county, and then for Silas Carle, Mr. West, 
William Curtis in Sacramento, H. Wittenbrock, 
and then Mr. Curtis again until 1871. He then 
married Nora Egan, and continued to make his 
home there lor two years. His eldest son, 
John, was born there, February 3, 1874. He 
next moved upon the place owned by Oliver C. 
Carroll and lived there a year and a half; then, 
in 1875, he moved into Sacramento for four 
months. His second son, George Michael, was 
born there, October 3, 1875. He then bought 
a half interest in the Hayne & Cheney ranch 
and moved upon it December 4, that year. 
There his third son, Daniel Stanislaus, was born, 
September 1, 1877, and his fourth child, Mar- 



lllSTOUr UF SACRAMENTO VOUAXXr. 



517 



garet Ann, July 13, 1881. December 22 of the 
latter year he moved upon his present place, 
which he bought in January, 1881, and wliicli 
contains 200 acres. It is bounded by botii the 
upper and the lower Stockton roads, a .d is six 
miles from the city limits. His fine residence 
there was completed in March, 1883. His 
interest in the Ilayne & Cheney ranch consists 
of 402^ acres; and he began life here with 
nothing. He devotes liis attention to general 
farming and stock-raising, especially horses, — 
work Jiorses and roadsters. 



fOSEPH HxiMPTO?^ KERR. This gentle- 
man's father, Samuel Kerr, was born in 
New Jersey, probably in Newark. When 
be was a boy his father's family moved to 
Washington County, Pennsylvariia, and in 
Cannonsburg, that county, he, Samuel, learned 
the blacksmiths' trade. The ancestry of the 
Kerr family are from Scotland. His great- 
grandfather, Nevin, came from County Antrim, 
Ireland, to America when his (Samuel's) grand- 
father was a boy. He was of Scotch descent. 
Samuel Kerr, who was born in 1785, moved 
from Washington County to Mercer County, 
same State, and died there September 12, 1844, 
and his wife survived several years. He first 
married October 6, 1814, Margaret McGregor, 
who died October 21, 1820, and had three chil- 
dren, namely: Margaret, born October 15, 1815, 
and still living, in Missouri: Lewis Hampton, 
born April 3, 1818, and now deceased; and 
Samuel, born December 27, 1819, also now 
deceased. Mr. Kerr's second wife, nee Jane 
Nevin, was born February 10, 1799, and died 
January 12, 1867. By the second marriage 
there were ten children, namely: John Nevin, 
born July 22, 1822; Joseph Hampton, March 
18, 1824; Mary Jane, November 1, 1825, and 
died December 12, 1886; Andrew Wiley, born 
July 12, 1827; A. W. Kerr has taught in the 
public school of California thirty-two years; 
George Harvey, October 1, 1829; Martha M., 



February 5, 1832; Sarah . Elizabeth, February 
27, 1834; Charlotte Isabel, October 27, 1836; 
Samuel M., February 8, 1839; Robert Alex- 
ander, October 14, 1841. All these except one 
are still living, and four of them residing in 
California. The subject of this sketch resided 
in Pennsylvania until the spring of 1852, when 
he came to California, leaving New York April 
27, on the steamer Ilias, in company with his 
brother, George H., a sketch of whom is given 
in this volume. At Panama he took the steamer 
Golden Gate and reached San Francisco May 27, 
and Sacramento the next day. He followed his 
trade, blacksmithing, in Nevada County, until 
1856, in September of which year he located at 
old Elk Grove, which was then a postoffice and 
stage station. There he bought a squatter's 
title to a quarter-section of l%id, and afterward 
he purchased the tract. A wai-rant was depos- 
ited in the general land office in favor of Lieu- 
tenant John McDowell, a veteran of the Mexican 
war, who in turn assigned the land to Joseph 
H. Kerr. On this place Mr. Kerr has been en- 
gaged principally in raising hay and fruit. Has 
had two orchards His present young orchard 
of four acres is an unusually promising one. In 
the vineyard are about twelve acres; and on the 
premises are many tine shade and ornamental 
trees, among them some orange trees nine to 
ten years old, the varieties being the Navel and 
Mediterranean Sweet. One, a seedling, was set 
out twenty years ago. A thrifty palm, nine and 
a half feet round and twenty-five feet liigh, 
flourishes in the front yard, set out in the spring 
of 1878. The handsome residence was erected 
in 1877, at a cost of $3,000. Mr. Kerr's ambi- 
tion leads him to excel in the care of his prem- 
ises, and indeed to success in all his undertak- 
ings. He is fond of the chase, and sometimes 
takes trips to the mountains to fish, hunt, and 
recreate generally. Both himself and wife are 
leading stockholders in the Elk Grove Building 
Association. Politically Mr. Kerr has always 
been a Republican. His first Presidential vote was 
cast for Zachar}' Taylor, and lie has lost only two 
Presitletitial vt)tos. He was married December 



umrouY OF sachaajknto county. 



28, 1858, to Angelinje Worthington, a native of 
Juckson County, Iowa, and they have two cliil- 
dron: James Harry and Eva. 



fAMES W. KILGORE, fanner, Brighton 
Township, was born in Lee County, Iowa, 
May 30, 1840, a son of Matthew and Massa 
(McGuire) Kilgore, the former a native of Ross 
County, Ohio, the latter also a native of Ohio. 
Ilannali Gilgore. aunt of James W., was the 
second white child born in that county, namely, 
where Cliillicothe now is, January 18, 1799. 
Mattiiew resided in that county until 1827, when 
he moved to Tippecanoe County, Indiana; in 
1837 he removed to Lee County, Iowa, and in 
1852 he came to ttdifornia, by way of Council 
Bluffs, crossing the Missouri River on the 23d 
of May and arriving here October 10. He 
brought his family here in 1852, making both 
trips across the plains. The second time he was 
with a large train, starting with thirteen wagons, 
and they were six months on the journey, but 
had no special trouble. Anjongthe party were 
George and James Wilson, of Oregon. The 
family then consisted of five children: George, 
since deceased; Teresa, who married James 
Wilson and has since died; Elizabeth, David 
and James. The eldest son, William, had pre- 
ceded them to this State in 1850, with his father. 
They first located in Yolo County, on the Sacra- 
mento River, fifteen miles below Sacramento; 
in the spring of 1853 they moved to Santa Clara 
County, and in 1855 returned to this county. 
From 1858 to 18G4 they were residents again in 
Yolo County, and then finally settled in this 
county'. Matthew Kilgore died March 16, 1882, 
at tlie age of eighty-one years. His wife died 
April 8, 1875, at the age of seventy-seven years. 
Of the family three are now living — David, 
Elizabeth and James. The latter was twelve 
years old when he came to this State, and re- 
mained with his parents until their death. The 
home place originally contained 324 acres, of 
which seventy-seven acres now belong to James 



in Brighton Township, and eighty acres in Lee 
Township. Elizabeth married Archibald Cris- 
well, and they have four children: Alice, wife 
of W. F. Biyan; Martha, William and George, 

all residents of this counly. 



^wS- 



fOHN A. GRAHAM, the genial liost of the 
American Exciiange Hotel, in Folsom, is a 
native of Tippecanoe, Harrison County, 
Ohio, being born there March 23, 1849. His 
father, John Graham, a pioneer of this State, 
was a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, edu- 
cated there, and moved into Ohio about 1842. 
where lie married Sarah J. Dicks, a native of 
that State, whose parents se'tled there when it 
was a wilderness. John Graham vvas a justice 
of the peace in Tippecanoe, and made his home 
there until 1849, when he came overland to Cali- 
fornia. He mined on Feather River, near Oro- 
ville, accumulated a little fortune, returned to 
Ohio in the fall of 1850, and in 1853 brought 
his family here by water, lauding in San Fran- 
cisco December 17. lie went to the mines in 
El Dorado County, where he owned some valu- 
able ditch property, and engaged in keeping 
hotel, conducting it as long as the mining camp 
continued there — four years. Then he pur- 
chased the hotel called the White House, on the 
Wire Bridge and Placerville Road, and kept 
that hostelry twelve years, or up to within a 
short time of liis death, which occurred April 5, 
1873, when he was aged fifty-eight years, and 
engaged in the live-stock business. His wife 
died in 1869. In John Graham's family were 
nine children, of whom seven are now living, all 
residents of this State. John A. Graham, our 
subject, was four years old when brought by his 
parents to this State in 1858. When of age he 
attended the San Jose Institute, then clerked 
in a dry-goods and grocery store in Yountville, 
Napa County, for R. K. Berry, two years. Upon 
the death of his father he returned home and 
took charge of the estate. For the ensuing 
thirteen years he conducted the hotel at Shingle 



UIHTOUr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Springs, El Dorado County. Xext he went to 
Lake Talioe and invested in a resort there, which 
proved unprofitable, and he came to Folsoni and 
leased the American Exchange Hotel, the lead- 
ini^ commercial and family hotel in the place. 
He is a whole-souled, accommodating and kind 
host, thoroughly understanding how to make 
his guests comfortable and contented. His pat- 
ronage is steadily increasing. As to the frater- 
nities, he is an Odd Fellow often years' standing, 
being now a member of Cosumnes Lodge, No. 
63, of Latrobe, El Dorado County, and at the 
last session of the Grand Lodge held at San 
Francisco he represented his lodge. He was 
married in 1877 to Miss Amelia Meyer, a native 
of Shingle Springs, and they have four children: 
Albert Herman, Edwin Laurin, Ira Morrill and 
Hazel Rae. 

fOHN WESLEY HEATH, merj3hant and 
postmaster at Michigan Bar, Cosumnes 
Township, was born in Adams County, In- 
diana, November 18, 1846, his father being 
George W. Heath (see sketch). John W. 
Heath came to California in 1854, aid received 
a fair education in the district schools. He did 
some mining for wages when a young man, but 
was chiefly employed as clerk. In 1877 he be- 
came junior partner in the Arm of West & 
Heath, dealers in general merchandise, and was 
appointed postmaster in October of that year. 
Since 1885 he has been sole proprietor of the 
business, and is owner of the store and some 
other buildings with the acre and a half on which 
they stand, besides forty-four acres outside the 
village. Mr. Heath was married in 1873 to 
Miss Elizabeth C. Brown, a native of Arkansas, 
daughterof James M. and Felicia (Carter) Brown. 
The family came to California in 1854; the 
mother died in 1887; the father is still living on 
his place about two miles from Michigan Bar, 
aged sixty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Heath are the par- 
ents of six living children: Nettie Bernice, born 
December 25, 1877; Lena Maud, April 19, 



1879; Myrtle Elizabeth, December 17, 1881; 
Edna Alice, December 25, 1883; George Mon- 
roe, October 12, 1885; John Edward, February 
13, 1887; Bertha Felicia, October 11, 1888, died 
June 21, 1889. 

'^^r^ 

Jj^ J. JACKSON, deceased, formerly a rancher 
iBll ^" ^*^" Joaquin Township, was born Feb- 
-^* ruary 12, 1819, on the sea, being the son 
of a sea captain, and was brought up in Penn- 
sylvania near the Susquehanna River. When 
he was about sixteen years of age his parents 
removed with him to Upper Canada, where they 
resided about four years. July 12, 1840, he 
married Catharine Kennedy, a native of Maine. 
After a residence on the Detroit River, near 
Detroit, Michigan, three years, he moved in 
October, to Iowa, settling in Jackson County, 
nearthe Mississippi River. April IG, 1861, he 
started overland for this coast, and arrived in 
Sacramento September 15. He located almost 
immediately upon the ranch in San Joaquin 
Township where he spent the remainder of his 
days, dying July 27, 1866. He had five sons 
and four daughters: James Thomas, Mallet 
Case, Henry William, Hattie, wife of Wesley 
Simons, 1708 N street, Sacramento, Mary Ann, 
wife of L. S. Dart, Joseph Edward, Kate, wife 
of William Johnston, Nannie, wife of Fred 
French, and Jack Lincoln, — all residing in this 
county. 



►>^ 



fOSEPH HULL was born January 24, 1813, 
in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio. 
His grandfather Hull was a native of New 
York State; after his marriage he removed to 
Ohio, settliiig where Steubenville now is before 
Ohio was even a part of the Northwest Terri- 
tory. He had seven children, of whom Joseph, 
the father of our subject, was the third; he 
was born in 1792; married Jane Luckey, also a 
native of Steubenville. When tiio subject of 



HltiTOBT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



our sketch was two years old liis father removed 
to Zanesville, Oliio; thence, ir 1825 to Cler- 
mont County, eighteen miles east of East Cin- 
cinnati. Jose I h Hull, our subject, here learned 
his father's trade, saddle-making, but as it did 
not suit him he began teaching school, which, 
as he says, did not require much education at 
that time. He was examined by the school 
board and was given a certificate to teach, which 
he did for five years. Upon leaving Ohio he 
was given the following endorsement, dated 
Perin's Mills, Clermont County, Oliio: 

"To whom it may concern: — We, the un- 
dersigned, citizens of Clermont County, take 
pleasure in recommending the bearer, Joseph 
Hull, Jr., to their attention as an honest, sober, 
industrious and worthy man, worthy of the con- 
fidence of any community, having proved him- 
self as such to our entire satisfaction after an 
acquaintance of more than twenty years. 

"Harvey Pkrin. 

•'John Williams. 

''John Hall. 

"CoLTON Spence, M. D.'' 
About 1S40 he became a member of a rifle 
company, and occupied the position three or 
four years. August 21, 1844, he received a 
commission from M. Bartley, then Governor of 
Ohio, as Major of the First Rifle Regiment, 
Third Brigade, and Eighth Division of the State 
Militia for the term of six years; he took the 
oathof office, but resigned his commission thefol- 
lowing year when he left the State. April, 1845, 
he determined to go to Oregon, his health being 
somewhat impaired; accordingly, he went to 
Independence, Missouri, and joined a large train, 
consisting of 600 wagons and a large number of 
cattle. On the 5th day of May, of that year, 
the train, well organized and equipped, started 
for Oregon. At Malheur River, which empties 
into Snake River, the party was divided by an 
old trapper who represented tliat he knew of a 
short cut to Willamette Valley. About fifty 
or sixty persons joined hiin. They reached 
Oregon City, December 8, 1845, two months 
-ater tlian the party who came by the old trail. 



Mr. Hull immediately took up a claim about 
lifteen miles east of Oregon City, of 640 aci-es, 
set out an orchard, made improvements, built a 
house and inclosed some ground; remained un- 
til 1848, when, iiaving heard of the gold dis- 
covery here, he determined to come to California. 
He joined a train of forty-two wagons with Peter 
H. Burnett, who was aftervv^ard the tirst Gi>v- 
ernor of California, as captain, and started on 
the 12th of September. They came through 
that portion of the Klamath region where the 
lava beds are located, and struck Pit River, 
which tbey followed into the heart of the Sierra 
Nevadas. There they found old Peter Lassen 
with a train of Eastern emigrants, whom he 
was taking to his ranch on the upper Sacramento 
River. Their wagons were disabled and they 
had been there a mouth; their stock of groceries 
were exhausted. Mr. Hull's party took them 
through to the valley. They reached Park's 
Bar on the Yuba River, October 5. Mr. Hull 
remained t4iere mining until January 3, 1849, 
when he started to return to Oregon, by water, 
going to San Francisco via Fort Sutter. He 
was forced to wait several days in that city for 
a vessel, but finally took passage on the Jeanet, 
on board which was old General Joseph Lane, 
who had been appointed Governor of Oregon 
Territory. They reached Oregon City in due 
time. Mr. Hull remained there until April, 
when he again came to California, bringing his 
family with him. He mined on the Mokelumne 
River until October of that year, when he 
moved to Benicia and entered into the business 
of making lime, which then commanded as 
high a price as $15 a barrel, with two Eastern 
men who pretended to understand the business 
thoroughly. They made a failure of it because 
of heavy importations of lime from the East as 
ballast. In 1851 he came to Sacramento, where 
he followed teaming until ihe fall of 1852; 
then moved upon his ranch near Brighton, 
where he has remained ever since. In 1863 
he was elected supervisor of this county; he 
was president of the board two years of that 
time and went out of office in 1867. Politically 




J^^yiJT^i.^^.-^ 



UIHTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



5n 



he has been a Republican since the birth of 
that party in tliis State, but ot hite years has 
seen much in the dealings of that party which 
has greatly lessened his enthusiasm, although 
he usually votes the party ticket. He has 
always paid considerable attention to edu- 
cational matters and started the first district 
school in this part of the township, contributing 
a large amount of his time and means in order 
to do this. He followed surveying while in 
Oregon. He surveyed the claim where East 
Portland now is. He has done considerable 
of it in this county. Mr. Hull has been twice 
married. His tirst wife was Sarah Ann James, 
a native of Ohio. She died leaving one daugh- 
ter, Margaret, who is now the wife of Ethan 
A. Grant of this county. The second wife was 
Susannah Cazel, also a native of Ohio. She 
died in Sacraiiento County, in 1858, the mother 
of five children, four of whom are still living: 
Tliomas, George, Joseph, and Mary. The three 
sons are living in L(js Angeles County, and the 
daughter, Mrs. Hasley, resides in Solano County. 



fENNIS ROCKWELL HUNT was born 
in Vermont, April 23, 1820, his parents 
being Albinus and Hannah (Robins) Hunt, 
both of New England descent for sotne gener- 
ations, and both now deceased, at about the age 
of seventy. The family moved into the State 
of New York when I). R. was about two years 
old. Li youth he got a limited education in 
the district schools for four or five years, and at 
the age of twelve hired out on a farm. From 
that time on he worked for wages in diS'erent 
lines until 1848, when he bought, in partner- 
ship with his brother, 150 acres, whicii he 
helped to till one year. In 1850, leaving the 
farm in charge of his brother, he set out from 
New i'ork by the Isthmus route for California, 
where he hoped to reap a golden harvest. Ar- 
riving in due time in San Francisco he made 
ills way to the El Dorado, on the south fork of 
the American River, above Mormon Ishiiiil. 



After spending about eight months in the mines 
with no large results he went to work for W. 
R. Grimshaw, on the Daylor ranch on the Co- 
sumnes. After three months he was hired at 
$8 a day to go to mining, but the enterprise 
not proving profitable he returned to work on 
the same ranch. Before the close of that 
changeful year, 1851, he filed his claim for 1(50 
acres on Deer Creek, now owned by S. I>. 
Moore, of Lee Township, and in 1852 raised hay 
and barley on his own place. But the fortune 
of life was still adverse, and his whole crop of 
hay and barley, in stacks, to the value of over 
$12,000, was destroyed by fire. It took many 
years to recover from this heavy loss, but he 
held on to the land, raised twelve more crops, 
and sold out in the autumn of 1863, being then 
worth over $16,000. Mr. Hunt went into the 
gr-ocery business in Sacramento for si.\ or eight 
months, and in 1865 returned to New York, 
where he bought a farm in Madison County, 
and stocked it with the expectation of making 
it his permanent home. He, however, soon 
fonnd farming in New York was no longer con- 
genial, and he sold out the following year. Re- 
turning to Sacramento he purchased a livery 
and sale stable, which he kept about two years. 
In the autumn of 1868 he bought the 500 acres 
he still owns near Freeport, on the Sacramento. 
He carries on a dairy business of about eighty 
cows, which is his chief industry, supplemented 
by minor farming activities. In August, 1855, 
Mr. Hunt was married to Mrs. Nancy A. (Turn- 
wait) Cotton, the mother of two sons, Albert T. 
and Joel S. Cotton. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are 
the parents of five sons: Major Clarence, born 
on the Deer Creek ranch in September, 1859; 
Frank Linn, in October, 1862, at the satne place; 
Mark Twain, in Sacramento, in November, 
1865; D. R., Jr., also in Sacramento, February 
3, 1868; George Grant, at Freeport, in Decem- 
ber, 1870. Major C. has been twice married, 
having one daughter by his first ivife, Anna 
Thorne. The second wife bore tlie name of 
Maud Hetherington until her marriage. Tliey 
are living at Tulare, where Mr. Hunt fills the 



UISrORY OF 8A0RAMENT0 COUNTY. 



positioif of book-keeper, having the reputation 
of being an expert in that line. Mark T. is 
married to Miss SnsieHubbell, a native of Marin 
Conntj, California. They are the parents of 
one son, born in 1889. In 1885 Mr. Hunt 
moved his ftiinily to Napa for the better edu- 
cation of tiie ciiiidren. lie there owns a resi- 
dence, and the half block on wiiich it stands. 
All the sons have been entered at Napa College 
at different titnes. Major C. won distinction 
in tlie business course; and D. R., Jr., who is 
now following a full college course of four years, 
will graduate in the class of 1890. The young- 
est son is also a student there in 1889. Mr. 
Hunt is a member of Sacramento Grange, No. 
16; and has been a school trustee about twenty 
years. 

'^W^^ 

^ALLET CASE JACKSON was born in 
Jackson County, Iowa, March 7, 1845, 
son of Harry J. and Catharine (Ken- 
nedy) Jackson. He made his home with his 
parents in Iowa until 1861, when he came with 
them to California. The trip was accomplished 
in exactly live months. They located in Sacra- 
mento, lie followed farming the first ten years. 
In 1872 he bought a farm of 200 acres about a 
mile and a quarter west of Florin, and seven 
miles from Sacramento, just east of the upper 
Stockton road. I'''or the next five years ho ran 
a windmill and box factory, since which time 
he has been building windmills, and also a con- 
tractor and farmer. In the winter of 1877 his 
factory burned down. Before that he seldom 
had less than eight or ten men employed, and 
averaged about $5,000 worth of work a year, 
sometimes ranging as high as $7,000. He still 
manufactures windmills, making the Jackson 
mill, his own invention, patented April, 1879. 
He has put up about 400 of them in this county, 
it being about the only one used about Florin, 
where he lives. It is' a good mill, docs excel- 
lent work, and gives entire satisfaction. He 
has been at that business for the past sixteen or 



seventeen years. He also does all kinds of 
manufacturing work, and can make almost any- 
thing that g. person could want. Mr. Jackson 
was married January 9, 1880, to Mary E. Quinn, 
a native of New York State. She died Decem- 
ber 6, 1880, the mother of one child, Annie 
Mary, born November 20, 1880. He was again 
married March 6, 1882, to Laura E. Dodson, 
his present wife. They have had one child, 
Marion Raymond, born March 9, 1886. Mrs. 
Jackson was born in Missouri, March 24, 1860, 
aiid is the daughter of Marcus H. and Mary 
Dodson. When she was two years old the 
family came to California, and settled in El Do- 
rado County, where she was principally raised. 
Mr. Jackson is a member of Florin Lodge, Nc. 
130, F. of H.,and of the Elk Grove Lodge, No. 
274, I. O. O. F., having joined the lodge in 
1887. 



fDWA-RD HEALEY, rancher, was born in 
England, July 28, 1826, son of John and 
Betsy (Kershaw) Healey, cloth manufac- 
tureri-. Young Edward learned the trade of a 
carder, then became time-keeper on a railroad. 
In 1851 he emigrated to America, landing at 
Boston, where he was again railroad time- 
keeper, employed by an uncle for about eleven 
months. In the fall of 1851 he came to Cali- 
fornia by way of Cape Horn and the Sandwich 
Islands, being six months on tlie journey, and 
arriving in San Francisco in November. The 
first three months he followed gold-mining in 
the Big Ravine near Auburn; the next two 
years he was mining on Johnstown Creek, El 
Dorado County, with moderate success, say 
about $5 a day; thence he went to Ford's Bar, 
where he was engaged when the rise of the river 
drove them out. His company took out $10,000 
in four months. Then he came down into Sac- 
ramento County and purchased a tract of land 
at $3.50 an acre, on the Daylor's portion of the 
Siieldon grant, and commenced buying tine 
cows, with reference to stock-raising, etc. By 



HISTUHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the great flood of 1856 he lost ninety head of 
cattle, besides fences and 30,000 feet of Jnmber. 
The grown cows liad cost him on an average 
about $50 a head. lie continued ranching until 
1863, when he went into the mercantile busi- 
ness at Sheldon, where he still has a nice little 
store. In 1869 he sold one ranch, and the last 
one, which he ha(j[ greatly improved, he sold to 
Mr. Kelley in 1878. He purchased his present 
property in 1882. It is located on the line of 
the Sheldon grant, eighteen miles from Sacra- 
mento. In 1853 Mr. Healey returned to 
Georgia and married Emilina Ivillingsworth, a 
native of Atlanta, that State.* They have six 
children, four of \\liom are living: John E., 
born in 185-4; Mary, born in 1857, and died 
while an infant; Mary A., wife of James Peer- 
less (deceased), of Sacramento; Jennie, now 
Mrs. George Stillson, of Florin; Joseph, at Elk 
Grove; Emma, who was born June 5, 1866, and 
is her father's main support, — housekeeper, 
business agent, etc. Her mother died in 1868, 
at the age of forty-four years. 

^' ■ ''-l^- d '^'- • *- 

fOim HERINGA was born March 16, 1819, 
in the province of Groningen, Holland, his 
parents being Peter and Geertje. The latter 
died when John was but seven years of age, and 
the for:ner died two years later, in 1829. In 
the family which survived them were two chil- 
dren, one son and one daughter. They both 
lived with their grandmother, but when John 
was twelve years of age he was bound out to 
farm work for six months in the adjoining 
county of Birum, at the expiration of which 
time he went to live with an uncle in Appinge- 
dam, and kept a dry-goods store and manufac- 
tured woolen goods. He remained with him 
nine years, and learned his trade (weaving), at 
which he worked part of the time, and part of 
the time at farming. The following nine years 
he served in the army, then in 1855 he was en- 
gaged on the police force in the town of Oppen- 
huczen. While there he met Geertje Joustra, 



a native of Oppenhuezen, in Friesland, born 
January 29, 1835, whom he married in 1857. 
During the time they lived there they saved 
$1,100. July 19, 1868, they started for America, 
sailing from Liverpool and landing in Boston; 
thence to New York, where they arrived after a 
voyage of fourteen days. After stopping in 
JSi'ew York three days, they took the steamer 
for Panama, thence to San Francisco, landing 
September 14, 1868. The next day they came 
to Sacramento, where a friend and countryman 
of theirs sold them a small ranch of thirty acres 
for $600. They also invested $300 in cows and 
started in the dairy business. Mrs. Heringa, 
having been reared on a dairy, understood the 
business thoroughly. They lived there three 
years, then sold the place for $1,000 and bought 
their present place, which consists of 160 acres, 
and is devoted to general farming. They con- 
tinued the dairy business there and do so still, 
always having some good milch cows on the 
ranch. They have made a success of their 
business, having been industrions and economi- 
cal. They own a ranch of 160 acres in Lee 
Township, which is run by their son. They 
have had six children, viz.: Peter, born Sep- 
tember 27, 1859; Joseph, October 6, 1861; 
John, June 12, 1863; Jennie, March 9, 1866, 
and Charles, December 4, 1877. 

HILIP HOGATE GARDINER was born 
W in New Jersey, August 29, 1846, son of 
John W. and Sarah (Hogate) Gardiner, of 
the New Jersey families of those names. Grand- 
father Andrew Gardiner died at about the age 
of seventy, and grandmother Uphan (Dubois) 
Gardiner, at eighty. Grandfather Hogate lived 
to be ninety-three. The mother of P. II. Gar- 
diner died in 1853, but the father, born in Au- 
gust, 1818, is still living in his old home. He 
paid a visit to his son in 1884, staying about 
three months. The subject of this sketch arrived 
in San Francisco January 1, 1868, and worked 
about a year on a farm in Contra Costa County. 



HIHTOltY OF SAOliAMENTU COUNTY. 



Ill 1869 he went to Nevada and spent two years 
prospecting in the White Pine Mountains, but 
did not strike anything rich enougli to induce 
him to stay. In tlio spring of 1871 he returned 
to he Sacramento Valley and worked a year on 
a farm near Rio Vista. June 17, 1872, he went 
to farming on iiis own account, renting 250 
acres on Hraniiaii Island, raising grain and veg- 
etables. Early in 1875, in partnership with J. 
F. Wilcox, he built the store he now occupies, 
and on Marcii 5 opened it for trade with a stock 
of general merchandise, under the style of Gar- 
diner & Wilcox. January 9, 1878, he bought 
out his partner and has since done business as 
P. H. Gardiner. He has been in charge of the 
postofJice since its establishment, March 13, 
1879; was the agent of the California Trans- 
portation Company for twelve years to January 
1, 1887, and is agent for Wells, Fargo & Cu.'s 
Express. He was instrumental in establishing 
a school district for this section, and has been a 
trustee thereof a good part of the time. He 
rents a considerable tract of land across the 
river, on Grand Island, on which he raises 
horses and cattle. Mr. Gardiner was married 
July 3, 1878, to Miss Ida Pool, a native of 
Isleton, daughter of Josiah and Sarah (Free- 
man) Pool. The father owned 600 acres includ- 
ing the village site, until the spring of 1881, 
when he lo-.t his property by the floods. He is 
now living in Arizona, aged iifty-nine. Thomas 
Freeman is still living, at Linden, San Joac^uin 
County, aged sixty-nine. His brother. Dr. 
Hugh Freeman, died March 17, 1889, aged 
seventy-two. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are the 
parents of three children: Lucretia Garfield, 
born July 5, 1881; John Wilbur, February 15, 
1884; P. H., Jr., February 8, 1886. 



►^M^ 



fEYTON RUSSELL, farmer, Brighton 
Township, was born December 28, 1818, 
in Ross County, Ohio, his parents being 
Lawrence and Mary (Huff) Russell. His father, 
also a farmer, was a native of Greenbrier County, 



Virginia, and his mother was born in Salem, 
Highland County, Ohio. Lawrence Russell, 
after his mari'iage, moved to Ross County, 
Ohio; next to Warren County, Indiana; and 
twelve years afterward removed to De Kalb 
County, Illinois, where he resided from 1841 
to 1856, when he died, aged about seventy-one 
years. His wife died in 1865, at the age of 
about seventy-two. They had thirteen children, 
six of whom were sons. Twelve grew uj). The 
name of the deceased were: Matilda, Susan, 
William, Sarah, Eliza and Rebecca Jane. The 
living are: John, a prominent farmer in De 
Kalb County, Illinois; Mary Ann, wifeof Rob- 
ert Robb, in Kansas; Peyton, subject of ihis 
sketch; Milton, in Kansas; Harriet, wife of Mr. 
Luce, in Belvidere, Illinois, and Sanford, also in 
Kansas. Peyton remained at his paternal home 
until he was of age, the last three years of this 
period being the chief assistant of his father. 
He then went to farming on his own account, 
on his sister's place near by. The next year he 
went to Mercer County, Ohio, for three months; 
then worked four months on the farm of Wil- 
hoyt & Orr, in Moi'gan County, Illinois; next, 
returning to his father's place in Indiana, he ac- 
companied his father and some other members 
of the family to De Kalb Count}', Illinois, where 
his father had ])urchased a farm, and worked it 
for two years. While engaged there, in 1842, 
he married Elizabeth Carnes, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, who died in 1844. He then went to 
Linn County, Iowa, near Cedar Rapids, remain- 
ing about three months with his mother-in-law; 
was next a short time in Illinois, eight months 
in Tennessee, five months in Georgia, four in 
South Carolina, at a point about twenty-five 
miles above Savannah, — at all these places en- 
gaged in farm work, usually as overseer; was 
then two years in Florida, and returned by way 
of New Orleans to Illinois, where he was en- 
gaged five months on his father's farm; was 
next six weeks in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, 
leaving there on account of sickness (bilious 
fever); tiien in Texas five months, and finally, 
by way of New Orleans, leaving there July 7, 



Hisrour OF sacrasiento county. 



525 



he came to California by the Nicaragua route, 
arriving at San Francisco July 31. After look- 
ing around througii several counties here for 
three months he took a ranch of 160 acres thir- 
teen miles east of Sacramento, cultivated it two 
and a half years and sold it. Ne.xt he followed 
butchering three months in Sacramento, sold 
out, followed the auction business live months, 
was in Oroville, Butte County, in 1856, three 
months; in Spanish Town, in the same county, 
four months; in Oroville again four or live 
months, and followed mining in that county in 



1867-'e 



Ms 



Mar 



•ga; 



et O'Shea at Oro- 



ville, he left the same day for 'Santa Cruz, and 
was there three months; returning then to this 
county, he settled upon his old ranch, which he 
rented from the owner. A year afterward he 
rented another ranch, on which he remained a 
year. In 1S60 he bought a quarter-section of 
land from Dasonville in Brighton Township. In 
1874 he purchased his present ranch of 150 
acres, upon which he lias remained since 1876. 
For twelve years he had seven acres in orchard, 
chiefly peaches. He has one child, Mary, by 
his first wife, and she married William Baker, 
and resides in Placer Countv. 



fllARLES AUGUSTUS KUMAN,orcliard- 
ist at Michigan Bar, was born in Hanover, 
Germany, April 3, 1839, his parents be- 
ing Frederick Augustus and Louisa (Romer) 
Human. The father was by business a miller; 
and of the grandfather, William Ruman, tiie 
grandson only remembers tliat he was quite old. 
Charles A. Ruman arrived in San Francisco, 
California, November 15, 1853, direct from 
Hamburg, the voyage taking seven montiis, of 
which, however, about six weeks were spent in 
repairing the ship at Valparaiso. For the lirst 
fifteen years he was occupied in mining and 
prospecting, the former mostly at Michigan Bar, 
and tiie latter over a wide range, even as far as 
Idaho. For the last twenty years he lias been 
variously engaged. He lias raised cattle more 



or less since 1867; peddled beer for a time; 
ke])t a saloon from 1876 to 1888; a toll-bridge 
from 1877 to 1879, when he sold out to the 
county for $1,500; was road overseer and con- 
stable from 1877 to 1880; established his home 
on about twelve acres at the village end of the 
bridge; planted an orchard of about five acres 
across the river; and rented some land for pas- 
ture of his cattle, of which he keeps forty to 
fifty liead. Mr. Ruman was married in 1868 
to Miss Mary Louisa Yager, born in Ohio, 
June 30, 1849, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth 
(Silent) Yager. The father was a baker and 
confectioner at Delaware, Ohio, and came to 
California with his family in 1853. The mother 
died in March, 1885, aged sixty-two; the father, 
born in February, 1826, is still living in this 
State. .Mr. and Mrs. Ruman are the parents 
of four sons: Edward Theodore, born January 
25, 1869; Louis Augustus and Peter Francis, 
twins, October 24, 1875; Charles Blaine, Octo- 
ber 31, 1884. 

ILLIAM F. PARKER, deceased, form- 
erly a farmer, was born in the city of 
Murfreesborough, Hertford County, 
North Carolina, February 10, 1826. From 
1838 lo 1849 he followed the sea, being steward 



of a sh 



the West India trade; also made 



few trips to foreign countries. During one of 



the 



journeys 



he came into the port of 



Francisco in 1849, stopped here and became 
cook at Mormon Island for the miners. A year 
afterward he went upon the old Patterson place, 
on the American River, and began farming. 
Although it was a new industry to him, he soon 
found that he liked it, became enthusiastic in 
the calling and therefore successful. He pur- 
chased the present homestead of 320 acres in 
1857, and lived there until his death, April 9, 
1887. His marriage to Margaret Lindsay was 
celebrated March 20, 1862. The widow is now 
conducting the farm. They had four children: 
Fanny, wife of C. V. Osborne, a pruuiinent 



526 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT 1. 



teacher in this locality; Alice M., also a teacher 
here; Dorsey W. and Benjamin J. They lost 
one daughter, Annie L., at the age of nineteen) 
in 1883. She was a well educated young lady, 
having a first-grade certificate for teaching. 
Mr. Parker was an active member of the Baptist 
Clinrch, being several years deacon. The church 
building where he worshipped is situated on his 
farm. The society here was once a strong one- 
He also took great interest in educational mat- 
ters. Although he was in early life left an 
orphan and was de])rived of a school education, 
he saw the necessity of such education and did 
all he could for the cause. He was a jovial and 
good-natnred man, and kind and indulgent in 
his family. ]{e gave his wife's mother a home 
to enjoy in her declining years; they were very 
considerate of each other's welfare. For the 
last three years of his life he was an invalid, 
afflicted with consumption. Mrs. Parker was 
born in Dearborn County, Indiana, and when 
she was fifteen years old her father, V. D. Lind- 
say, died in 1854. In 1861 she came to Cali- 
fornia with her mother, who died in December, 
1872. 

— ^€^®W^ — 

fOHN N. ANDREWS, merchant, post- 
master, etc., at Elk (irove, was born in 
Atliol, Worcester County, Massachusetts, 
September 28, 1829. His father, Collins An- 
drews, a cabinet-maker by trade, and also a fol- 
lower of other ])ursuits, died in Petersham, in 
liis native county, in 1886. He, the father, 
was born in Pittsford, Rutland County, Ver- 
mont, married in Massachusetts, and a few years 
later retui-ned to Vermont, where he lived 
twelve years, and then spent tiie remainder of 
his life in Massachusetts. Just before the last 
war an Episcopalian minister. Rev. Charles West- 
ley Andrews, D. D., an uncle of Mr. Andrews, 
who was a graduate of Middlebury College, 
Vermont, in 1827, began to admire a Southern 
lady of Armfield, Clark County, Virginia, 
named Sarah Walker Page, who was in the pos- 



session of $30,000 worth of slaves. They were 
married on condition that she should liberate 
these slfives. Some years afterward the direct 
heirs of the estate brought suit to recover dam- 
ages on account of snch emancipation. At this 
time the minister was in charge of his church 
at Shepherdstown, Virginia; he was also an 
author. The suit was at length carried up to 
the Supreme Court of the United States, which 
decided against the claimants. This event is said 
to have been the exciting cause of the great Re- 
bellion. Collin Andrews was born July 81, 
1807, at Pittsford, Vermont. His father was 
Zelotes Andrews, of Brimfield, Massachusetts, 
who was born November 25, 1768, and the 
father of three sons and two daughters. Col- 
lins resided at Petersham, Massachusetts, where 
he was a magistrate and mechanic. He had 
five sons: Alonzo, Lorenzo, John Nichols, 
Charles Herman and James Curran. Alonzo 
and James Curran are not living. Lorenzo is 
now secretary of the State Board of Health of 
Iowa, and residing at Des Moines; Charles is 
living on the home place in Massachusetts. 
The ancestry of the Andrews family is a noted 
one, and traces its history back to England. The 
earliest ancestor now known was William An- 
drews, a native of Hampsworth, England, ai.d 
shipped about the 6th of April, 1085, from 
Hampton, England, with some fifty-three others, 
many of whom had wives and children with 
them. From 1643 he had a family of eight 
persons, not including servants. In 1639 he 
was chosen one of twelve to select the seven pil- 
lars of the church to order its foundation. He 
was one of the sixty-three who met in Elder 
Robert Newman's barn, which stood on the site 
of Noah Webster's place, and who formed the 
constitution of Quinnipac, or New Haven col- 
ony. In 1648 his estate was valued at £150. 
He was a carpenter by trade, and in 1664 he 
contracted to build a brick meeting-house for 
the New Haven colony, and furnish the brick. 
Some of the tools brought from England were 
in 1871, and are possibly yet, in the possession 
of some of his descendants at East Haven, (yon- 



U I STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



necticnt. William Andrews was the progen- 
itor of a numerous race of industrious and 
respectable people, some of whom are highly 
distinguished. John Nichols Andrewe, at the 
age of nineteen years, left home for California. 
Leaving New York city April 17, on the steamer 
Crescent City, within eight days he reached 
Ciiagres; waited on the Isthmus nearly a month, 
and arrived in San P'rancisco June 13, 1849, on 
the steamer Oregon, on her second trip. Going 
to Smith's Bar, on the American River, he fol- 
lowed mining there for a short time, when the 
scnrs'v and Panama fever seized him with con- 
siderable violence, and he came to this city and 
for about two months lay under a tree at the 
foot of K street, with no relative or acquaint- 
ance to attend upon him. On recovery he re- 
sumed his trade here, — that of tinsmith. Late 
in the fall he became sick' again, and while con- 
fined to his bed the flood came, and he e.xerted 
himself sufSciently to get on board the steamer 
Senator and go to San Francisco, the passage 
fare being ,$32; he had but $30. Friends took 
care of him there, and in a few days he was 
well. Trying his luck again at mining, on the 
South Yuba River, he had a little success, and 
he returned to Sacramento and remained here 
until 1872, engaged in engraving and other 
mechanical jmrsuits. He lost more or less in 
all the fires and floods occurring during that 
period: in 1853 he lost everything by flood and 
tire. In 1872 he obtained an appointment as 
agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany at Elk Grove, ami also as postmaster and 
as agent for the Wells- Fargo Express Company. 
He has been here ever since, engaged in general 
merchandise, and still holding oflicial positions, 
notwithstanding the special efforts of the 
Democrats against "offensive partisans:" he is 
a Republican. In 1861 or 1862, during the 
w-ar, a company of sharpshooters was organized 
at Sacramento by Colonel Ed R. Hamilton, who 
was then elected captain, and William M. Sid- 
dons, First Lieutenant, and J. X. Andrews, 
Second Lieutenant. Mr. Andrews was married 
i 1 Sacramento, May 8, 1867, to Miss Jennie, 



daughter o^ Find ley McClelland, of Scotch de- 
scent, and they have had three children, daugh- 
ters, of whom only one is living — Nellie Melita, 
born July 2, 1868. The others were May Eliza- 
beth, who died in Elk Grove at the age of seven 
years, and one died in infancy. 



.^i».K|v 



tMARIAII JOHNSON was born about nine 
miles from Paris, Illinois, in 1823, tlie 
third son of his father, Isaac Johnson, 
who, thirteen years later, moved with his family 
to Iowa, where he was a farmer. When Ama- 
riah grew to manhood, he learned the trade of 
carpenter and builder with his two elder brolhers 
at Fort Madison, Iowa. In 1844 he began 
business for himself at Fort Ma,dison. He went 
to St. Louis a year later and worked with Messrs. 
Whitehall & Weston and with II. H. Wright, 
remaining in that city till January, 1850. When 
Fremont came to California in 1845, our sub- 
ject tried to get into his party, but was too late, 
every place being tilled. In December, 184'J, 
his father and younger brother came on to St. 
Louis with a party of nine others, all bound for 
California. He joined them, leaving St. Louis 
on the 4th of January, 1850. They were unable 
to get tickets but secured passage to the mouth 
of the Rio Grande, on the steamer Globe. They 
then came via Fort Brown (now Brownsville); 
then, following the route taken by General Tay- 
lor up the Rio Grande, thej packed 1,300 miles 
across to the coast; there they engaged a sailing 
vessel and came up the coast, landing at San 
Francisco on the 28th of March. Our subject 
came on to Sacramento, thence to Marysville, 
and finally to the mines on the Ynba. After 
a varied mining experience there and on the 
Feather River, he took a contract to erect a 
hospital building at Nevada City and then came 
to Sacramento, arriving just after the squatter 
riots, and secured employment on the Orleans 
building, then in course of construction. He, 
however, soon started business on his own ac- 
count, locating his shops on the site now occu- 



HISTORY OF SAORAMBNTO COUNTY. 



])io(l l)j tlie yards of the Sacramento Lumber 
( 'Oiiipaiiy, on Second street, where lie was caught 
hy till' jL(rc;it fire of 1852, by which lie lost about 
$5,()()0. lie soon started again, however, this 
time on Fourth street, between K and L, and, 
taking in AVilliani Shumaker as partner, con- 
tinued in the business for many years. In 1857 
he made a trip home to Fort Madison, Iowa, 
and was there married, June, 1858, to Miss 
Eliza Jane, daughter of John S. Ivemifdy; im- 
mediately afterward he started with iiis hriile 
for the far West. He bought property on N 
street- and built his family residence, twenty- 
two years ago, where he has resided over since. 
lie has one son, Howard; and one daughter, 
Kate E., wife of Dr. Reid. 



rOlIN W. UICIIMONI), a i)ioneer 
I man, and tlie proprietor of Ui( 



Miry- 
nond 



•^ Grove, one of the ])leasantest resorts of 
Sacramento, was born at Churchville, about 
fourteen miles from Rochester, New York, 
August 24, 1818. His father, Billings Rich- 
mond, was a native of Woodstock, Connecticut, 
and when a young man went to Monroe County 
New York, for the purpose of teaching school. 
There ho bought fifty acres of land. Returning 
home the following year, he married Miss Susan 
Willey, a native of Massachusetts, and became 
one of the first settlers of the village of Church- 
ville, Monroe County. lie was a stock and 
wheat raiser, and dealer in cattle, and also a 
woolen-mill owner. John W., the subject of 
this sketch, learned the trade of wool-carding 
and cloth-dressing; and when he became of age 
his father gave him and his older brother an in- 
terest in the mill. He afterward ran a woolen 
mill at Bloumtiuld, a half interest i,i which was 
owned by his uncle. This mill was huriiel in 
1847; and in 1848 he went to Illinois for a 
drove of cattle, and took them to Boston for 
sale. In the spring of 185Q, in company with 
his brother Henry, he started for California, by 
way of the Isthmus, in the steamer Ohio At 



Panama tliey were compelled to wait four weeks 
for the arrival of the steamer Northerner, Captain 
Bob Waterman, who had come around Cape 
Horn; and upon board of that vessel they ar- 
rived at San Francisco, August 16, 1850. The 
brother, who was a blacksmith by trade, re- 
mained in San Francisco, while he, John, came 
on to Sacramento and obtained employment in 
a livery stable at $5 a day. lie and his brotlier 
had brought eighty pairs of kip bf)ot8 with 
them to California, and the latter made a trip 
to the Shasta mines, where he worked at min- 
ing during the week, and selling out the stock 
during Sundays at $16 a pair. He returned to 
Sacramento, bringing $600 as the proceeds. In 
the meantime he had saved up some money, 
and he and his brother concluded to inve-t 
their means in a dairy. Buying three poor 
"immigrant" cows at $100 apiece, they fur- 
nished hotels, et?., with milk, for wiiich they 
received $3 per gallon. Their stock increased, 
as did also the price of the milk, for which they 
at one time received not less than $1 a quart. 
They sold eggs at the rate of $3 per dozen. In 
1851 Mr. Richmond, the subject of this sketch, 
bought a pre-emption claim and fourteen cows, 
of Smith & Bradley. This 1 iiid was within 
what is now the city limits, and included the 
Richmond Grove property. In the fall of 1853 
he went East, and during the month of May 
following married Miss Julia A., daughter of 
Merritt Moore, a merchant, and the next spring 
came with his wife to California. I'urchasing 
his brother's interest in the ]ire-emption claim, 
and in the stock, etc., he continued in the dairy 
business. His present fine residence at 1818 P 
street was built in the summer of 1884. Mr. 
Richmond was a Democrat up to the day that 
Fort Sumter was fired upon, since which time 
ho has been an ardent Republieaii. In iiis so- 
ciety relations lie has helped to build several 
churches; been both a Freemason and an Odd 
Fellow, but lie has not affiliated witli these 
orders since coming to the coast. His only liv- 
ing child, a daughter, is now the wife of A. K. 
Tower, of Bufltalo, New York. His first wife 



HIsroRr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



died in 1857; and in 1804 he married Elizabeth 
A. Cornwell, i.if Warsaw, New York. They 
had one child, Uattie, who died when only two 
years old. 

''**V'5' ''''el" "" 



l^jETER TIETJENS, of Sacramento, was j 
|i^ horn in Hamburg, Germany, in 1823. His 
^C lather, a ship carpenter in the English serv- 
ice, died in 1841. His mother's maiden name 
was Maria Schroder. They had seven children, 
two of whom were boys. One of these, George, 
was a seafaring man. One of the daughters, 
Teresa, is an eminent musician, well known as 
a singer in the great operas, as Lucretia Borgia, 
etc. Another daughter was a resident of New 
Orleans when Peter came to this country, land- 
ing at that point to join her. He left Hamburg 
April 27, 1846, and reached New Orleans in 
sixty-three days. Having learned the trade of 
cigar-maker in Hamburg and Bavaria, he re- 
sumed that business in the Crescent City for 
three years. During the cholera siege there he 
went to Louisville, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, 
Ohio. Returning to the old coantry he married 
in December, 1852, Miss Maria Schlink, a na- 
tive of Gutenberg, South Germany. In the fall 
of 1854 he started again for the land of golden 
opportunity, and, sailing from Bremen, landed 
at San Francisco in October, 1855. Coming on 
immediately to Sacramento, where his sister, 
Mrs. John Bell, was residing, he established a 
saloon on K street, between Fourth and Fifth, 
which he conducted until 1870. Mrs. Tietjens 
died in 1887. Their daughter Marie is a mu- 
sician, who has spent several years in Europe in 
pursuit other musical studies. 



EORGE THOMAS CARR was born in 
[errimac County, New Hampshire, June 
18, 1837, liis parents being Thomas Tyler 
and Caroline (Coimor) Carr, both of the same 
county and State. Thomas Tyler Carr was the 



son of John Carr, and was the youngest of liis 
family of live children, viz.: Samuel, Abigail, 
Almira, Emma and Thomas Tyler. He grew 
up on the old homestead and made his home 
there before and after his fatlier died, living to 
see his children g. ow up to manhood and woman- 
hood. He died at the home of his son Frank, 
February, 1889, and his wife died there in the 
fall of 1876. They had six sons and two daugh- 
ters, viz.: Philip A., born August 15, 1833, 
died March 22, 1844; John A., born May 30, 
1835, resident in Boston, Massachusetts; George, 
born June 18, 1837; Thomas T., born April 2, 
1839, resident in Texas; Frank H., born Feb- 
ruary 4, 1841, resident in New Hampshire, near 
the old homestead ; Charles, born J uly 10, 1845, 
who was wounded in the Shenandoah Valley, 
and died from the effects of it November 24, 
1864; Caroline E., born January 27, 1849, 
resident in Concoid, New Hampshire; and 
Helen B., born June 27, 1851, died about 1878. 
George T. Carr, sul)ject of this sketch, was 
raised on a farm. He lived with liis parents 
until he was twenty-one years of age, then went 
to work on a neighboring farm; he was after- 
ward engaged at a sash, door and blind factory, 
at North Ware, till the war broke out in 1861. 
In April of that year, he enlisted in the United 
States Navy as a landsman on the receiving ves- 
sel Vermont, subject to a draft to supply crew 
for different vessels in the service. He re- 
mained there but a short time and was then 
drafted and placed on the United States sailing 
vessel Supply, which was lltted out with an arm- 
anent similar to that of any other man-of-war. 
Their business duty was to carry provisions and 
necessaries to other vessels stationed on block- 
ade. He served one year when he was dis- 
charged, his time being up. He returned liome, 
where lie stayed until the next April, when he 
started for California. He left New York on 
the 1st, came via Panama and arrived in San 
Francisco after a voyage of twenty-eight days. 
He went to work on a farm in Marin County, 
remaining there until June; thence to Austin, 
Nevada, and worked at farming there about two 



HIsrORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



years. He then went to work in the mine?, 
Btill working I'or wages, and Ibllowed tliat pur- 
suit for nearly a year. He next came to Sacra- 
mento County and bought 680 acres on the 
Liigoon, just Leiow Buckeye Valley. In 1875 
he sold that place and purchased a ranch of 700 
acies on the Cosnmnes River, three miles south 
of Elk Grove; lie aiteiwaid told 5C0 acres, and 
the remaining 200 form the ranch on which he 
makes his home. He has improved it greatly, 
and the line appearance which it ofl'ers to all 
jafs-ers by is entirely due to his skill and indus- 
tiy. His fine new lesideiice was erected at a 
cost of $3,000. Mr. Carr cast his first presi- 
dential vote lor Abrahjim Lincoln, in the fall of 
IbCO, and since that time has always acted with 
the Eepublican party. He was united in mar- 
liage on the 14ih day of February, 1872, to 
Eliza C'oppin, a native of Canada; they have six 
children, viz.: Charles C, Caroline E., George, 
Eliza, John and Gracie. 

^ ^-^-^ 

«HAELES FEEDEKICK TRASK, an 
orchardist and rancher of Franklin Town- 
ship, on the Sacramento River, about 
twenty-six miles below the city, was born in 
Mobile, Alabama, February 24, 1847, his parents 
being Charles Frederick and Jane C. (French) 
Trask. The father was a native of Massachu- 
etts of the early-settled New England family of 
that name. Grandfather Manasseh Trask died 
at Beverly, Massachusetts, in 18C3, aged eighty- 
one, and his mother reached the remarkable age 
of 101. Her husband, the father of Manasseh, 
fought in the Revolution. George Trask, a 
brother of the elder C. F. Trask, was a well- 
known temperance lecturer and writer who died 
iu Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1879." C. F. 
Trask, Sr„ was a captain in the merchant marine 
service, iiis vessel being owned in Boston. 
Among the experiences of his career as sea- 
captain was the barbarous treatment by pirates 
on the southeastern coast of Africa, who cut otf 
his ears in the vain eH'ort to wrest from him the 



knowledge of where the ship's money was con- 
cealed. He went into business in New Orleans 
for a short time, and in 1841 he moved to Mobile, 
where he kept a hotel and was also engaged in 
the business of unloading vessels. In 1843 he 
M-as married to Miss Jane C. French, who was 
English by birth, but had been reared in Canada. 
Being leit a widow by the death of Mr. Trask, 
September 15, 1847, she conducted the hotel 
for one year. Being btaten in a legal contest 
with an int-uiance company, she took her orphan 
children to Beverly, Massachusetts, the home 
of their father, and set out for California by the 
way of Cape Horn. After being delayed by 
shipwreck and consequent return to Valjaraiso, 
she did not reach San Francisco until some time 
in 1850. Proceeding to the mining regions in 
Tuolumne County, she hired out as cook at 100 
dollars a month, and accumulated quite a sum 
of money. Removing to Sacramento, she was 
induced to invest her money in mining property 
and lost. In 1855 she was married, at Iowa 
Hill, to J. M. II aw ley, who kept a store and 
saw-mill at Monona Flat. In 1863 Mr. and 
Mrs. Hawley mo\ed to this county and bought 
a220-acre ranch about three miles above Walnut 
Grove. Meanwhile Mr. C. F. Trask had been 
brought up by his uncle AVilliam Woodbuiy of 
Beverly, Massachusetts. After the marriage 
of his mother to Mr. Hawley he came to Cali- 
fornia in 1855, but soon returned to Beverly 
to be educated. After eight years schooling, 
the last half year at an academy, he again came 
to California and lived with his mother and step- 
father on their ranch. In 1867 he went to San 
Francisco and learned the trade of ship-carpen- 
ter. His mother died November 8, 1808, leav- 
ing two children, liimself and sister, Mary Trask, 
now Mrs. Elijah Billington, of Santa Barbara. 
In 1869 Mr. Trask was induceiJ by his stepfather 
to return and take charge of the ranch, and he 
has been ever since engaged continuously in that 
business. C. F. Trask was married February 
13, 1873, to Miss Adelia A. Rice, born near 
Galena, Illinois, in 1849, a daughter of Oliver 
and BeataCalvarine(Adkins) Rice. Her father 



HISTORY OF SAGRAMBNTO COUNTY. 



died December 22, 1888, aged seventy-six; her 
mother, bora in 1828, and her grandfather, 
Abner Adkins, born in 1803, are both living in 
1889. Mrs. Jrask was educated as a scliool 
teacher in the normal scliool at Plattville and 
taught for two years in East Dubuque, Illinois, 
and for some time in Wisconsin. She came to 
California in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Trask are 
the parents of three children: Alice Maud, born 
May 25, 1874; Oliver Frederick, November 23, 
1875; Charles Raymond, December 22, 1877. 
They own eighty acres, of whicii lifty are in 
orchard; and rent 252 acres devoted to general 
farming. 

^^4^,i^„K- 



fOUN ROHR, of the firm of Rohr & Loch, 
proprietors of the Pioneer Bakery, Sacra- 
mento, is a native of Germany, born in 
Hesse-Darmstadt, near Heidelberg, on the 8ch 
of January, 1864, his parents being John, Sr., 
and Margaretha (Schmidt) Rohr. He was reared 
at his native place and there received his educa- 
tion between the ages of si.x and fourteen years. 
He then went to learn tiie baker's trade at 
Kreuz Steinacli, and served an apprenticeship 
of two years with a man named Iiuhoff. He 
then went to Manheim, where he worked one 
year. He then came to the United States, 
working in different establishments in New 
York for a year and a half. From there lie came 
out to Portland, Oregon, and three months later 
came to Sacramento and went to work in the 
Empire Bakery. After six months there he 
went in l)usiness for himself in connection with 
Mr. Brown. This partnership continued until 
January, 1887, when the firm of Ruhr & Loch 
was formed. July 1, 1889, Loch sold his interest 
to Mr. Rohr. The Pioneer Bakery is the oldest 
establishment of the kind in Sacramento. It 
was originated by George Schoth in the early 
days of the city, and he carried on the business 
until 1882, when he sold out to Josejjh Gernscli. 
The latter continned the business ahjine until 
Mr. Rohr came into the tirm, since which time 



changes have occurred as before en imerated. 
Mr. Rohr is a Noble Grand of the Schiller Lodge 
No. 105, I. O. O. F., and is a mombsr of the 
Union Visiting Committee of the Hermann 
Sons. Mr. Rohr is a genial and courteous gen- 
tleman with a host of friends and withal a push- 
ing, successful business man. 



fOHN AMOS SIMONS, rancher, of Brighton 
Township, Sacramento County, was born 
March 15, 1836, in Ava, at that time the 
capital of Burmah, being the second 'son of 
Rev. Thomas Simons," a Baptist missionary to 
Burmah. The father was born at Dofarnbach, 
Cardiganshire, Wales, July 15, 1801. Con- 
verted at the age of fifteen, he forthwith evi- 
denced a strong purpose to devote himself to 
the service of religion. At twenty he came to 
the United States, landing in Charleston, South 
Carolina. Becoming connected with the Bap- 
tist Church, he was sent as teacher to the Creek 
Indians at Eaton, Georgia, in 1823. Desiring 
to become a preacher, he first studied for the 
ministry at Edgefield, South Carolina, and after- 
ward at the Newton Theological Institute in 
Massachusetts, which he entered in 1829. Two 
years later he was appointed missionary lo Bur- 
mah, and was ordained at Augusta, Georgia, 
December 18, 1831. He reached Maulmain, 
Burmah, January 1, 1833. Here he was mar- 
ried by Rev. Dr. Judson to Miss Caroline Jenks 
Harrington, of East Brooktield, Massachusetts, 
June 23, 1833. About the close of 1835 he 
removed to Ava, but after a few months' resi- 
dence he was obliged by political disturbances 
to leave that city and return to Maulmain. In 
1843 Mrs. Simons died, leaving four children, 
witn whom two years later the father returned 
to America. Having made provision for the 
education of his children, he went back to Bur- 
tnah in 1847 to resume his missionary labors, 
^n 1851 he married Miss Lydia Lillybridae, 
and they had two children, of whom one sur- 
vives. In 1854he removed to Prome, on tlielrra- 



Ul STOUT OF HACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



waddi, where he labored for twenty-two years, 
dying there Febriiary 19, 1876, after thirteen 
days' ilhiess, of cholera, or rather of the ex- 
haustion which followed it. The older brother 
of the subject of this sketch was born in De- 
cember, 1834, at Mauhnain, Burmah; and on 
the return to America, already mentioned, he 
was placed at school at West Boylston, Massa- 
chusetts. After completing his course of studies, 
graduating at Brown University, Providence, 
Rhode Island, he went to Georgia, among the 
early friends of iiis father, and taught school 
there for a time. He soon came North, how- 
ever, and entered the law school at Albany, 
New York, and afterward the otiice of the law 
tirm of Courtney & Cassidy. After a few years 
in Albany, through the influence of Mr Court- 
ney, he became assistant in the United States 
District Court in New York, under Daniel 
Dickinson, and subsequently under Pierpont; 
and when the latter became the Attorney-Gen- 
eral of the United States, he was given the office 
of Assistant Attorney-General in the Court of 
Claims, and retained that position under suc- 
cessive administrations. Upon the inaugura- 
tion of President Cleveland he voluntarily 
resigned, and in September, 1885, formed the 
law tirm of McDonald, Simons & Bright, at 
Washington, District of Columbia. He died 
June 19, 18S6, jirobably of overwork. The 
only daughter of the first Mrs. Simons, named 
,Iane Olivia, returned to Burmah, married there, 
and there died of cholera. The younger brother, 
Charles Jenks Simons, is a physician in Chicago. 
The subject of this sketch, as before stated, came 
to America in 1845, at the age of nine. Sent 
to school with his brother Thomas at West 
Boylston, he did not exhibit a desire to study, 
and after a few months returned to his maternal 
relatives at East Brookfield. Here, with an 
uncle for a time, later with his grandparents, 
and afterward with a cousin who was a shoe 
manufacturer, he spent about six years. From 
the cousin he learned some little of the shoe- 
making trade. Meanwiiile he ran away twice 
to Boston to go to sea, but was rejected as too 



yoi 



At the age of fifteen he was induced 



by his older brother to take an academic course, 
which he proceeded to do, at Middleboro, Massa- 
chusetts; but he did not quite complete his 
course of four years, as an opportunity arose to 
satisfy his longing for going to sea. His 
imagination had been fired by his six months' 
voyage from Burmah at the age of nine, wiiile 
his judgment was not mature enough to dis- 
criminate between the position on shipboard of 
a boy passenger in the cabin and a "boy" be- 
fore the mast. His illusion was now about to 
be dispelled. Taking leave of his relatives at 
East Brookfield, he went to Boston and shipped 
on the Challenger, under Captain fiurgess. for 
a voyage around the world. The voyage to San 
Francisco was not specially ever.tful, they 
having encountered only one severe storm, in 
which, however, one man was lost and the sails 
were torn to shreds. He found the captain and 
second mate friendly, while he formed an aver- 
sion to the first mate. The voyage lasted four 
months and a half, and when he received his 
wages as a ship's boy, amounting only to $21, 
he went ashore to try his fortune. This was in 
1855, and he was nineteen. An ill-fortune he 
found it, both at that port and at Sacramento 
Mining, in which his imagination had pictured 
millions, was hopeless. His money was soon 
exhausted and his spirits sank fathoms deep, 
finding liimself penniless and without work. 
He haunted an employment office in Sacramento, 
and finally obtained a job, only to find himself 
defrauded of half the promised wages, receiving 
at the end of two weeks $10 instead of $20. 
With a heroic integrity that deserved good for- 
tune, he paid $4 of that amount to the em- 
ployment otfice as fees for the old job and a 
prospective one. Despairing of getting this, he 
struck out in search of a job. This he secured 
on the river, about ten miles below Sacramento, 
where he spent nearly two years in vain at- 
tempts at making a "raise" by manual labor. 
His discomfort was aggravated by an attack of 
fever and ague. Shortly after this he began a 
career as teacher, amounting to fifteen years and 



IIISTOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUJ^TT. 



extending over a period of twenty years, 1858 
to 1878, liis last sciiool closing at Gait, in this 
county, on May 17, 1878 The live years in- 
terruption to his cai-eer as teacher was the 
period from 1864 to 1800, which he spent in 
Albany, New York, where he was identilied 
with the bar after a course in the law school, 
and where he practiced for a few years. But 
the glorious climate of California lured him 
back, and he resumed his career as school- 
teacher, becoming also owner of a ranch of 160 
acres, which has since been enlarged by recent 
purchase to 355 acres. June 15, 1876, Mr. 
Simons married Miss Fanny Prior, a native of 
El Dorado County, this State. She is the daugh- 
ter of Harlow Prior, who was born in Hartford, 
Connecticut. They have one child, Jennie Belle, 
born June 8, 1879. 



fETER HANSOX was born in 1838, about 
fourteen miles from Cliristianstadt. Swe- 
den, his parents being Andrew and Charsta 
(Peterson) Hanson, both now deceased, the 
mother in 1855, aged fifty, the father in 1881, 
aged ninety-one. They had two sons and two 
daughters. Andrew Hanson's father lived to be 
eighty-iive and Andrew's sister, Mrs. Lawson, 
was 106 when she died. The subject of this 
sketch came to America in 1856, with some 
knowledge of farm work and carpentry and pos- 
sessed of a fair education. He first went to the 
Swedish settlements in Minnesota, but, being 
too young to enter Government land and not 
liking the ciiances of labor presented there, he 
])roceeded southward as far as Moline, Illinois, 



wliere he worked in a saw-mill for 



.year or more. 



He next went to farming in that neighborliood 
for two years. le 1859 Mr. Hanson came to 
California, landing in San Francisco. He then 
proceeded to Sacramento, and tiience to tiie 
mountains, but not being suited he returned to 
the city and soon afterward found work on a 
ranch near Clarksburg on the Sacramento River. 
Tliere he remained one year, and then worked 



near Rio Vista two years, lii March, 1862, he 
bought tiie ranch of 121 acres which he still 
occupies on Grand Island about thirty-seven 
miles below Sacramento. He has about twenty 
acres in orchard, fruit being the chief market- 
able product. In 1886 he built a comfortable 
house of ten rooms on his place; and in 1888 he 
bought eighty acres near Clements in San Joa- 
quin County. Mr. Hanson is unmarried. Miss 
Tilda ISTeiison, a granddaughter of his sister, 
Mrs. Peterson, of Princeton, Illinois, has charge 
of his household. 

tODOLPHUS BUKEr HALL was born 
in Kentucky, September 7, 1825, his par- 
ents being Sliadrac and Mary (Greathouse) 
Hall. The father was born in Virginia, Jan- 
uary 19, 1789, of American parentage but of 
Scotch descent on the paternal, and English on 
the maternal side. The mother, a native of 
Kentucky, was of German or Pennsylvania- 
Dutch descent on botli sides. Her father, Her- 
man Greathouse, was a native of Pennsjdvania 
and a soldier of the Revolution. He lived to 
be over eighty and his wife, by birth Massey 
Ann Bukey, was seventy-five at her death. 
Grandfather Shadrac Hall, a Virginian, was f, 
Presbyterian minister and his wife, by birth a 
Miss Walker, was also a Virginian. The par- 
ents of R. B. Hall were married in Kentucky 
about the close of 1814, and a large portion of 
their children were born in that State. Thej 
afterward moved to Spencer County, Indiana, 
where Mr. Hall was elected siieriff for four 
terms, eight years, and afterward coroner. He 
had previously been a tanner, but had retired 
from that business. He died February 28, 
1856, eleven years after his wife, who died No- 
vember 21, 1844. They were the parents of a 
large family: Mary Ann R., born October 9, 
1815; America G., October 29, 1816; Eliza B., 
March 30, 1818, by marriage Mrs. Wright, died 
October 17, 1844; John \V., June 28, 1819; 
Randolph B., April 7, 1821, didd November 5, 



HISTORY OF SACllAMENTO COUNTY. 



1873; Harmon G., September 30, 1822; Mas- 
sey Ann G., January 23. 1824, by marriage 
Mrs. Pierce, died Septeuiber 27, 1846, Ko- 
dolphns Enkey, the subject of this sketcli, -was 
born September 7, 1825, in Spencer County, 
Indiana; Jemima G., March 11, 1827; Isaac G. 
(see sketch); Elizabeth O., September 23, 1830, 
[attingly, died July 8, 



"y 



marriasre Mr 



1869; Luther G., January 8, 1832, a resident 
of Fresno, California, since November, 1888, 
when he came out from Kentucky; Nathan ¥., 
November 17, 1833; Jonathan P., August 22, 
1835; Shadrac, December 28, 1837, died Feb- 
ruary 4, 1838; Joseph W., July 29, 1838; 
James Wellington, July 24, 1840, became a 
physician and came to California in 1878, re- 
mained here through the winter of 1878-'79, 
went to Oregon in March, 1879, returned here 
toward the close of 1880 and died at San Diego, 
January 12, 1881; Virginia F., December 5, 
1843. The subject of this sketch served in the 
Mexican war in the Fourth Indiana Infantry 
from April 8, 1847, to August 25, 1848. was 
Sergeant of Company E, sftid is a pensioner of 
that war. He caine to California across the 
plains in 1852, arriving in August at Placer- 
ville, where he went to mining. For many 
years, at various points, but chiefly at Michigan 
Bluffs and Forest Hill, he continued in that 
business, making and losing money, with but 
little final gain. September 9, 1861, he arrived 
on Grand Island by invitation of his brother, 
Isaac G. (see sketch), and was half owner of the 
ranch until the return of his brother in 1880, 
when he sold out to him and removed to Santa 
Rosa for the better ed\ication of his children. 
He rents 200 acres on Andrus Island, just be- 
low Isleton, on which he raises alfalfa chiefly. 
R. B. Hall was married March 4, 1864, at San 
Jose, to Miss Ellen D. Hawkins, a native of 
Vermont, a daughter of A. M. and Candace 
(Rising) Hawkins. The mother, born in Al- 
bany, New York, died June 7, 1845. The 
father, born in Georgia, Vermont, in 1809, a 
lawyer by profession, was appointed postmaster 
at Starksboro, Vermont, under Jackson, over 



fifty years ago, and held the office until Cleve- 
land's administration. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are 
the parents of six children: Hattie Virginia, 
born June 27, 1866, has learned the business of 
telegraphy and is employed in San Jose; Josie 
Elizabeth, born March 10, 1870; Rosie Grace, 
May 27, 1872; Carrie Elmira, November 24, 
1874; Lyman Bukey. December 25, 1875; Nel- 
lie America, February 23, 1877, atid died ot 
heart disease at Santa Rosa, June 1, 1889. 

^ • -'^V^^ — • 

fACOB SCHULTZ was born in Holstein, 
Germany, in 1851, his parents being Henry 
and Gesche (Wobcke) Schultz, bothof whom 
are still living in Germany. Grandfather Schultz 
was about seventy at his death; and grandmother 
Eliza Schultz survived him many years, dying 
in 1859, aged eighty-two. Jacob Schultz re- 
ceived the usual education of his country be- 
tween the ages of six and sixteen, working in 
the summer months when old enough, chiefly 
at farm work, which he continued until he came 
to America in his eighteenth year. He came 
direct to San Francisco, arriving in July, 1869, 
and thence to Sacramento, where he worked in a 
brick-yard two months. In October he went to 
work for a farmer in Sutter County at $1 a day 
for soTue months when he returned to the brick- 
yard for a season. In 1871 he came into Trank- 
jin Township where he worked on Mr. Iverth's 
ranch at $26 a month for five years. In 1876 
he rented the place he now owns from Mr. 
Korn, carrying on a dairy business with about 
forty cows and raising some cattle. In 1880 
he rented the Stone place of over 1,100 aci'es, 
dairying with about eighty cows; about ten 
years in both places. In 1887 he bought the 
Korn ranch of 800 acres, just before the boom 
in farm lands. He runs a dairy as before, of 
about thirty cows, raises a few cattle for the 
market every year, and sows a few acres to bar- 
ley. Mr. Schultz was married in Sacramento, 
April 6, 1883, to Miss Eliza Zarnig, who is 
al.so a native of Holstein, a daughter of Wilhelm 



IIISTURV Oil' SAGltAMENTO COUyi'V. 



535 



and Anna (Knrtz) Zarnig, botli deceased, the 
father at the age of forty-eight and t.ie mother 
at fifty-seven. They are the parents of Annie 
and Katie, twin sisters, burn July 8, 1886. 

,^,.^^^3^.^ 

l^ROFESSOR E. P. HOWE, of the Sacra- 
1^ mento Normal Institute, most favorably 
^C known as a prominent educator, was born 
near Marietta, in Ohio, 183S, but removed when 
a child with his parents to Mount Pleasant, a 
sm ill town in Iowa Territory. Here his father, a 
celebrated teicherof tliat time, opened an insti- 
tution of learning, in which young Howe was 
thoroughly drilled for the profession of teaching. 
At the ag3 of fifceen he omrnenced his life- 
work, and, with the exception of a few years, 
during which he finished lii? course, he has been 
continuously engaged in the cause of education. 
Attheageof twenty he was placed in charge of the 
Mount Pleasant Union High School, the number 
of pupils in attendiuee bjing over 200. At the 
close of this erigijreinont hs wis chosen Princi- 
pal of the Normal Sihool of this place, over 
which he presidsd mmy yeirs. Farinington 
High School and Bonapirte College was organ- 
ized and put in successful oper,itio:i by the 
subject of this sketch. Subsequently he was 
connected with tli3 public schools of New York 
and Michigan. It was whilst he was superin- 
tending the schools of Bonaparte, Iowa, that he 
was induced by friends and relatives to visit 
California, and in 1872 was elected Principal 
of Sacramento Union High School. In 1873 
he established Howe's High School and Normal 
Institute, which is to-day the leading private 
Normal School of the State. The best and most 
intelligent families of Sacramento patronize this 
institution. More than fifty teachers, drilled 
and disciplined by Professor Howe, and who 
received their certificates to teach whilst under 
his care, have been, since the establishment of 
his institute, connected with the public schools 
of Sacramento. Some have married, others have 
resigned to take positions elsewhere, and a few 



have gone to that " undiscovered country fr.)m 
whose bourne no traveler returns." At tlie 
present writing more than half of tliit nunib.u- 
still hold their ptsitioiis and aro doing goDd 
work. Since the establishment of this institu- 
tion in 1873, sufSaient time has elapsed to 
ascertain the effict of its training on the minds 
and characters of its inmates. The thorough 
and practical scientific knowledge it imparts, 
the complete system of mental discipline it pur- 
sues, the moulding of the mind to intelligence, 
and the heart to virtue, the energy and zeal it 
inspires in the pupils, are more and more felt 
and appreciated. From no private institution 
are so many able teachers supplied to the State, 
and from none are they so eagerly sought. 

— ^€(i:5i^-^— 

tDOLPH SGHUCH, wood turner and scroll* 
sawyer, Twenty-first street between J and 
I streets, was born in the city of Berlin 
in 1827; his father, Ernest Sehuch, was a dep- 
uty of that city for many years. The subject 
of this sketch showed an aptitude in early life 
for mechanical pursuits, and learned the trade 
of scroll sawing and turning, in which he be- 
came an expert. One of his uncles had come 
to America and settled on a farm in Ohio, and 
in 1850 Adolph determined to join him. Upon 
arriving in New York and hearing of the won- 
derful opportunities to advance in the rapidly 
developing new country, he determined to come 
to California. He landed in San Francisco in 
November, 1850, and at once obtained employ- 
ment, and three years later started in business 
for himself on Market street in t.liat city. Later 
on he came to Sacramento, where he has re 
sided ever since, accumulating a competence by 
industry. In 1871 he bought the corner lot en 
Twenty-first street, between H and I, and heie 
he has his residence, work-shops, etc. It was 
here that he perfected liis winding-twist turning 
machine, a marvel of simplicity and ingenuity, 
upon which he was granted a patent June 21, 
1887. Mr. Sehuch married Miss Eva Asehenauf r. 



HlarORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ii native of Eavaria, in I860, and their only 
(laughter is now the wife of Mr. Otto Willhelin 
of this city. Mr. Schnch has had too hnsy a 
life to devote any amount of time tu the frater- 
nal organizations, but he early became identified 
with tlie Red Men. as a member of tlie Sacra- 
mento Wigwam, IS'o. 124. Such, in brief, is 
the history of one of onr German-American 
citizens, sliowing what industry and intelligent 
enterprise will do. 

fXCIL FAY RAYMOND, of Flint & Ray- 
mond, ranchers in Cosumnes Township, 
was born near Prattsbnrg, Steuben County, 
>sew York, April 12, 1852, his parents being 
Julin ('.and Sarah Ann (Corey) Raymond. The 
father, born March 24, 1826, died January 22, 
1879; the mother, born Ai gust 24, 1828, is 
now' Mrs. Truman C. Corey, of Linneus, Linn 
County, Missouri, where the Raymond family 
settled in 1868, on a sixty-acre farm adjoinii.g 
the town. A. F. Raymond came to California 
in April, 1874, and worked on a farm. He was 
married November 25, 1874, to Miss Nettie 
Harriet Flint, born in New York city, December 
1, 1856, of Swayne S. and Ellen M. (Nelson) 
Flint. Mrs. Raymond iiad preceded him to 
California, arriving in June, 1873. After mar- 
riage Mr. Raymond spent about two and one- 
half years in Missouri, engaged in stock-raising. 
In 1878 lie returned to California. February 
22, 1881, he rented 29.55 acres of the Haggin 
grant for hop-raising. In 1882 lie raised on it 
90,000 pounds of hops, a result never excelled 
in this State. In 1883, after his third crop, he 
surrendered his lease and made a visit East, re- 
maining until March, 1884. Soon after his 
return he bought one-third interest, which he 
still owns in the Flint & Raymond ranch of 
1,312 acres on the Cosumnes, near McCabe 
bridge, Mr. Daniel Flint, of Sacramento, the 
uncle of Mrs. Raymond, being the senior mem- 
ber of the firm and owner of a two-thirds inter- 
est. Tlie ranch is devoted to raising hops, hay 



and cattle. There are about thirty-three acres 
in hops and about 200 in alfalfa. Of cattle, 
mostly Durhains, there are 200 head, and of 
horses about twenty. Perhaps 300 acres are 
bottom land. The new irrigating ditch runs 
through the ranch for about one and a half 
miles. There is a small orange grove of about 
250 trees. Mr. Raymond is a member of Sac- 
ramento Grange, No. 12; was its secretary in 
1881, overseer in 1882, and master in 1883. He 
is also a member of Capital Lodge, No. 87, I. 
O. O. F. ; has been conductor, warden, etc. He 
was elected justice of the peace in 1886, and in 
1888, in the general election and special election 
which followed, he and his competitor on both 
occasions received an equal number of votes, 
when both agreed to withdraw. 



EORGE MAURICE COLTON, farmer, 
was born in Stephenson County, Illinois, 
[arch 16, 1845, a son of Lewis and Maria 
A. (Orton) Colton, the former a native of New 
York, and the latter of Erie County, Pennsyl- 
vania, who emigrated to Illinois about 1843. 
Lewis Colton bought land there and remained 
until 1854, when lie came with his family to 
California, with ox teams, having a compara- 
tively safe journey. lie arrived in this State in 
October, locating first in Nevada County, about 
seventy miles north of Sacramento. He bought 
160 acres of land there, in Penn's Valley, about 
twelve miles from Nevada City, toward Marys- 
ville. During the two years he remained there, 
he owned a rich surface mine near Rough and 
Ready, and took out $16,000 or $18,000, and 
built a toll-road from Penn Valley to Rough 
and Ready, a distance of two miles. Then he 
lived over two years at Washoe, 1861-'68. The 
first winter there was a hard one, on account of 
floods. Putting up a quartz mill at Washoe, 
he ran it about a year. He iiad a partner in 
this enterprise, named David Smith. Meeting 
with reverses in business there, he exchanged 
his interest in the mill for 160 acres of land in 



UrSTURY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tliis conntj', on tlie upper Stockton road near the 
Lake House. A year afterward he sold it and 
went to Idaho and followed mining there about 
three years. Ever since then he has made this 
county his home. There were six children in 
iiis family, of whom five are now living: George 
M., Mrs. Elizabeth Bader, Amanda, the widow 
of Andrew K. Wackman, who died in 1884; 
Benjamin F., California, wife of Willia.>: 
Clough, of San Francisco, and J udson, who re- 
sides at Martinez. Mr. Colton, whose name 
heads this sketch, was eight years old when he 
came to this State. In the autumn of 1876 lie 
went into business for himself. That year he 
lived with Mr. Bader, his brother-in-law, and 
the next year got down to business. In part- 
nership with B. F. Colton he rented the widow 
Bayless farm and conducted it three years. 
Xext he rented the old Harrison Wackman 
place, of 500 acres, for j'onr years; then he 
bought the place of the heirs. George Colton 
and his brother now own 1,229 acres of land- 
They not only cultivate and pasture this land, 
but also run a threshing machine, in which the 
cleaner used is invented by Mr. Colton but not 
yet patented. It is the most successful cleaner 
yet introduced. Mr. Co. ton is ".low making 
preparations for running a large dairy and rais- 
ing more cattle. He was married February 16, 
1881, to Miss Louisa Poston, a native of Illi- 
nois, but brought up in Davenport, Iowa, whither 
her parents had emigrated. She came to Cali- 
fornia in the fall of 1876 and kept house for 
liur uncle, Harrison Wackman, as long as he 
fanned here. Mr. and Mrs. Colton have three 
children, viz.: Blanche Oston, born July 6, 
1882; Chester Leland, November 16, 1884, and 
Grace Poston, Marcli 27, 1885. Mrs. Colton 
was born in Rock Island County, Illinois, Au- 
gust 20, 1850. Her parents, William and 
Mary Poston, moved across the Mississippi 
River into Scott County, Iowa, settling six miles 
from Davenport, where her father is still a resi- 
dent. Her mother died February 28, 1858. In 
their family were two sons and three daughters. 
Only two are now living — Mrs. Colton and 



Elias Poston, the latter in Cook County, Illi- 
nois. William Poston for his second wife mar- 
ried Aima Carroll, who is still living. By this 
marriage there were nine children, of whom 
live daughters and three sons are still living, all 
in Scott County, Iowa. 

•^■^■'^ ^— 

|RS. JULIA ARMSTRONG, ranch- 
owner of Cosnmnes Township, residing 
about twenty-four miles from Sacra- 
mento, was born in Ireland, January 19, 1836, 
her parents l)eing Michael and Mary (Maher) 
Doheny. The mother died in 1857, aged sixty- 
two, and the father, January 24, 1866, aged 
eighty-nine years and eight months. The par- 
ents emigrated to America in 1847, accompanied 
l)y their four daughters: Julia, the subject of 
this sketch; Nellie, by marriage Mrs. Patrick 
Cahill, deceased in San Francisco, in November, 
1884; and Annie, now JVIrs. James Nolan, of 
that city, and Kate, now Mrs. James J. De 
Bony, now living in Baltimore, Maryland. 
Miss Julia Doheny was married October 30, 
1862, to Mr. William Armstrong, born in Ire- 
land in 1828, son of John and Nora Lawlor 
Armstrong. The father died while AVilliam was 
quite young, and several years later, in 1849, 
the mother came to America with her two chil- 
dren, Mary Ann, afterward Mrs. Patrick Mur- 
phy, and William, and settled at Waukegan, 
Illinois. William came to California in 1852, 
and went into business as a butcher at Placer- 
ville, which he carried on for several years. 
About 1854 he began to pasture cattle on the 
open lands, where he afterward located, and in 
1863 he quit butchering and settled near where 
his family now resides, buying some from the 
Government and still more from individuals, 
until he owned 1,060 acres in one body. Since 
his death, May 1, 1873, Mrs. Armstrong has 
bought 120 acres adjoining. The whole ranch 
is adapted to cattle-raising and general farming. 
Mrs. Nora Armstrong, for many years a resident 
of this township, survived her son, dying in 



UrSTORY OF SACRAMENTO VOUNTY. 



December, 1886, aged ninety-two. The chil- 
dren of William and Julia Armstrouo; were 
seven, four dying young, one before- the father 
and three since. The three living are — Jeffer 
son, born April 14, 1864, was elected justice of 
the peace November 6, 1888; James, born Au- 
gust 28, 1865- Mary Agnes, born February 9, 
1867. Miss Armstrong has received an aca- 
demic education in San Francisco. The three 
children live with their mother in a neat and 
pleasant home recently erected. 



fAMES BITCHELL, 1117 L street.— A few 
more years and the meii who came as pio- 
neers to Sacramento, men who endured the 
hardships and privations of early days, trials by 
floods and tires and all the troublous times inci- 
dent to frontier life, will be gathered to their 
fathers! Who shall tell their story so full of 
stirring incident, and lessons which it were well 
indeed for future generations to heed, if not told 
by the biographer of to-day? Our only regret 
is that the scope of this volume does not permit 
ns to give that detail which the subject would 
warrant, but a brief page even of the man 
whose name heads this sketch will be found 
both interesting and instructive. Born in the 
city of New York, in 1827, his preliminary edu- 
cation was had at the public scliools of that 
city, lie early entered the publishing house of 
Mark H. Newham, and there acquired the 
thorough knowledge of the business which as 
his life-work he has made so marked a success. 
The stirring events of California in 1849, — the 
discovery of gold, the influx of population from 
all over the world, the building up of populor.s 
cities, as if by magic, — ofi'ered inducements to 
ambitious young men to seek their fortune in 
the "land of golden promise." They came, 
drawn from widely divergent conditions of life. 
The farmer left his plow, the merchant his 
counting-house, the artisan his work-shop, to 
stand side by side and shoulder to shoulder be- 
side the softly flowing waters of the Sacramento, 



any a 
jurden 



whose auriferous sands brought to 
golden harvest, and to many more " 
of barren regrets." It is not to be supposed, 
however, that all came with the idea of going 
into the mines. Many were attracted by op- 
portunities to go into commercial enterprise, 
men with " long heads," endowed with foresight 
into the dim and misty future, to whose pre- 
scient minds "coming events cast their shad- 
ows before." To this class belongs the subject 
of this sketch. When a friend in whose busi- 
ness integrity he had the utmost faith, offered 
to launch out into the " swirl of the seething 
tide," he readily lent his aid and encourage- 
ment to the enterprise, assured that if properly 
managed it could but succeed; but it was not 
properly managed, and the consignment of 
goods into which he had put his confldence and 
his money, brought him no returns. Hoping 
to save at least a remnant, he hurried to the 
coast, but too late to avert the disaster. Having 
in mind the old-time adage, "That the place to 
look for your money is where you lost it," he 
courageously ordered a second consignment of 
goods from the East, and while awaiting the 
arrival engaged in the grocery business in a 
small way. U[)on the arrival of the merchan- 
dise in June, 1851, he at once opened a book 
store on J street, adjacent to the lot on which 
he afterward erected a iire-proof building, and 
which is now occupied by " Sam " Morris, the 
bookseller. His business flourished here until 
the tire which occurred on the night after the 
Presidential election in November, 1852, when, 
with others, he was burned out. After this tire 
he went to San Francisco and bought one of 
those ready-made Yankee frames for a build- 
ing which was warranted to "tit," and would 
indeed have fitted some other lot much larger 
than the one of which he was possessed. Find- 
ing that either the frame was too large or the 
lot too small, and furthermore being a "person 
of fashion " he followed the prevailing fashion 
and erected a canvas building, which corre 
sponded in every essential detail with those of 
his neighbors, and his frame was carefully laid 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



away to rest until his lot should " grow." Two 
years later he had purchased the lot adjoining, 
and proceeded to erect thereon a lire-proof brick 
building, having iron shutters and doors, fore- 
seeing that at no distant day the injlaniuiable 
character of the structures in the neighborhood 
would result in fire. This building was nearly 
completed, when, one hot day in July, 1854, his 
fears were realized. A fire started lurtherdown 
tlie street, and, summoning what assistance he 
could command, he began moving his stock into 
the new building, which, altiiough not com- 
pleted, was sufiiciently so to be deemed fire- 
proot. In the e.xcitement and turmoil, he soon 
saw that his neighbors were taking advantage 
of his foresight, and stocks of every description 
were being flung pell-mell into his building for 
safety from the advancing flames, crowding out 
his own goods, and even tilling up the gang- 
ways, which were with ditflculty closed against 
the encroachments of the devouring element. 
When the morning dawned and the tire had 
burned out, his tire-proof building alone stood, 
black and bleak, amid the ruins of so many 
cherished hopes; a monument to the qualities of 
foresight which was then, and still is, with him so 
marked a characteristic. For twenty years he 
continued to occupy the same building, con- 
ducting successfully a business which grew with 
the growth of the Capital City, and under his 
fostering care brought a harvest of golden 
shekels. Re has been twice married; his first 
wife, to whom he was united in 1846 when he 
was but nineteen, survived but a few years, 
leaving a son "Zach," who is now a farmer in 
Solano County. His second marriage was made 
in New York, in 1855, to Mrs. Mary E. Gray. 
Mr. Bitchell lias never been in any sense a poli- 
tician, while steadily and earnestly interesting 
himself in all the aifairs appertaining to tlie 
advancement of the city, and could doubtless, 
had he desired to do so, have held many oflices 
of trust. He laughingly refers to the one cam- 
paign of his life, when as he says, "Abraham Lin- 
coln was at the head of the ticket and he 
(I'itchell) at the foot, being a nominee for 



school director;" he says he got more votes in 
his district than Lincoln, and that the board to 
which he was elected, consisting of Henry Mil- 
ler, John Millikin, Dr. Simmons, John Craw- 
ford, A. C. Sweetzer, and others, was a very 
respectable crowd. 

- — '^■m-^ — 



fAMES H. STURGES, watches and jewelry, 
Folsom, an honored and old-time citizen of 
this county, and of the town of Folsom, 
where he occupies important positions, was born 
in the town of Wallkill, Orange County, New 
York, Decetnber 27, 1828. His father, Will- 
iam L. Sturges, was also a native of the same 
place, as was also his grandfather. William 
L. Sturges married Miss E. Price, a native of 
Orange County, New York; her grandfather 
was a Welshman, and this is the only point in 
the history of the Sturges family that is trace- 
able to a foreign country. When the subject of 
this sketch was five years old his parents moved 
with him to the city of New York, and lived 
there five years. His mother then died, and he 
returned to Orange County, and remained there 
three years; then he resided in New York again 
until he came to California in 1851. At the age 
of fifteen years he entered a jewelry store, and 
continued there until he came West. February 
28, 1851, he sailed from New York and came 
by the Panama route to this State, arriving in 
San Francisco April 2, 1851. He went to the 
mines on Yuba River for a short time, and then 
was on tlorse-Shoe Bar, on tiie American, until 
1854; then one jear in the neighborhood of 
Coloma, and then three years in the neighbor- 
bood of Negro Hill, opposite Mormon Island, 
and finally concluded to fall back upon his old 
trade, in watches and jewelry; but before get- 
ting a start in this, and after he had obtained 
his outfit of tools, he acted as water agent for the 
Negro Hill Ditch Company for a time. He 
opened his present business in Folsom in De- 
cember, 1860, and since that time he has un- 
interruptedly "and faithfully prosecuted this 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



coniining business. In political matters he has 
been a Ilepublican ever since the part}' was 
organized; prior to that he was a Whig. His 
iirst vote for the Presidency was cast for Gen- 
eral Wintield Scott, in 1852, and the second for 
John C. Fremont in 185(5, with the majority of 
the Northern Whigs. In 1881 he was ap- 
pointed justice of the peace for Granite Towu- 
ship, and at the succeeding election elected to 
the same office, which position he has ever since 
held. In educational matters he has always 
taken a great interest. Has been school trustee 
tive successive terms of three years each. He 
has been a member of the Masonic order for 
thirty years, and for the past live years secretary 
of Natoma Lodge, No. 64. Is also a member of 
the O. C. F., and secretary for seven years, each 
time unanimously elected; and he also belongs 
to the order of the Golden Shore. His marriage 
was celebrated May 1, 1861, when he wedded 
Miss Henrietta C. Wadleigh, and they have had 
two sons and one daughter: Cliarles H., Mary 
Louetta and James H. The daughter was mar- 
ried January 5, 1881, to General J. G. Marti ne, 
of Sacramento, and died July 30, 1888, the 
mother of two children. The elder son is resid- 
ing at Folsom, in the employ of his father as 
assistant postmaster, J. H. Sturges. now having 
charge of the postoffice under C. L. Ecklon, 
postmaster, and the younger son is at New 
Castle, in the employ of the New Castle Fruit 
Company. 



^OAH BISHOP GILL, a rancher of Co 
sumnes Township, was born in Kentucky 
January 16, 1886, his parents being Rev 
James William and Susannah (Bishop) Gill 
The father was born in Virginia in 1808, and 
became a preacher of the "Christian" o 
Campbell ite Church. He was married in Pu 
laski County, Kentucky, moved to Delaware 
County, Ohio, thence to Indiana, and from that 
State to Iowa. In 1852 he came to California, 
and returned to Iowa on Christmas day, 1853. 



In 1854 he bought a larm in Marion County, 
Iowa, wliicii he sold three years later. In 1857 
he again came to California, and died in 1869. 
The mother, Susannah Gill, was a daughter of 
Joseph Bishop, a Kentucky farmer, and died 
comparatively young. Grandfather Thomas 
Gill, a native of Ireland, was a soldier in the 
war of 1812, and afterward worked at his trade 
of blacksmith in Virginia, where he died in 
1855, aged sixty-live. His wife, Grace Ellen, 
was of German descent. N. B. Gill came to 
California with his father and stepmother, 
across the plains, arriving in Stockton, October 
6, 1857, after a journey of 163 days from 
Omaha. He soon went into the teaming busi- 
ness, his tirst job being the driving of a twelve- 
mule team for two months. He afterward 
became a cattle-herder, his occupation taking 
him into Nevada, Utah. Montana and Idaho, 
spending three years on the frontiers, during 
two of which he saw no whites except his com- 
rades of the same calling, and was frequently in 
danger from iiostile Indians. An unpleasant 
experience of that period was traveling on one 
occasion with four companions for iive days 
without food, and the difKculty of restraining 
his comrades, — lie being the oldest and captain 
of the band, — from a too free use of food when 
they reached plenty. He afterward worked in 
the Michigan Bar pottery in various capacities 
ten or twelve years, and in the copper works on 
Copper Hill two years. He entered 160 acres 
at his place, about three miles south of Michi- 
gan Bar, in 1871, filed pre-emption and home- 
stead papers, and has but recently secured a 
patent from the general Government. He lias 
sold a portion to tiie owner of the neighboring 
pottery, and retains tiie title to about eighty- 
four acres, well adapted to general farming, and 
with irrigation capable of raising fruit. In 1882 
he was taken sick with pneumonia, and was in 
feeble health for three years, losing the use of 
one eye, with the other somewhat impaired. Mr. 
Gill was married May 20, 1860, to Miss Mar- 
garet Lorinda Baker, born in Indiana, in May, 
1841, her parents being Regnal Prather and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



541 



Mary (Holmes) Baker, both deceased, the mother 
in 1873, aged sixty-two, and the fatiier in 1883, 
aged seventy-two. Grandfather William Holmes, 
a native of Kentucky, died in Missouri in 1843, 
aged eighty-seven; his wife, by birth Margaret 
Quinn, was eighteen months younger, and sur- 
vived him eighteen months. Great-grandfather 
Holmes, whose name was also William, was an 
English emigrant, and lived 100 years, lacking 
one month. Grandfather William Baker died 
comparatively young, but his wife, by birth 
Helen Pratlier, the daughter of a German 
father and English mother, lived to be sixty- 
five. Mr. and Mrs. Baker, witii their three 
children, came to California in 1853, and located 
at first in San Jose Valley. Mr. Baker put in 
a crop, but it was almost destroyed by squirrels. 
In 1854 he came to Michigan Bar and went to 
mining. He filed pre-emption papers on 160 
acres, about one and a half miles south of the 
village, which is still occupied by some of his 
heirs. Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Gill have had four 
sons and one daughter, of whom only one, Al- 
fred Allen, Ijorn June 18, 1869, is now living. 



fETER B. GREEN was born in Bretzen- 
heim, in the Rhein province of Prussia, 
his parents being Philip and Christina 
(Yaeger) Green. His grandfather, Joseph Green, 
was over seventy when he died, and his grand- 
mother Green was well advanced in years when 
slie died, through an accident. P. B. Green 
was educated in Prussia. He left home direct 
for California in 1858, on the ship Triton, via 
Cape Horn, and arrived in San Francisco in 
1859, whence lie came to a point on the Sacra- 
mento River near where Courtland now is, and 
went to work on a farm. h\ 1862 lie went to 
school at Walnut Grove, to perfect himself in 
the English language. In 1864 he tried mining 
in Inyo and Mono counties, and also did some 
mining at Aurora, in the State of Nevada. He 
helped to form the county of Inyo, was ap- 
pointed justice of the peace at Inyo, and was 



afterward elected his own successor in 1867. 
He studied law for a time, and also took a 
course of instruction at E. P. Heald's Business 
College in San Francisco, and worked for a 
commission house in that city in 1869 and 

1870. Mr. Green settled permanently on the 
Sacramento River in 1871, and by different 
purchases he became the owner of the place he 
now occupies on "Handall Island," which is no 
longer an island, though when first he saw it in 
1859 there were perhaps twenty feet of water 
in the slough which formed its southern water 
front. His land is well adapted for fruit culture, 
and that is his chief industry. He has erected 
on his place a handsome residence of fourteen 
rooms, making a very comfortable and elegant 
home. Mr. Green was married October 17, 

1871, to Cynthia L., daughter of Austin and 
Mary Ann Sims, and a native of Greene County, 
Illinois. Her (Mrs. Green's) parents reside at 
Courtland. Both were born in Kentucky in 
1805, and are well preserved both mentally and 
physically. Mr. and Mrs. Green are the par- 
ents of six children, of whom five are living, 
viz.: Delina, Ulmer, Bernice, Boyd and Les- 
tenna. Both parents, with their children, at- 
tend the services of the Richland Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



fBEN" OWEN was born in in Portland, 
Maine, November 26, 1812, his parents 
being Eben and Sarah (Bartlett) Owen. 
The grandfather was also named Eben or Eben- 
ezer. Father and grandfather both lived to a 
good old age, longevity being, as far as known, 
a hereditary trait in the family. Grandmother 
Owen was a MioS Cotton, and the Cottons and 
Bartletts are of New England stock for many 
generations, the former of New Hampshire and 
the latter of Maine, from which they have spread 
in various directions throughout the country 
but are still most numerous in the East. The 
father of the subject of this sketch kept a gro- 
cery store for many years in Portland, and the 



HISTORY OF 8AORAMENT0 COUNTY. 



son helped in the store in boyliood. Was edu- 
cated in the city schools, and when working in 
the store, he attended night scliool. In 1838 
he went to New Orleans with a view of getting 
a clerkship, in wliich he was disappointed. 
Learning of a cliance at Jackson, Louisiana, he 
went there and remained ten years, filling differ- 
ent situations. In the fail of 1849 he set out 
for California by way of New Orleans and tlie 
Isthmus and arrived at San Francisco, February 
22, 1850, sixty-nine days being spent in the 
voyage on the Pacific. His comrade was Harvey 
D. Smith wlio with himself and three others 
formed a small party of five. When in San 
Francisco, they liired a rcom about ten feet 
square, for wliicli they paid $50 a month, and tlie 
landlord complained bitterly of tiie heavy de- 
cline in rents. In Marcli they went in a small 
sail-boat to Stockton, paying $20 each. After 
a trip of five days on the river, they camped on 
tlie peninsula, and there remained several weeks, 
tiie roads being too bad to travel. They then 
left for the Stanislaus River, paying $20 a hun- 
dred weight to a teamster for freight on their 
mining outtit, with tlie privilege of riding occa- 
sionally on the ox team. They walked a good 
part of tiie way, the roads being still in bad 
condition. Stopped short of tlieir destination 
and went to mining on a branch of the Cala- 
veras, where they spent the summer of 1850. 
Afterward mined at different points — Moke- 
lumne Bar, Jackson Creek and Indian Dig- 
gings, in all about two years; net result to Mr. 
Owen only about $1,200. He then came to 
Sacramento and went to clerking for Mr. Briggs, 
a stock buyer, grocer and speculator, to whom 
his friend Smith had loaned a considerable 
amount, and himself a few iuindreds. Mr. 
Briggs becoming embarrassed through over 
speculation and ruinous rates of interest, Mr. 
Smith became owner of the grocery business in 
partial settlement of his claim, Mr. Owen con- 
tinuing as partner. In the fall of 1852 Mr. 
Smith died of sporadic cholera, leaving liis estate 
in charge of Mr. Owen, witii directions to send 
§1,0Q0 to a crippled brotlier and the rest to his 



father, in New York, wliich was done. The 
firm of Smith & Owen lasted but two or three 
months. Needing a reliable assistant, he sold 
Mr. Smith's interest to a Mr. Haskell, but only 
for about three months, when Mr. Haskell, urged 
by his wife to return to his home in Michigan, 
settled with Mr. Owen on the basis of wages for 
the time he had been in tiie firm, pleading that 
" domestic happiness is worth more than money." 
The firm then became Owen & Estes, for a year 
or more; then Owen & Chamberlain for about 
the same length of time. In 1854, Mr. (3weu 
bought the Central Hay- yard on Tenth, Eleventh 
and T streets, which he rented for more than ten 
years. It, when purchased, rented for $3,000, 
and wiien sold was renting for §300 a year. In 
1855 he sold out his old business to Charles S. 
White and went back to Portland, Maine, where 
he was married to Miss Mary W. Dole, a native 
of that State, of an old and respected family. 
In 1857, after eighteen months sojourn in Port- 
land, during which he was chiefly occupied in 
erecting and fltting up ahomeand some income 
buildings for his parents, he returned to Califor- 
nia. In 18G0 he bought the ranch he still owns 
on the Cosumnes in Franklin Township, contain- 
ing about 1,250 acres of good average land, 
ciiiefiy cultivated for wheat, but on a part of 
which he has now a young orchard. He at one 
time owned a ranch in Solano County, on which 
he raised sheep and grain, but losing nearly 
2,000 sheep in one dry season he gave up the 
business there and sold the place. In 186G 
Mrs. Owen died at the early age of about twenty- 
eight years, leaving two boys: Eben Bartlett, 
born October 25, 1861, and Harry Dole, born 
December 26, 1863. In 1868 he moved on the 
ranch, but returned to Sacramento some years 
afterward for the better education of his sons. 
In the country, they rode five miles to the dis- 
trict school. Besides the usual education there 
and in the city each took a course in the Atkin- 
son Business College. Both are now engaged 
on the ranch, each having charge of a dieflnite 
portion of the estate. The father usually resides 
in the city where he retains liis old home, and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



visits the ranch occasionally. He is an earnest 
spiritualist and iinds much comfort in that faith, 
in which he has believed for thirty years. He 
is possessed of niediinnistic powers and is con- 
trolled by spirits other than his own, as he be- 
lieves. Harry Dole Owen, the younger son, 
was married December 15, 1885, to Miss Maggie 
Utter, a native of Franklin Township, daughter 
of Dowty and Amanda (Hall) Utter. The father 
was originally a book-keeper, and afterward a 
rancher two and a half miles south of Franklin 
on the lower Stockton road. He died in 1869, 
at the early age of tliirty-two; the mother is now 
Mrs. J. W. Moore, of the same place. Mr. and 
Mrs. Harry D. Owen are the parents of two 
children: William Eben, born November 15, 
1887, and May Gladys, born May 31, 1889. 



:ILL1AM MILGATE, a rancher of Na- 
toma Township, about eleven miles 
from Folsom, was born in England, 
December 24, 1812, his parents being William 
and Hannah Margaret (Pyles) Milgate. The 
mother died near Newham, and the father emi- 
grated to America in 1824, witli seven daugh- 
teis and two sons. James, the only brother of 
the subject of this sketch, is living in Cleve- 
land, Ohio. The grandfather, also named Will- 
iam, lived to the age of eighty. The father 
first settled in Lyons, New York, but afterward 
moved to Darien in that State, where he died. 
The subject of this sketch was apprenticed to a 
shoemaker in Geneva, New York, in 1829, and 
learned his trade partly tliere and partly in 
Canada, where he spent most of the year 1831. 
He was married in Buffalo, in March, 1832, be- 
fore he was twenty, to Miss Hannah Gilkey, 
born in Cayuga County, New York, in 1813, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carey (rilkey. Mr. 
Milgate worked at his trade in and near Bufialo 
for about five years, and afterward traveled to 
more distant points, still working at his trade. 
In 1849 he established a shoe store in Savannah, 
Missouri, which he sold out two years later, 



when he moved to Council Bluffs, 
crossed the plains with his wife 



In 1853 he 
d children, 

two sons and a daughter, and worked at his 
trade one winter in Salt Lake, where another 
daughter was born. In May, 1854 they pro- 
ceeded on their way until they reached Buckeye 
Flats, where Mr. Milgate mined that season. 
In 1855 be moved to Sacramento, where he 
kept the Globe Hotel on K street, but only for 
a season. In the fall of 1855, with his two 
sons, he came to what was then known as Wall's 
Diggings, where they mined with fair success, 
and in 1856 the wife and daughters joined them 
at "Walltown," which has ever since been the 
home of the family, though the town has grad- 
ually faded from the landscape. It had at one 
time a population of over 200, besides being a 
trading center for an extensive mining district, 
with three general stores, two taverns, two 
butcher shops, two billiard saloons, a clothing 
store and a bakery. In 1858 Mr. Milgate 
opened a saloon, and in 1859 bought one of the 
general stores, carrying on business in Wall- 
town almost to the end. He did not see its 
rise, but he has witnessed its decline and fall. 
Meanwhile he had filed the necessary papers 
and received a United States patent to 160 acres, 
dated October 20, 1875, and eighty acres June 
4, 1887, which he uses chiefly as cattle pasture. 
He has also done some quartz mining in later 
years, but has done little of anything since 

I 1886. He had a stroke of paralysis in that 
year, from which he partially recovered after 

j sixteen months, only to be again stricken down 
June 14, 1888. He is still bedridden, a year 
later, but is otherwise in fair health and spirits. 
Mrs. Milgate died August 22, 1866, leaving 
four children: George Carey, born in Buffalo, 
April 19, 1833. He learned the trade of 
plumber and tinner, and in 1871 went into 
business in that line at Council Bluffs, Iowa. 
He was there married in 1874 to Miss Eliza 
Catfle. i)orn in England, a daughter of James 
and Eliza Catfle, b<jth now living in Council 
Bluffs. They have four children: Eveline, born 
May 24, 1874; Grace, April 28, 1879, both in 



HISTORY OF SAGRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Council Bluifs; Frank, born in Sacramento, 
January 2, 1884; Annie Olive, born in " Wall- 
town," April 11, 1888. George C. Milgate, 
having returned to California with his family 
in 1882, settled un his father's place in that 
year. William James, also born in New York 
in 1837, is now proprietor of the Fountain 
Stables in Sacramento. He also owns about 
1,200 acres in Natoma Township. Aurelia, 
born in New York State iu 1841, became the 
wife of James Burrows, a native of Wisconsin, 
and died November 23, 1876, leaving three 
daughters and one son. Her youngest daugh- 
ter, Marion, born February 4, 1876, was taken 
into the family of her grandfather, the subject 
of this sketch, and there reared. Marion Mil- 
gate, born in Salt Lake City, April 16, 1854, 
now Mrs. Charles Haines, also of Walltown, 
has two children, a boy and a girl. Mr. William 
Milgate was married June 22, 1867, to Miss 
Hannah Wardle, born in England, May 31, 
1833, a daughter of Ralph and Harriet (Chals- 
worth) AVardle. The parents emigrated to 
America in 1862, and settled in Salt Lake City, 
whence they moved to Reese River in 1864, 
and after eighteen months came to Sacramento, 
where the father died July 17, 1886, aged 
seventy-four years, four mouths and one day. 
Mrs. Wardle, born June 7, 1807, is still living 
in 1889, and residing with her daughter, Mrs. 
William Milgate. 

'^■^■•^ 

fEORGE L. CLARKE, capitalist, Sacramen- 
to. About the beginning of the present cen- 
tury, or a year or two later. James Clarke, 
a native of the New England States, came to 
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, bought a farm 
near Pittsburg, married Miss Sarah Cooper, and 
became a farmer; and here in April, 1833, was 
born George L., the subject of this biographical 
notice. P'or many years prior to 1847 there 
had been a Mormon settlement in Hancock 
County, Hlinois, and when iu 1847 or 1848 
they moved to Salt Lake, Jamej Clarke bought 



600 or 700 acres of Mormon land, and i-emoved 
his family there. At the age of eighteen years 
young Clarke entered a store at Rushville, the 
county seat of Schuyler County, Hlinois, as a 
clerk, where he remained until March, 1852. 
Even as a boy the tales of adventure in the far 
West, and such books as " Hastings' Traveler's 
Guide," had instilled into his mind a firm de- 
termination to "go West" at the first oppor- 
tunity; and when, in 1852, a party was made 
up at Rushville to cross the plains with ox 
teams, he gladly became one of the number. 
The party followed up the north side of the 
Platte River, crossed the Sweetwater, came over 
the Rocky Mountains at the South Pass, 
entered this State through Beekwith Pass, and 
stopped at Hopkins Creek (at that time in 
Butte County) for a month to recruit, and then 
journeyed on to Marysville. Not liking the 
outlook for mining operations, he crossed the 
American River at Lile's Bridge, and entered 
the city of Sacramento on the 8th of Septem- 
ber. Very soon he purchased an interest in a 
ranch near Freeport, San Joaquin Township, 
and began farming. It was on this farm, 
owned jointly by him and Mr. Dillworth, that 
he tirst met Mr. F. R. Dray, who subsequently 
became prominent in the county. He con- 
tinued on this ranch of 480 acres until the fall 
of 1858, when he sold out and bought a farm 
near Elk Grove, and resided there until 1866, 
when he removed to town. During that year 
he went to Oregon and bought 2,600 head of 
sheep, and drove them across the country to 
Sacramento. In 1870 he wetit to San Luis 
Obispo County, and engaged in raising, buying 
and selling sheep, frequently driving flocks to 
Sacramento in order to reach the mining market 
in Nevada. In 1873 he once more returned to 
the Capital" City, where for three years he con- 
tinued to reside, retaining his interests in the 



sheen-raising and stock busine 



Durinsr the 



Centennial year he made a trip East, visiting 
Chicago, Niagara Falls, New York, Philadel- 
phia, Washington, and on his return stopped at 
his old home in Illinois, and also visited his 






n 



■p-lf^i/ 




HIsrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



younger brother, James P. Clarke, in Kansas. 
His brotlier lias since that time returned to 
llnshville, and has become a merchant, and is 
also a supervisor of Schuyler County. After 
being gone over four months, Mr. Clarke re- 
turned to this State. Since that time he has 
bought and improved several pieces of city 
property, and last year (1888) he and an old 
neighbor and friend, Mr. Cave, of Sacramento, 
bought 1,100 acres of Yolo County land, which 
they are improving, intending to make a stock 
ranch of it. Mr. Clarke is an active, energetic, 
go-ahead man. He was never married. His home 
is at the State House Hotel, where he is ever 
ready to greet his friends in a cordial manner. 



IgiON. A. L. FROST.— This gentleman occu- 
flTO P"^* '^^'^ responsible office of county assess- 
■^l or, having been elected thereto in the fall 
of 188G. Like so many of the old Californians, 
his life has been one full of incident, variety 
and adventure, ending now happily in comfort 
and the esteem and confidence of his fellow- 
citizens. Mr. Frost was born April 18, 1828, 
in liockingham County, New Hampshire, and 
there in the country schools he made acquaint- 
ance with books, altiiough he owes the better 
part of his education to the rougher but most 
valuable schooling of experience and the nibs 
and chances of an active life. When but a 
youth he went to work in a sash and door fac- 
tory in Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1845, 
still only in his 'teens, he made his way to 
Maine, where he remained until 1852, when he 
determined to come to California and test for 
himself the truth of the stories of gold that 
came from this western land. The trip was 
maile by way of tlie Isthmus of Panama, and 
was unattended by any serious mishaps. On 
the 22d of September of that year Mr. Frost 
arrived in this State, and immediately engaged 
in mining in El Dorado County. There he re- 
sided continuously, meeting with the varying 



success of the miner, until May 20, 1873, when 
he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue 
for the Fourth District of California, with office 
and headquarters in Sacramento. This office 
Mr. Frost held until August, 1885. In the fol- 
lowing year he received the nomination for 
county assessor upon the Republican ticket, was 
elected, and is still the incumbent of the office. 
He is a director and the vice-president of the 
Sacramento Glass and Crockery Company. Mr. 
Frost is a zealous believer in the principles of 
the Republican i>arty, and an effective worker 
for all interests which he is persuaded conduce 
to the public good. He is a member in high 
standing of the Masonic order, belonging both 
to Council and Chapter, and is also a member 
of the Knights Templar, Commandery No. 2. 
He was married in California, to Miss Elizabeth 
Lum, of El Dorado County. They have a son 
and a daughter. In conclusion it should be 
stated that Mr. Frost is both a popular and an 
efficient officer, a gentleman of genial bearing, 
and one who fills a place of acknowledged im- 
portance in the community. 



I^EV. JOHN F. VON HERRLICH, B. D., 
|f^ LL. P., the rector of St. Paul's Church, 
"^4)1 Sacramento, whether as a pulpit orator of 
power and acceptance, an active and efficient 
head of his [larish, or as a beloved and popular 
pastor, has won a position of deserved promi- 
nence among the clergy of this coast since his 
arrival here. Called from a similar position in 
one of the most important cities of central New 
York to accept a post of labor and responsibil- 
ity in a church that had suffered almost from 
the first from a series of the most untoward cir- 
cumstances, that had militated seriously against 
all its best interests, lie has in the short space of 
one year made a compact and enthusiastic body 
of his ])arishotiers, has infused new life into 
both the spiritual and temporal status of the 
church, and has now under way a series of ma- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



terial improvements that will make St. Paul's 
one of the most worthy aTid beautiful "Houses 
of God" in California. Mr. Von Herrlich was 
born in the State of Ohio, although this was by 
one of those curious haps of fortune that seldom 
occur, as his parents were residents of New 
York, and there Mr. Von Herrlich spent his 
childhood and youth. His father was Mr. Louis 
Von Herrlich, of New York city, in regard to 
whom we cannot do better than transcribe a por- 
tion of an article published in the city papers at 
the time of his death, a short time since. '• Louis 
Von Herrlich was seventy-two years of age, and 
up to a few months before his death was strong 
and vigorous. He was highly educated at Ger- 
man universities, a thinker and philosopher, one 
of a distinguished family that has given to the 
German Empire some of its most distinguished 
lawyers, doctors and statesmen, Ludwig von 
Herrlich, the uncle after whom the deceased was 
named, having been at one tin)e the friend and 
confidant of the German Emperor. Louis von 
Herrlich was one of three brothers who came to 
America about 1844, the deceased being the last 
of his generation in the family. He was identi- 
fied, socially and politically, with a well-known 
coterie of New York Germans, — the Gilseys, 
Gunthers, Quids, Ottendorfers and others — now 
nearly all passed away, but for the past ten or 
twelve years having retired from all active 
business life, he spent his time in quiet and 
travel," for which, we may add, his ample means 
gave fullest opportunity. He left two childi'en, 
tae one being the subject of this sketch, and the 
other, Frances E., the wife of James C. Elliott, 
of Cleveland, Ohio, nephew of Bishop Elliott, of 
South Carolina, and cousin of Dr. John Elliott, 
rector of the Church of the Ascension, Washing- 
ton, D. C. Mr. Von iferrlich is a university 
graduate, and an LL. B. of Columbia, as also a 
graduate from the law college of Columbia, in 
the class of 1878, and of the General Theologi- 
cal Seminary of New Y''ork city. His first par- 
ish was the Irving Memorial Church (St. 
Mark's) at Tarrytown, on the Hudson. In 1883 
he accepted a call to Elmira, New York, where 



he became rector of Grace Church and Chapel. 
After a residence there of four years he re- 
moved to Sacramento, and assumed the rector- 
ship of St. Paul's Church, January 15, 1888. 
At the time of his departure the Ibllowing ap- 
preciative notice appeared in the New York 
World: "Rev. John F. von Herrlich, at one 
time rector of the Irving Memorial Church at 
Tarrytown-on-Hudson, has for the past four 
years been at the head of Giace Church, Elmira, 
New Y'ork. He has just accepted a call to St. 
Paul's Church, Sacramento, California. Mr. 
Von Herrlich has been one of the most success- 
ful clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in this country. He cleared off a debt 
of $25,000 which hung over the Irving Me- 
morial Church, and his rectorship at Elmira 
has been highly acceptable." Such, in barest 
outline, is a sketch of the life of Rev. John F. 
von Herrlich. He is a young man of learning, 
energy and power, such as is met with only oc- 
casionally among the clergy. His discourses, 
especially upon the more abstruse and recondite 
themes of Christianity, have aroused consider- 
able attention, and both as a writer and speaker 
his services are in demand. Sacramento is to 
be congratulated in his coming to assume his 
present charge, as to do so he declined most at- 
tractive calls to larger eastern cities. Since he 
has been here he has thrown himself heart and 
soul into the work of building up St. Paul's, 
and in tiiis has had signal success, his own con- 
siderable personal means enabling him to ac- 
complish things that others might not have 
attempted. His popularity is very great, a 
circumstance not to be wondered at by one who 
has met him; and he has proven himself a true 
pastor of his people. In its proper place will 
be found a description of the material improve- 
ments effected through his instrumentality 
upon St. Paul's Church. He is an unmarried 
man. We should be neglecting a matter of in- 
terest and importance did we fail to state the 
fact that as a writer and a poet Rev. Mr. von 
Herrlich has taken a forward place among the 
molders of thought of this country. His poems 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



are beautiful in thought, strong in purpose, 
rhythmical in flow; his prose teacliin<^s, — for 
all his writings are teachings, — are terse, 
pointed, cogent and epigrannuatic. 



I^EORGE NESCHE, a farmer of San Joa- 
inW quin Township, was born in Hanover, 
W^ Germany, August 1, 1829. His parents, 
Henry and Joanna (Bicli) Nesche, came to 
America in 1880, landing at New York city. 
Having learned the miller's trade in the old 
country, Mr. Xesche, the father, worked about 
six months for a man by the name of Moore, 
in a flour-mill at Little Beaver, on the Ohio 
River, in the State of Ohio. In April, 1837, 
he proceeded on to Hermann, Missouri, and 
there worked for different parties until 1849, 
when he purchased laud in Gasconade County, 
that State, and lived there until the time of his 
death in 1851. He had four sons and four 
daughters. Only two are now living, namely: 
Elizabeth Mahone, of this county, and the sub- 
ject of this sketch. The latter, as he grew up, 
worked at the tanner's trade and in a flouring- 
mill. In April, 1852, he left Hermann, Mis- 
souri, with a company of fifty men and families, 
and came overland to this State with o.\ teams, 
having no trouble with the Indians. In Sep- 
tember, after a journey of six months, he 
reached White Rock, si.\ miles above Hang- 
. town. He followed mining about six years 
with moderate success, working on the ranches 
during the summer. At the end of this time 
(in 1858) he returned to Missouri by way of 
the Isthmus of Panama and New York. Visit- 
ing there hrc six months, he returned again to 
this State by way of New Orleans and the 
Isthmus. la 1859 he purchased 240 acres near 
Sheldon, in partnership with Mrs. Bader. In 
1869 he sold his share of tliis land, and in Octo- 
ber returned to Hermann, Missouri, by railway, 
and married Miss Julia Hoft'man, a native of 
Hermann, Missouri, whose parents both died 
there. He returned again to California in March, 



1870, by overland railway. After renting three 
years, he purchased his present property of 160 
acres in San Joaquin Township, twelve miles 
from Sacramento city, four miles from Elk 
Grove, and throe miles from Florin. He found 
his place comparatively unimproved, but he has 
brought it up to a line condition. The vine- 
yard comprises seven acres, and orchard three 
acres, consisting of peaches, pears, plums and 
apricots. This property is one of the best in 
this locality. In his political views Mr. Nesche 
is a Republican. His children are: Caroline, 
born November 26, 1870; George H., January 
7, 1872; Johanna, April 25, 1876, and Celia L., 
February 12, 1880. 



-m-^ — ■ 



fAMES EDWARD ENOS was born Angus 
16,1841, in Chicago, Illinois, his parents be- 
ing James Myron and Jane Eliza (Foote) 
Enos; the former was born March 21, 1813, in 
the town of Lester, Addison County, Vermont, 
the son of Sessions and Mehitable (Lyon) Enos. 
Sessions Enos was a native of Scotland, who 
emigrated to Vermont, thence to Chicago, Illi- 
nois, in 1836, and died October 10, 183S, in his 
fifty-seventh year; his wife died August 23, 
1839, in her fifty-eighth year; they had five chil- 
dren, viz.: Minerva, Benjamin,James, Martha and 
Sessions M., of whom Martha is the only one now 
living. James married Jane Eliza Foote, whose 
family came originally from England; there 
were three brothers who came in the Mayflower; 
one of them, Nathaniel Foote, settled in Con- 
necticut, and the third generation from him was 
Elisha Foote, whose daughter Jane Eliza was 
born in New York State, in 1816f and became 
the wife of James Enos. James was raised in 
New York city; in 1852 he came to California, 
across the plains; two years later he returned 
East on a visit. In 1855 he again crossed the 
plains, with his family, and came to Sacramento, 
settling at Florin. Ho died October 10, 1886; 
and his wife died April 25, 1887. They had six 
children, of whom three are still living. James 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Edward Eiios, the subject of this sketch, was 
raised in Ciiieago to the age of fifteen, when he 



came to California with his parents 



1855. 



In 1860 he began learning the carpenters' trade. 
In 18G9 he went to San Francisco and there 
attended Heald's Business College, from which 
he graduated in August of that year, and is now 
a life member of that institution. He then 
went to Lukeville, Sonoma County, and there 
carried on building and contracting for fourteen 
years. At the end of that time, in 1885, he re- 
moved to Gait, remaining there two years in 
the capacity of manager of the Gait lumber 
yards of the Friend & Terry Company, of Sacra- 
mento; he put in their lumber yard for them, 
and made various other improvements while 
there. He owns considerable property in Gait. 
At present he lives on the home property, con- 
sisting of eighty acres in Brighton Township, 
Mr. Enos has been a member of the order of 
Odd Fellows since he was twenty one years old. 



fALMER CLARK was born in the State of 
New York. At the age of twelve he was 
one year on the Erie Canal, between 
Schenectady and Albany. In 1810 his father, 
who was a farmer, sold out and the tamily mi- 
grated to Elgin, Illinois, where our subject 
found employment on the farm owned by his 
father until he was twenty-four years old. On 
the 10th of May, 185^, a party composed of 
our subject, his cousin Oliver Flummer, and 
many others, started overland by horse train for 
California. They crossed the Missouri River 
at Council Bluffs and saw no habitation until 
they reached the Mormon settlement in the Car- 
son Valley. They went to the north of Salt 
Lake, via Sublette's cut-off; George Masters, a 
friend, fell in with them on Platte River, Ne- 
braska, and together they arrived safely at Soda 
Springs, Idaho. Masters went to Oregon about 
the 7tli of October, and Clark got to Hangtown 
on the 8th of October, 1852. Our subject was 
a young man of resources and quite ready to 



take advantage of circumstances. He " had not 
come for his health," and when one morning a 
man offered him $2.50 per day to catch fish 
with hook and line in the softly flowing Sacra- 
mento, he closed the bargain forthwith, and is 
proud to state that success attended his efforts 
and his wages increased to $3.00 after the iirst 
day. Shortly after he began teaming and for 
the succeeding seven months was hauling goods 
to the mines. Then for a time he drove a stage. 
Subsequently he kept the Eureka stables on K 
street for a year, and later on the Fountain 
House on the road to Grass Valley, sixty-iive 
miles from the capital. Then went to Tehama 
County and engaged in teaming, and after two 
years once more returned to Sacramento and 
engaged in stock dealing at the Horse Market 
on K street. He left California for his old 
home in the winter of 1859, going via New 
York. His father died in March following. 
He purchased a band of horses and drove them 
across the plains; his mother, two sisters, two 
brothers, two cousins and Mr. J. Soverign, now 
of Woodland, being of the party. By this en- 
terprise he made money; horses which cost $56 
readily brought 8300 in the Sacramento markets. 
Having disposed of his stock he again returned 
to Illinois: crossed the plains in 1861, 1862 and 
1864. On the last trip, when sixty-live miles 
from Fort Laramie, the Indians succeeded in 
getting away with his horses; he returned to 
the fort for assistance, and six mounted men 
started in pursuit, but, after going some thirty, 
miles, became frightened and returned. Clark 
then continued on his way on foot, a journey of 
about 800 miles, during which he was obliged 
to swim rivers and resort to all sorts of expedi- 
ents to avoid the Indians. Arriving at Salt Lake 
he met N. C. Alexander, of whom he borrowed 
$1,300; he spent six weeks in trading, after 
which Alexander employed him to come to Cal- 
ifornia and bring seventeen mules and three 
trotting horses, and to conduct all the ladies of 
the party to Clear Creek; thirty-five days later 
they met again at Sacramento. In 1865 he 
brought another train for Alexander from Atciii- 



HIHTOHY OF SAC 11 AM EN TO OOUATV. 



soil, Kansas, to Salt Lake, and liad exciting times 
with tlie Indians. During the followinj^ year 
lie made two trips, making eight in all. In 
August of the following 3'ear he started for 
Chicago with a medicine company, and was 
with them for eighteen years, traveling during 
that time over the greater portion of the United 
States. In 1871 Dr. AVilliam A. Johnson, of 
Chicago, compounded a medicinal remedy under 
the name of "Vigor of Life," purely vegetable 
and possessing wonderful curative qualities. 
Our subject came into possession of the copy- 
right a few years later, and, removing to the 
Capital City, established his headquarters here 
in August, 1887, making this the distribnting 
point for an extensive trade, extending over the 
entire coast. He sells direct to the trade both 
here and in the Eastern cities, where the Vigor 
of Life has already an established reputation. 
Besides employing many men to travel through 
different sections, selling and advertising ex- 
tensively, Mr. Clark gives his personal attention 
to the business, making extended trips and 
necessarily being absent from his office a con- 
siderable portion of the time. During these 
trips the office remains in charge of his wife, 
an estimable lady of great business ability. To 
any one who has the happiness to meet Mr. and 
Mrs. Clark under their own roof-tree will be 
opened up to a most delightful view of genuine 
California hospitality. 



f^ILLIAM HENRY ELLIS, of Brighton 
f'Wk Township, was born in Kentucky, Au- 



l^=ik^ gust 10, 1824, son of William and 
Rachel (McCaull) Ellis, the former a native of 
Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. They 
were married in Kentucky, and in 1826 moved 
to Eugene, Vermillion County, Indiana, where 
the mother died, in 1828. The great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch was James 
Ellis, who had as brothers John and William; 
his grandfather John had as brothers James 
and William; and his father as brothers John 



and James; and the subject himself had Jolin 
and James as brothers; and these were all the 
male descendants in the line mentioned. When 
William H., our subject, was six years old the 
family moved to Parke County, Indiana, across 
the Wabash ; and when he was eight years of age 
he was bound out to William Brockway, who 
lived in the northern part of Parke County, and 
was to give young Ellis nine months' schooling, 
a good suit of clothes and a good horse, saddle 
and bridle, — a common condition in those days 
in the matter of indenture of orphan children. 
The boy remained with him until twenty-two 
years old, a rarity; and Mr. Brockway gave him 
two years' schooling, the horse, saddle and bri- 
dle and two or three suits of clothes. Mr. Ellis 
followed the river several years, making nine 
trips to New Orleans in eight years. On the 
second trip he made $100 net, by steering the 
boat. From 1852 to 1854 he ran canal boats. 
The first locomotive after the first railroad built 
into Terre Haute, was brought down by the 
canal, and Mr. Ellis took it from Lafayette to 
Terre Haute, and rode on it during the first trip 
it made from the latter. The railroad was then 
completed to a point only five miles east of the 
place. It was the first railroad ride Mr Ellis 
ever had. He also boated coal from Coal Creek 
to Lafayette and did carpenter and joiner work, 
which he learned from Mr. Brockway. He in- 
herited a mechanical genius and also made 
wagons and cabinet furniture. Abont 1848 he 
was taken sick and lost about $5,000 in gold, 
and at tiie end of five years he was $10 in debt. 
He next lived in Ottumwa, Iowa, two years, 
and then in Oskaloosa, that State, until 1853. 
A man named Joseph Battou intending to come 
to California, with his family, wanted three 
men to come with him, and Mr. Ellis joined 
him. May 8th they started, and came by way 
of Salt Lake, the Humboldt, Carson Canon, and 
reached the summit of the Sierras October 8. 
They proceeded to Grizzly Flat, and there Mr. 
Ellis remained until Mr. Batton went down to 
Tuolumne River. He made shingles, while 
another man took charge of the stock. Next 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



be went to mining six miles above Diamond 
Spring and followed tiiat employment tluee 
years, within ten miles from tlie place be com- 
menced; sticking to tbe old place proved bis 
wisdom. He bad good success in tbe winter 
time, making $2,000 to $3,000 every winter and 
sinking it in tbe river during tbe summer. At 
one time they were $4,000 in debt Tbey tore 
up tbeir fiume and carried it down tbe river a 
mile and got about $80. Tbey collected gold 
at tbe rate of only fifty to seventy-five cents a 
day; l)ut tbey obtained $4,080 one day, and Mr. 
EUlis at once went to Placerville and secured 
tiie coin, and returned and paid off bis debts, 
and tben tbey bad $8 apiece. After accumulat- 
ing $200 or $300 be came into tbe Sacramento 
Valley and entered' 160 acres of land, put in 
a crop and began improving tbe place. Wben 
be came there it was a wild place. There was 
no bouse within a mile, and there was not 200 
acres of land fenced within four miles. Mr. 
Ellis worked at carpentering a great deal and at 
repairing wagons, etc., at which lie made $5 to 
$12 a day. On the night of July 7, 1880, lie 
went to Sacramento with a load of iiay, return- 
ing home about eight o'clock in tbe evening. 
Just as he opened tbe bars a tramp stepped out 
of a place of concealment, the horses became 
frightened and I'an away, dragging tbe wagon 
over Mr. Ellis and knocking him senseless. His 
wife was not at home, and he lay there all night. 
Although it was four days before he became fully 
sensible, tbe ne.xt morning he arose, went into 
the house and told tbe parties there to go to work. 
He suffered no pain for a month, but be has not 
seen a well day since. His splendid constitution 
enabled him to recover so far as be has, although 
tbe doctors thought he would die. He received 
no injury below his shoulders. He possesses re- 
markable good judgment, as bis career shows. 
His memory is good and he relates many in- 
teresting anecdotes. July 8, 1858, he married 
Miss Nancy Elizabeth Pressley, a native of 
Tennessee, and reared in Missouri. Her father 
died when she was an infant, and she also lost 
her mother when young ami was hound out with 



her brother to a man named Neal in Missouri. 
She lived with him until she was nearly twenty 
years of age. In 1857 she came with some 
triends oveilaiiil to California. Tbey lived with 
Mr. ISell until October 27, 1858, wben they 
moved to the present place, where they liave 
ever since resided. When Mr. Ellis' first child 
was an infant his wife was taken sick, and she 
has been an invalid ever since. Tbey have five 
children: Urania Ann, born A\>v\\ 12, 1859, 
now the wife of George Cat^ey, and living in 
Sacramento; Sarah Louisa, born November 29, 
1860, now the wife of Arthur B. Casey, and 
living in Brighton Township; James Franklin, 
born October 14, 1862; John Grant, born Feb- 
ruary 20, 1865; and William Sherman, born 
February 7, 1867. Urania Ann lias four chil- 
dren, namel}': William George, Efiie Amber, 
Bertha and Frank ; and Louisa also has four; 
Amanda Elizabeth, Jesse Sylvester, Vina May 
and Nora. 



,ON. WILLIAM EVERMONT BRYAN 

was born in Kentucky October 29, 1821; 

resided in Campbell County until thirty- 
two years old, except one winter he spent in 
Indiana, wben he emigrated to California with 
ox teams. After a long and tedious trip of 
seven months he arrived in El Dorado County in 
September, 1853. After a few days of non- 
success at mining, he turned bis attention to 
freighting to the mines and mining towns, first 
with horse teams and later with ox teams and 
lastly with mules and horse teams, which busi- 
ness he continued during the gold and silver 
excitement of Nevada, and until the railroad 
crossed tbe Sierras, in 1867, wben he sold most 
of bis teams and turned bis attention to farm- 
ing and sheep-raising. In tbe meantime be 
located on the Folsom grant, thirteen miles 
from Sacramento, and purchased 4,200 acres. 
Continued in the sheep business with tbe 
sons until 1876, when he divided the land 
among his four children. Mr. Bryan was 



Hiaruur uf saguamento vounty. 



iiian-ic.] Octxhi'i- 21, 1S45. t.i Mi.-s Mury (iivgg 
Hern. Ion, also a native of Kcntncky. There 
were live eliildren: Mrs. Magi^io C. Morris, a 
native of Kentucky, born August 21, 184B, 
Alonzo W., a native of Kentucky, born Sep- 
tember 30, 18+8; Elijali 11., also a native of 
Kentucky, born December 20, 1850; Mary J)., 
born also in Kentucky, antl William F. Bryan, 
a native of California, born August 3, 1855. 
Mr. Bryan in early life was a Whig, but has 
since inclined to the huiepondent party, which, 
in 1873, elected him a member of the Assem- 
bly, where he served one term with distinction. 
He lias always taken an active part in public 
affairs. In September, 1880, he removed to 
Alameda, where he has since made his home. 
Diirinii; his residence in tlnit city he was twice 
elected a member of the board of city trustees, 
and was sought after to again take a seat, but 
owing to pressure of business and other arrange- 
ments declined. 



fEOUGE ALLEN STODDAUD, mechani- 
cal engineer and draughtsman at the .shops 
of the Southern Pacific Company at Sac- 
ramento, who has been intimately connected 
with the development of the mechanical depart- 
ment of the company from its infancy, was born 
at Brattleboro, Vermont, in November, 1833. 
His father was a well-to-do farmer, of Scotch 
ancestry, ins mother being of English descent, 
lie graduated at the high school in his si.xteenth 
year, and after one season on a farm and a term 
in the academy, he, in the fall of 1850, entered 
a machine shop at Hinsdale, New llam|)shire; 
iiut when only a few months at work he received 
an injury that disabled him for manual labor. 
He at once went to teaching school until he was 
able to return to the shop and finish his first 
year, for which the wages were $5 a month and 
board. He then entered a shop at J^rattelboro, 
as he could see a wider range for improvement. 
Here he remained for fifteen months, and then 
turned his attention to railroad work, in Febru- 



ary, 1853, entering the shops of the Connecticut 
Kivcr Railroad at Northampton, Massachusetts, 
under Master Mechanic John Mulligan, at $1 a 
day, which, during the following year was in- 
creased to $1.50, the full wages for journeymen. 
Mr. Mulligan seeing that young Stoddard was 
ambitious and willing to work, and finding him 
good at figures and general mechanics, took 
great interest in him. The shop had no draughts- 
man, but nee<led one. Mr. Mulligan, to test 
the young man's ability, requested him to make 
designs for changes in the engine Springfield, 
which it was desired to rebuild. This he did at 
his home evenings, and the plans were submitted 
to the president of the road, which after thor- 
ough examination he returned approved. Stod- 
dard was at once installed as draughtsman, a 
position he retained and filled satisfactorily until 
18()0, going on the road for a while, in order to 
study practically the workings of the "great 
iron horse." He had been making the working 
])lans for the company for about a year before 
ever having any instruction in drawing, when 
by the advice of the master mechanic he attended 
night school, under a most excellent designer. 
In June, 18G0, he decided to come to California, 
influenced mostly by the rigorous climate of 
New England. Accordingly, in company with 
S. II. Gerrish, one of his shop-mates, he sailed 
from New York on the steamer Northern Light, 
crossed the Isthmus On the railroad, came up 
the coast on the Sonora, landing in San Fran- 
cisco on the 28tli of June, and on the 30th went 
to work for E. T. Steen in a machine shop, who 
induced him after a time to accept a position at 
engineer in charge of the machinery for a (juart?, 
mill in which he was interested, to be erected 
near Virginia city, Nevada. After seeing this 
in working order he engaged in a similar 
capacity for a mill company at (iold Hill, 
where he remained until the summer of 18(35, 
when he became interested in a ranch and min- 
ing operation in Calaveras County, California. 
Learning that an old friend of his--I. II. 
Graves — was master mechanic of the Central 
Pacific Railroad Works at Sacramento, he on 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tlic Otli of June, 1866, engaged at the company's 
i^liojis, wliicli at tlmt time comprised only a few 
rough shed-like buildings, with no machinery. 
His tirst work was to put up an engine and 
shafting and get machine tools at work, whicli 
the company had then lying at the wharf. He 
worked in the machinery department for about 
two years, setting up and running the various 
tools required in the work. Then he became 
draughtsman, when A. J. Stevens, in 1870, 
took tlie position and was for several years alone 
in the office doing the entire work; but the de- 
mands so increased as to require at times from 
one to three assistants. There have been con- 
structed at the works, all from original designs 
under his supervision, ten or twelve different 
types of locomotives complete, besides a large 
portion of the working apparatus in the shops 
here. The boilers and entire machinery for the 
two river boats Modoc and Apache, also for the 
ferry boat Piedmont, lunniiig between (Oakland 
and San Francisco, having cylinders 57 inches 
diameter and 14 feet stroke, nearly horizontal, 
being so placed to leave deck clear of machinery. 
New boilers have been designed for nearly all 
of the boats used by the company. Another 
branch of the business has required and received 
a great deal of attention, that is, the rolling- 
mill. In tlie spring of 1876 Mr. Stevens strongly 
urged the construction of a mill, and was finally 
allowed to have a small experimental one de- 
signed ai'.d put in operation. It was located in 
the blacksmith shop, in charge of Stephen Uren, 
and proved a great success, saving the company 
many thousands of dollars. In 1879 a more 
comi)lete plant was designed, the one now in 
operation, the entire designs being executed 
personally by Mr. Stoddard, his own hand 
making every figure and line. One singular 
fact connected therewith may be noted, namely, 
this was the first rolling-mill machinery ever 
seen by him, he working out the plans on gen- 
eral mechanical principles, advising with Ste- 
vens and Uren, neither of whom, however, had 
had any practical experience in that direction. 
It may well be considered a success, as it has 



been steadily at work, a great poi'tion of the 
time night and day, since erected, turning out 
more than 10,000 tons a year. In his political 
views Mr. Stoddard is a Republican, and he is 
a Mason and Odd Fellow of long standing, an 
amateur photograper, and something of a tele- 
graph operator. He has, of course, like most 
Californians, been more or less interested in 
mining operations and " has bought a farm.'''' 
He was married in 1879 to Mrs. Lucy C H. 
Noyes, nee Ilazelton, a native of Strafford, Ver- 
mont, and daughter of Deacon Thomas and 
Sylvia (Kibling) Hazelton. The Hazeltons 
emigrated from England. Her grandmother 
Kibling was Sarah Cooledge (before marriage), 
a native of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, a re- 
lation to the well known Cooledge family of 
Boston, Massachusetts. She lived to be ninety- 
eight years old. She lived to see the fifth gen- 
eration, and at her death had 103 descendants. 
Mrs. Stoddard's father's family consisted of six 
sons and six daughters. She has three sisters 
and two brothers residing in Stafford, Vermont; 
one sister married Amos Morrill, lu-other to 
Senator Morrill, of Vermont. Two brothers 
and one sister live in Barnett, Vermont. H.J. 
Hazelton, M. D., a brother, has been a practicing 
physician there over twenty years. The sister 
married John S. T. Wallace, a merchant at that 
place. The youngest brother, Walter S. Hazel- 
ton, is a merchant at Elkhart, Indiana. She 
has two children living by her former marriage. 
Charles T. Noyes, the eldest, is a mechanical 
engineer, at work in the office with Mr. Stod. 
dard. The youngest, Frederick B. Noyes, re- 
sides in Nicolaus, California. Mrs. Stoddard 
came to California in 1875. In 1876 she called 
a meeting and helped to organize the first 
" Christian Temperance Union " on the Pacific 
coast. In 1879 she was elected on the Board of 
Managers of the Protestant Orphan Asylum; 
was one of the charter members of the Fair Oaks 
Relief Corps, and is an earnest worker in mis- 
sionary work. She was secretary of the Woman's 
Board of Missions (Sacramento auxiliary), for 
eight years; in 1888 was elected president of 



U I STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the same; also president of the "Central Com- 
mittee" (auxiliary to the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association); to the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union, and tiie "Woman's Aid 
Society," — all the same year. She has been a 
member of the Congregational Church nearly 
thirty years, a teacher in the Sunday-school 
twenty-tive years, where she still remains an 
earnest worker. Truly it can be said of her, 
'• She hath done what she could." 

I^OSES SPRAGUE, a farmer of Sutter 
Township, was born in Batavia, Gene- 
County, New York, February 19, 
1820, a son of Jeremiah and Martha {riee 
Sprague) Sprague. His father was born in 
Greenfield, Saratoga County, New York, in 
1793. Starting with his wife and children, on 
February 15. 1830, after a wearisome journey 
they reached the town of Westtield, Medina 
County, Ohio, locating on land on the West- 
ern Reserve. Subsequently he settled near 
Huntington, Lorain County, where he remained 
until April 6, 1886, the date of his death. His 
wife's death occurred April 14, 1865. During 
their residence in Ohio five children were born 
to them, making a total of twelve, namely: Lucy, 
Mojes, Charles, Ruth, A. J., Minerva, Alonzo, 
F. A., William L>., Louisa, Sophia and Lamira. 
Of this number, three daughters are dead, and 
the remainder of the family are scattered in 
Ohio, Michigan and California. Mr. Sprague, 
whose name heads this sketch, was brought up 
on a farm; when eighteen years of age he went 
to Huron County, Michigan; thence he traveled 
through the Manmee Swamp to the railroad at 
Sylvania, where he took the cars for Adrian, 
that being the first train of cars he had ever 
seen, except at a distance. He remained in 
Michigan until 1841, employed in farm work; 
and (one season) as carpenter and joiner in 
Adrian. He next purchased fifty acres of land 
in Hillsdale, Michigan. In August, 1841, he 
went to Steuben County, Indiana, where he 



followed the trade of carpenter until he started 
for California March 18, 1852. He went from 
St. Louis to Council Bluffs on the steamer 
" Robert Campbell," being eleven days on the 
trip. May 9, 1852, the train crossed the Mis- 
souri River, the first movement on its long 
journey "across the plains," arriving in Hang- 
town August 27. From there he went to Stock- 
ton, and after visiting several points came to 
Sacramento the day before the election of Frank- 
lin Pierce as President of the United States. He 
was permitted to vote at the election. He was 
married February 17, 1846, to Miss Nancy M. 
Smith, who was born in Otsego County, New 
York, xipril 14, 1821, of New York parents. 
In March, 1854, she came by way of the Nica- 
ragua route to California, reaching Sacramento 
May 6. Until August following Mr. and Mrs. 
Sprague were In Colusa County; they then 
located upon the place where they now reside. 
It contains 135 acres, and has been improved 
until it is equipped with all that is necessary 
to make lite comfortable. In 1876 Mr. Sprague 
visited in the East, meeting his father and his 
brothers and sisters, but was willing to return 
to California to spend the remainder of his life. 
He is a member of Sacramento Grange, No. 12, 
Patrons of Husbandry, and is still an active and 
busy man, prospering in the vocation of farm- 
ing and dairying. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague have 
a family of three children, namely: Helen 1., 
now Mrs. E. W. Brainard, of Sacramento 
County, California; Frederick D., of Seattle, 
Washington, and Hattie S., widow of Hugh 
C. Jones, of Sutter County, California. 



fEORGE G. DAVIS, attorney at law, of the 
firm of Hart & Davis, Sacramento, was 
born in Nevada County, California, Janu- 
ary 21, 1858. His father, Aaron Davis, crossed 
the plains from Wisconsin, in 1849, and was 
engaged in mining at Park J^ar, Yuba County; 
and in connection with his partner. Captain 
Richardson, is said to liave had the largest find 



554 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of gold that was ever discovered in one pocket, 
it being sixty-three pounds. When George G. 
was nine years old, his parents moved to Sierra 
Valley, Sierra County, where they still live. 
Here lie was educated, graduating at the gram- 
mar schools, then tlie highest grade in the 
county. For two years after graduating he 
taught school in Sierra Valley, Sierra County. 
Being desirous, however, of entering one of the 
professions, and his predilection being toward 
that of the law, he gave up teaching, and, com- 
ing to Sacramento, entered the law office of 
Armstrong & Hinkson, then one of the most 
prominent iirihs of the city. Here he prose- 
cuted his studies with energy and determina- 
tion, and in 1885 was admitted to practice 
before the Supreme Court of California. In 
1886 he received the nomination for justice of 
the peace on the Republican ticket, and was 
elected by a handsome majority. On the ex- 
piration of his term of office in 1888, he formed 
a partnership with E. C. Hart, ex-city attorney. 
Mr. Davis is one of the rising lawyers of Sac- 
ramento, and he and his partner enjoy the con- 
fidence and esteem of the public; and his friends 
confidently predict tiiat at no distant day he will 
be one of the shining lights of the Sacramento 
bar. Mr. Davis has been prominently connected 
with the Sacramento Hussars, and has enjoyed 
the distinction of having been First Lieutenant 
and Captain of that company of soldiers; is 
also a member of the Sunset Parlor of the N^a- 
tive Sons of the Golde i West, and of Eureka 
Lodge, No. 4, of Odd Fellows. 



t^Mfi 



^^^- 



fAMES H. SULLIVAN was born in Mon- 
treal, Canada, in 1830, but of an American 
family. When but a little shaver his 
father removed to New Jersej*, and in New 
York city, adjoining, Mr. Sullivan learned the 
cooper trade. Upon hearing the electrifying 
news of the gold discoveries in California he 
took passage for the voyage rfiund Cape Horn, 
on the ship " Balance," of which John L. Dur- 



kee, a well-known resident in San Francisco, 
was mate. The passengers numbered thirty 
persons, one of them being W. K. Hopping, 
sheriff of Shasta County, and a leading man of 
the northern part of the State. The voyage 
was made without serious * mishap, and the 
Golden Gate was reached September 4, 184'J. 
Mr. Sullivan started at boat-repairing, at tiie 
prevailing high rate of wages, and a month 
later went at his trade of coopering. He was 
succeeding well, owning a coiisiderai>lc piece of 
land on Montgomery street, between Sacra- 
mento and California streets, with houses upon 
it that were bringing in very comfortable rent- 
als. The big fire of May, 1850, burned him out, 
however, and, discoura-jed by the disaster, he 
sold the land for $1,200, which to-day is very 
valuable. He then went to the mines, and at 
Coloma succeeded well, so well, in fact, that after 
three months' time, thinking he had made enough 
to satisfy himself for the remainder of his days, 
he decided to return East «nd enjoy life. The 
route chosen was by way of Panama. On the 
voyage, however, the vessel was disabled upon 
the coast of Mexico, and taken in this condition 
to Acapulco. Here Mr. Sullivan fell in with 
other adventurous spirits, and with them went 
to Nicaragua, then a very favorite route for 
passengers. Having plenty of means at their 
command they secured a monopoly of the trans- 
portation of passengers, and also dealt extens- 
ively in horses and cattle. During the year 
they spent at this they made money very fast, 
and seemed in a fair way of "heeling" them- 
selves for life. One of the party was a rogue, 
however. By knavery he managed to get hold 
of all the money belonging to the company, and 
got away with it. This left them almost bank- 
rupt, and when just after this time the Pacific 
Mail Company, which was running to Panama, 
managed to buy off Vanderbilt, who was run- 
ning to Nicaragua, this capped the climax. 
With $500, which was all Mr. Sullivan saved 
from the wreck, he turned his face again Cali- 
fornia-ward, came at once to Sacramento, and 
has been since that time prominently identified 



IIlSrOKY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



with the city's be?t interests. This was in 1851. 
He opened a cooper shop at once, and continued 
in this business until 1856, when lie was elected 
city treasurer. Two years later he was appointed 
Deputy State Comptroller, holding this office 
until he resigned, to resume coopering. In 
1866 he became deputy sheriff"; in 1868 was 
chusen under-sheriff, and from 1870 to 1872 
was Mianager of th.e sheriff's office. After that 
he made contracts for public improvements," 
performing much of the work done in raising 
the grade of the streets between that time and 
1882. In that year he opened his well-known 
and leading real estate and insurance office, first 
at the nortiiwest corner of Fourth and J streets, 
and afterward at 1007 Fourth street, where he 
has since conducted a large business. Mr. Sul- 
livan was married in Sacramento August 9, 
1859, to Miss Emma Anderson. They have 
five children, four girls and one boy. Their 
names are as follows: Julia C, Sophie E., Alice 
F., Lizzie J. and Robert W. His handsome 
residence on the southwest corner of Fifteenth 
and H streets, in the heart of the best residence 
quarter of the city, is one of the finest and most 
comfortable to be found anywhere. 

— ^■«i:i)»-^ — 

f^ L. WISE. — Among the self-made men 
/m now prominent in business and manu- 
'^W^'^ facturing circles of Sacramento is the 
gentleman whose name heads this sketch, who 
was born in Ricliland County, Ohio, April 26, 
1846. His father, Hon. .Jacob Wise, was born 
in Cumberland 'County, Pennsylvania, and was 
the son of a gentleman w'hose father had come 
from Germany and located there. He learned 
the carpenter's trade. He removed to Ohio, 
and then followed farming. He was an active 
man, and figured largely in political history 
there. The mother of the subject, whose 
maiden name was Lydia Hibbard, was born in 
i'erks County, Pennsylvania. M. L. Wise was 
but eighteen months old when his parents re- 
moved to Fayette, Fulton County, Ohio, where 



he spent his boyhood days. The breaking out 
of the civil war roused in the youth the patriotic 
ardor, and in the spring of 1861, though a mere 
boy in years, he enlisted in the service of the 
Unittd States. Going to Camp Chase, Colum- 
bus, he was assigned to Company K, Thirty- 
eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After organi- 
zation they proceeded to Camp Dennison, thence 
to St. Louis, and from t^ere marched to Crab 
Orchard and Corinth. His first battle was at 
Perryville, Kentucky, and he took part in the 
engagements of Corinth, Triune and Mnrfrees- 
boro, the latter on the 22d of July. He was 
engaged at Chickaniauga, and after the rendez- 
vous at Ringgold, Georgia, proceeded on the 
inarch to AtlaTita, and was engaged, among 
others, at the battles of Dalton, Atlanta, Jones- 
boro, Buzzard's Roost and TuUahoma. He was 
wounded three times at Jonesboro, in the left 
arm, left breast and head, and was taken from 
the field to Atlanta. He was next sent to 
Nashville, and from there to Jeffersonville, In- 
diana, where he lay in hospital for three weeks. 
He was after this sent to Camp Dennison, and 
was there discharged on the 18th of June, 1865, 
having served honorably throughout the entire 
war. He was in the Third Brigade, Third Di- 
vision of the celebrated Fourteenth Army Corps, 
under General George H. Thomas. He went 
to Cincinnati after his discharge, and from there 
home. There he remained until September 12, 
1868, when he started for California via New 
York and Panama. He leit New York on the 
last opposition steamer, October 5, 1868, and 
crossing the Isthmus, took passage on the 
steamer Santiago de Cuba, for San Francisco, 
where he landed October 30, 1868. He came 
to Sacramento and went to work for his brother, 
W. E. Wise, on the following Monday morning, 
to learn the blacksmith's trade. He remained 
with his brother nine years and a half, then en- 
gaged in business for himself at the Telegraph 
Shops, on J street, between Thirteenth and 
Fourteenth. On the 1st of October, 1877, he 
purchased a lease on the property on the corner 
of Eleventh and J streets, and the firm of Wise 



U I STORY OP HACIiAMENTO COUNTY. 



& McNair was organized and coinmencied busi- 
ness tliere. In tlie fall of 1879 Mr. Wise bought 
liis partner's interest, and has since carried on 
the business alone. He has made many im- 
provements on tiiis property, the latest being 
a large painting department, 40 x 40 feet in 
ground area, and two stories in height. He has 
a frontage of forty feet on J street, and 160 feet 
on Eleventh street. He has built up an exten- 
sive trade in the lines of blacksmithing, carriage 
and wagon-making and carriage painting, and 
gives constant employment to from twelve to 
fifteen skilled workmen. Mr. Wise was married 
in Sacramento County, on the 20th of October, 
1875, to Miss Alice P. Taylor, who was born in 
this county, and is a daughter of J. B. and Ann 
E. Taylor, a sketch of whom appears in ex- 
tended detail in another portion of this work. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wise have one child. Miss Me- 
linda Belle. Mr. Wise is a member of Sumner 
Post, No. 3. (t. a. R. He is one of the active, 
pushing men of Sacramento, and is deserving 
of much credit for the fine showing he has 
made in a business way in this city. 



->^ 



fEORGE PYBURX, M. D., Eleventh and 
H streets, Sacramento, has been a practic. 
ing physician here since 1878, at which 
time he first came to California from the State 
of Colorado, where he liad been located for some 
time. He was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, 
England, March 31, 1831. His father died 
while he was still yonng, and he had to "go to 
work " early, in order to earn at least a part of 
his living. At the age of fourteen he entered 
the office of John and Benjamin Green, archi- 
tects and civil enginieers, and at eighteen was 
"articled," or apprenticed, to them for three 
years to learn the " art and mysteries " of that 
profession. After the completion of his seven 
years of actual apprenticeship, he worked for 
other firms as clerk and draughtsman, ulti- 
mately going to Reading, in the south of Eng- 
land. Being desirous, however, of studying 



medicine, he came, in 1854, to Toronto, Canada, 
where he iiad the opportunity of a favorable 
situation, in which he could earn something 
whereby to defray his expenses while studying. 
Tiie situation was that of assistant in the office 
of Cumberland & Storm, architects and design- 
ers of the beautiiul Toronto University, in 
Queen's Park. Saving up meanwhile sufHcient 
means to pay his fees, etc., he went to the West- 
ern College of Homeopathy at Cleveland, Ohio, 
where he graduated in 1859. Previous to this, 
however, he had practiced some in Port Hope, 
Canada, where, to quote the words of an ably 
written notice in a record of ])rominent homeo- 
pathic physicians, he had the honor, if not the 
profit, of introducing homeopathy, in 1857-'58. 
After receiving the degree of M. I), at Cleve- 
land, he traveled — or as he prefers to say, 
" roamed"-— through the United States, sojourn- 
ing in various cities for periods of various 
length. Besides others, he was in Indianapo- 
lis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, New York 
and Washington, engaged perhaps quite as 
much in literary labor as in the practice of 
med'cine. While in Cincinnati, besides con- 
tributing to the daily press, he became associate 
editor of the Scientific Artisan, a weekly jour- 
nal published by the American Patent Company 
and occupying a similar position in the West 
to that of the Scientific American in the East. 
In 1864 he settled in Indiana, first at Shellby- 
ville and later at Logansport, where he remained 
for over six years and built up a large practice, 
establishing a reputation for ability and success. 
He then became interested in the Union Col- 
ony, founded by the late Father Meeker; and 
in 1870 he went to Colorado. There, besides 
endeavoring to lay a practical foundation for a 
treatise supplementary to Horace Greeley's 
"What I Know About Farming," by raising 
potatoes for the Doryj>hora decemlineata and 
other " truck " for the Caloptenus spretus and 
two per cent, a month for the gold-bugs, he laid 
out irrigation ditches, hunted " Government 
corners" and antelopes, felt pulses, ordered 
pills and set bones, secundein artein, Remov- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ing, in 1875, from Greeley to Georgetown, a 
prosperous mining camp in tlie Rockies at an 
altitude of over 8,000 feet, he devoted himself 
entirely to the practice of his profession and the 
study of botany, that region being peculiarly 
rich in its flora. From that point, in 1878, he 
came to Sacramento, as already stated. From 
youth the Doctor has been a rigorous investiga- 
tor into the secrets of nature, and is known 
among his acquaintances as an assiduous culti- 
vator of science and a successful physician. 
While living in Toronto he was made, when 
only twenty-four years old, a member of the 
Canadian Institute, a body composed of the 
leading scientific and literary minds of that 
country. In 1872 he was elected a member of 
the Indiana Institute of Homeopathy; he is also 
a member of the American Society of Micros- 
copists. As a writer, the Doctor is an author 
of merit, being a contributor to tlie Popular 
Science MoutJdy and other journals, medical 
and scientific. His article a short time since in 
the Popular Science Morthly, on "Home- 
made Telescopes," attracted great attention on 
account of its practical value. He has also pub- 
lished a number of minor brochures on various 
medical and scientific subjects, which have had 
wide circulation and marked popular effect, 
ntitably his publications on homeopathy. As a 
botanist, he is an indefatigable collector. As 
such, his labors at present are mainly directed 
to the formation of an herbarium for the Cali- 
fornia Museum Association of Sacramento, of 
which body he is one of the founders and 
directors. Being also an enthusiastic mineralo- 
gist, he was employed to prepare the catalogue 
of the State mineral cabinet, now in the lecture- 
room of the E. B. Crocker Art Gallery, and is 
one of the three trustees of that treasure. The 
Doctor also takes much pleasure in microscopes, 
telescopes and other optical initriimants. Lastly, 
he is a theoretical musician, and, as he says, he 
'• extracts much honey from harmony, and mel- 
lifluous melolie; incite medicating motions in 
the atoms which go to make up his be(e)ing!" 
In conclusion, it siiould be said that Dr. Pyburn 



is a self-made man, in the typical and American 
sense of the term. He has made his way and a 
name for himself against odds that would have 
discouraged most men. As a physician he has 
had quite flattering success, and wherever he 
has been he has always had as large a practice 
as he cared to attend to. About a year after 
his arrival in Sacramento he was appointed 
physician and superintendent of the county 
hospital, and held that office until the wheel of 
politics and "other things" "let him out!" 
For two years, from 1879 to 1881, he was also 
a member of the city board of health, being 
secretary of that body during the latter year. 



?^^^- 



1^ D. STEPHENS, Postmaster, Sacramento, 
f^ and one of the best known citizens of 
^V»® Central California, is a native of Fulton 
County, Illinois, born April 14, 1837. Nathan 
Stephens, father of the subject of this sketch, 
was born in Steuben County, New York, and 
came of an old Eastern family. He was married 
in New York State, to Miss Alba C. Bostwick, 
and they afterward removed to the neighbor- 
hood of Canton, Illinois. They removed to 
Peoria County, Illinois, and there in 1841 his 
wife died. In April, 1849, the family started 
for California with two teams. They crossed 
the Missouri River at St. Joseph, continued the 
trip by the old overland trail, by Sublette's cut- 
off, and by the Carson route into California, 
arriving at Weaverville on the 16th of October, 
1849. They wintered a mile and a half from 
there, on Weaver Creek, and that winter en- 
gaged in surface mining. In February, 1850, 
they started for the valley country for the pur- 
pose of locating land, stopping three weeks at 
Rhodes' Diggings (more recently Prairie City). 
On the 1st of April they located nine miles 
from Sacramento, in Brighton Township, on the 
American River, and this location proved to be 
a very valuable one. There the elder Stephens 
put up a hotel and CDnducteJ it until the time 
of his death, which occurru(J January 25, 1875. 



HIHTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTy. 



He was a Democrat politically, and always took 
an active interest in public affairs. Of his 
children, live are living, viz.: Mrs. Jane E. 
Booker, of Fresno; Mrs. Kebecca Vandersloot, 
of Farinington, Illinois; Jerome, of Fresno; 
Mrs. A. M. Hood, of Sacramento, and R. D. 
Stephens, subject of this sketch. Nathan 
Stephens was a member of the society of Cali- 
fornia Pioneers, and was a prominent Mason. 
K. D. Stephens, with whose name this sketch 
commences, crossed the plains with his father 
at the age of twelve years, and is therefore a 
pioneer. He was reared to manhood in this 
county, and his first schooling in California was 
received at Brighton, which was three miles 
from his home. Later, however, he had the 
opportunity to attend school nearer home. He 
is, to a large extent, however, a self-educated 
man. He was reared to farm life, and when he 
was twenty engaged in running a threshing- 
machine. After about four or live years he 
bought one of his own, and carried on business 
with it successfully. In the fall of 1859 he 
made his first entree into politics, and was then 
elected constable for Brighton Township. In 
1869 he was elected to the Legislature of Cali- 
fornia, and served in the session of 1869-'70. 
He was warrant clerk in the State Controller's 
office from 1875 to 1880, and in 1882 was a 
candidate before the convention of the Demo- 
cratic party for the office of Controller of State. 
He was elected to the State Constitutional Con- 
vention of 1879, and took an active part in the 
work of that important body. On the 21st of 
September, 1885, he was appointed by Presi- 
dent Cleveland to the office of postmaster of 
Sacramento, and assumed his new duties on the 
1st of November. It is due Mr. Stephens to 
say that he has made a splendid record in this 
office, which has attracted wide-spread attention 
under his management, and many times elicited 
the compliments of the Department, whose 
officials say that there is not a better conducted 
office in the United States than that of Sacra- 
mento, under Mr. Stephens. He has intro- 
duced several innovations in the methods of 



handling and distributing mails, which have 
been to the great advantage of the business 
men and public generally. Mr. Stephens is 
one of the best known fruit-growers in Central 
California, and he has achieved great success in 
this line. On his place of about 100 acres he 
has seventy acres in orchard, and twenty acres 
in vineyard. His grapes are of the finest varie- 
ties and are splendidly cared for, the result 
being that they bring prices ranging from 30 
to 40 per cent, higher than any grapes shipped 
from California. The orchard is composed of 
carefully selected trees, and no trouble or ex- 
pense is spared in obtaining the best possible 
results. As a result the yield of the various 
fruits is far above tiie average, while the prices 
brought are the highest, and the goods are 
always in demand, even on a full market. One 
of the most important features about this in- 
teresting place is the irrigating plant, which is 
a wonderful aftair for a private ranch. This 
can be understood when it is stated that the 
plant has a maximum capacity for throwing 
17,000 gallons of water per minute. Mr. 
Stephens is generally recognized as the wheel- 
horse of the Detnocratic organization in this 
portion of the State, and certainly no man has 
done more toward contributing to its success. 
An active, ]>ushing man, he enjoys an extensive 
acquaintance and great personal popularity with 
the masses, and withal possesses powers of 
leadership and organization which render his 
services of inestimable benefit to his party. 



I^ON. WILLIAM B. HAMILTON is county 
IB) ^'^'■'^ 11°^ ^^^ '''^ third term, having been 
■^(s elected to that office for the first time in 
1885, re-elected in 1887 and now again in 1889, 
on the two latter occasions being nominated by 
acclamation by the Republican party, and each 
time elected by majorities running away ahead 
of the rest of the ticket. Mr. Hamilton was 
born in England in 1848, of mingled Scotch and 
English parentage, his father being a native of 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the "Land o' Heather and Thistle" and liis 
mother an En<;lisli\vonian, but before he had 
reached the mature age of one year, the family 
removed to America, landing at New Orleans. 
Tlie father came on the following year to Cali- 
fornia, being thus an " Argonaut." This oc- 
curred in 1853, when Mrs. Hamilton, after stay- 
ing with friends for a short time in Kentucky 
and Ohio, rejoined her husband, making the 
journey by way of the Nicaragua River. Am- 
erican Flat, El Dorado County, was where the 
elder Hamilton was working an(J at that point 
young •' Billy," for so his intimate friends know 
him best, spent the three years until 1856, when 
he came to Sacramento and has resided liere 
ever since. In this city Mr. Hamilton received 
his education in the schools of the place, and 
tinaljy became a student of law in the ofKce of 
Coffroth & Spaulding, the eminent attorneys of 
former days. Unfortunately Mr. CoftVotli's 
death occurred in 1874, and as young Hamilton 
was without means, he was forced to take hold 
of the iirst thing that presented itself. He was 
appointed clerk of the police court under Judge 
W. R. Cantwell. Upon the expiration of his 
term in 1876, he received the ajipointment of 
deputy county clerk under A. A. Wood, and 
held it under the succeeding terms of Col. T. H. 
Berkey and C. M. Coglan. At the e.xpiration 
of the latter gentleman's term in 1884, Mr. 
Hamilton received the nomination upon the Re- 
publican ticket, and was elected by the handsome 
majority of 1,301 votes. Again, in 1886 he was 
the unanimous choice of his party and was 
elected by a plurality of 3,000; and now at the 
last election he was also the Republican candi- 
date without opposition and received the rous- 
ing majority of 2,104. Of course, he is a true- 
hearted Republican to the backbone, and an 
enthusiastic worker for the principles of the 
"grand old party;" but that does not hinder his 
great popularity among men of the otiier faith 
as well as his own, as is shown by his enormous 
vote. Mr. Hamilton is a member of the Masons' 
order in high standing, the Red Men, the A. O. 
U. W., and is an ardent lover of held .sports, at 



present occupying the presidency of the Forester 
Gun Club. Mr. Hamilton is an unmarried 
man, but takes a pleasure in caring for the 
wants of his aged parents, both of whom are 
still alive, and are now, in the decline of life, 
enjoying the comforts that their years demand 
at their son's home. As an indication of the 
kind of man he is, we can relate only one inci- 
dent out of many. 

Every year there comes to Sacramento, a 
bowed and decrepit old Indian. He was once 
of gigantic frame and of strength and energy 
corresponding, but the hand of time has touched 
hiin, gently it is true, yet ineffaceably. It is the 
old chief, Coppa-hembo (the name means bear- 
slayer), once the head of a powerful tribe that 
dwelt in the foot-hills of the Sierras. Like the 
race in general, this tribe has almost disappeared. 
vice, indolence, tire-water and the heavy hand 
of the white man having worked their ruin. 
Coppa-heinbo, an exception among them all, 
was sober, temperate and careful and still lives 
in humble style with his squaw among his na- 
tive canons. In 1854 Indians were numerous 
about American Flat, and among them several 
tribes and chiefs, the one named heading one tri be. 
At that early day white boys were very scarce 
in the mining regions, and hence little Billy 
Hamilton, then a sturdy, independent urchin of 
six years of age, was a favorite with every one, 
Indians as well as miners. One day Coppa- 
hembo's tribe of Indians and another tribe had 
a dispute over some cause and came to blows. 
They were ranged on opposite sides of the 
mountains near American Flat, and arrows and 
bullets were flying thick and fast. Little Billy 
heard the shots and, boy-like, heedlessly ran to 
the spot, and although warned away by the In- 
dians, who all knew and liked him, and who cried 
out " Wheelland, come away," stayed watching 
the fray. Presently there was a lull, and Coppa- 
hembo, taking advantage of it, sprang upon a 
pine stump and began an oration, striving to 
pacify the opposing bands. In the midst of the 
pacific effort, an arrow suddenly whistled across 
the gulch and pierced Coppa-hembo's thigh. 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



bringing him to the ground. Tiionghtlessly 
and overcome with grief at the fall of his friend' 
little Billy dashed to him and strove to help 
him, in immiinent danger of his own life. This 
pnt an end to the battle, for the Indians knew 
that the result of any hurt to Billy would mean 
a terrible revenge on the part of the miners. 
Old Coppa-hembo remembers this, and so every 
year is witnessed the touching spectacle of this 
feeble old man making his Avay to this swarm- 
ing city from his lonely wigwam to renew old 
memories with " Billy," now our honored county 
clerk. They go down to a restaurant together, 
have a salmon broiled in a peculiar way, a spe- 
cial treat to an Indian, and sit long over the 
rustic feast. 



AKKUS GRAF, one of the old-time 
j,|,;^ r residents of Sacramento, is a native of 
^^M^ Germany, born at Mnhlhausen, Baden, 
on the 24th of April, 1830, his parents being 
Jolm and Helen (Relim) Graf, the father a 
grocer. Markus Graf was reared at his native 
place, and there received his education, attend- 
ing the public schools from the age of six until 
he was fourteen, and the Sunday-school to the 
age of eighteen. When he had reached the 
age of fifteen years he commenced the tanner's 
trade with a man named Handlosser, and served 
an apprenticeship of tliree years. He then 
traveled as a journeyman throughout Wurtem- 
berg, Bavaria, Saxony, Switzerland, etc., in all 
about four years. He then went home and at- 
tempted to start in business, but not finding 
prospects good, concluded to go to America. In 
October, 1851, he sailed from Rotterdam on the 
sail ship "Rhine," and proceeded on his way to 
the United States. The vessel encountered 
heavy weather off the Atlantic coast, and at a 
point nearer Philadelphia than Xew York she 
was beached on the sand. They cut the masts 
down and filled the hold with water to keep the 
vessel from drifting and toppling over, atid 
waited for day to come. The next day the wind 



was moderate. The next day two men got 
away from the vessel, and, proceeding to New 
York, secured a steamer to come down and res- 
cue the people on board. The passengers, who 
had ren)ained all this time on the upper deck 
exposed to the weather, were taken oft" on boats 
and landed, then taken to hotels and houses. 
After two or three days there they were taken 
to New York by the steamer. The exposures 
to which they were subjected from the weather 



may be appreciated when it is stated that they 
were stranded on the 6th of January. After Mr. 
Graf and others of the rescued passengers had 
been in a boarding house in New Y^ork two or 
three days, their landlord was informed that 
their baggage had arrived, and it was then 
brought to them. The voyage had lasted sixty- 
seven days, and as he had not had enough to eat 
or drink for some time, Mr. Graf was taken 
down with sickness and lay in hospital a couple 
of weeks. After recovering he obtained work 
with a man named Keifer. After this he en- 
gaged with a Mr. Hoffman, and finally at a fac- 
tory on Emma street, with a man named 
Guiding. He worked for Golding then, and in 
his factory, near Albany, also, until the lattei- 
part of 1853. In December of that year he 
took passage on a steamer at New Y'ork for 
Acapulco, then crossed the Isthmus of Panama, 
and proceeded to San Francisco on the steamer 
"Golden Age," landing in January, 1854. A 
couple of days later he proceeded to Coloma by 
way of Sacramento and Marysville, and went to 
work mining on Sutter Creek. After this he 
worked- two months for a farmer, and in 1855 
came to Sacramento, and worked a year in Pen- 
nock's brewery. He then bought a turning 
lathe, and opened a shop in Sacramento, and in 
partnership with P. Gossner manufactured bill- 
iard outfits until 1861. The business was quite 
extensive, and gave employment to five or six 
workmen. Since that time Mr. Graf has been 
in business at his present location. He was 
married in Sacramento in 1874, to Miss Matilda 
Metzer, a native of Wurtemberg. Mr. Graf has 
been a member of Schiller Lodge, I. O. O. F., 



UISrOHT OF SACBAMENTU COUNTY. 



561 



since its organization, in 1862; has been secre- 
tary and treasurer of the lodge; and is a veteran 
Odd Fellow. lie is a member of the Sacra- 
mento Hnssars. and has h«ld the rank of cor- 
poral in that orojanization. Mr. Graf has been 
identified with Sacramento for over a third of a 
century, and has seen manj' changes in the city 
and surrounding country since that time. He 
is a popular man, and has a large circle of 
friends. 



fEXERAL R. H. ORTON.— Since the 
great importance of the National Guards 
of the various States of the Republic has 
come to be so generally recognized, California 
has not been backward in the military spirit, 
and has been unusually fortunate in the class of 
men who have given their personal efforts to- 
ward the advancement of the condition of her 
State service. In the office of Adjutant-Genera 
she now has General R. H. Orton, whose name 
heads this sketch, and who is peculiarly ijuali- 
fi ed for that important position by nature and 
by training. General Orton is a native of 
Oneida County, New York, born August 23, 
1838, his parents being James M. and Rudy 
Hart (Gillett) Orton. Both parents were natives 
of Windsor, Connecticut, his father's ancestors 
having settled there in 1638. His father was a 
furniture manufacturer, and had learned the 
cabinet-making trade with Mr. Cheney, father- 
in-law of Horace Greeley. R. H. Orton, s-ub- 
ject of this sketch, was reared in his native 
county, and there received iiis education. He 
cauje to California in 1858, taking the steamer 
"Philadelphia" to Havana, the "Grenada" to 
Aspinwall, and the ".Tohn L. Stephens" to San 
Francisco, where he arrived on the 15th of May. 
He engaged in the business of manufacturing 
furniture, which engaged his attention until 
March, 1863. He was a strong Union man in 
his sympathies, and had only abstained before 
from entering the Goveiriment service as a 
soldier on account of the great distance from the 



seat of war. In March, 1863, however, he of- 
fered his services in behalf of his country's flag, 
and was mustered in as Second Lieutenant of 
Company F., First California Cavalry. The 
company was ordered to New Mexico, and on 
arrival in the tield of operations, Lieutenant Or- 
ton was detached and made Quartermaster and 
Commissaryof the camp on the Mierabres River. 
After being stationed there three months he was 
ordered to take command of Company C, and 
extend the outposts of the lines in Texas to San 
Elizario, the next post being occupied by Con- 
federate troops. He was in command then 
about eight months, and during that time saw 
much acti.-e service in the field. He made five 
raids into old Mexico after deserters and stock 
thieves, being each time successful. He partici- 
pated in the pursuit of Comanche Indians as 
Adjutant under Kit Carson, commanding the 
First New Mexico Cavalry. He was promoted 
to the Captaincy of Company M during the lat- 
ter part of the summer of 1865, and assumed 
his command in November. He commanded 
the expedition that went to the relief of the 
town of Harness, in old Mexico, 300 miles over 
the border, which was beleaguered by Apache 
Indians, and as a result the town was relieved 
when nearly ready to succumb. He was next 
stationed at Fort Sill, and while there his men 
were consolidated with another company, and 
he was placed in command of an expedition, 
also acting as quartermaster. In the fall of 1866 
all California volunteers were ordered back to 
the State, and he started with his men on the 
17th of September, reaching San Francisco on 
the 28th of December, losing only one horse and 
one wagon, a really remarkable record for such 
a journey. All the troops were mustered out 
on December 31 except the subject of this sketch, 
who severed his connection with the armj' on 
the 4th of January, 1867, being the last Cali- 
fornia volunteer in the United States service. 
He went back to his old home in New York, 
visiting there from February to Thank-giving 
day, and returning to California in December. 
He then re-engaged in furniture manufacturing, 



lUtjTOltY OF 8ACMAMENT0 COUNTY. 



but afterward embarked in the insurance busi- 
ness, which engaged his attention until tlietime 
of liis appointment to the ofhce of Adjutant- 
General of California, in 1887. He was, how- 
ever, identiiied witli the National Guard of 
California from its organization, in 1861. He 
commenced at that time as Lieutenant, and 
promotion has ever since marked his connection 
with the military. The Civil War transferred 
iiim to active service in the field. In 1875 he 
became Captain of Company D, First Infantry. 
Four years later he was made Major of the Cav- 
alry Battalion, which included all the mounted 



companies 



in the State at that time. After hi 



incumbency of that position lie was on the re- 
tired list four years, and resumed his connection 
with the military as Major of the First In- 
fantry. He was ])romoted Lieutenant Colonel 
a month later, and served in that capacity until 
called to his present position. General Orton 
was married at San Francisco in 1874, to Miss 
Dora Carioll, a native of Oneida County. .New 
York, born in the same neighborhood as him- 
self. At a point 100 yards from her birthplace 
the tirst American tiag was hoisted. The siege 
of Fort Steinwich (the scene of this incident) 
commenced June 27, 1777, and on the 17th of 
August the flag flying under Are on this occa- 
sion was adopted as the National colors. Gen- 
eral Orton brings to his office unusual quali- 
lications in his long military training, and his 
zeal in the eflbrt to place the National Guard of 
California in the first rank of similar organiza- 
tions in this country. 

fOWELL S. LAWSON, President of the 
Sacramento Society, California Pioneers, 
is a native of New York City, born Au- 
gust 17, 1829. His father, Martin L Lawson, 
was a ship carpenter by trade, and his ances- 
tors in this country, who were from Holland, 
were among the first settlers of New Amster- 
dam. He spent the latter years of iiis life on a 
farm in Ulster County, where he died, about 



185G, aged 106 years and 7 months. His mother, 
whose maiden name was Hannah Linas, was a 
native of Ulster County, and was also from cme 
of the oldest families of the Empire State. She 
died in December, 1849, in her fifty-ninth year. 
Powell S. Lawson, tiie subject of this sketch, 
was reared in New York city, and in her public 
schools received his education. He served his 
time as tinsmith, coppersmith and sheet iron 
worker with Charles Zimmerman, at No. 232 
Hudson street, remaining with him till he had 
reached the age of nineteen years, and then 
worked at iiis trade as a journeyman. When the 
discovery of gold in California was made, he was 
like every one else, excited thereby, and his mind 
was soon made up to go in person to the scene. 
Early in 1849 a party was organized for this 
purpose. They purchased the bark " Galindo," 
and left New York April 7, under the command 
of Captain Macy, there being seventy in the 
party. The voyage was a pleasant one until oflf 
the month of the Amazon River, when their 
first rough weather was e.xperieneed. Ofi" Cape 
Horn they lay for thirty-two days under close- 
reefed sails, whilst the vessel was one mass of 
ice. During two weeks of this time they had 
no fire even to cook their food with. At the 
conclusion of the storm they started to resume 
their voyage, but the rudder-head was bursted, 
and they had to steer by a spar over the stern 
of the vessel. When they got to Valparaiso 
they refitted, and thenceforward had a pleasant 
trip to California. They arrived at San Fran- 
cisco November 22, 1849, and Mr. Lawson ob- 
tained work at his trade with Thomas H. Selby 
& Co., in the alley between Sacramento and 
California, Kearney and Dupont streets. He 
remained there until March, 1850, and when 
working piece-work on stoves, would make from 
$30 to $45 per day. He then came to Sacra- 
mento on the propeller McKim, and a few days 
later proceeded to Marysville, being introduced 
on the way to General Sutter, at the hitter's 
farm. At Marysville he engaged an ox team, 
and with John Kehoe and John Lawrence went 
to the South Fork of the Feather River, and 



UIHTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



took up a mining claim two miles below String- 
town. They dug a long ditch, and commenced 
mining. Mr. Lawson here took out his first 
gold, his " find " weighing 73 cents. The party 
mining next below them backed the water upon 
them, and they were thus unsuccesst'ul. On 
the 3d of July he started for Nelson's Creek, 
and remained there with better snccess, until 
August 20, when he went to Orion Valley. 
The first night lie camped there was the most 
memorable one of his life. A terrible storm 
came up, the night was bitter cold, and in the 
morning there was eighteen inches of snow all 
about him. He left there and went to Long 
Bar, on Feather River, and thence to Smith's 
Bar, where he mined till February. Then, witii 
his com])anions, he went to Rieli Bar, on the 
North Fork of Feather River. Soon after their 
arrival they were snowed in, and being out of 
flour, they made an attempt to go over to Las- 
sen's ranch to lay in a supply of that article. 
Starting early in the morning, they reached the 
top of the mountain that night, and there en- 
camped. The next morning the journey was 
resumed. There was a heavy crust on the snow, 
and it was necessary to cut a trail down the 
mountain for the mules. Only a portion of 
them were taken at first, and when a bench of 
the mountain was reached, a halt was made, and 
the animals tied for safe-keeping, while a trip 
back was made for those left behind at the camp. 
On arriving there it was found that one was 
missing, and a search revealed the fact that she 
was lying on the side of a mountain against a 
log. In order to release her it was found neces- 
sary to cut down a sapling and let the log I'oll 
away. This was done, Mr. Lawson having hold 
of a rope to keep the mule from going down. 
When the log started the mule tried to get up, 
but slipped and started to roll, the skin being 
torn from Mr. Lawson's hands. The mule 
rolled down and down for fitty yards, and was 
finally stopped with feet in the air by the two 
pack saddles which she carried. Mr. Lawson 
went down and shoved her over, remarking that 
she was " all right." It was a laughable inci- 



dent, but it was nearly night when they got 
back to the bench on the mountain to camp for 
the night. The next morning the trip was re- 
sumed. But when they got to the Xortli Fork 
of the North Fork of Feather River, it was 
found that the bridges were gone, and they could 
not get across. So they went back to Rich 
Bar, and a few days later to Long Bar. Mr. 
Lawson went from there to Marysville, thence 
to Sacramento, next to Stockton, and from there 
to Smith's Ferry, on Merced River. After 
mining there a couple of weeks, he went to Fly- 
away Gulch," seven miles from Coulterville, and 
then he and his companions struck a claim which 
they worked a month by means of a rocker. 
There they averaged §22 a day to the man. The 
Kern River excitement then came on, and in 
June, 1851, he started for the new fields. After 
prospecting on Kern River for a time, he left 
there, and on the 1st of August got back to 
Pleasant Valley, on the Merced River. He 
worked off and on in the river and gulches until 
September, 1852, and then went to San Fran- 
cisco, and entered into partnership with Joseph 
Vaile in the roofing business, which continued 
until February, 1854. He then went East, but 
returned in June, via Panama, and went in 
business for himself in San Francisco. On the 
1st of January, 1855, he went to Mariposa. In 
July he came to Sacramento, and from here went 
again to San Francisco. In August he pro- 
ceeded to Shasta, and mined about two miles 
above Redding until April, 1859. He then 
[ came to Sacramento, took up his permanent 
[ residence here, and went in partnership with 
George Boehme in the metal-roofing business. 
Alter eleven years this partnership was dissolved, 
and Mr. Lawson has since carried on business 
alone. He was married on the 5th day of Oc- 
, tober, 1862, to Miss Alice Carrington, who died 
! in 1882. Two children were born to this mar- 
riage — May Frances, who died at the age of six 
years, and Miss Alice Belle. Mr. Lawson was 
again married, his present wife having been 
Miss Hannah A. Towner. Mr. Lawson is an 
old-time Mason, liaving joined Sacramento 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Lodge in December, 1859. He joined Sacra- 
mento Royal Arch Chapter in 1860; Sacramento 
Council, the same year; Sacramento Command- 
ery No. 2, in 18G5; and the Scottish Rite, and 
Grand Council in 1868. He is a member of 
Sacramento Lodj^e, No. 2, I. O. O. F., and of 
Occidental Encampment, No. 42. In the days 
ot the volunteer lire department he was a mem- 
ber of Knickerbocker Company, No. 5, and was 
its [iresident live years. He is past pre.=,ident 
of the E.xempt Firemen. He joined the Society 
of California Pioneers in December, 1859, and 
has ever since taken an active interest in the 
welfare of the society. He was elected presi- 
dent of the local body in 1888, and re-elected in 
1889. He is also a member of Union Lodge, 
No. 21, A. (). U. W., and was a charter member 
of the first lodge of Knijrhts of Honor organ- 
ized here. He has been a Republican in poli- 
tics since 1861, though he was previously a 
Democrat. Mr. Lawson is one of the most re- 
spected and honored citizens of Sacramento, and 
his open-hearted ways have won for him the 
respect and esteem of all with whom he has 
como in contact. Having been a resident of 
California since the early mining days, he has 
been an eye-witness to the great changes and 
progress made since that time, and has an e.x- 
teu'led acquaintance throughout the length and 
breadth of the State. 



pronii- 
1 repre- 



^-^-^ 

R. STRONG.— Among th 
nent citizens of California a 
l^'^ri*' sentative business men of Sacramento, 
is tlie gentleman with whose name this sketch 
commences. W. R. Strong is a native of Cay- 
uga County, New York, born May 12, 1817, 
his parents being Ezra and Betsey (Dunning) 
Strong. His father, a physician, educated in 
Connecticut and a native of that State, was a 
descendant of Elder John Strong, who landed 
in Massachussetts shortly after the settlement 
of Plymouth Rock. The Dunnings were also 
an old Connecticut family. In 1821 Dr. Strong 



and family removed from Scipio to Rochester, 
and there the Doctor practiced his profession 
for years, and afterward lived a retired life until 
the time of his death. AV. R. Strong was reared 
in Rochester, and educated in her public schools. 
He commenced work as a clerk in a dry-goods 
store, but after the firm went out of business, he 
engaged in the manufacture of gloves, and after- 
ward in the manufacture of whips. The latter 
business still continues, and is now carried on 
by the extensive lirm of Strong & Woodbury, 
the first named member of the firm being a 
nephew of our subject. Another nephew. Dr. 
A. II. Strong, is president of the Rochester 
Theological Seminary. In 1849 a party of sev- 
enteen was organized in Rochester for the pur- 
pose of going to California, Mr. Strong among 
the number, and on the 2nd of October of that 
year they sailed out of New York harbor on the 
steamer Ocean Queen. The trip was made via 
Panama, where they lay for three weeks after 
having spent four days crossing the Isthmus. 
A body of 170 people chartered a sailitig vessel, 
the bark Eliza Ann, for the purpose of contin- 
uing the journey to San Francisco, and Mr. 
Strong was one of the number. They were 
si.xty-seven days on board the vessel, being de- 
layed outside the Heads by adverse winds, and 
passed through the Golden Gate into the harbor 
on the 12th of January, 1850. Mr. Strong re- 
mained in the city about a week, then proceeded 
via Stockton to the Southern mines, locating on 
Wood's Creek, below Sonora. He remained 
there but a short time, and was soon going from 
place to place, following the untrue stories of 
others, who claimed to have made great gold 
discoveries at different places. In the fall he 
engaged for a time at a hotel seven miles this 
side of Dry town, but soon afterward went to 
Nevada City. In July, 1852, having prospected 
throughout the Northern mines, he reached 
Sacramento. Here he engaged, in company 
with Edward Fay (now of Buffalo, New York), 
•n mercantile trade on the site of the present 
j Red House. In November, while Mr. Pay was 
I in San Francisco, buying goods, the great fire 



U I STOUT OF SAGUAMENTO COUNTY. 



oecnrred, and their store and stock were swept 
away. Mr. Strong snceeeded in removing a few 
traps upon a vacant lot, and, paying §500 per 
tliousand feet for lumber, proceeded to put up a 
shed. This was done, when, on the 9th of No- 
vember, occurred the great flood, which devas- 
tsited the city, and the water reached up over 
tlie counter of his store. He rigged up a raft 
and floated a few goods out to the place where 
Hoboken was started. He sold goods there 
eight weeks, then returned to Sacramento, and 
started again in tiie old place. The ground was 
very soft, and iriud boats, hauled by o.xen, were 
used to convey goods to tlie store. Goods were 
delivered in tlie same way, the oxen going down 
to their bellies at nearly every step. In the 
following year the business was closed out on 
account of disasters and independent specula- 
tions, and the partnership theretofore existing 
between Messrs. Strong and Fay was dissolved. 
Mr. Strong then engaged in trading in cattle 
or anything he could get tu handle, but finally, 
soon engaged in partnership with a Mr. Gordon, 
he re-established himself in mercantile business 
where the California State Bank now stands. 
July 13, 1854, the store was burned down- 
The thermometer at the time registered 110 in 
the shade, making it difticult to prevent the 
spreading of the flames. Mr. Strong got a few 
goods out into the street, but they were burned 
there. About §100 worth were taken down on 
Fourth street below K, and there were saved. 
Mr. Strong was overcome by exhaustion and the 
intense heat, and lay insensible until between 
eight and nine o'clock that night on the steps 
of a church. He then went inside, and made 
his bed that night on a seat. Two days later 
he had re-commenced business on the corner of 
Second and K streets. He occupied that location 
about two years, and was then induced to take 
a partnership in a candle factory on M street, 
opposite the old Pavilion. It was an unfortu- 
nate partnership, and the business proved un- 
successful for him. In 1857 he went back to 
the old place where the Red House now is, and 
remain" d in business there until 18B5, wlien 



Booth «fe Co. removed to the present location, 
and Mr. Strong moved down and rented the 
building where he is now located. For a long 
time he carried on the business alone, then Mr. 
Robert Williamson came into the firm, and later 
Mr. Phileirion E. Piatt, forming the firm of "W. 
R. Strong & Co. The business of this house is 
now very extensive, and they are known through- 
out the United States, which is the field of their 
business. Besides this great commission busi- 
ness, they have their own orchards and nurseries, 
which are alltiost equally noted. Mr. Strong 
has been twiCB married; tii-st in New York State 
to Miss Elsa J. Brewster, wlio died at Rochester. 
His present wife, to whom he was married in 
1854, was formerly Mrs. Eliza J. Martin. Her 
maiden name was Davis, and she was a native 
of New Brunswick, New Jersey. By this mar- 
riage there are two children, viz.: Ella J., wife 
of Ellery J. Turner; and Charles B., who is in 
his father's store. Mr. Strong became associ- 
ated with the First Baptist Churcii of Rochester, 
New York, when but fourteen years of'age, and 
has been a church member ever since. He be- 
came associated with the First Baptist Church 
of Sacramento in 1852. He was one of the 
organizers of the Calvary Baptist Church, has 
been an officer nearly ever since, and is now 
deacon. While a Republican politically, he has 
never been in public life, preferring to leave that 
to others, though he was a candidate for the 
ofiice of public administrator in 1857. He was 
a Whig in the days of that party, but when the 
Republican party was organized he was one of 
the first to join the new movement, and helped 
organize the party in Sacramento. He has been 
treasurer of Pioneer Council, Legion of Honor, 
from its organization* Mr. Strong has always 
been recognized as one of the most honorable, 
active, pushing men in the business career of 
Sacramento, and made a success even in the face 
of untoward obstacles. No citizen has ever en- 
joyed in a greater degree the confidence and es- 
teem of the community than he. Coming here 
among the pioneers, he has seen and taken an 
active part in the great growth of (.'alifoiiiia. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



aud lias always been in tlie van in all movements 
calculated to advance the true welfare and in- 
terests of the State and city of his adoption. 



-H^H*-^' 



fC. SWEETSER, one of the old-time resi- 
dents of Sacramento, and a California 
® pioneer, is a native of Waterville, Maine, 
horn November 3, 1819, his parents being Rich- 
ard and Sarah A. (Low) Sweetser. Ricliard 
Sweetser, a shipbuilder, died at the age of 
forty-seven; he was a son of a Revolutionary 
veteran, who lived to be ninety-four ye-.TS of 
age. The mother of the subject of this sketcli 
was a native of Maine, and was a daughter of 
Rev. Robert Low. A. C. Sweetser was in his 
seventh year when the family removed to Bel- 
fast, Maine, and there he was reared and educated 
in public and private schools, and also in the 
schools of Winterport, Maine. He was but a 
mere !ad when his father's death occurred, and 
on arriving at suitable age he went to learn the 
trade of house and ship joiner. He followed 
that business in all its branches at Belfast and 
Frankfort until 1847, when he engaged in the 
shoe trade at Carabridgeport, Massachusetts, but 
was induced to leave tliere to go into business 
at Boston. The latter part of the plan was not 
carried out, however, and instead he embarked 
in contracting. In the fall of 1848 he became 
interested in the talk of California, then agitat- 
ing the country, and became associated with one 
of the companies being organized to go to the 
new El Dorado. The movement resulted in 
the formation of the Boston and INewton Joint 
Stock Association, consisting of twenty-five 
men. One year's proviHons were purchased, 
and sent to California around Cape Horn, while 
the party left Boston April 16, 1849, proceed- 
ing to Buffalo, thence by lake to Sandnsky, by 
rail to Cincinnati, and by steamer to St. Louis. 
Thence they went by steamer to Independence, 
where they completed their outfit. Saddles and 
liarness they brought from Boston. The next 
stopping point, Mr. Sweetser went on to St. 



Joseph to look after provisions, and returned 
with supplies to Independence. From the lat- 
ter place the party started on the 16th of May. 
They followed the regular route to Salt Lake 
City, and there sold their wagons and harness, 
purchasing pack-saddles instead. After a rest 
of ten days at the Mormon capital, they re- 
sumed t.lieir journey to California, making their 
first stop in this State near Placerville, and pro- 
ceeding next day to Sacramento, where they ar- 
rived on the 27th of September. Sending to 
San Francisco for their provisions, they sold 
their horses, mules and trappings, divided out 
the provisions, and the party broke up. They 
had had a rather enjoyable trip, and most of 
them had got in the habit of walking a great 
deal. Their last provisions were eaten at Shingle 
Springs, whe^e they lodged the last night be- 
fore reaching Sacramento. Mr. Sweetser and 
two others camped tlie first night at Sacramento 
north of the ridge, and the first they had to eat 
for that entire day was a loaf of bread and some 
syrup that one of the party brought out there. 
The next day they came down to what is now 
the State Capitol grounds, and there they sold 
for $400 a large military tent wliich cost them 
$60. Mr. Sweetser had to wait for his tools, 
which had gone around Cape Horn, and then 
he took charge of a company of men engaged 
in clearing oti' lots. He next took charge of a 
gang of men unloading the brig " Belfast," at 
$10 per day. He next proceeded, with five 
others, to the North Fork of the American 
River, four miles north of Beal's Bar. A few 
days later he came back to Sacramento with a 
team to get provisions to sell to the miners. 
The roads were bad and it took two days to get 
to Sacramento. The rain came down in torrents 
while they were here, and Mr. Sweetser told 
one of his companions that he "guessed he 
would take his chances in Sacramento," at the 
same time offering to sell his interest for $100. 
The offer was accepted, and he remained. He 
made $16 to $20 a day, and in company with a 
school-mate bought a lot where Campbell's 
furniture store now stands, for the purpose of 



HISTUHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



putting up a buildins:. Willow poles were util- 
ized for posts, and Mr. Sweetser paid §20 for a 
board, which he carried up to tlie building on 
his back. The structure was covered over with 
canvas, and tarred, and when it was completed 
a building for a residence was put up on the 
alley. One side of the roof was coirtpleted 
when the weather cleared up, and the north 
wind caused a rise in the river. About four 
o'clock in the afternoon the water was running 
down the alley like a river. They were living 
in a tent, but they i)nt down a floor three feet 
above ground, and on this put their little cook- 
stove and their bedding. Before moi'ning the 
water was above their floor, and they had to pack 
up and move. They hired a Ijoatman to take 
tliein down on the levee, where they boarded a 
brig. A friend of Mr. Sweetser had charge of 
the brig, and kept it as a boarding-house, and 
as the berths were wide Mr. Sweetser was taken 
into that of his friend. Board was $30 a week, 
and there was plenty to eat, although there was 
no butter. Mr. Sweetser got some lumber at 
$400 per thousand, and with the assistance of 
another man, built a boat, for which, on com- 
pletion, he was oflfered $100. One evening, on 
one trip, he took in $7 with the boat. On a 
pile of lumber, with water all around, he made 
from $10 to $20 per dav, making boats and oars. 
He made a lot of bath tubs, and built a bath 
liouse for a man, at $20 per day. When the 
waters receded, he went up to his own building, 
fitted it up, and engaged in contracting, fitting 
up stores, etc., which he followed until the fire 
of 1852. After this he turned his attention to 
architecture and the superintending of build- 
ings. He also embarked in mining to some 
extent, but without success. In 1860 he com- 
menced in the real estate and insurance busi- 
ness, which has ever since been his vocation, 
and in which he has met with deserved success. 
Mr. Sweetser was married in Sacramento, in 
December, 1853, to Miss Sarah S. Pratt, a na- 
tive of Portland, Maine, who came out here 
from Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, in 1852. 
They have had one child, Sarah Emma, who 



died in November, 1857. Mr. Sweetser is a 
member of the Sacramento Society of California 
Pioneers. He is the only one of the organizers 
of the Congregational Church now among its 
members or living here. The next year after 
organization he was elected deacon, and has 
tilled that post for a l<mg time. He is also 
treasurer of the congregation. He was also 
for four years superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. He was one of the organizers of 
the First Division, Sons of Temperance, and 
has always taken a lively interest in temper- 
ance and church work. In the days of the 
volunteer tire department Mr. Sweetser was 
a member, and for some time assistant fore- 
man of Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. 
During the last year, however, he was a 
member of Young America Company, Xo. tj. 

i He is a member of Eureka Lodge, L O. O. P\, 
and Pacific Encampment, and has passed the 
chairs in both, and is a veteran Odd Fellow. 
He was a Whig in the days of that party, but 
later a Republican. He has been a member of 
he board of education, secretary of that body, 
and ex-oflicio city superintendent. He is at 
this time a notary public. Mr. Sweetser has 

j been at all times an active and influential citi- 
zen, and holds a high place in the esteem of the 
community. The various events in the history 
of Sacramento have passed as a panorama be 
fore his vision, and he has witnessed the growth 
of the city from a frontier outpost to its pres- 
ent proud position. 



fOHN GRUHLER.— In 1847 three brothers. 
Elias, Christian and Jacob Gruhler, came 
to this country from Germany, and settled 
in Cincinnati, where they built up a business of 
some magnitude. _ In 1852 the two first named 
came out to California, located in Sacramento, 
and established what was among the first brew- 
eries in the city, and in fact, in this portion of 
the State. It was situated on the corner of 
Second and L sti-eets. Later they established 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the well-known and extensive Columbus Brew- 
ery, at Sixteenth and K streets, building up a 
large business. Christian died in 1878, and 
Klias about two years later, being counted at the 
time among our representative men. In 1850, 
the third brother, Jacob, cainealso toSacramento. 
Jacob was a remarkable man, and a man of won- 
derful enterprise. He made during his lite-time 
more than one fortune, the first being in the to- 
bacco business in Cincinnati, and the last in the 
mines here. He opened a saloon on Sixth street, 
ijctweeii J and K, whicii became at once the 
haliitual resort of the best element in the city, 
and only them, for he, like his successor, Mr. 
John Gruhler, seemed to have the faculty of 
attracting about him only gentlemanly and con- 
genial spirits. Later he opened the present 
popular place at No. 522 J street. Here he died 
suddenly, in November, 1877, wearing still at the 
last the smile that always wreathed his features. 
Upon his death the bu.-iness devolved upon the 
present popular proprietor. John Gruhler was 
born July 22, 1850, in Wnrtemberg, Germany. 
His father's name is Frederick, lie is still 
alive in Germany, at the good old age of sixty- 
seven years. He was not related to the three 
brothers already mentioned, although, strangely 
enough, he married their sister, who is the 
mother of the subject of this sketch, and is still 
alive. She has had fourteen children, of whom 
ten are still living. Mr. John Gruhler came to 
America from Germany in 1870, going first to 
Cincinnati. From there he came to California 
in 1873, proceeding at once toSacramento. For 
the first nine months he worked in a candy store 
and dining-room combined on J street. P'inally, 
in April, 1874, he started in. with his uncle 
Jacob at No. 522 J street, and upon his death 
in the November following, assumed the busi- 
ness, and has, if possible, still further increased 
its popularity. He was married July 22, 1878, 
to his cousin, Miss Pauline Gruiiler, the daugh- 
ter of Jacob. They have no children. Mr. 
Gruhler has three brothers and three sisters re- 
siding in the city. The brothers, E., F. and 
Jacob, are in business here. The sisters are 



married, and their names are as follows: Mrs. 
Katie Shaunlofi'el, Mrs. Annie Bernhardt, and 
Mrs. Gertie Hauser. Mr. (Truhler is a Repub- 
lican, and a gentleman. . 

|g|EORGE SCHROTH,of the Phcenix Mills, 
|l%nf is one of the most active iinsiness men of 



Sacramento. He 



purcl 



d the I'hoMii 



Mill property in 18S0. and at once set about 
rebuilding on a far more extensive scale. About 
the same time F. Kohler and J. H. Arnold 
came into the firm, which then assumed the 
present name — George Schroth & Co. The 
PhcBnix Mills are \inexcelled in equipment, and 
in the quality of their manufactured product 
enjoys a reputation at once creditable to the 
city and lucrative to the proprietors. George 
Schroth, the head of the firm, is a native of 
Wnrtemberg, Germany, born July 22, 1829, 
his parents being John and Reoina (Miller) 
Schroth, the father a farmer. He was educated 
in the Government schools from the age of six 
to fourteen years, after which he served an ap- 
prenticeship to the baker's trade with a man 
named Sciiwimb. In May, 1846, he came to 
America, sailing from Havre to New York. 
He went to Newark, New Jersey, and went to 
work for a man named Liebhauser, by whom 
he was employed until 1849. In that year he 
went to Texas, and engaged as teamster between 
Port La Vaca and El Paso, hauling supplies for 
the soldiers. He afterward engaged as baker 
for the troops at El Paso, being thus employed 
until 1851. In February of that year he started 
for California in company with six others. The 
route chosen by them was that via Tucson, and 
it was this party which rescued those left from 
the Oatinan family massacre, and escorted them 
safely to Fort Yuma, a deed which won for 
them an honorable and a lasting place in the 
history of that region. Their way was beset 
by the greatest danger from the hostile and 
murderous savages. At San Diego he waited 
i for a train before continuing his journey to the 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



northward, and while there engaged in driving 
an ox team, hauling wood, and in the work of 
boring an artesian well. At length, reenniing 
the journey, lie proceeded up to Stockton, fol- 
lowing the coast route much of tlie way, and 
driving liorses. The journey to Sacramento was 
accomplished afoot, Mr. Schroth carrying his 
blanket on his shoulders to this city, where he 
arrived in June. He obtained employment at 
the Pioneer Bakery (then known as Henry 
Winkel's bakery), on K street, between Front 
and Second. After the big fire of 1852, in 
which the building was destroyed, business was 
resumed in the alley bounded by J and K, 
Front and Second streets. In 1853 Winkel 
sold out to J. W. Lehman and Louis Elmer. 
In January, 1854, Mr. Schroth bought Elmer's 
interest in the business, and in 1855 the firm 
bought property on J street, between Front and 
Second, and put up a building, the lower floor 
of which was utilized by the Pioneer Bakery, 
and the second story by the Pioneer Hall. In 
1869 Mr. Lehman died, and his widow retained 
an interest in the business two or three years, 
after which Mr. Schroth carried on the business 
alone until 1882, when he sold out the bakery 
business, though he still retains the ownership 
of the property, and has since given his atten- 
tion to his large trilling interests. On the 18th 
of August, 1857, Mr. Schroth was married to 
Miss Amelia Fuchs, a native of Germany, who 
came to Sacramento in 1856. She crossed 
Nicaragua during the time Walker held pos- 
session, and was detained on the Isthmus for 
four weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Schroth have five 
children, viz.: John George, William C, Carrie, 
Emily and Clara. Mr. Schroth joined the Sac- 
ramento Hussars in 1861, being with the organ- 
ization while it was in the State militia, and 
lield the post of standard-bearer three or four 
years. He is the only charter member of the 
Sacramento Turn-Verein who has remained with 
that body since its organization in 1854. and 
was the iifth member to sign the roll. He is 
one of the original members of Schiller Lodge, 
No. 105, I. O. (). F. He has been a director in 



the Germania Building and Loan Association 
since its organization. In the days of the vol- 
unteer Hre department he "ran with the ma- 
chine." having been one of the organizers of 
"Knickerbocker No. 5." Mr. Schroth's record 
is one of which any man might be proud. He 
made his start in Sacramento by his own labor; 
by the great fire of 1852 he lost $1,300 of ac- 
cumulated wages; during the flood of 1853 he 
remained at his post, working in the water, 
which reached the ovens before the bread was 
got in. He has borne his share of the brunt of 
all public disasters, as well as of all public im- 
provements, yet to-day ranks among the solid 
! business men of Sacramento, as well as among 
the most enterprising. 

~^-^^ • 

§0N. W. P. COLEMAN.— Mr. Coleman is 
one of the "Argonauts," and very few, 
even among those men of history and ad- 
venture, have had a life more full of incident 
and interest than he. He was born in Hopkins- 
ville. Christian County, Kentucky, in 1826, and 
there spent his younger days. When seventeen 
years of age he went to St. Louis, Missouri, 
where he attended college for one year and was 
then apprenticed to the tobacco business. The 
conclusion of his apprenticeship occurred in the 
eventful period about 1849. Eager to test for 
himself the truth of the glowing reports that 
were flying over the land, young Coleman deter- 
mined to set out for California. He made the 
trip overland in the uncommonlly short space of 
ninety days, an unusually rapid and prosperous 
journey. The train by which became was com- 
posed entirely of horse and mule teams, and 
thus made good headway. It was called the 
"Telegraph Train," on account of the speed it 
i made. Mr. Brolaski was the captain, and Mr. 
Coleman one of the teamsters. It happened that 
Senator Boggs was on his way at the same time 
with ox teams. A friendship sprang up between 
I the companies, and the Senator was the means 
I of rendering the others great assistance when 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



at Carson River, as a portion of the mules broke 
down and were there converted into pack trains. 
Mr. Coleman went mining at first of course. By 
1850, however, he had become tired of this, and 
opened a store at the junction of Greenwood 
Creek and American River, where Magnolia now 
is. His partner in the business was a gentleman 
named Smith, who sold the goods while young 
Coleman did the buying in Sacramento and team- 
ing thence to the store. In 1851 Mr. Coleman 
came to Sacramento, where he has since re- 
mained and of which he has long been one of 
the most solid and reliable citizens. It is a 
noteworthy and honorable thing for California 
tliat of her richest and leading citizens of to-day 
the vast majority began with nothing but brains 
and grit. Mr. Coleman is no exception. He 
ojiened a little outfitting business on a very 
small scale on the very site which has since be- 
come thoroughly identified with his name, and 
where his representative real-estate oHice is 
situated, namely, No. 325 J street. The great 
fire of November, 1852, swept his establishment 
out of existence. Mr. Coleman happened to be 
in San Francisco at the time, purchasing goods. 
With the indomitable pluck born in the true 
American, he came back at once; succeeded in 
renting one-half of a store two doors above his 
old stand, opened out his goods, and by his 
energy gained quitearich harvest for his enter- 
prise, having his goods on sale by the 12th of 
November. "A month later he had obtained a 
new store, at a rental of $500 a month, fitted it 
up with lumber that cost him thirty-five cents a 
foot, and was soon "in full blast" again on a 
larger scale than ever. It speaks volumes for 
the strength of Mr. Coleman's frame that he 
slept in the damp, new building while complet- 
ing his arrangements, without suffering any ill 
effects from the exposure. At length, in 1860, 
having reaped the reward due to his energy, 
perseverance and the correctness of bis business 
principles, Mr. Coleman decided to retire in 
order that he might enjoy at leisure, in tlie com- 
forts of life, the ample means he had succeeded 
in accumulating. He decided to visit Europe; 



crossed the Atlantic, and was in Italy, after a 
tour of England and France, when he was noti- 
fied by his banker in Paris that, on account of 
the civil war then raging, the transfer of funds 
between America and Europe was entirely 
stopped. He hastened back to Paris, and al- 
tliough the reputation for promptness and reli- 
ability he had made in California, and the 
knowledge of his ample means, procured him 
e\&ry attention at the hands of the bankers, he 
nevertheless abandoned the trip, returned to 
America, and after a visit of some six months' 
duration among his relatives in Kentucky, was 
back again in Sacramento, tlie home of his 
choice. The promise of retiring from business 
life is easier said than performed by one of so 
active and industrious a nature as is Mr. Cole- 
man ; and so it is not surprising that shortly after 
his return he was busy as a volunteer worker 
for the interests of the city, which was then rais- 
ing the grade. He steadily refused all official 
honors. However,'the office of corresponding 
secretary of the Pioneers' Association was thrust 
upon him; and his frequent contributions of 
letters to the society are thoroughly appreciated 
and are of great value to that organization. In 
1867 he finally opened his well-known real- 
estate office on J street, on the very lot where 
he had known the misfortune and triumphs of 
his early days in this city. He no longer pays 
active attention to the business there, having 
turned it over to his juniors in the office, Messrs. 
E. A. Crouch and P. Bohl. It was in a portion 
of that office where the Sacramento Bank was 
first established, Mr. Coleman being one of the 
prominent stockholders and an original incor- 
i porator. Its correct methods of business, how- 
ever, and careful management have given it 
great prosperity, and it is now established in its 
fine building on the corner of Fifth and J streets. 
Mr. Coleman has been its president since 1880, 
devoting t.ie whole of his valuable experience 
in business and accurate knowledge of mankind 
to the interests of the institution. Under the 
management of himself and his associates the 
bank has grown to be one of our powerful finan- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



cial institutions and conducts a business of great 
magnitude. He is a public-spirited citizen, of 
generous impulses, takitig a practical and lead- 
ing part in all matters conducive to the public 
welfare, and a large contributor to all worthy 
and deserving causes. Personally he is one of 
the most large-hearted, jovial and companion- 
able of inen, a favorite with all classes of the 
community, ranking justly as one of our most 
worthy as well as most representative men. Mr. 
Coleman is a married man, but without children. 
Unfortunately, his wife has been an invalid 
almost from the first, but by his devoted atten- 
tion and watchful care of her every want, her 
life has been prolonged nntil the present. It is 
but proper to state that this article is very in- 
complete, as Mr. Coleman could not be induced 
to give more than mere dates, and the balance of 
the article is comniled from other sourcess. 



^,()X. W. H. BEATTY, Chief Justice of the 
f \ Supreme Court of California, is one of 
~\l^t those who have attained a deserved pre- 
eminence both as a pleader and as a counselor, 
and is worthily considered to stand at the head 
of his profession. He is a native of the State 
of Ohio, but removed with liis father, Hon. H. 
O. Beatty, a sketch of whose life appears on 
anotiier page, to Sacramento in February, 1853. 
He was born in the year 1838, and hence is 
practically a Californian in every sense, having 
been but fifteen years of age when he came to 
these shores. Two years later, or in 1855, he 
returned again to the East for the purpose of pur- 
suing his academic studies. In September, 1858, 
he came back to this State and in the office of 
his father in this city completed his legal studies, 
being admitted to practice at the bar of the Su- 
preme and other courts of this State, in Jan- 
uary, 1861. After practicing here until March, 
1863, he went to the then "baoming" country 
of Reese River, Nevada, and at Austin opened 
an office, and b.-gan a residence in Nevada which 
lasted for eighteen years. Upon the organization 



of Nevada as a State, in 1864, and the adoption 
of a State Constitution, Mr. Beatty was elected 
District Judge, it being a peculiar and interest- 
ing fact that at the same time his father, who 
had also gone to Nevada, was elected a Justice 
of the Supreme Court. Justice Beatty held 
the position of District Judge until 1874, or 
lor. a term of ten years, when he was elected 
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of that 
State, a position tilled by him during the balance 
of his residence there. Finally, in January, 
1881, he returned to Sacramento, since which 
time he has been a constant resident of this city. 
j In the fall of 1888 he became a candidate upon 
the Republican ticket for the Chief Justiceship 
of the Supreme Court of California, and although 
opposed by a deservedly popular candidate on 
the Democratic ticket, was elected by a large 
majority, and assumed the duties of his office 
at the first of the year. To the accomplish- 
ment of this result, the known high character 
of the Justice, both as a lawyer and a citizen, as 
well as his personal popularity and the confidence 
reposed in him by all whether in political accord 
or nof, contributed chiefly. But it is not alone 
in matters connected with his profession or the 
judiciary that Justice Beatty has taken a promi- 
nent part. He is now the president, and a lead- 
ing member of the voluntary organization 
formed for the purpose of discussing, maturing 
and advocating plans for the improvement of 
the city, which have already had a material 
eflPect toward the betterment of the place, and 
is one of the most useful organizations formed 
here. He has also taken an active interest 
in all matters that tend to the public benefit, 
contributing liberally of time, counsel and means 
to their advancement. In conclusion it may be 
stated that Justice Beatty is a man of large- 
hearted and generous instincts, and is possessed 
of great force of character a#d the quick de- 
cision so necessary to the legal man. As an ad- 
vocate he is trenchant and effective, and as a 
judge he is fearless and impartial, his rulings 
being founded on justice and a deep knowledge 
of the law. In each department of his duties. 



57a 



IIISTORT OF SACIlAMENro COUNTY. 



he is an indefatigable stndent, and in the higher 
waiics has merited the confidence and esteem 
reposed in him alii<e by client and people. He 
was married in 1874, to Miss Elizabeth M. 
Love, of North Carolina. They have two chil- 
dren, a son and a daughter, both at homo. 



fOlIN OOIISNER, the extensive cooperage 
manufacturer of Sacramento, is a native of 
Switzerland, born in Canton Chafoosa, De- 
cember 29, 1839, and is a son of Michael and 
Elizabeth Ochsner. When he was a mere child, 
his parents came to the United States, and lo- 
cated in Hancock County, Illinois, on a farm 
al)ont four miles south and three miles east of 
Nauvoo. There he grew to the age of nine 
years, at that time removing to the vicinity of 
Fort Madison, Iowa, where he attended school. 
He followed farm work until he was seventeen 
years of age, wiien he started to learn the coop- 
er's trade in the establishment of his brother 
Samuel, at Tioga. In 1857 he formed one of a 
party of seven who went to Pike's Peak bj^team, 
but after two weeks there, finding nothing profit-' 
able to do, and being out of money, he started 
back, making his way afoot to Tioga. From 
there he went to St. Louis, thence up the Mis- 
souri River to St. Joe, and in the following fall 
to New Orleans. He was there when the bat- 
tle of Bull Run was fought, and shortly there- 
after he went back to Tioga, Illinois. About 
seven months later he went to Keokuk, Iowa, 
and in 1862 to Chicago, from which city he 
went to London, Canada. In all of these places 
he worked at his trade, thus mastering its vari- 
ous departments. lie next proceeded to New 
York, where he worked until June, 1863, when 
he took passage on the steamer Moses Taylor 
bound for California. He came via Panama, 
and landed at San Francisco July 12, 1863, 
having been twenty-eight days on the journey 
from New York. At San Francisco he obtained 
employment with Scheppert, in the cooperage 
department of the California Brewery. From 



there he came to Sacramento, and started in t'le 
cooperage business with Mr. C. Schaefer. He 
bought Schaefer out in 1864, his place of busi- 
ness being where the Eagle Cracker Bakery 
now stands, and directly across K street from 
his present establishment, moving to his present 
quarters in 1865, and putting up the necessary 
improvements. His business has grown to large 
proportions, and he now employs from five to 
eight men the year round. Me manufactures 
chiefly tanks and- casks, and ships the |iroduct 
of his factory throughout California, Nevada, 
etc., and as far east as Salt Lake. He also does 
a heavy local business, and never fails to keep 
trade in a locality where he once finds a footing. 
Mr. Ochsner was married in Sacramento, April 
27, 1867, to Miss Mary Stillinger. They have 
five children, viz.: Mary Luella, John Madison, 
Fred Alonzo, fteorge Walter, and liichard Leon. 
Mr. Ochsner is a member of Washington Lodge, 
A. F. & A. M.; of Sacramento Chapter, No. 3; 
Sacramento Council, No. 1, and Sacramento 
Commandery, No. 2; also of the Knights of 
Honor, and of Sacramento Lodge, A. O. IT. W. 
Mr. Ochsner has made his business start in 
Sacramento, and has been successful in an un- 
usual degree. 



-^^€®"®^ 



fHILIP GEORGE RHEIL was born in Illi- 
nois, in 1838, son of Philip George Rheil- 
who emigrated to Chicago about 1836, 
when what is now the palatial city consisted of 
but fourteen houses. His parents having died 
of cholera in the epidemic of 1851, our subject 
received but a limited education, being brought 
up on a farm and having to go five or six miles 
to a school. He continued to live upon a farm 
for a year or two after the death of his parents, 
but, in January, 1853, he determined to strike 
out for California, where he felt the opportu- 
nity, at least, would not be wanting to achieve 
success. Going to New York he set sail on the 
steamer George Law, crossed the Isthmus, and 
came up the coast on the steamer John L. 



HISTORY OF 8A0RAMBNT0 COUNTY. 



Stephens, landed at " Frisco " in February, and, 
coining direct to Sacramento, began working lor 
Sam Norris, and tlien for a year or two at the 
Columbus Brewery. lie went to Jackson and 
worked for two years in the mines, then in a 
saw-mill, was employed by "Si" Wheeler, and 
was foreman of the Whitcomb ranch for four- 
teen years. In these different vocations he 
gradually accumulated money, and in 1877 was 
enabled to buy out the interest of Mr. D. G. 
Webber, general merchant at Freeport, in this 
county; here lie established himself, and for 
twelve years he conducted a very prosperous 
business. He has interested himself in public 
affairs to a considerable extent, and now owns a 
controlling interest in the River Telephone lines, 
and other enterprises. In 1855 he married 
Mrs. Hannah M. Bodge, nee Webber, a n; five of 
Bangor, Maine, a scion of an old New England 
family. Their son George, a young man of 
great promise, died at the age of twenty-si.x 
years. Their daughter Lilly is the wife of John 
G. Hight, and is the inotlier of three children: 
Love, Wave, and one unnamed, the joy of 
their grandparents' hearts, in whose yonng lives 
they can renew their own youth, and live over 
again the days of their childish years. 

fAMES M. HENDERSON, retired farmer, 
and one of the best- known citizens of the 
city of Sacramento, was born March 24, 
1830, in Harrison County, Ohio, on the bank of 
Short Creek. His father, Andrew Henderson, 
of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, was one of 
eight brothers who with only one exception be- 
came farmers. He moved to Ohio at an early 
day, married MirS Mary Saudis Mitchell, daugh- 
ter of Jerome Mitchell, a prominent farmer of 
Belmont County, Ohio; William Mitchell, an- 
other brother, came to California in 18-19, and 
had a stock ranch near where Gait is now. 
After a few ye.irs he returned to Ohio, and from 
him James derived his ideas of the Golden 
State. In the spring of 1854, in company with 



Andrew Whitaker and Edward Presbury, he 
came with a stock train across the plains; the 
train, with 300 head of cattle and horses and 
twenty men, had been made up near Alton, 
Illinois. They crossed the Missouri River at 
St. Joseph, and came west by the North Platte 
and Truckee rivers and Marysville, this State, 
and stopped near Gait, in September. Mr. 
Henderson went to Stockton and bought a quar- 
ter-section of land in San Joaquin County, and 
began farming. In Stockton, December 25, 
1850, he married Margaret A. Elliott, nee 
Sweasey, daughter of W. J. Sweasey, of Eureka, 
Humboldt County, where he still lives enjoying 
a hale old age. Mrs. Henderson was the second 
white woman married in Stockton. In October, 

1850, on the Mokelumne River, Mrs. Hender- 
son and lier sister and children were left in a 
wagon, and a grizzly bear was around the wagon 
all night, until Mr. Sweasey and son returned 
in the morning. They, too, had been treed by 
a grizzly bear and cub and kept there all night; 
and they were very joyous to find theirfamily safe. 
In the spring of 1852 Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. 
Henry Loring were the first white women to 
ride up into the mines to her husband's camp; 
and it was so unusual to see women come up 
alone that all the miners turned out, made great 
demonstrations, cheering them, and in the eve- 
ning held a great celebration. These women re- 
ceived attentions from every one while they 
remained in that camp. When, in the fall of 

1851, Mrs. Henderson and her father rode to 
San Francisco from what is now Redwood, they 
were cheered there by the business men. Mr. 
Sweasey was born in London, England, and 
came to America when his daughter was twelve 
years old, settling near Evansville, Indiana, and 
came to California in 1850, being one of the 
first settler^s of Humboldt County. He has been 
a member of the Legislature from San Fran- 
cisco, and also a member of a constitutional 
convention. He is now manager and principal 
owner of the the steamer Humboldt, plying be- 
tween San Francisco and Eureka. In his city 
he has a grocery store, and also owns several* 



HISTOMY OF SAOMAMENTO COUNTY. 



sailing vessels. Mr. Henderson continued to 
live upon the ranch until 1868, devoting him- 
self to stock-raising largely, when he bought a 
residence in Sacramento city. He built a com- 
modious dwelling the following year, but for 
six years longer he continued actively engaged 
in farming. While living upon the ranch he 
was justice of the peace two years, and it was 
said of him that he was the only justice from 
whom the county actually derived a revenue, 
through his care in compelling all litigants to 
secure the costs before bringing an action. He 
was usually an inspector of elections, and while 
justice of the peace he prepared the poll-lists, 
and was prominent in local conventions. He 
is a member of Woodbridge Lodge, No. 131, 
F. & A. M.; an Odd Fellow of long standing;, 
was the first master of the A. O. U. W. Lodge 
first organized in San Joaquin County; passed 
all the chairs of the American Legion of Honor, 
and was the first presiding oificer of this or- 
ganization. Mr. Henderson's family consists 
of his wife and three sons and two daughters. 
The children are: William, who is married and 
resides in this city; Henry, deceased; Mary, 
deceased; James, with W. P. Coleman & Co., 
and Margaret Ssveasey. 



,1' 



— ^-^B-'^^ 

ILLIAM MITCHELL, a prominent pio- 
neer, was born September 12, 1829, in 
Rochester, New York; he was left an 
orphan at the age of four years, and at the age 
of eight years he began life as a newsboy. 
During the Mexican war he was occupying a 
position in the custom house at New Orleans, 
where he enlisted in a company called the Louis- 
iana Mounted Volunteers, of which the captain 
was George Carr, son of the collector of the port. 
They were attached to General Scott's army at 
Vera Cruz and served for eighteen months. Mr. 
Mitchell attained the rank of brevet Captain of 
Company C. After he was mustered out of 
service he was again employed in the New Or- 
leans custom-house, remaining there until the 



close of President Polk's administration. In 
1849 he came to California on the old famous 
steamer Mclvim, Captain Fulton, l)eing nine 
months on the voyage. This was the first 
steamer that ever came up the river as far as 
Sacramento. He went to the Fremont diggings 
in Mariposa County, having for his business 
partner Edward Shaw, son of Dr. Shaw, an emi- 
nent physician in New Orleans: He, however, 
soon became ill and returned home. During 
the winter and spring of 1849-'50, he was on 
the Yuba River. He next returned to New 
Orleans, by way of the Isthmus, securing a po- 
sition on the police force and remained there 
until 1853. In April, that year, having been 
married to Miss Mary St. John, he with his wife 
came to California, determined to make this 
country his home. Purchasing land on what is 
called the Laguna, in the southern part of this 
county, he engaged in stock-raising there and 
farming until 1887, when he removed with his 
family to this city, locating on J street, above 
Twenty-second, where he has built and occupies 
a beautiful residence. . 



fACOB MILLER, manufacturer of furniture 
and nndertaking materials, Folsom, was 
born in Germany, March 1, 1835, a son of 
Jacob Miller. His mother died when he was 
about four years old. A little before he was 
twenty years of age he emigrated to the United 
States, landing in New York. Going to Bos- 
ton, he apprenticed himself to the cabinet-mak- 
ing trade and served three and a half years. He 
continued as a journeyman in that city until the 
commencement of the war of the Rebellion, 
when he came to California by steamer from 
New York, by way of Panama, and landed in 
San Francisco. Coming to Sacramento, he hired 
out at his trade to J. J. Clark, who at that time 
was the only one who imported goods from the 
East. After about three years' service he was 
promoted to be foreman and salesman in the 
warehouse. He continued in the employ of 



HISTORY OF HAGBAUBNTO COUNTY. 



this house about eiglit years, during which time 
tlie firm changed hands a few times. In 1869 
he came to Foisom and started in business for 
himself. At that time Foisom was a lively 
place; the railroad was running, the overland 
route was just completed, a great deal of min- 
ing was in progress and everything had the air 
of briskness. Mr. Miller bouglit property here 
and commenced the manufacture of furniture 
and undertaking goods, which business he has 
now followed in this place for twenty years. By 
economy and deliberate judgment he has accu- 
mulated some property. He is zealously inter- 
ested in Folsom's prosperity', and sincerely 
believes that at no distant day the town will be 
a city. In political matters he is a Kepublican, 
but will vote for a good Democrat in preference 
to a bad Republican. He is a member of the 
Odd Fellows' order of nineteen years' standing, 
belonging to Granite Lodge, No. 62; also be- 
longs to the Foisom Encampment, No. 24; has 
been a member of the Masonic order for fifteen 
years, being a member of Natoma Lodge, No. 
64, and is also a member of Foisom Lodge, No. 
109, A. O. U. W., and Excelsior Council, O. C. F. 
Mr. Miller was united in marriage, in 1860, with 
Louisa Cling, a native of Baden, Germany; she 
died in 18G5, the mother of two children: Emil 
and Mrs. Louisa Klumpf. Mr. Miller was again 
married, this time to Mahdalena Hauser, a na- 
tive of Switzerland, and by this marriage there 
are five children, whose names are: Emma, Hat- 
tie, Mollie, Alma and Oscar Jacob. The eldest 
daughter by the first marriage was born in Bos- 
ton, and ail the otiier children are natives of 
Sacramento County. 



fREDERICKCOX, of the widely known 
firm of Clarke & Cox, extensive ranchers, 
capitalists, etc., was born in Somersetshire, 
England, in 1828, and was only a boy when the 
family emigrated to the United States. After 
spending about six months in New York city 
they removed to Milwaukee, AVisconsin, where 



the father was a book-keeper and buyer for a 
firm carrying on a wholesale and retail meat 
business. In 1849 Frederick was seized with 
the California fever, but owing to alack of means 
was unable to start until the following year, 
when he joined a party of six to cross the plains. 
Crossing the Missouri River about the present 
site of Omaha, — then called Winter Quarters, 
because the Mormons had spent a winter there 
on their way to Utah, — they obtained there 
guide-books published by the Mormons, which 
contained full particulars as to the route and 
camping grounds, and which was found reliable. 
They arrived at Salt Lake without having en- 
countered any difficulties. At that point they 
procured another book which was to guide them 
to California, but this publication led them into 
many troubles. In spite of these, however, the 
party arrived at Ringgold, El Dorado County, 
in the fall of tlie year. Soon after leaving Salt 
Lake the funds of the party, with the exception 
of Mr. Cox, becan)e exhausted, so that from that 
time until they reached Ringgold he footed all 
bills. Pitching their tent in the middle of the 
street, the entire capita! of the company, $7, 
was invested in beefsteak, molasses and flour. 
After regaling themselves with this sumptuous 
fare, Mr. Cox made his first attempt as an ora- 
tor and addre-sed his comrades very briefly but 
to the point, saying that it was now " Every one 
for himself and the devil for the hindmost." In 
the fwll of 1850 he met Lloyd Tevis in Ring- 
gold, of the firm of Haggin & Tevis, trading in 
horses and buying immigrant stock; and ever 
since then they have been firm friends. Six of 
the party betook themselves to the store of 
Sargent Bros., and being granted a limited 
credit procured the necessary tools and started 
out in search of gold. Mr. Cox, iiowever, hired 
himself out to a butcher in the town, for whom 
he worked two months, receiving for his services 
$250 per month. His employer being desirous 
of going away, Mr. Cox purchased the business 
and conducted it for about nine months, when 
he sold out, went to Carson River, Nevada, in 
company with a young man named Frakes, and 



HISTORY OF SAOBAMBNTO COUNTY. 



the purchase of horses and cattle 
from iiiimigrauts. After fattening thetn, they 
drove them over the mountains into California, 
and disposed of them at a good profit. In the 
fall of 1851 Mr. Oox started a butcher's shop at 
Salmon Falls, El Dorado County, which at that 
time was one of the liveliest mining camps in 
the State. Reformed a partnership with (yharles 
Bonstell, which lasted until the spring of 1852, 
when Mr. Cox moved to Shingle Springs, same 
county, and purchased an already established 
meat market. After continuing alone for a 
short time he sold an interest to C. W. Clarke. 
This partnership still exists, and nothing has yet 
occurred to disturb their airiicable relations. 
At the end of two years the business was dis- 
posed of, and both partners made a trip to the 
Eastern States, where they spent about six 
months. Returning in the fall of 1854, they 
opened a butcher's shop in Grass Valley, Nevada 
County, where, besides carrying on the retail 
trade, they engaged largely in the buying and 
selling of cattle. Finding the latter business 
uery profitable and growing to large proportions, 
they sold out the meat market, and, removing 
to Sacramento, confined themselves to the cattle 
trade. As their bands increased and lands in 
the neighborhood of Sacramento became scarce 
they found themselves compelled to seek loca- 
tions elsewhere, and bought extensive cattle 
ranges in the counties of Sutter, Yuba, Tulare, 
Kern and San Luis Obispo, which they still hold 
for their large herds. Mr. Cox is a self-made 
man. As a business manager he is very clear 
headed and persevering, never having failed in 
any venture he has made, and consequently has 
amassed a sufMciency for the autumn of his life, 
which he is enjoying to the fullest extent. His 
home he has made for himself, where he intends 
to spend the remainder of his days, and where 
his friends are welcomed with unlimited hospi- 
tality. In polities he is a Democrat. He was 
elected State Senator in 1882, and served through 
two regular and two extra sessions. He was 
the choice of his party again in 1886, but he 
declined to run. He has been appointed on 



three ocoasions by the Governor of the State as 
a member of the State Board of Agriculture, 
the last being in 1887, which term is unexpired. 
In November, 1857, he married Miss Jennie 
A. Holdridge, of El Dorado County, and they 
have had two sons and three daughters; one son 
and two daughters are living. 



ILLIAM JOHNSTON, an eminent 
fanner residing a few miles south of 
Sacramento, was born at Wilkinsburg, 
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, eight miles 
from Pittsburg; came to California in 1849 
with a party of 800, who engaged in mining. 
After engaging himself in the same business 
in El Dorado County for about a year, with 
varying results, he bought a squatter's title to a 
quarter section of land, where he has since re- 
sided, a prosperous farmer. He is eminent as a 
Granger, having held the chief oiBces in the 
State in that order, and been twice a delegate to 
the National Grange. For the past five years 
he has been president of the Grangers' Co-opera- 
tive Business Association, a director and vice- 
president of the People's Savings Bank in Sac- 
ramento since its organization, and recently 
Junior Warden of the Masonic Grand Lodge. 
He was a member of the Legislative Assembly 
in 1871-'72, and of the Senate in 1880-'81, of 
which body he was president pro tem., and in 
1883 was a member of the State Board of 
Equalization. In all his public positions he 
has given good satisfaction. He acts with tiie 
Republican part}'. 

R. G. B. CLOW, of Sacramento, was born 
in Morris, Grundy County, Illinois, Octo- 
ber 3, 1856. The family removed to 
Pottawatomie County, near Louisville, Kansas, 
and tiiere at the age of eighteen he became en- 
gaged on his father's farm. Subsequently he 
taught in the district school, and studied medi- 





X 



c/c- ^^n-^ 



U [STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



cine under Dr. Taylor, and completed a four 
years' course at the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, under Dr. J. C. 
Hughes, Surgeon and Dean of the institution, 
Dr. J. M. Angear, wiio afterward removed to 
Chicago, and Prof. A. M. Carpenter. He gradu- 
ated with honors at that institution in the class 
of 1880, and began the practice of his profession 
at Delaware, Ripley County, Indiana, thirty- 
eight miles from Cincinnati, Ohio. To find a 
wider field he came to the Pacific coast, locating 
first at Downieville, Sierra County, and tlien at 
Colfax, taking the place of Dr. Runey. There 
in February, 1882, he married Miss Julia Stose, 
a native daughter, and a niece of George Koch, 
of San P'rancisco. Her grandfather many years 
ago was a resident of this city, owning the 
property now occupied by A. A. Van Vooriiies. 
Immediately after his marriage, Dr. Clow re- 
turned to Chicago to take a special course at 
the Rush Medical College, and graduated there 
February 20, 1883. He then came to Los 
Angeles, this State, but in September, having 
purchased the business of Di\ Grindle, he re- 
moved with his family to the Capital City. Here 
he has just completed a fine residence on the 
corner of Twelfth and L streets, opposite the 
Capitol, and therefore in one of the most eligi- 
ble locations in tlie city. 



'\ ^ us. M. E. MAXFIELD was born March 
>/ 1. 2, 1824, in Garrard County, Kentucky, 

'^-.;-^ adaughter of John and Dorcas (McLin) 
Banks, both natives of Virginia. The family 
moved to Kentucky in an early day, thence to 
La Fayette County, Missouri, where the mother 
died. In the spring of the same year the father 
came to California, returning in the fall. He 
died shortly after, at the age of seventy years. 
The subject of this sketch was married Septem- 
ber 21, 1837, to George W. Maxfield, a saddler 
by trade, and a native of Kentucky. They came 
to California in 1859, crossing the plains and 
stopping a year at Salt Lake City. On arriving 



in California they put up at the Fifteen-Mile 
House. They went to Liberty, remaining a 
year; thence to Elk Grove, where they lived 
three years on the Charley Price place. From 
there they came to their present home, where 
Mr. Maxfield died October 14, 1872. With 
the assistance of her older sons, Mrs. Maxfield 
has made her home one of the most attractive 
and fruitful places in this county. There is 
always to be found at her home that generosity 
and hospitality which is seldom found save in 
the houses of people of her nativity. She 
always has a welcome and a kind word for the 
needy stranger asking alms, and none who are 
thought to be honest go from her door hungry. 
She has had twelve children, five girls and seven 
boys, nine of whom are living, viz.: Robert B., 
Margaret J., Gershom B., George W., Samuel 
P., Louisa, John C, Clara, Richmond G., 
Charles F., Mary M. and Anna O. 

^UGH McELROY LA RUE, a leader among 
|B\ the representative business men of Sacra- 
■^Ife mento, was born August 12, 1830, in Har- 
din County, Kentucky, north of and adjacent 
to the county which bears his family name. At 
that early day the State of Missouri was being 
rapidly settled up, in great part by some of the 
best Kentucky families. About the year 1839 
the family removed to Lewis County, Missouri, 
when the Indians, even if nothing else, were 
plentiful. Mr. La Rue-early evinced a desire 
to extend his travels to the far West, and as 
early as 1845, when he was but fifteen years of 
age, he began talking about his intention to 
cross the plains. It is not, therefore, surpris- 
ing that the excitement resulting from the dis- 
covery of gold should lead him to become a 
member of a party in V. A. Sublette and Dr. 
Conduitt's expedition across the plains. This 
party, however, had been formed before the news 
of the gold discovery had reached there. They 
crossed the Missouri River at Booneville, and 
April 29, 1849, left Independence, that State, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



which was their last point within the limits of 
civilization. They came by way of the Platte 
River, and the South Pass, by Sublette's cut- 
off and Fort Ilall (the Oregon trail), and came 
into this State, crossing the Truckee River 
about twenty-seven times in thirty miles; and 
about August 12 reached the Bear River mines 
at Steep Hollow. N"ear this place, during the 
following six weeks, Mr. La Rue had his first 
mining experience. After visiting Grass Val- 
ley, Nevada, and Deer Creek, he located at Fid- 
dletown, Amador County, now called Oleta, 
being one of the first party of white men to 
build a cabin at that point, and discovered and 
worked the first mines there. The name "Fid- 
dletown thus originated: Soon after the arrival 
of Mr. La Rue and his party at that point, a 
number of men from Arkansas, among whom 
were several violin players, settled near them, 
and, the winter being rather too wet to permit 
of mining comfortably, they passed their time 
largely in violin playing, card playing and danc- 
ing. In this Arkansas party were the Gentrys, 
Logans, Rubottoms and Bettis. Mr. La Rue 
next went to Willow Springs, four miles west 
of Drytown, bought out a small eating-house 
there and conducted it until about the 1st of 
March. From there he went to Marysville, 
and thence made, in the spring of 1850, a trad- 
incr expedition to Shasta with a stock of grocer- 
ies and provisions, which he sold directly from 
the wagon at that place to the merchants and 
miners at very remunerative prices, as his goods 
were the first to arrive .there. His flour he sold 
at 40 cents a pound; pork, ham, sugar, coffee 
and rice, $1 to $1.25 a pound; whiskies and 
brandies, about $8 a gallon; and other articles 
in proportion. After making one moie trip to 
that point, he came to Sacramento, in June, 
1850, and engaged in blacksraithingand wagon- 
making. The cholera epidemic of that year 
broke up the business and he went out upon the 
Norris grant (Rancho del Paso), rented a piece 
of land and began the cultivation of vegetables, 
and afterward grain, and thus employed himself 
until 1857, when he planted an orchard of 



seventy-five acres, principally in peach trees, — 
the most extensive orchard in this vicinity. In 
this enterprise he was doing well until the floods 
of 1861-'62 damaged his orchards. Noi'ris 
failed that year, and Mr. La Rue bought the 
property; but the floods of 1868 utterly de- 
stroyed this tract and ended the venture. In 
1866, however, Mr. La Rue purchased 800 or 
900 acres of land in Yolo County; but after 
a wiiile he felt the necessity of moving his 
family into town, for the sake of schooling his 
children, and also for the sake of being nearer 
to the Yolo ranch, to which he had added by 
purchase from time to time until it reached 
2,000 acres. After the floods of 1868 he sold 
his interest in the Rancho del Paso tract and 
gave his undivided attention to the Yolo ranch. 
He now has about 100 acres of vineyard, sixty 
acres of almonds, grain of difl'erent kinds, 250 
mules and horses, and about 100 head of cattle, 
Heiefords and Durhams; and is making a 
specialty of mules, importing jacks from Ken- 
tucky. This interest is now in charge of and 
managed by his son, J. E. La Rue. In 1885 he 
bought a vineyard of ninety acres — in a 140-acre 
tract — at Yountville, nine miles above Napa; it 
is now all in vines. This place was settled in 
1846 by Charles Hopper. It is remarkable for 
its fertility, and is in charge of another son, C. 
L. La Rue. Of his political and public career, 
it may be mentioned that in 1857 the subject 
of this sketch made a canvass for slieriff of Sac- 
rament County on the Democratic ticket, was 
elected by a small majority of seven or eight 
votes, but, the case being contested in the 
courts, he lost the office. In 1873 he was again 
a candidate for the same office and was elected 
by a handsome majority. In 1879 he was a 
member of the State Constitutional Convention, 
elected from the Second Congressional District. 
Id 1863-'64 he was a member of the Assembly, 
and was speaker during both sessions. He was 
a prominent actor in the movement for the 
erection of the exposition building of the State 
Agricultural Society; also in the revision of 
the general railroad laws, in the county gov- 



HISTOUT OF SACMAMENTO COUNTi' 



ernmeiit act, the bill reorganizing the Senato- 
rial and Assembly districts, the laws relating to 
taxes, etc. lie was the Democratic candidate 
for Senator in 1888,' in which canvass he ran 
ahead of his ticket. He has been a member of 
the State Agricultural Society since 1867, Was 
its president in 1879, 1880 and 1882, and has 
been a director since that time, and 



sunerin- 



ipe 

tendent of the pavilion during the exhibitions. 
While Speaker of the Assembly and President 
of the State Board of Agriculture, he was ex 
officio member of the Board of Kogents of the 
State University, and he has held, and is hold- 
ing, many official positions of less notoriety. 
He has been a member of Sacramento Lodge, 
No. 4:0, F. & A. M., for thirty one years; and 
is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter. 
In 1856 he became a member of the Sacramento 
Society of California Pioneers, in which body 
he is a member of the board of trustees; he is 
also a member of the Sacramento Grange, of 
which lie is the present master. Mr. La Rue 
was married in Colusa County, this Stcite, in 
1858, to Miss E. M. Lizenby, daughter of 
Thomas Lizenby, formerly of Lewis County, 
Missouri, and a half-sister of the Rev. Dr. 
William M. Rush, of the Missouri Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of Judge 
John A. Rush, formerly of Colusa, and now At- 
torney-General of Arizona. They have four sons : 
Jacob Eugene, Calhoun Lee, Hugh McElroy, 
Jr., and John Rush. Their only daughter, 
Marie Virginia, died in 1888, — an inexpressible 
loss. 

— K..„«a.>,w%._.. — 



fDWARD F. AIKEN, a pioneer of Sacra- 
mento. In the little village of Halloweil, 
Kennebec County, Maine, August 22, 
1827, the subject of this sketch was born, 
destined to become at length one of California's 
pioneer settlers and a prominent fruit-grower of 
Sacramento County. His father, Jesse Aiken, 
was a merchant and ship-owner well known 
throughout New England, while his mother, 



nee Mary A. Fuller, daughter of Judge Fuller, 
was a descendant of the Weymouths, a Puritan 
family of Plymouth. Edward received his early 
education at the Halloweil Academy, after which 
he attended Bowdoin College. At the age of 
sixteen years he started on a trip around the 
world, in the whale-ship General Pike, Captain 
Pierce, of New Bedford, and visited Portucral, 
the Western Islands, the Cape of Good Hope, 
the Island of Desolation, Auckland, New Zea- 
land (at that time a town with about 800 in- 
habitants), the Feejee Islands, Wallace's Island, 
Samoa, Tongatoboo, the Society Islands, ana 
Moai, a port of the Sandwich Islands, where the 
vessel lay up two months, and where Mr. Aiken 
received letters from home and met friends. 
John Ladd, who was the American Consul at 
the port, was a relative of liis. Thence they 
crossed to the Japan Islands, the Seas of Kam- 
tchatka and Okotsk, and after seven months 
returned to the Sandwich Islands, and on to 
California in the fall of 1845, in pursuit of 
sperm whales along the coast. They landed at 
'Monterey, which was then only a whaling 
station, consisting of about a dozen adobe 
houses. While there he learned that gold had 
been discovered by Antonl, a Portuguese sailor. 
After this voyage of nearly three years 'he re- 
turned home, spent six months in his father's 
store, and then started on another voya»e, 
going before the mast in the new ship Italia, 
Captain Baker. This was a vessel of 900 tons, 
a large ship for those days, and with it they 
sailed for Charleston, South Carolina, Liverpool, 
and thence with 500 passengers to New Orleans. 
Mr. Aiken was promoted second mate. They 
returned to Liverpool with a cargo of cotton, 
tobacco and rice; thence to Cadiz for salt, and 
returned to Bath, Maine, after an absence of 
over a year. Afterward he sailed again to 
Charleston for a cargo of rice, going out as 
second mate with Captain Warren; thence to 
London, and returned to Boston with railroad 
iron. During the year of the great famine in 
Ireland he made three trips to Liverpool, as 
mate on the sliip Requa. Next he made two 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



voyages as mate in the packet ship Mary Ann, 
Captain Patten, and bore all the responsibility 



during the return 



During one storm he 
was on deck fur sixty-five iiours without inter- 
ruption, wlien it was covered with ice. Return- 
ing to Boston, iiis attention was called to the 
discovery of gold in California by Marshall, 
and he then recalled the story which he had 
heard of the Portuguese sailor, Antoni, at Mon- 
terey. A stock company was in process of 
formation, and he and his friend D. 11. Has- 
kell, an old classmate, became shareholders in 
the enterprise. Of those who joined the com- 
pany, nine had been before the mast, and six 
liad been ship captains, and among the others 
was the genius, llev. Ferdinand C. Ewer, wiio 
afterward had charge of St. Paul's Episcopal 
Church at Sacramento, and was editor, author, 
etc. The company secured the ship York, and 
as cargo brought to California material for 
several houses, ready to he put up, also for a 
small steamboat, tools, seeds, provisions, etc. 
Leaving Boston April 1, 1849, and coming by 
way of Cape Horn, they arrived at San Fran- 
cisco September 12. There, on account of dis- 
ao'reement, they disorganized, and most of them 
sacrificed the largest proportion of their original 
investment. Captain Aiken improved the tim.e 
in superintending the removal of a small build- 
ing, receiving $16, which was the rirst money 
he earned in this State. Coming to Sacra- 
mento the second week in October, with five 
others, they camped out on the banks of the 
American River, about where the railroad shops 
now are. The river then was a clear stream 
and deep, and a ship of 600 tons could safely 
ride at anchor off Third street, with eleven feet 
of water under her keel. For live years lie was 
employed with others in conducting the wood 
station, twenty-two miles south of town. In 
October, 1853, he went East and married Miss 
Mary Wright Lee, daughter of Thomas Lee. 
His father being opposed to his returning West, 
he came here to dispose of his interests; but 
not being able to do this in a satisfactory man- 
ner, he concluded to remain, and the next 



spring his wife arrived. They lived on the 
river until the fall of 1861 or 1862, when he 
bought the Ralston tract; but he had become 
interested in horticulture ^even or eight years 
previously, starting the first nursery on the 
river, and obtaining his stock from Oregon and 
elsewhere. By the year 1861, when he sold 
out, he had over 7,000 bearing trees. In 
1863-'64 he changed bis location to Sutter 
Township, east of the city limits, where he re- 
mained until recently, devoting his attention 
almost exclusively to fruit-growing and intro- 
ducing many new varieties from abroad. Lately 
he has purchased property on G street in Sacra- 
mento, where he expects to spend his declining 
years. In his political views Mr. Aiken is an 
independent Republican. Was instrumental in 
organizing the first Union League at Richland, 
of which Mr. Nathan Williams was the first 
president, and Senator William Johnston and 
J. B. Green were prominent members. He was 
for many years an active member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and also of the A. O. U. W. ; was a 
charter member of Lodge No. 1580, K. of H., 
being organizing deputy of this order for the 
State and also for the K. & L. of H. ; organized 
the first farmers' club, which three years later 
was merged into the Patrons of Husbandry, of 
which order he was lecturer for three years. 
He was Supreme Representative of the Knights 
and Ladies of Honor to the convention in 
Cleveland, in September, 1889. 



fOIIN T. GRIFFITTS, capitalist. Sacra- 
mento, was born in Burlington County, 
New Jersey, in December, 1885. His 
father, Samuel Powell Grifiitts, was engaged in 
mercantile pursuits and farming, but m 1849 
he-removed, with his family, to Mishawaka, St. 
Joseph County, Indiana, the former home of 
Charles Crocker. Indeed, when Mr. Griffitts, 
our subject, came to California ten years later 
to reside, it was under an engagement to Mr. 
Crocker. Landing in Sacramento in April, 



lIISTOliY OF SACliAMENTO COUJS'TY. 



1856, he at once entered Crocker's store. In 
May, 1863, he Iwught out Mr. Crocker's inter- 
est. The store was then located on J street, 
lietvveen Eighth and Ninth, and tlie firm was 
Duell, Gritfitts & Co. During that year, 1863, 
the Sacramento Light Artillery was organized, 
composed of professional and business men. 
Edgar Mills was the first captain, and the sec- 
ond was S. S. Montague, chief engineer of the 
Central Pacific Railroad. Mr. Grittitts became 
corporal, and served with the organization 
several years. In 1872 he bought out his re- 
maining partners in the store, and continued 
alone until February, 1877. In the fall of that 
ye;ir he embarked in the real estate and insur- 
ance business, and a year afterward became a 
member of the firm of E. H. Stevens & Co. 
Mr. Griffitts has held many positions of trust. 
In 1878 he was a member of the board of edu- 
cation, and was pre.«ident of the same two years, 
and during his term Jarvis Johnson established 
the School of Technology, the Capital Grammar 
School building was erected, and other improve- 
ments made; he was also a fire commissioner 
for six years, and during his term as such the 
department accjuired the property on Seventli 
street, between K and L; and for four years he 
was county assessor. Of late he has in some de- 
gree retired from the more active duties, be- 
coming interested in fruit-culture at Courtland 
since 1S84. He has also located many tracts of 
State land for settlers, having much experience 
and a thorough knowledge of the topography of 
the State. He has at all times taken an active 
interest in politics. He voted for John C. Fre- 
mont in 1856, and has ever since then been a 
loyal Republican; has been a member of the 
City Central Committee, and of various con- 
ventions. At Laporte, Indiana, in 1860, he 
married Miss Georgiaua Root, a native of New 
York State, and daughter of Colonel Root, well 
known as a colonel of militia in this State. Mr. 
and Mrs. Griffitts have a son and a daughter. 
The family with which Mr. Griffitts is connected 
is a very prominent one in the city of Phila- 
delphia. His father was a native of that city, 



born in 1794; and the latter's father was also a 
native of the same city. His grandfather, Wil- 
liam Griffitts, was born in Wales in 1724, emi- 
grated to Philadelphia, and married Abigail 
Powell, daughter of Samuel Powell, both fami- 
lies being "Friends." Powell's avenue in Phila- 
delphia was named foi- them, and Dr. Samuel 
Powell, a near relative, was a very prominent 
physician there. 



EINSTOCK, LUBIN & CO.— The his- 
tory of Sacramento would be incom- 
plete without some description of its 
greatest retail dry-goods establishment. It is a 
modern institution, and its growth has been 
phenomenal. The store building, which is on 
the southeast corner of Fourth ami K streets, 
is 120 X 160 feet in dimensions. The proprie- 
tors, who are half brothers, began here in 1874, 
in a small way, in a building 16 x 24 feet, on 
the corner where they are at present, and they 
have so increased their business that at least for 
a large portion of each year, 250 to 320 em- 
ployes are required to do the work. As their 
patronage extends throughout the coast much 
of their business is transacted by mail, and for 
this alone many hands are employed. They 
have offices and buyers in New York city, San 
Francisco and other large cities. They have 
added to their business the feature of co-oper- 
atioii, a"d named their magnificent establish- 
ment the Mechanics' Store. The method adopted 
in the sharing of profits is as follows: The em- 
ployes are divided into four grades, — the first, 
who are permitted to be stockholders, being a 
few of the most trusted hands; the second, the 
heads of departments, who hold executive and 
important positions; third, the juniors, who 
liold subordinate positions, and have served a 
certain length of time; fourth, the remainder of 
the employes. As promotion is strictly accord- 
ing to merit, a book account is kept of the con- 
duct of each employe, and small fines are 
iinp'ised for shortoomings. The fund thus arising 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



is divided j?ro rata among the class from which 
it had arisen. The proprietors take an active in- 
terest in the welfare of their employes, adopt- 
ing means for interesting them outside of 
business hours. An educational department 
has been created, and teachers employed for the 
different branches. All persons under seventeen 
years of age in the employ of the house have the 
benefit of this instruction. The iirm name was 
Weinstock & Lubin until the beginning of 1888, 
when the association was incorporated under the 
name of Weinstock, Lubin & Co. The officers 
are now: H. Weinstock, president; D. Lubin, 
vice-president; Albert Bonheim, secretary and 
treasurer. The board of directors consists of 
the above-named officers, together with Wil- 
liam Skeels and Charles Phipps. The proprie- 
tors are public-spirited gentlemen, and have done 
much for |he improvement of the city of 
Sacramento. 

'^■&-^ 

^ON. ROBERTWHITNEY WATERMA?^, 
|m\ Governor of the State of California. Per- 
^^ haps no study is of either a deeper interest 
or a greater value, more especially to the young, 
than that of personal history and the deline- 
ation of character. In material of this nature 
the records of American citizenship are peculiarly 
rich, furnishing us some of the most striking 
instances possible of what can be achieved, even 
under the most untoward circumstances, by 
force of diligence, determination, and strict in- 
tegrity. Moreover, while such examples can be 
culled from the annals of almost every section, 
no State of the Union presents so rich a field 
for the biographer and historian as does Cali- 
fornia. Her population has no equal in any 
other portion of the world either in independ- 
ence of character, in strong virtues of manhood 
or the accomplishment of great success. For 
these reasons it is, that no apology is necessary 
when the name of a true Californian is men- 
tioned. Especially is this the case when the 
subject chosen is one who stands deservedly and 



honorably so, a type and representative at once 
of the large manhood of the West, and as well 
the civic head of the great State of California, 
Governor R. W. Waterman, one who owes more 
to the capital embraced in a splendid physical 
organization and a well poised brain than to the 
wealth inherited from a line of ancient ancestry. 
Robert Whitney Waterman, seventeenth Gov- 
ernor of California, was born in Fairfield, Herki- 
mer County, New York, December 15, 1826. 
His father died when the son was ten years old, 
and in very moderate circumstances. Two years 
later the son removed to the West and located 
at Sycamore, Illinois, and later acted as clerk in 
a country store until his twentieth year, in Bel- 
videre, Illinois, where he engaged in business 
for himself as a general mercliant in 1846. In 
1848 Mr. Waterman removed to Genoa, Illinois, 
where he engaged in mercantile business, and 
in 1849 became postmaster under President 
Taylor, but, carried away with the early tide of 
the gold-seeking emigration, he crossed the 
plains in the following year to California. 
During the years 1850 and 1851 Mr. Waterman 
engaged extensively in mining on the Feather 
River, and paid frequent visits to Sacramento to 
purchase goods, hauling them thence to the 
scene of his mining operations, little dreaming 
at that time that he should return again to 
Sacramento nearly forty years later to fill the 
gubernatorial chair of a State with over a mil- 
lion inhabitants. In 1852 Mr. Waterman re- 
turned to Illinois, locating at Wilmington, and 
engaging in an extensive general mercantile 
business, at the same time giving considerable 
attention to agricultural pursuits. In the fol- 
lowing year he entered the fields of journalism, 
and published the Wilmington Independent. 
lie was a delegate to the now historical con- 
vention, held at Bloomington, Illinois, in 1854, 
that gave form and name to the Republican 
party. At this convention he was associated 
with such men as Abraham Lincoln, Lyman 
Trumbull, Richard Yates, David Davis, Owen 
Lovejoy, Richard J. Oglesby, S. A. liurlbnt 
and Allen C.' Fuller, all of whom he counted 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



amoncr his valued and intimate friends. While 
Go7ei-nor Waterman has never been known as 
a politician, he lias always taken a lively and 
clear-sighted interest in the affairs of the nation. 
Although not a voter he did effective work dur- 
ing the campaign of Henry Clay, for whose 
character he has always had an ardent admira- 
tion. He was instrumental in raising the first 
brass band outside of Chicago. He took a very 
active part in Fremont's campaign, and also in 
the Senatorial contest between Lincoln and 
Douglas. Under President Lincoln he took the 
office of postmaster of Wilmington, Illinois. 
There were thirteen applicants for the position, 
all of whom wanted it for the money there was 
in it. Mr. AVaterman took it, however, not for 
the sake of office, but to turn it over to the first 
one of the "boys in blue" who came home 
wounded. A man with only one leg got it. Not- 
withstanding numerous and important duties 
and interests at home, on the outbreak of the 
war he enlisted more than 1,000 men, and also 
rendered valuable services as bearer of dis- 
patches for Governor Yates, tnaking several 
trips to the front in 1861, and afterward actively 
taking part in the reorganization of the hospital 
service at Cairo, Bird's Point, and Mound City, 
Jllinois, and Fort Holt and Paducah, Kentucky. 
In 1873 he returned to California and estab- 
lished his home at San P>ernardino the following 
year. He had already acquired a practical and val- 
uable mining experience, and soon started out asa 
prospector. After undergoing many hardships 
and meeting obstacles that would have dis- 
couraged most other men, he and J. L. Porter 
were finally successful in discovering a series of 
silver mines in a locality which has since become 
famous as the Calico Mining District in San 
Bernardino County, and has added materially 
to the wealth of the State while giving profit- 
able employment to very many men. He had 
always retained his fondness for agricultural 
pursuits, and with the increased means thus 
placed at his command, he soon made his Hot 
Springs ranch, on the mountain side near the 
city of San Bernardino, one of the most charm- 



ing and beautiful homes in tiie State. This 
place, with its picturesque surroundings, is the 
admiration of tliousands of visitors every ye ir . 
During the presidential campaign of 1884 he 
and Richard Gird were the principal projectors 
and builders of a large "wigwam" or pavilion 
in San Bernardino for the use of political meet- 
ings. At the Republican Stite Convention 
held at Los Angeles August 27, 1886, Mr. Wa- 
terman was nominated for Lieutenant Governor, 
and in the following November he was elected 
by a plurality of 2,500 votes, the Democratic 
State ticket being successful with but two other 
exceptions. Pie came to the chair of the Senate 
without previous experience as a presiding 
officer, but acquitted himself in a manner that 
commanded the respect and inspired the con- 
fidence of that body and of the people, and suc- 
ceeded in winning over his severest critics of 
opposite political faith. Upon the death of 
Governor Washington Bartlett, September 12, 
1887, Lieutenant Governor Waterman was called 
to the duties of Chief Executive and was in- 
augurated the following day in San Francisco, 
where the oath of office was administered by 
Justice McFarland, of the Supreme Court. 
The course pursued by Governor Waterman 
since his election to this position has been sub- 
jected to the severest hostile criticism by per- 
sons of the other party, yet so equitable, firm 
and fair has it been, and so manifestly and 
honestly watchful has been the guardianship of 
the State's best interests, both in the exercise 
of patronage ami of the prerogatives of office, 
that Governor Waterman stands to-day as per- 
haps the most generally popular, as he is one of 
the best, governors California has ever known. 
During recent years he has engaged in numerous 
business enterprises in various parts of the State. 
He is owner of the famous Stonewall gold mine 
in San Diego County, and has extensive ranch 
properties in Southern California. He is presi- 
dent of the San Diego, Cuyamaca & Eastern 
Railway, and is prominently connected with 
many other enterprises tending to the develop- 
ment of the State. Governor Waterman was 



584 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



inarried in 1847, at Belvidere, Illinois, to Miss 
Jane Gardner, she being a native of that place 
TLey have had seven children, of whom six are 
living, two being sons and four daughters. 
Their names are as follows: James S., Mary P., 
Helen J., Waldo S., Anna C, and Lou A. 



fAMES E. CAMP was born in Bennington 
County, Vermont, January 28, 1840, his 
parents being James and Betsy (Jepson) 
Camp. His father was of German descent, his 
ancestors having come to this country from Ger- 
many and settled in Vermont; he lived in Ver- 
mont until about thirty-five years ago, when he 
and his family removed to Henry County, Illi- 
nois, where he died in 1876, at the age of sixty-four 
years. Ilis mother, Betsy Camp, was a native 
of Vermont; she died in 1887. There were nine 
children in the family, five sons and four 
daughters: Dexter, resident in Pawnee County, 
Kansas; Swasey, in Nebraska; David, in Sacra- 
mento County, California; Charles, deceased; 
James E.; Eliza, in Nebraska; Betsy, in Ne- 
braska; and Adeline, who died in Iowa. The 
subject of this sketch was raised and educated in 
Vermont to the age of sixteen years, when he 
went with his parents to Illinois, continuing his 
schooling there for three years. At the age of 
twenty he commenced farming for himself in 
Knox County about seven miles from his father 
in Henry County. September, 1865, at the age 
of twenty-five he was married to Miss Ardell 
Burnason, a native of Otsego County, New York, 
who died in California in 1876, leaving three 
children: Charles, born May 15, 1867; Clarence, 
June 15, 1869; and Lottie, November 6, 1873. 
Mr. Camp resided in Knox County for six or 
seven years, then moved to Benton County, 
Iowa. Most of the time he followed farming 
and for three years ran a livery stable in Belle 
Plaint, Iowa. Then he emigrated to California, 
stopping six months in Missouri. Arriving in 
this State he located in Sacramento County, on 
the Haggin grant in American Township; then 



he went to Sacramento City for the purpose of 
educating his children. In 1882 he bought his 
present farm of 270 acres, bordering on the 
American River in Brighton Township, moving 
upon it in 1885. The land is a sandy loam, rich 
and productive. Ho has about ten acres in or- 
chard and raises peaches, pears, and plums; but 
the principal crop is hops, which average 2,500 
to 3,000 pounds per acre. In 1882 the price 
of hops was %1 a pound, and has fluctuated from 
that price ever since. Mr. Camp is thoroughly 
posted in the art of raising them. He also raises 
stock and is well known as being a successful 
man in this business. His stock is as fine as 
any in tne county and consists of beef for the 
the market, besides some thoroughbred stock. 
His thoroughbred stock consists of Durhains 
imported from Kentucky, which ranks the best 
in the United States; and the Aberdeen Angus, 
imported from Scotland. Most of the improve- 
ments on his place he has put there himself, and 
it is one of the finest ranches in the country, 
everything being kept in first-class order. Mr. 
Camp has been a member of the Odd Fellows 
for about eleven years, and belongs to the Sacra- 
mento Lodge. He was married to his present 
wife, Nettie M. Taylor, daughter of Henry 
Taylor of Clinton County, New York, March 17, 
1880. They have one son, Edgar J., who was 
born December 18, 1885. 

tNDREW ROSS, one of the best known of 
Sacramento's business men, is a native of 
Germany, born at Aschbach, Bavaria, 
October 20, 1830, a sou of George Boss, a hotel 
keeper and butcher of that place. His mother 
died when he was a child of two years old. 
Andrew attended the public schools from the 
age of six until he was fourteen, and then 
learned the butcher's trade. In June, 1849, he 
embarked at Havre-de-Grace on a sailing vessel 
for New York, the voyage occupying twenty- 
eight days, then the fastest time on record. 
He went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and obtained 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



work at his trade, remaining a year and a half' 
then proceeded to St. Louis, where he remained, 
with the exception of seven months, until the 
spring of 1853. Then he and three companions 
decided to come to California, and in May, 1853, 
they started. They proceeded to St. Joseph, 
thence by Ft. Leavenworth, Kearney and Lara- 
mie to Salt Lake, where Mr. Eoss stopped for 
two weeks. He purchased a couple of ponies 
and resumed the journey, which he made there- 
after all alone to California. He brought up at 
Hangtown in August and went to mining, which 
occupation he followed there, at Georgetown, 
Coloma, Kelsey, etc., until the early summer of 
1854, when he came to Sacramento. Here he 
obtained employment at his trade with Bennett 
& Eamsey, at the Queen City Market. Six 
months later they sold the business to Fred 
Cross, Mr. Koss remaining with him until 1855. 
He then started in business on his own account, 
on Seventh street, between H and L The pres- 
ent firm of Ross & Ankener was formed in 1880. 
Mr. Ross was married in this city, on the family 
place where they now reside, April 15, 1858, to 
Miss Catherine Faber, a native of Wurtemburg, 
Germany. They have four living children, viz.: 
Caroline, Paulitie, William and Katie. Mr- 
Ross was one of the charter members of Schiller 
Lodge, L O. O. F. and has always remained an 
active member. He was one of the organizers 
of the Sacramento Hussars, was First Orderly 
Sergeant, and afterward elected First Lieutenant, 
ile is a Republican politically. No man in 
Sacramento has a higher reputation for honesty 
and integrity than Mr. Ross, and he enjoys the 
confidence and esteem of the community. 

^*3-^^ 



IILLIAM RITTER, deceased. Tlie sub- 
ject of this sketch was born in Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania, in 1831, his 
parents being William and Margaret Ritter. 
The father was in prosperous circumstances, 
and the son had the advantage of a good educa- 
tion. With two or three young companions he 



struck out to try his fortune in California, and 
was remarkably successful. With his experience 
in actual mining came larger plans, in which he 
was also prosperous. Being one of the dis- 
coverers of the Manzanita mine at Nevada City, 
he sold out his interest therein and embarked 
in the business of constructing mining ditches. 
He had mining interests at Michigan Bar as 
early as 1855, having been then five years in 
the business. Mr. Ritter was married in Sac- 
ramento, to Miss Jennie Byam, daughter of 
Seth and Leath (Pettie) Byam. She had come 
to California with her widowed mother in 1858, 
being brought out by her brother, H. S. Byam, 
who had come here in 1849. The mother died 
in 1880, aged seventy-six. She was of the Pet- 
tie family of Vermont. The Byams are of the 
early settlers of Massachusetts, the first immi- 
grant of that name having settled in Plymouth 
Colony about 1640. In 1857 Mr. Ritter laid 
the solid foundation of a dam and "sea-wall" 
on the South Fork of the Cosumnes, in Music- 
dale Canon, and thus began the construction of 
the Prairie Ditch, extending about twenty-one 
miles to Michigan Bar, completed about 1858. 
He afterward bought some of the smaller 
ditches that had been excavated by difi'erent 
parties from time to time since 1851. His 
outlay is estimated at $300,000 between 1857 
and 1865. In July, 1865, during the absence 
of his wife and child on a visit to Philadelphia, 
Mr. Ritter was killed by robbers. While driving 
with some friends from Michigan Bar to his 
home at Sebastopol, he was recognized by the 
freebooters as a richer prey than the country 
store they were plundering. Being high-spirited 
and impetuous, he tried to beat them off, when 
he was shot by one of them and died twenty-four 
hours later. He is buried in Sacramento. His 
unresisting companions escaped with the loss of 
what little money and valuables they had in 
their possession. In 1865 the ditch properties 
of the Ritter estate were combined under the 
title of the Amador and Sacramento Canal 
Company, incorporated under the laws of Cali- 
fornia. The active superintendence of this cor- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTy. 



poration has been for sixteen years in charge of 
Mr. Henry S. Byam, the brother of Mrs. Ritter. 
Meanwhile Miss Eugenie Ritter finished her 
education at Madam Mears' Academy in New 
York in 1874, and accompanied her mother to 
Europe, where she attracted much attention by 
her grace and beauty. Siie was married in 
Paris to Viscount Henry Honssaye, an officer 
in the French army, and more recently a writer 
of distinction, the son of Arsene Honssaye, an 
antlior of international reputation. Mrs. Ritter 
has paid repeated visits to their beautiful home 
in Paris. From a comfortable but unpreten- 
tious' house at Michigan Bar, far removed from 
the great centers of luxury and reiinement, to 
a grand mansion in a fashionable quarter of the 
brilliant metropolis of modern civilization, is 
quite a change; but Mrs. Ritter, a true type of 
American adaptivity, is equally at home in the 
Parisian palace and the California cottage. A 
new and valuable use of the water facilities of 
the Amador and Sacramento Canal Company 
has been devised, and put in operation in 1889. 
This consists of an irrigating ditch extending 
from the old canal, by a winding course of 
twenty-two miles, into Dry Creek Township, 
near Gait. A great enhancement in value of 
the back lands of the Cosumnes is anticipated 
from this enterprise, more beneficent and far- 
reaching in its results than all the gold- washing 
of the canal in the days of its greatest useful- 
ness. The stock of the company is owned by 
Viscountess Eugenie Iloussaye and Mrs. Jennie 
Byam Ritter. 



-5v.f. 



fOHN McFARL AN D, one of the most noted 
farmers of Sacramento County, was born 
March 4, 1824, in Starlingshire, Scotland, 
son of John and Jeanette (Sands) McFarland. 
His father was a cooper by trade, but also car- 
ried on the mercantile business in Canada. He 
came to the Udited States in 1834 and returned 
to Canada, where he died in 1847. The mother 
died August 10, 1834. They had eleven chil- 



dren. Tiie subject of this sketch was raised on 
a farm until he was fifteen years old, when he 
started out for himself, learning the carpenter 
and joiner's trade, and also the vocation of a 
machinist. In 1834 he came to the United 
States, and worked in Buffalo, Chicago and 
Cleveland, and in 1850 came from La Salle, 
Illinois, overland to California, with horse 
teams, stopping at Placervilie only a few days 
previous to the squatter riot at Sacramento, and 
saw some come into his town for protection. 
He also saw one of the men who were shot, and 
for a long time kept as a relic a piece of bone 
that came out of the arm of the wounded man. 
Starting from the States March 10, Mr. McFar- 
land was about five months on the route. He 
stopped at Salt Lake, and helped to build a car- 
riage or chariot for Brigham Yonn^; he had 
charge of the work. This vehicle was built for 
a large celebration to be held July 25. It was 
drawn by twenty-four horses, and contained 
twenty- live young ladies, representing the 
twenty-fifth anniversary of their arrival at Salt 
Lake. On the upper deck of the chariot was a 
band with twenty-live instruments. One of the 
ladies is now Mrs. Clark, of Gait. On this trip 
Mr. McFarland rode from Salt Lake to Carson 
City on four scant meals. He rode about forty 
miles a day, and four days he had scarcely any 
food. He had no trouble with the Indians to 
speak of, but the train sufiered much for want 
of provisions. On arrival in this State Mr. 
McFarland went to mining in Coon Hollow, 



and was the first man to br 



»g 



water into El 



Dorado for raining purposes in 1851, selling it 
at $1 an inch. Being the originator of the en- 
terprise and the chief stockholder, he was elected 
president of the company. He made some 
money, but afterward lost it at Mokelumne 
Hill. In 1857 he sold out and located upon 
his present place, which he had purchased four 
years previously. It then consisted of 640 
acres, but now there are 1,600 acres; he is cul- 
tivating 1,400 acres. This ranch is one of the 
finest and best improved in the country. There 
are about three acres in orchard and vineyard. 



UISrOBT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



On tliis place is the largest fig tree in tlie State 
of California. Mr. McFarland cast liis first 
Presidential vote for General William H. Har- 
rison, and remembers many interesting inci- 
dents connected with the celebrated hard-cider 
and log-cabin campaign of 1840. He is a mem- 
ber of Gait Lodge, No. 983, I. O. O. F., and of 
the Encampment. During the past ten years 
he has made several journeys to distant points. 



fAVID KEESE was born August 7, 1849, 
in Llsaint, Carmarthenshire, Wales, his 
parents being John, born in 1817, and 
Elizabeth (Anthony) Reese; they were both na- 
tives of Llsaint. John Reese learned the shoe- 
marker's trade when a mere boy and worked at 
it until 1854. In February of tliatyear, he with 
his wife and three children, emigrated to Amer- 
ica, sailing from Liverpool and landing at New 
(Jrleans after a voyage of eight weeks. From 
there he sailed up the river to Kansas City, 
where he outfitted for a journey across the 
plains, bringing up at Utah. He bought land 
here and followed stock-raising for six years. 
In 1860 he sold out and started for California, 
stopping about two months in the Sierra Moun- 
tains; he arrived in Sacramento in October. He 
bought land in San Joaquin Township, and 
made his home tiiere until his death, which oc- 
curred September 11, 1869; his wife died Feb- 
ruary 6, 1889. They liad five children, as 
follows: Catliarlne, wife of John B. Brown, resi- 
dent in this neighborhood; David, John, Eliza- 
beth, wife of W. W. Kilgore, resident in Colusa 
County; and Thomas, who died while crossing 
the plains to Utah. David Reese, the subject 
of this sketch, made his home with his parents 
until his marriage in October, 1879, to Mira 
Kilgore, daughter of William Kilgore, who was 
born in Sacramento County, California, where 
she was principally raised. In 1878 he bought 
his present place of 275 acres, and after his 
marriage moved upon it. He owns 253 acres 
in Colusa County, part of which belongs to his 



mother's estate. Mr. Reese has been a success- 
ful farmer. He commenced with nothing but 
his own energy, good judgment, and persever- 
ance, and now owns one of the prettiest and 
most valuable pieces of property in this county. 
His vineyard of forty-three acres is in good 
bearing. The oldest part of it was. planted in 
1863, by James Hooker, of Sacramento, who 
was in partnership with his uncle; one of them 
died, however, before their plans were realized 
and the place was sold. Mr. Reese is a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows' Society, Elk Grove 
Lodge, No. 274, and of the Florin Grange, No. 
130. Mr. and Mrs. Reese have five children: 
Edward E., born August 2, 1880; Ethel M., 
September 1, 1882; Percy D., May 31, 1884, 
John K., December 30, 1886, and Shrank L., 
July 14, 1889. 



YRON SMALL GREEN was born in 
Richmond, Vermont, May 17, 1838, 
his parents being Iddo and Louisa 
(Wliitcomb) Green. The mother died in 1S8T, 
aged seventy-six; the father, a carpenter by 
trade, is still living, aged eighty, on January 9, 
1889. Grandfather Isaac Green was over seventy 
when lie died. Grandmother (Stevens) Whit- 
comb also lived to a good old age, dying of 
apoplexy. M. S, Green received a limited edu- 
cation in the district schools, and at the age of 
fifteen came to (California with his uncle, James 
Whitcomb, helping to drive cattle across the 
plains. The uncle had come to California in 
1850 with his brother Silas. They were the 
owners of a large part of the Whitcomb ranch, 
now owned by N. M. Fay. Young Green 
helped around on the place until near the close 
of 1856. On December 20 of that year he left 
San Francisco for Vermont, where he spent one 
year in an academy at Underbill Centre. Re- 
turning in April, 1858, he went into the butcher- 
ing business in Sacramento. He also bought 
and sold stocks, and of this he has done tnore 
for less ever since. For some years his uncle 



niSTORT OF 8A0RAMENT0 COUNTY. 



James Wliitcomb, carried on a large butcliering 
business in the raining regions, rnnning five 
shops at as many points, and in these enter- 
prises Mr. Green was often an assistant, and at 
other times did butchering on his own account 
or for others. In 1871 Mr. Wliitcomb bought 
a fruit randi of 103 acres on the Sacramento, 
about four miles above Courtland. In 1873 he 
was seriously injured, resulting after a few 
months in paralysis of the lower linilis, which 
proved incurable. He had recourse to various 
kinds of treatment from 1873 to 1876, but all 
proved ineffective. In 1876 he settled down 
in the new house he had just built on his fruit 
ranch, and lived there ten j'ears, dying July 18, 
1886, aged sixty-one. Mr. Green now occupies 
the place, and is administrator of the estate. 
There are about twenty acres of orchard, and 
forty of alfalfa, the other chief industry being 
the raising of horses and cattle. In 1865 Mr. 
Green was married in Virginia City to Miss 
Frances J. Field, a native of Keokuk, Iowa, 
daughter of Edward and Eliza (Moran) Field. 
Mr. Field was a native of Vergennes, Ver- 
mont. Mr. and Mrs. Green are the parents of 
three children: Clara Louisa, born in 1869; 
James Whitcomb, in 1871; and Edward, in 
1880. 



WILLIAM C. SHELDON was born Feb- 
ruary 26, 1848, on the well-known 
Sheldon ranch, being the oldest child 
and only son of Jared D. and Catherine F. 
(Rhoads) Sheldon. The father was original 
grantee of what was then called the Omochum- 
ney Ranclio, which, being afterward divided 
between him and his partner, became better 
known as the Sheldon and Daylor ranches. Will- 
iam C. successively attended the Rhoads and 
Wilson district schools until he reached the age 
of fifteen. In 1863 he entered Benicia College, 
taking a full course of three years, and after- 
ward a business course of one year m San Fran- 
cisco. At the age of nineteen he returned to 



the farm, and in 1873 he received title to his 
individual share of the Sheldon estate, on which 
he still resides. It contained 630 acres, to 
which he has since added ninety. Of this about 
230 acres are bottom land. On September 26, 
1872, he was married to Miss Anna V. Cook, 
born in Burlington, New Jersey, of American 
parentage. They are the parents of six chil- 
dren: William Jared, born July 26, 1873; 
Catherine Polly, March 9, 1875; George Tru- 
man, October 18, 1877; Jessie Cornelia, Oc- 
tober 14, 1879; Laurin Murat, August 12, 
1882; and a girl baby, not yet named, born 
March 25, 1888. 



.>^^. 



fARED DIXON SHELDON, deceased, was 
born January 8, 1813, in Underbill Centre , 
Vermont, his parents being Truman and 
Polly (Dixon) Sheldon. The father served in 
the War of 1812, and was engaged in the battle 
on Lake Charaplain. When visited by tiieir 
grandson, William C. Sheldon, in 1871, the old 
couple werj hale and cheerful at the ages, re- 
spectively, of eighty-nine and eighty-seven, and 
both died in 1876. Truman Sheldon was the 
seventh in descent from one of three brothers — 
Isaac, John and William — who were among the 
early arrivals in Boston. Those who write their 
name Slielden are descendants of William, and 
all of either form in the United States are de- 
scendants of the three, except one family in 
New Y.ork city and one in Buffalo, New York. 
Truman Sheldon learned the trade of tanner and 
currier from his father, who worked at that 
trade, but Truman himself spent most of his 
life on a farm. Jared D., and an older brotiier, 
Orville, had to work on the farm in youth to 
help pay a debt for which the father had become 
security. The education thus limited was after- 
ward supplemented by special eff"orts. As com- 
pensation for their sacrifice, the father made 
them a gift of the remaining years to their 
majority. Both went West, and became teach- 
ers of district schools, using the intervals be- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tween school terms in perfecting their own 
education by attending college and by private 
study. Jared Sheldon taught school at Quincy, 
Illinois, in 1832, at $16 a month, which he 
then regarded as a fine salary. In 1884 he 
taught in the township of Berne, Indiana. In 
May, 1835, he wrote from Dayton, Ohio, "a 
place of about 4,000 inhabitants," and alluded 
to the fertility of the Miami Valley. At some 
time in those years, 1831 to 1837, he was mar- 
ried in Iowa to Miss Edwards, who died six 
months later. In 1837 he was farming near 
Quincy, and in 1838 was the owner of 160 
acres in southern Indiana, the sale of which he 
entrusted to his brotlier, who accounted for the 
same to the heirs in 1872, with interest. In 
the spring of 1838 he went to St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, where he engaged as a guard to some ex- 
pedition to Santa Fe. There he transferred his 
services to a party — probably a hunting and 
prospecting party — bound for California. The 
Lewis and Clark exploring expedition is thought 
to liave supplied the incentive to this marked 
change in his career. On the journey he became 
sick and was necessarily left behind to follow as 
best he could. Among the trials of that lonely 
journey, he used to recall in after life as the 
most disagreeable, was the effort to sustain life 
by eating coyote. He made his way to Cali- 
fornia, and is known to have arrived in 1839. 
He spent one season in sea-otter hunting — it 
may have been in 1839-'40. His later educa- 
. tion included some knowledge of surveying and 
building, and it is also assumed that he was a 
regular carpenter, but this idea arose from his 
having had so much to do with building, while 
in fact, so far as known, it was rather as a con- 
tractor or superintendent than as a practical 
mechanic. lie erected the first sawmill on the 
Pacific slope, at or near Los Angeles, the saws 
being transported on pack-asses from Mexico, 
wrapped in raw-hides. The mill was put in 
cumplete working order in 1841, but the owner 
dying during its construction and the widow 
not being required by Mexicans then to pay her 
husband's debt, Mr. Sheldon was left in the 



lurch. Meanwhile he had contracted some debts 
in the prosecution of the work, and being un- 
able to pay he was sentenced to imprisonment. 
Learning this, he took refuge among the In- 
dians, and became of such service to his new 
friends on their raids into the plains that the 
Governor annulled his sentence, and he returned 
to civilized life. He is known to have traded 
in horses between California and Chihuahua one 
year, and it is not improbable that it was at this 
period of his eventful life. He was engaged for 
two years in building a custom-house in Mon- 
terey, for which he received from Governor 
Micheltorena, in 1844, a title to what was then 
known as the Omochumney rancho, one league 
wide on the right bank of the Cosumnes and 
extending to the upper crossing of the trail to 
Stockton from New Helvetia. It was afterward 
called the Sheldon ranch, and, after the division 
with his partner, William Daylor, the name of 
each owner was given to his share. About this 
time he built the first flour-mill on the Pacific 
Coast, in the Russian settlement at Bodega; and 
in June, 1844, he built one at San Jose In 
1845 Mr. Sheldon first came to settle perma- 
nently on his ranch, which had been attended 
to by his partner, William Daylor, and his as- 
sistants, to fulfill the requirements of Mexican 
law in regard to occupation and improvement. 
Three hundred head of cattle had been obtained 
of Dr. Marsh in exchange for some job of build- 
ing by Mr. Sheldon. Other herds were re- 
ceived on the place on shares. Altogether the 
ranch afforded ample occupation for both part- 
ners. In March, 1847, Mr. Sheldon was mar- 
ried by Alcalde Sinclair, at liis place on the 
American River, to Miss Catherine F. Rhoads, 
aged fifteen, a daughter of Thomas Rhoads, who 
had arrived in California in the fall of 1846, and 
was then living on Dry Creek. In 1847 Mr. 
Sheldon's flour-mill on the Cosumnes was in 
operation. His extensive lands and immense 
herds made him the natural prey of the free- 
booters of the period. His wealth was great 
and his losses heavy. In 1851 Mr. Sheldon 
erected a dam near Clark's Bar for the irriga- 



IIISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tiou of his lands. The water was flowing on 
his grounds in nice shape wlien the miners in 
that region undertook to tear it down as inter- 
fering by back water with their labors. Accom- 
panied by bis workmen, Mr. Sheldon sought to 
protect it against an overwhelming force of 
angry miners. He was threatened with death 
if he went on the dam. Perhaps thinking their 
threats to be mere bravado, he paid no heed to 
their warnings. The miners fired and one of 
his men fell dead and another was wounded, 
Dazed by the crime or despising danger, he 
made no effort to escape, though the angry mob 
was shouting " Now for Sheldon," and at the 
next volley he was shot dead — July 12, 1857. 
He left a widow, aged nineteen, and three chil- 
dren. Of these the second was accidentally 
drowned a few years later; the oldest, William 
C, was three years old, and the youngest, Cath- 
erine D., was only fifteen days. She became the 
wife of Joel S. Cotton, but died in 1873, leav- 
ing two children: Katie Irene and Joel S., 
whose birth the motiier survived but a few days. 
The father died in 1878. 



fELSON WILCOX, farmer, Sutter Town- 
ship, was born May 18, 1825, in Madison 
County, New York, a son of Sanford K. 
and Climena (Hunt) Wilcox. Edward Wilcox, 
his grandfather, was a native of Rhode Island, 
emigrated to Nevv York, and lived to the age of 
ninety-nine years. He had three sons and two 
daughters. One son, R. B., went to Wisconsin 
and became wealthy. Sanford R., a carpenter 
by trade, and one sister, lived and died in 
Madison County, New York. Nelson's mother 
was a native of Vermont, and died in 1885. In 
this family were seven children, only two of 
whom are now living: Nelson and a sister. 
Helen M. died in Hamilton. Sophia Clark still 
lives in Madison County. Nelson, the second 
in the family, has made his own way in the 
world ever since he was' twelve years of age, be- 
sides assisting in the care of other members of 



the family. In 1844, the day after Polk was 
elected President of the United States, he be- 
gan to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, of 
Charles Gardner, in Madison County; worked 
with him three years as an apprentice, and then 
bought out his time and worked for him for 
wages three years longer, and then was a con- 
tractor and builder until he came to California, 
October 1, 1858. After thirteen months in Sac- 
ramento County he returned East, making one 
of the quickest trips then on record, being only 
eighteen days and twenty hours from San Fran- 
cisco to New York. In March, 1860, he came 
again to California with his family, locating 
first on the Cosumnes River two years; then he 
lived four years on a ranch in Brighton Town- 
ship; next he came into the city and engaged in 
contracting and building until 1884; worked on 
the State Capitol over two years. He purchased 
his present ranch of 122 acres, five miles from 
Sacramento city, on the lower Stockton road, in 
1883. Here he raises grain and fruits; has many 
raspberries and strawberries. Once he had over 
two tons of ripe strawberries on the vines. He 
has about nine acres in vineyard and eleven 
acres in other fruits, among which are forty 
orange trees, a very large number for a ranch. 
With the aid of his estimable wife Mr. Wilcox 
has been successful in bis life's work, having 
made a comfortable home. Elowors and shrub- 
bery most tastefully adorn the premises. One 
specimen of the shrubbery is a rose bush which 
is possibly the most magnificent one in the 
county, spreading out as it does to an expanse 
of ten feet, and yielding beautifully-colored and 
finely perfumed flowers. September 11, 1847, 
is tiie date of Mr. Wilcox's marriage to Miss 
Abigail Keyes, a native of New York. Their 
first child was born, and died on the anniversary 
of that day, at the age of one year. They had 
eight children altogether, and six died in in- 
fancy. The two living are Gussie N. and 
Nelson H. Mrs. Wilcox died December 5, 
1888, at the age of sixty-two years. Mr. Wil- 
cox is a veteran Odd Fellow, being a member 
Sacramento Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., and of 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the Encampment, No. 42; he is also a member 
of the K. of P., Lodge No. 12; of I. O. R. M., 
Lodge No. 14; and of P. of IL, No. 12. His 
first vote for President of the United States was 
cast for a Whig, and since then he has been a 
Republican; has been several times a delgate to 
county conventions. 



fOIIN WILD, farmer, near Folsom, was 
born in England, May 1, 1810, son of 
Benjamin and Ann (Winters) Wild, na- 
tives also of England, and occupants of the farm 
where the subject of this notice was reared. At 
the age of nineteen years he commenced work- 
ing away from home occasionally, and when 
twenty-one he went out for himself altogether, 
learning tlie machinist's trade in Rochedale, 
England, and followed the same until he came 
to America in 1844, sailing from Liverpool to 
New York city. The first four years in this 
country he spent at Hood's Island, working at 
his trade; ne.xt he was in Massachusetts; in 
1850 he came to California by way of the Isth- 
mus, on the steamer Philadelphia, the trip oc- 
cupying six weeks and three days. Coming on 
to Sacramento he at once found employment in 
a blacksmith's shop. In one half-day he re- 
paired a starting-bar for a steamboat, for which 
service he received $50. Six weeks after arriv- 
ing in Sacramento he went to Mississippi Bar 
and mined two weeks there; the ensuing six 
months he was at Dolan's Bar, and then at 
Mormon Island, atid at all the mines in the 
vicinity of Placerville, that of Stony Dam being 
the principal one. He was successful in his 
mining career, which extended over a period of 
twenty years. In 1852 he settled upon his 
property, which now comprises 300 acres of 
land, all sujiplied with water and well adaj)ted 
to general farming. This tract he found in a 
perfectly wild state, and he has made all the im- 
provements that now exist upon it. He has 
been a member of I. O. O. F. for fifty years or 
more, has been past officer for over fifty-one 



months in the lodge, No. 91, of Warrington, 
England. In 1830, in England, he married 
Miss Ellen RoUinson, and they have two sons: 
James and Benjamin, both born in England, 
and both now residents of California, and min- 
ers by occupation, at present being located in the 
Amador mines. Mr. and Mrs. Wild live by 
themselves in their quiet cosy home half a mile 
from Folsom. He has been a man of great 
energy, and is still vigorous and of a happy 
disposition. 



fOE SILVA, one of the well-known ranching 
men of Sutter Township, was born in 1822 
in the AVestern Islands, and in 1855 emi- 
grated to California, and was first engaged in 
mining gold on Negro Bar near folsom, in 
which business he was successful. Soon after- 
ward he bought his present place of ninety-five 
acres six miles from Sacramento on the river 
road, where he is doing well in raising vege- 
tables. His wife, Mary, was also born on the 
AVestern Islands, but they were married after 
coming to Sacramento. Tiieir children are three 
in number: Joe, Manuel and Mary. 



^^BRAM WOODARD, farmer, San Joaquin 
l»l Township, was born in Hoosick, Rensse- 
^^ laer County, New York, February 9, 1822, 
a son of Phineas Woodard (who also was born 
in that county near the east State line), and 
Phebe, nee Phillips, who was born in the town- 
ship of Grafton, same county. His grandfather 
on his mother's side was John Phillips, a Qua- 
ker who came from England and settled on the 
Van Rensselaer grant in the township of Graf- 
ton. His paternal grandfather, Jonathan Wood- 
ard, was born in Dutchess County, New York, 
of German descent, and was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War. When Burgoyne sent a 
detachment of 500 English and 100 Indians to 
destroy the stores collected at Bennington, in 



UI8T0RT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



Vermont, he was under the command of Gen- 
eral Stark, who, with 800 Vermont and New 
Hampshire militia, killed and took prisoners 
the most of this detachment; but Mr. Woodard 
was not at the battle, as he had been previously 
sent to Albany with the provision wagons. 
Word had been circulated that were the English 
successful the Indians were to be allowed to 
massacre the women and children, which would 
have seemingly been easy, as all the men were 
at the battle. Mrs. Woodard, acting upon the 
strength of this report, collected about thirty 
women and fortified them in a log cabin, armed 
with scythes, sticks and other crude weapons of 
defense, and waited the outcome of the battle. 
The next day she went upon the battle-field to 
see if her husband's body were among the killed. 
She turned over more than 200 bodies in her 
search, but, as stated before, he was not at the 
battle. While she was searching she came to a 
wounded English officer, who asked her to give 
him a drink of water, and she politely complied 
with the request. He was under the command 
of General Gates at the battle of Stillwater and 
the surrender of Burgoyne. He survived during 
the entire war. Mr. Abram Woodard's grand- 
father, Phillips, on his mother's side, was a roy- 
alist and was captured while trying to make his 
way to Canada and placed in prison. An in- 
stance of his prison life was this: When Wash- 
ington was reviewing the troops the royalists 
were brought out of prison and compelled to 
lift their hats to him. This Mr. Phillips posi- 
tively refused to do, fur which he was heavily 
ironed and sent back to the prison, where he 
remained until the close of the war. Phineas 
Woodard was a farmer in New York State all 
his life, dying in the winter of 18G7, at the age 
of eighty-four years; and his wife died three 
years afterward, at the age of eighty-six years. 
AVhen she was about eighty she made a trip 
from New York State to Minnesota, and returned 
without an escort, showing what a strong and 
active woman she was at that age. They had 
five sons and five daughters, of whom three are 
now living, and only two even left the State of 



New York. Mr. Abram Woodard, whose name 
heads this sketch, was brought up on his father's 
farm and lived there until 1849, in the meantime 
making a trip to Wisconsin in 1844. During 
the year 1849 he left New York for the home 
of his married sister in Janesville, Wisconsin. 
During the following winter he was employed 
by a Mr. Clark. About April 10, the following 
spring, Mr. Woodard left for the Golden West. 
Going first to St. Louis, to buy provisions, he 
ascended the Missouri River to St. Joseph, 
where he joined the overland train of three 
wagons and a number of horses. He was elected 
captain. Crossing the Missouri River May 11, 
at the end of eighty-five days he reached Ring- 
gold, near Diamond Spring. Until 1853 Mr. 
Woodard worked in the mines there, while his 
partner, David Cook, who was not able to work 
in the mines, remained on the Sheldon and Day- 
lor grant on" the Cosumnes River, buying and 
trading in live-stock with the money Mr. Wood- 
ard furnished him. June 1, 1853, they left for 
New York by water and the Isthmus, landing 
there in twenty-three days. After a visit home 
they went to Wisconsin and put up 100 tons of 
hay, bought 426 head of cattle and twenty-two 
horses, and kept tliem on that hay during the 
following winter; and the next year, 1854, 
drove them across the plains to California, as- 
sisted by fourteen men. Arriving here October 
22, they sold their stock, realizing high prices 
for some of it. After a little war-cloud between 
the squatters and the grant owners had blown 
over, Mr. AYoodard and his partner bought 1,000 
acres of land, which was afterwards divided 
equally between them. Crook sold his land to 
Dr. James Caples, and Mr. Woodard has ever 
since occupied his first purchase. About half 
of it is bottom land, very rich and productive. 
He has 170 acres in wlieat, forty in hops, and 
about the same amount in alfalfa and corn; the 
remainder is pasture. He has about seventy 
head of horses and cattle, counting old and 
young. Politically Mr. AVoodard was in early 
days a Douglas Democrat, and since then has 
been a Republican. He was married January 



iiwronr of sachamento county. 



9, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Sampson, who was 
born in England, August 28, 1839, daughter of 
Henry Sampson, who was a farmer, and who 
came to this country in 1844; was a business 
man in St. Louis a number of years, came to 
California in 1852, and died in February, 1863. 
Mrs. "Woodard was only two years old when her 
mother died. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard have three 
children: Julia, wife of Richard Bilby, of this 
county; Irwin, who married Miss D. A. Witt, 
and resides on a part of the home place; and 
Flora, at home. They have lost two children; 
one died in infancy; the other, Joseph, died in 
1878, at the age of nineteen years. 



children, namely: Barbara, born December 5, 
1883; and Frank Antoine, April 12, 1885. 



fRANK D. SCIIULER, a farmer of Sutter 
Township, was born in Switzerland, July 
15, 1850, a son of Carl D. and Regina 
(Aj^pert) Schuler; was reared in his native place, 
and in 1872, after spending eight montlis in 
P"' ranee, emigrated to the United States, landing 
at New York. He worked in dairies three 
years near St. Louis, Missouri, then, coming to 
California, he resided in San P>ancisco four 
years, on a dairy. Coming then to Sacramento, 
he opened a saloon on K street, between Front 
and Second, and ran that two years. In 1881 
he purchased his present place in Sutter Town- 
ship, between the upper and lower Stockton 
roads, about four miles frojn the city. The 
ranch contains tifty acres, and is devoted prin- 
cipally to fruit-raising, and partly to hay. There 
are apples, tine grapes, strawberries, blackberries 
and Bartlett pears, all of which are bearing. On 
arriving in this country Mr. Schuler had noth- 
ing; but as he has always been a hard-working 
man and a good manager, he has acquired a fine 
and productive place. He was married in 1880 
to Babette Stadier, a native of Switzerland, and 
a woman of excellent worth. She came to the 
United States in 1872, worked in the States 
about six years, visited the old country for half 
a year, and came to California about cluv<!n 
years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Schuler have two 






AXUEL F. SlLVElSA was born on 
of the Azores Islands in 1851. In 
fiaS^~ 1870 he came to California and almost 
directly to Sacramento. For the first five years 
he worked around at different places, and then 
purchased the present residence, a nice little 
ranch of fifty-five acres, where he raises vege- 
tables and a small quantity of hay. The maiden 
name of his wife was Mary Waters. She also 
was born on the Azores Islands in 1861. They 
have a happy family of five children, named 
Mary, Manuel, Joseph, Caroline and Rosa. 

'^^^M^'¥^ — 

~ ,NDREW K. WACKMAN, farmer, San 
piin Township, was born in Ross 
County, Ohio, eight miles south of Chilli- 
cothe, on the Scioto River, December 31, 1833. 
His grandfather, Marcus Wackman, was a resi- 
dent of New York State, but whether a native of 
that State or not is not definitely Tcnown. His 
wife's maiden name was Maria Cole. Marcus 
spent the greater ]iait of his life in that State, 
and when advanced in years made liis home 
with his son, John Wackman, in Ohio, where 
he died. In his family were four sons and two 
daughters: Abram, John, James, Jacob, Alary 
and Lovina. Abram, John and James moved 
to Ohio and died there; the two daughters also 
died in Ohio, and Jacob passed the remainder 
of ills days in New York State. John Wack- 
man moved to Ohio when a young man, and 
there married Harriet Kelly. They made their 
home in Ross County during their life-time and 
died there, he in 1836 and she May 1, 1885, at 
the age of ninety years. She retained a good 
memory and did not become childish. In her 
family were four sons and two daughters: Mar- 
cus, Mary Louisa Jane, Harrison, Eliza Jane, 
John, and Andrew^ K. Harrison was the only 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT F. 



one to come to California, arriving in 1850; he 
died in tiiis county, in 1880, never having mar- 
ried. Soon after Mrs. Wackman's birth in Vir- 
ginia, her parents moved to Eoss County, Ohio, 
and remained there during their lives. Her 
father, Andrew Kelly, died at the age of ninety 
years, ten months and eight days. After the 
death of his iirst wife, Mary Thomas, who was 
the mother of four children, he married, in Ohio, 
a lady named Caton. The iirst children were 
Jchn, Harriet, Elizabeth and Harrison; and by 
the second marriage there were Washington, 
William, Cornelius, Andrew, Ripley, Edward, 
Mary, Malinda, Anna and Jane. Andrew and 
Ilipley crossed the plains to California in 1849, 
and William and Cornelius in 1851. Andrew 
and Ripley mined together from 1849 to 1854, 
when Andrew settled on the Cosuinnes River; 
Ripley was in Sacramento a number of years 
and then settled in Plumas County; he was at 
one time a member of the Legislature from that 
county; Cornelius went to Idaho in 1863 and 
resided there fifteen years; William went to 
Idaho with Cornelius, and the year afterward 
returned to Sacramento, where he resided until 
his death. H^r. Andrew Iv. Wackman,the sub- 
ject of this sketch, is the youngest of the family 
and the only one now living. He remained in 
Ross County, Ohio, until 1852, when he went 
to Scott County, Iowa, on a visit, desiring soon 
afterward to come on to C!alifornia. Fie re- 
mained in Iowa a year, and, failing to persuade 
his friends to come with him, he returned to 
Ohio. In the spring of 1863, however, when 
the war of the Rebellion was in active progress, 
he obtained the consent of his mother that he 
might come to the Coast. Going to New York 
to take sail, he just missed a steamer starting 
for the Isthmus, and he had to lie over eleven 
days for the next one, the North Star, on which 
he took passage April 20, for Panama. On this 
side he took passage on the Moses Taylor, an 
old boat on her last trip, and landed in San 
Francisco May 15. He came almost immedi- 
ately to this county and stopped with his brother 
Harrison on the Cosu nines River. He and his 



brother bought a steam thresher and they fol- 
lowed grain-threshing part of the year aud farm- 
ing the remainder. Theirs was the first thresh- 
ing-machine ever run m this valley. For a year 
and a half they conducted a store and saloon at 
Sheldon; ever since then Mr. Wackman has been 
a farmer and stock-raiser. In 1871 he bought 
land on the Cosumnes River, in 1874 another 
tract adjoining, and the total area now is 600 
acres, of fine land. ' A part of this is river de- 
posit, or what is commonly called " bottom 
land," and is excellent for raising corn or any- 
thing else excepting wheat. He has nearly 100 
head of horses and cattle; has some fine speci- 
mens of blooded horses specially adapted to 
speed. Politically Mr. Wackman is a Demo- 
crat, but takes no particular part in political 
matters. He was married in Sacramento Janu- 
ary 19, 1869, to Miss Mary Amanda, daughter 
of Louis Colton. The Coltons are old settlers 
in this State, although Mrs. Wackman was born 
in Illinois; she was reared mostly in California. 
She died May 30, 1884, leaving three children. 
She was a woman of excellent worth and her 
death created a vacancy that can never be filled. 
The children are: Etta May, Harry Harold and 
Creed Colton, all born in this county. 



fRANZ HENRICUS LITDWIG WEBER, 
grocer, 1217 nnd 1219 L street, Sacramento, 
was born in Hamburg, Germany, May 14, 
1835. His father, August Christian Carl Weber, 
was a manufacturer in that city, and his mother's 
maiden name was Johanna Christina Elizabeth 
Wagenlinger. He was only eleven years old 
when he crossed the ocean alone to join his 
adopted sister and her husband in New York, 
where some time before they had established a 
drug store. After remaining with them about 
two years he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 
and worked on a farm on Sunk Prairie until 
April, 1859, when with a party of young men 
he started overland with ox teams, for California, 
via Landers' cut-off. Arriving late in October 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



that year, at Honey Lake, he left the company 
and struck across to Indian Valley, Plumas 
County, where he engaged in ranching for two 
years. November 30, 1861, he joined the Fifth 
California Infantry as a volunteer. The com- 
mand vFas ordered to Fort Yuma, and thence 
to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and was 
some months on the Rio Grande. On Decem- 
ber 1, 1864, he re-enlisted and served until 
January 5, 1867, when he was honorably dis- 
charged. After spending some months in trav- 
eling over this State in order to select the best 
location for business, he came to Sacramento, in 
April, 1867, and started in the grocery business 
near his present location. After two years he 
bought property and erected a store building on 
what is now part of the Capitol grounds; and 
when, in 1865, the Capitol was erected, he 
bought the lot directly opposite, on L street, 
Nos. 1217 to 1219, and erected the building 
which he now occupies, at a cost of §8,000, dedi- 
cating it the "Capitol Grocery." His business 
rapidly increasing, he associated with himself 
L. E. Smith, who was previously with W. R. 
Strong & Co., on Front street. The firm name 
was then Weber & Smith. Mr. Weber was a 
stanch Republican until 1880, when he became 
identified with the Prohibition movement, and 
was the first Sacramento candidate for office in 
the new party. In 1867 he was married to Miss 
Lizzie M. Webber, daughter of Luther Webber, 
of Maine, where she was born. She was a child 
when lier parents removed with her to Boston, 
Massachussetts, where she was educated. Mr. 
and Mrs. Weber have two children living, namely : 
Luther, who is an assistant of his father in the 
store, and Lizzie Etta. 



fAMES WELCH, a farmer of Sutter. Town- 
ship, was born in Ireland in 1834, son of 
James and Mary (Stack) Welch. In their 
family were tiiree sons and four daughters, all of 
whom excepting one dangliter came to America. 
Two sons and two daughters are now living. 



In 1847, when but fourteen years old, Mr. Welch 
came to America, landing at New York, and first 
visited his parents at Syracuse, that State. The 
first three years lie spent with his brothers at 
Brockford, Monroe County, New York, and was 
well taken care of and educated by thein. Then, 
in 1861, he sailed frotn New York city and 
came by the Panama route to San Francisco, 
landing March 16. He began working on a 
farm, first for a man on the lower Stockton 
road in this county. During the flood of 1862 
he lost some money; after that he worked l)y 
the month again until he accumulated a little 
means, and then he worked upon rented farms 
three years, and then bought a place about a 
mile below where he now lives. Three years 
afterward he sold out and rented a ranch adjoin- 
ing for one year. In the fall of 1870 he moved 
upon his present place, containing fifty acres, 
on the Freeport road and about six miles from 
Sacramento. For the six years ending in 1874 he 
also followed teaming and peddling up in the 
mountains. He has been moderatel}- successful 
in whatever he has undertaken and he has also 
met with some heavy losses. He was married 
in 1878 to Mrs. Eliza Flood, widow of Michael 
Flood. Her maiden name was Carpenter, and 
she was a native of Ireland, and was ten years 
old when she came to this country. She came 
to California in 1862. 



.^^ 



f5jLI WELLS, Brighton Township, was born 
L in Jefl'erson County, Tennessee, October 
^ 25, 1833, son of James and Margaret 
(Williams) Wells; and when he was very young 
his father died, and afterward, when yet but six 
years of age, his mother also died. There were 
nine children in the family: Isaac, who died in 
Tennessee; Edward, who died in Alabama, and 
was buried in the same grave with his mother; 
Jackson, who died in Barry County, Missouri; 
Mrs. Elizabeth Reed, who died in California 
and was buried in Sacramento; ilrs. Nancy 
Stewart, who died in Texas; Malinda Cluck, 



596 



HISTOKY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



who died in Alabama; Mrs. Mary Milton, who 
(lied in Barry County, Missouri; and Eli, the 
subject of this sketch, tlie youngest of the fam- 
ily. He was brought up by his oldest sister 
until he was able to take care of himself. He 
had no opportunity for education. The iirst 
free school he ever saw was after he came to 
California. J>om the age of fifteen years to 
eighteen he began to make his own way in the 
world. In 1844 he went to Missouri and re- 
sided in Barry County two years, then one year 
in Lawrence County and one year in Dade 
County. April 18, 1849, he joined a company 
of 300 men, women and children, with ox 
teams for the gold Helds of California. After a 
journey of five months on the usual route thej 
reached Grass Valley, and four days afterward 
Sacramento, and two days after that again they 
arrived at Hangtown ibr winter quarters. In 
October Mr. Wells and another man named 
"William Wells (from the same county but not 
a relative) came to Sacramento with six yoke of 
oxen and a wagon, and obtained provisions for 
the winter, coming by way of the Darling 
ranch on the Cosumnes Kiver, in order to get 
provender for the cattle. One night they 
camped on the bank wliere the Slough House 
now is, and the coyotes stole tiieir provision 
sack which had been left out of the wagon and 
dragged it entirely away. This performance 
left the Wellses without anything to eat. The 
day they started from Placerville (Hangtown) it 
commenced to rain, and continued for ten days, 
the trip consuming fifteen days; and during 
that time they never had their boots off their 
feet; and for a whole day after the coyotes stole 
their provisions they had nothing whatever to 
eat; nor could they have found anything liad 
they tried. The rain continued pouring. They 
could not sit on tiie wagons to drive, for they 
had oxen and immigrant cattle, the latter being 
so poor they would not travel without constant 
urging. The next night they encamped on the 
bank of the American River, about half a mile 
from the place where he now lives, and, going 
to an adobe house, to obtain food, succeeded in 



getting some bread and salt pork, which indeed 
was about all he had expected. The next day 
they reached Sacramento and purchased ten bar- 
rels of flour, at $75 a barrel, and some other 
articles. On the return journey to Hangtown 
they found the roads so bad that they had to 
halt until they dried up somewhat. It was still 
raining. After the rain ceased they took off the 
wagon box, put poles on the axles, roped the 
barrels upon them and proceeded. During the 
ensuing winter they mined at Placerville, when 
the weather would permit; it was a very rainy 
season. The price of vegetables and almost 
everything else eaten was $1 a pound, and very 
scarce at that. Beef was fifty to seventy-five 
cents a pound. In the spring of 1850 big sto- 
ries of gold finds elsewhere caused a tremendous 
stampede from Hangtown. One night, in the 
big tent where gambling was in progress, fire 
was accidentally dropped into a keg of powder 
and the explosion killed five or six men and 
wounded others. Probably 200 men were in 
the tent at the time. Mr. Wells left that neigh- 
borhood June 10, and came to the valley, where 
he has remained till the present, excepting a 
short time in 1863 when he was in Carson Val- 
ley, Nevada. He was at Sacramento during the 
riot, and saw many exciting scenes here. In 
1803 lie commenced farming on his present 
place, which he had purchased in 1850, on the 
Placerville road nine miles from Sacramento. 
The farm has 110 acres. Grapes are his main 



crop, 



and alfalfa to a considerable extent. His 



vineyard embraces thirty-two acres, comprising 
Tokays and Mission grapes three and four years 
old and in good condition. The remainder of 
the farm is devoted to hay, barley, etc. In 
1872 he put up his fine residence, and all the 
buildings on the premises he himself has erected 
April 23, 1873, he was married to Mary E. 
Gore, ^vho was born in Lexington, Kentucky, 
January 17, 1849, and who came to this State 
in April, 1870. They have three children, viz.: 
Lewis J., born March 12, 1874; Charles E., Imrn 
November 18, 1876; and Frank D., December 
20, 1880. In early times Mr. Wells was a 



insTOUY OF SACRAMUNTO COUNTY. 



Democrat, but since the beginning of tlie last 
war he has been a Republican. 



fOSEPE TOMLINSON, a rancher of Nato- 
ina Township, about four miles from Fol- 
som, was born April 8, 1814, in what is 
now West Virginia, of same parentage and de- 
scent as his brother Lewis, whose sketch is sub- 
joined. The subject of this sketch received a 
limited education in his youth, opportunities in 
that direction being scant. lie is, however, a 
well educated man, mainly as a result of his 
labors in self-education. He picked up the 
trade of ship carpenter, and some light-draft 
boats of his design and construction, in which 
his father and brothers were also engaged with 
him, have plied on the Ohio over thirty years 
ago. He also carried on, for fifteen years, the 
saw-mill built by his grandfather on Grave 
Creek in Marshall County, West "Virginia, and 
successively conducted by three generations of 
Toinlinsons. Steamboating on the Ohio was 
the last business followed in the East by Mr. 
Tomliuson. He came to California in 1850, 
and engaged in mining more or less steadily for 



a dozei 



years. 



his ventured in other 



lines was the building of the sloop Far West, in 
Sacramento, aud runniug her for about a year 
between San Francisco and Benicia, aud some 
other points in that section. Of late years he 
has been occupied with mechanical inventions, 
one recently piteiited by him being known as 
Tomlinson's Chock Wrench, a very ingenious 
device in its line. In 1872 he bought the 160 
acres where he lived on the Placerville road, 
twenty-three miles from Sacramento. Mrs. 
Elizabeth (Tomliuson) Biggs, sister of the pre- 
ceding, and residing with him since 1876, was 
born on the family homestead in Marshall 
County, West Virginia, November 18, 1812. 
She was married in 1842 to Joseph Biggs, a 
native of Ohio, his parents being Benjamin and 
Rebecca (McKnight) Biggs. His grandfather, 
Joseph Biggs, had moved from Virginia to 



Ohio, and the Biggs family is said to have con- 
tributed seven sons to the army of the Revolu- 
tion, the youngest of whom was this Ohio pio- 
neer. Mrs. Elizabeth (Tomliuson) Biggs lost 
her husband some thirty years ago, and of their 
six children three are still living in 1889, and 
residing in this county: Theodore, May and 
Lewis. Theodore is married to Annalene Lo- 
rain, and they have six children: Dora, John, 
Alice, Joseph, Charles and Elizabeth. May 
Biggs is the wife of Samuel Pelton. Lewis is 
married to Nanny Lorain, and they have eight 
children: Ida, Asa, Annie, Frank, James, Sam- 
uel, Florence, and a baby not yet named. 



tEWIS TOMLINSON, deceased. The sub- 
ject of this sketch, for many years a resi- 
dent of Natoma Township, was born in 
what is now West Virginia, in 1816, his par- 
ents being Samuel and Lovisa (Purdy) Tomlin- 
son. The grandparents, Joseph and Elizabeth 
(Harkness) Tomlinson, natives of Virginia, had 
moved westward into Marshall County, where 



among 



other enterprises Mr. Tomlinson laid 



out a village, and named it Elizabethtown, in 
honor of his wife, the first white woman settled 
in those parts. It is now known as Mound- 
ville, eleven miles below Wheeling. Both lived 
to be ai)out eighty. Samuel Tomlinson died in 
January, 1846, aged sixty-six, and his wife in 
1854, aged sixty-live. Grandfather Jonathan 
Purdy, a native of New York, was a soldier of 
the Revolution, and died about 1839, aged 
eighty-two, having entered the service of liis 
country, like so many others, while quite young. 
Grandmother Eunice (Dickinson) Purdy died at 
the age of sixty. Their son Louis fought in the 
war of 1812. Lewis Tomlinson was raised on 
his father's farm, receiving such education as 
was accessible in those days in a pioneer settle- 
ment on the Ohio, and was fond of reading and 
self-improvement. He came to California in 
1850, and went to mining in Placerville, and 
afterwards in Rhoads' Diggings. In 1854 he 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



went East, and in December, 1855, was married 
to Miss Alta McMillan, born in Boone County 
Kentucky, December 10, 1832, daughter of 
George and Ellen (McNinch) McMillan. The 
father died at the aoje of fifty -live; the mother 
died July 28, 1852, aged sixty-live. Return- 
ing to California in 1856, Mr. Tomlinson re- 
sumed mining, in which he continued, more or 
less, almost until his death. His judgment in 
that line was above the average. In partner- 
siiip with his brother Joseph he bought 160 
acres alsojn 1856. He afterward entered 160 
acres under the liomestead law, but of this he 
was deprived through legal chicanery. He 
secured by pre-emption the 160 acres on which 
the family still resides. Mrs. Alta Tomlinson, 
since the death of her husband, has added 
largely to the realty, having purchased 260 
acres, of the railroad company, and other ranches 
of private individuals, making in all 1,000 acres, 
used mostly for pasturage. Some hay is raised 
in favorable spots, but the chief marketable 
products of the ranch are sheep and turkeys, 
tiiere being usually over 1,200 of the former 
and 700 of the latter. Some forty head of cattle, 
including cows for a small dairy, and some 
horses, mostly for use on the ranch, complete 
the list of stock. Mrs. Tomlinson has also a 
small but thrifty orchard of mixed fruits for 
family use. Mr. Tomlinson died May 28, 1876, 
leaving five children, all residing with tlie 
mother: Ida, born March 18, 1857; Lewis, 
July 8, 1858; Frank, June 8, 1860; Joseph, 
January 28, 1862; Samantha, January 18, 
1864. 

f!l|D. F. TAYLOR, land and mine attorney, 
L Sacramento, was born January 25, 1836, 
'' at New Carlisle, Clarke County, Ohio. 
His father, Jonathan Taylor, a native of Win- 
chester, Virginia, emigrated to Ohio in 1822, 
and his mother, nee Elizabeth Robinson, was a 
native of New Jersey. He came to California 
in 1855, arriving in San Francisco March 28, 



and the next day went over to the mines in El 
Dorado County, wliere he was engaged in busi- 
ness until 1869. In the fall of that year he 
came to Sacramento, and lias ever since been 
connected with the United States Land OfRce, 
first as clerk; in 1878 he was appointed Regis- 
ter, and acted as such until in the fall of 1886. 
At present, besides officiating in the capacity of 
land and mine attorney lor the district em- 
bracing Sacramento, Placer, Nevada and Ama- 
dor counties, and a portion of Calavei'as, 
Tuolumne and Alpine counties, he is also en- 
gaged in farming in Butte County. Mr. Tay- 
lor has also held the office of mining recorder, 
justice of the peace, etc., and was a member of 
the Legislature in 1865-'66, being elected on 
the Republican ticket. In public affairs he has 
been active and efficient. He was married in 
1859 to Miss Susan Woods, a native of Ken- 
tucky, who came to California in 1855. 

^-^SB--^ 

fACOB MEISTEK, a rancher, was born in 
the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, Au- 
gust 28, 1817, a son of George Meister, a 
farmer, and Marianna, nee Zeigler. In 1854 he 
etnigrated to America, whither his brother had 
come two years previously. He was six weeks 
on his journey from Switzerland, coming to 
California by way of New York and the Isth- 
mus, and arriving at San Francisco January 17, 
1854. By way of Sacramento, he went directly 
to the Greenwood Valley and mining district, 
and several months afterward went to Nevada, 
where he found employment in a brewery. Re- 
tnrning to Sacramento, he started in the dairy 
business, in 1855, in partnership with his 
brother, on a farm near Sutter's P^ort. After- 
ward they purchased 270 acres of land across 
the American River, and from time to time 
they added to their area of land until 1876, 
when their tract contained 945 acres. In the 
meantime they had bought another ranch on 
this side of the river. In 1876 Mr. Jacob 
Meister sold out his interest in the dairy busi- 



inSTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ness to liis lirotlier, and tlie property was di- 
vided, he retaining tlie rancdi in American 
Township. He had carried on the dairy busi- 
ness for twenty-one consecutive years. In 1873 
he removed with his family into tiie city, locat- 
ing on D street. In 1879 he bought the lot 
situated at the corner of I and Seventeenth 
streets, and during the following year erected 
what is now his family residence. This is indeed 
a commodious, ornamental, well-built and well- 
furnished mansion. It was built by the noted 
contractors. Carle & Croley, according to plans 
and specifications drawn up by !N. D. Goodell, 
one of the best known architects in the city. 
Especially worthy of this mansion is Mr. Meis- 
ter's noble wife, intelligent and refined. Her 
maiden name was Catharine Kopp. She is a 
native of Baden, Germany, came to this country 
when a child, and speaks English as well as any 
one. They were married in Sacramento, May 
22, 1862, and now they have four children living; 
two have died. Their names are: Minnie, who 
died at the age of sixteen years; Kate, Laura, 
Emma, Willie and George Jacob. In May, 1887, 
Mr. Meister started on a trip to Europe, for the 
sake of improving his health; but exposures 
prevented the good that might have been ob- 
tained. He was gone six months on this visit. 
He is a Republican in his political principles, 
but is not a "politician" or ottice-seeker. 



fAPTAIX A. MENDIS was born on the 
Western Islands, Portuguese possessions, 
January 13, 1888, son of Jose and Maria 
(Loper) Mendis. His father was a carpenter, 
and when thirteen years of age young Mendis 
went to sea, and during his career as a sailor he 
traveled ail over the known world, — China, Bra- 
zil, India, Africa, England, Austria, etc. In 
1853 he came to tlie Pacific coast, and in 1855 
he bought a sloop fr.nn a clipper sliip wiiich 
had come around Cape Horn, named Leonaide. 
In 1854, previously, he did some mining at 
Negro Hill, Rattlesnake Creek, etc., at difterent 



periods along until 1861; and was so engaged 
in Mariposa and Sliasta counties, and at Fraser 
River and other places. Jieturning to Califor- 
nia, he was employed in the Bay trade with the 
schooner Rising Sun, between San Francisco 
and all points inside the Bay, and to Sacramento, 
Stockton, etc. Next he bought the vessel Ma- 
tilda Heron, which he ran until May, 1864, 
being engaged in the lumber trade from Bodega 
Bay and other inside and outside ports. He 
then settled down in Sacramento, and October 
18, 1864, was married, and has remained a citi- 
zen of this city ever since. He has been inti- 
mately identified with river transportation 
during all this period, owning an interest in 
several well-known vessels,— among them the 
barge Caroline, the Two Brothers and the May 
Elizabeth. In the winter of 1869 he built the 
Mary Ellen. In 1868 he became a member of 
the Steam Navigation Company, but afterward 
sold his interest in it. He bought the Neponset 
No. 1, and afterward built the Neponset No. 2, 
in 1883-'84. He now has the barge Alameda 
No. 2, with which he is engaged in the wood 
trade. In this business, indeed, he has been 
employed ever since the summer of 1864, with 
the exception of seven years, 1871 to 1878, when 
he was ranching in Sutter County. Mrs. Men 
dis' maiden name was Elizabeth Preston; she 
was born in County Mayo, Ireland. The chil- 
dren's names are Jose, Minnie, Antoine, Helena 
and Katie. 



flMEON S. SLAWSON, a farmer of Sut- 
ter Township, was born in Sussex County 
New Jersey, May 13, 1841, a son of De 
Witt and Elizabeth (Ilorton) Slawson, natives 
of Orange County, New York. His paternal 
grandparents, Elihu Slawson and wife, were 
natives of New York State, and had four sons; — 
De Witt, Locke, Milton and John B. Locke 
died in the State of New York; Milton resided 
a number of years in New Orleans, returned to 
New York and died there; and John B. was 



600 



HISTORY OF SACMAMENTO COUNTY. 



eiiiiiient in the street-car business in New Or- 
leans; lie started tlie first street-car line in that 
city, and is the patent^se of the cash box for col- 
lecting fares on short lines now in use through- 
out the United States. He was in New Orleans 
during the war, and afterward was in New York 
city, and then in Europe, wiiere he introduced 
his invention and became wealthy. De "Witt, 
father of Simeon, went to New Jersey about 
1826, and continued his residence there until 
1847, when he moved to Perry County, Illinois. 
He had seven sons and four daughters, eight of 
whom are now living: H. H., Joseph N., Mrs. 
Fanny J. Hoge and Mrs. Mahala Pyle, reside in 
Terry County; J. P., W. H.; Mrs. E. M. 
Combs resides in Jefferson County, Illinois; 
and Simeon S. resides here in Sacramento 
County. Their parents passed the remainder 
of their days in Perry County, their father dy- 
ing in 1872, and their mother in 1875. Mr. 
Slawson, the subject of this notice, was born 
May 13, 1841, anJ was very young when the 
family moved to Illinois, and that section was 
in its pioneer stage of development. In 1863, 
at the age of twenty-two years, he came to Cali- 
fornia by way of New York, on the steamer 
Golden Age to the Isthmus, and landed in San 
Francisco on the last of June, after a voyage of 
twenty-three days. After visiting Copperopolis 
and Mokelnmne, in Calaveras County, he went 
to Nevada, near Carson City, and worked there 
about fwo years, getting out timber for the 
mines. Coming then to this county he pur- 
chased, in 1867, eighty acres of land near the 
lower Stockton road, about four miles from the 
city. In 1878 he bought 135 acres adjoining, 
and the public road now bounds the whole on 
three sides. Here he is following agricultural 
pursuits. Has about four acres of vineyard, and 
larger fruit enough for family use. Tliis prop- 
erty he sold in 1887 to S. P. Smith; but he still 
resides upon it. He has been successful. Com- 
ing here without means, he has made all he has 
by honest industry, and the place is well im- 
proved. Although he has sold it, he has no 
intention of returning East. Mr. Slawson is a | 



member or the Sacramento Grange, No. 12. 
He was married February 13, 1870, to Mrs. 
Anna A. Ilite. They have one son, George 
II., who was born December 27, 1875. Mrs. 
Slawson was born in Schuyler County, Illinois, 
January 20, 1852. Her parents and family of 
ten children removed to California across the 
plains by ox teams in 1853, being six months 
on the journey. Upon their arrival here they 
immediately settled on a farm in Sacramento 
County, where they resided until the death of 
her father, Alexander Ilite, which occurred De- 
cember 30, 1885. He was a native of Shenan- 
doah County, Yirgiuia, born February 3, 1806. 
Her mother, Arrabella (Mathews) Hite, was 
born in Licking County, Ohio, January 1, 1811, 
and is still liviuir. 



.^^-.^. 



ILLIAM II. SLAWSON, a prosperous 
rancher on the Sacramento River, was 
born in Sussex County, New Jersey, 
July 30, 1835, a son of De Witt and Elizabetii 
(Horton) Slawson. When he was twelve years 
of age the family removed to Illinois, locating 
in Perry County, where the subject of this 
sketch lived for about ten years, employed upon 
a farm. He then started lor the golden West, 
going to New Orleans by steamboat, thence by 
the steamer '-Philadelphia" to Ha\'ana, the 
Granada to Aspinwall, and after crossing the 
Isthmus, by the steamer "Golden Gate" to San 
Francisco, arriving March 2, 1857. He soon 
went to the Sonora mines, where he followed 
gold-mining for a siiort ])eriod, with but little 
taste for it and corresponding success, and then 
he resorted to his favorite calling, that of agri- 
culture, which he has ever since pursued, and in 
which he has enjoyed signal prosperity. He was 
on the tract of land adjoining the Tuolumne 
River until 1865, when he located in this 
county. Here he first bought a farm of 160 
acres on the Freeport road, a part of tiie Win- 
ters ranch, where he made liis home about three 
years, then he moved down upon the Cosumnes 



lIWrOBY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



River and bought 540 acres near Benson's 
Ferry. In 1875 he moved upon the Lower 
Stockton road, adjoining the place of his brother, 
S. S. Slawson, and resided tliere live years; he 
tlien sold that place and moved further up, to 
Wliibky Hill, and bought a place there, occu- 
pying it two years; and in 1883 lie purchased 
his present place on the river road about four 
miles below the city, where he owns 156 acres 
of land as fertile as the valley affords, on the 
banks of the river. In 1866 he married Mrs. 
Catharine Kendall, nee Clingenpeel, a native of 
Dayton, Ohio, and a daughter of an old Vir- 
ginian. She was but five years of age when her 
parents moved with the ♦aniily to Fulton County, 
Illinois. She married William S. Kendall, and 
they came to California in 1857. After resid- 
ing in this State a few years they went back to 
Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, where Mr. 
Kendall died in January, 1863. By that mar- 
riage there was one son, William Smith Ken- 
dall, now residing in Sacramento. Mr. and 
Mrs. Slawson have an adopted son, named 
Cliarles fl. Slawson, who was born March 
15, 1876. 

fPIlENTIS SMITH, vice-president of the 
National Bank of D. O. Mills, was born 
'^ in the city of St. Louis in 1841, the son 
of Saul Smith, the distinguished actor, author 
and scholar, who died in 1869. The Smith 
family are eminently American; the father is a 
native of New York State, and grandfather 
Smith, a New Englander, took part in tlie Re- 
volutionary War, and was wounded at the battle 
of Bunker Hill. On the maternal side tiie 
family is almost equally well known, the mother, 
Elizabeth Pngstey, was a native of Westchester 
County, New York, and a member of the fam- 
ily of that name, who for generations have had 
their home on the banks of the far-famed Hud- 
son River. Brought up and educated in his 
native city, in early life he witnessed the dire 
sectional feelings and animosity developed by 



the Civil War. His experience as a financier 
and banker has been both comprehensive and 
varied, first as a bank clerk, and later on as 
cashier in the United States Sub-treasury in his 
native city, and as a private banker in Illinois; 
in these and other enterprises he has gained en- 
viable i-epntation as a financier prior to his com- 
ing to San Francisco in 1875. He there accepted 
the position of executive secretary and con- 
fidential factotum to D. O. Mills, and, when in 
1885 Mills withdrew his San Francisco office 
to the city of New York, Mr. Smith was invited 
to come to Sacramento, and, in conjunction with 
Cashier Miller, assume the management of the 
Mills bank, having been appointed to its vice- 
presidency. Mr. Smith was married in the city 
of St. Louis, in 1865, to Miss Alice Vaile, who 
is a scion of an old French family, and a worthy 
representative of her ancestry. Thej are much 
respected in Sacramento, and move in the best 
circles of society. 



fVAN MA REN, farmer, was born in Mer- 
ced County, California, August 5, 1861. 
® His father, a native of Holland, died in 
1876, at the age of fifty-four years. The son is 
now on a ranch of 600 acres, which is indeed a 
fine property. It is divided into five parts for 
his children. Mr. Van- Maren's wife, now de- 
ceased, was born in Germany and came to this 
country in 1850, and died August 16, 1879. 



fOSEPH SIMS was born in London, Eng- 
land, in 1832. His father emigrated to 
Canada a few months before his birth, and 
the mother followed soon after that event. 
Both died in Toronto, aged about si.xty-two. 
Wlien about thirteen years of age Mr. Sims first 
came to the United States, but soon went back 
and spent one winter at school to supplement 
the scant education of his earlier years. After- 
ward through life by reading and private study 



niSTOBY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



he has still farther supplied the negligence of 
liis boyhood in that regard. In 1847 Mr. Sims 
went to New York and enlisted at Fort Hamilton 
in the regiment of Colonel Jonathan Stevenson, 
now a resident of San Francisco. The original 
regiment had left in 1846 for California to take 
part ill the Mexican War in that quarter, and 
had arrived in 1847. The new recruits, about 
200 in number, reached Monterey in 1848, and 
Company D, Henry M. Nagley, Captain, of 
which Mr. Sims was a member, was sent by the 
same vessel to Lower California. They were in 
active service si.\ months. Company D was the 
last command to leave Mexican soil at the close 
of the war; left the field August 31; and were 
mustered out at Monterey in October, 1848. 
With his partner, Charles H. Ross, and several 
otliers, the subject of this sketch went to mining 
at Mokelumne Hill in Calaveras County. They 
crossed the San Joaquin at Stockton by the 
ferry, which was a mere whaleboat, requiring the 
taking to pieces of a common cart for shipment. 
Dissatisfied with results at Mokelumne Hill, 
they remained only a few weeks, and on Christ 
mas-day, 1848, Mr. Sims and Mr. Ross were on 
the Sacramento on their way to Sutter's Fort, 
with a light snow falling, the first they had seen 
in California; so the subject of this sketch ante- 
dates by at least a few days the earliest forty- 
niners, and he has never since been absent 
from Sacramento County for over three months 
at a time. In April, 1849, with his partner 
and about forty others, mostly ex-soldiers and 
Oregonians, Mr. Sims went up the American 
River. They had a brush with the Indians, who 
tried to raid their pack-stock, but the Oregon- 
ians, who had a special hatred of them, and the 
ex-soldiers constituted a very different party 
from what they had usually encountered and a 
few Indians were killed. AVhen they reached 
the diggings all seemed to be doing very well, 
some making eighty dollars a day, each, but the 
demon of unrest seized most of the party and 
after two or three weeks they went off looking 
for richer deposits. Mr. Sims and his partner, 
who was only two or three years older, did not 



feel it safe to remain alone, and Mr. Ross 
returned to Sacramento. Mr. Sims went forward 
toward Shasta with some others, but hearing un- 
favorable reports at Cottonwood Creek he too 
returned to Sacramento. In the autumn of 
1849 Mr. Sims and Mr. Ross located a few miles 
below Freeport, built a cabin, and cut some 
wood, but the flood of 1849-'50 swept all away. 
They concluded that it was not the proper sec- 
tion for their purpose, which was the raising of 
cattle, and they fell back to the interior, selling 
their claim on the river. In 1850 they took up 
a large body of laud, east of what is now some- 
times called Sims Lake, of which 1,100 acres 
were finally patented to them by the United 
States Government or the State of California. 
They were the first actual settlers for miles 
around, though some parties were temporarily 
occupying natural-grass lands in the neighbor- 
hood. The first year they too confined their 
labors to cutting the natural hay on their low 
lands; but soon varied their industries by rais- 
ing cattle, sowing grain, and dairying-. In 1860 
Mr. Sims bought his partner's interest, the 
whole having a frontage of about one mile on 
the lower Stockton road, about ten miles south 
of Sacramento, and running west to the lake 
already mentioned. Besides general farming — 
grain, hay, cattle and horses — Mr.Sims has thirty- 
four acres of vineyard, six of which were planted 
twenty years ago, thirteen in 1883, and fifteen 
in 1888. In 1877 he built a new residence of 
nine rooms, making a comfortable and well- 
appointed home in the midst of his vines and 
fig-trees. In 1860 Mr. Sims was married to 
Miss Mary L. Moor, April 13, 1835, a native of 
Bennington, New York, the daughter of Thomas 
and Mahala D. (Highley) Moor. The latter, a 
native of Connecticut, is still living in full pos- 
session of all her faculties at the age of eighty- 
three. Mr. Moor, who was a native of New 
York, died in 1864, aged about si.xty-five. The 
Moor family crossed the plains in 1854, settling 
in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Sims are the 
parents of three living children: Hattie May, 
born November 8, 1862; William Moor, July 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



30, 1865; Paul Revere, November 23, 1869. 
William M. took a full business course of two 
years at the Napa Collegiate Institute, and Paul 
R. is at present in the same institution, where 
he will graduate in May. Miss Hattie M. re- 
ceived a grammar-school course and also learned 
music. The family lived in Sacramento three 
or four years some ten years ago for the better 
education of the children. Mr. and Mrs. Sims 
and the two oldest children, are members of 
Sacramento Grange, No. 12, Mr. Sims being 
master in 1889. He is a member of the Pio- 
neer Society. 



fOHN T. STOLL, manufacturer of and dealer 
in saddles and harness. No. 610 K street, 
Sacramento, came to this city a poor boy; 
to-day he leads in his line of business, with a 
trade extending througiiout the Pacific coast. 
He was born in Ober-verrieden, Bavaria, Ger- 
many, January 6, 1843. His mother's maiden 
name was Margaret Ladeo. His father, Carl 
Stoll, and his grandfatliers for three preceding 
generations, were saddlers and harness-makers. 
Even before lie was six years of age he had 
learned to do some work in this line. Visiting 
at his grandfather's one day, the latter, who also 
carried on a shop, asked him if he knew any- 
thing about the business, and he replied, " Not 
much." Beinggiven the task of sewing a buckle 
upon a hame- strap, he succeeded so well as to 
elicit the praise of his. grandfather and uncle, 
who gave him presents of money as testimonials. 
At the tender age of fourteen years he embarked 
from Bremen for California, on the sailing ves 
sel Laura, with no money of his own but witli 
$500 in coin belonging to his uncie, to meet 
him here. He arrived at New York, and thence 
came by way of the Isthmus to San Francisco, 
arriving November 7. He worked steadily at 
his trade with his uncle at Stockton until the 
Fraser River gold mining excitement. He went 
there and worked in a liotel about three months 
and then returned to his uncle at Stockton. He 



soon earned enough at odd jobs to pay his uncle 
the $253 he owed him for passage money. In 
partnership with Charles Wagner, a newly 
formed but intimate acquaintance, he began 
buying mustang ponies. Starting to Sacra- 
mento with a load of leather, drawn by two 
mustangs, one of tiie animals gave out as they 
were crossing Dry Creek about twilight in the 
evening; and Warner, being taller and stouter, 
carried the leather across the creek on his back. 
When all were across it was quite dark. That 
night they obtained little or no sleep, but in the 
morning they found they had been lying beside 
a small building containing hay. Of this they 
gave a quanity to the horses and then lay down 
on the hay to finish out their sleep. By noon 
they found a farmer three miles distant, who 
came with his team to their assistance and 
helped them along until they were across the 
Cosumues River, receiving $2.50 for his reward. 
Arriving at this city Mr. Stoll liked tlie place, 
remained here and was employed by Wagner & 
Gehring in their saddle and harness shop, at 
$25 a month. Work becoming slack there in 
about six weeks, he had to find another place, 
which turned out to be at the shop of Samuel 
Roth, on J street, where he had great ambition 
to excel in his calling. The flood of 1861 sus- 
pended this establishment, and Mr. Stoll went 
to Stockton to visit his sister who had a short 
time before come over from Germany, and he 
worked for his uncle again for two weeks at 
from $18 to $21 a week. He was then per- 
suaded by a friend to try his luck in Calaveras 
County; but just before going there he re- 
ceived a letter from Mr. Roth, desiring him to 
return to him. He came here, but only to set- 
tle up with him, and he went again to tiie moun- 
tains to open up business, having only $60 in 
cash. His friend Charles Wagner and his 
brother lent him a stock of leather. As yet he 
was but eighteen years of age, and did not seem 
to be over fifteen. People coming in would ask 
iiim where the boss was. Tliis embarrassed him, 
but lie made his headway by doing good work, 
and in five months he was worth $600. He 



HISTORY OF SACRAMBNTO COUNTY. 



went to Murpliy, and soon all the men from 
Murphy to Silver Creek wei-e owing him from 
$10 to $40, making a total of $800. He in- 
vested in silver and copper stock, and in two 
years' time was worth a little over $1,500, and 
had spent nearly half of that amount in mining 
speculations. Tlie building of the Central Pa- 
cific llailroad checked his business, and after 
visiting, in company with his old friend Eber- 
hardt of Sac.amento, the mines of Silver Moun- 
tain, Carson and Virginia City, he returned to 
this place. Their trip through the mountains 
atid in Nevada was tilled with romantic inci- 
dents. J\lr. Eberhardt i)urchased the interest of 
Frank Geliring in the firm of Wagner & Geh- 
ring, and he wrote to Mr. Stoll, who had gone 
temporarily to Murphy's, to come down and buy 
out the. other partner. This being done, the 
business there was conducted by Eberhardt ife 
Stoll until 1867, when Mr. Stoll bought Mr. 
Eberhardt's interest, and he has since carried on 
the business alone. When he brgan alone here 
he employed but one workman and did only a 
retail business; he now employs forty men, and 
since 1885 has been doing an extensive whole- 
sale business. He manufactures his own stock, 
making a specialty of saddles, for which he has 
gained a wide reputation. His trade extends 
through California, Oregon, Washington Terri- 
tory, Nevada, Utah and Idaho. In 1865, when 
he came to Sacramento, he had but $850 in coin. 
He paid that as part of the purchase price 
($2,650), for Mr. Wagner's interest, giving his 
note for the balance; within a year and a half 
after that he had paid that balance. The year 
subse(|Uontly he bought out Mr. Eberhardt and 
still had money loft. Next he bought tiie 
building, and soon had that paid for. Mr. Stoll 
was married iu February, 1867, to Miss Orsillia 
Haag, a native of (icrtnany, who came to Amer- 
ica when a child of three years, her people set- 
tling in Ciucinnnti. She was left an orphan at 
an early age, and came to California with rela- 
tives. Mr. and Mrs. Stoll have four children, 
namely: John C, Albert G., Horatio F., and 
Edwin P. Mr. Stoll has long been connected 



with the Turn-Verein, of which society he has 
been leader and secretary. He is also a mem- 
ber of Sacramento Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., 
having passed all the chairs. 

'^■^^■^ 

fAMUEL M. HOOVER, deceased, was born 
June 5, 1828, in Blair (then Bedford) 
County, Pennsylvania, the son of Samuel 
and Elizabeth (Sprecher) Hoover. The former 
was born January 1, 1793, and the latter Octo- 
ber 21, 1798. They were married February 23, 
1819, in Lancaster County, Penns3dvania, both 
being natives of that county. The term of their 
married life extended over forty years. They 
removed from Lancaster County to Bedford, and 
afterward to Martinsburg, Blair County, where 
the subject of this sketch was born. In 1854 
they sold out and went to Illinois, locating on a 
farm in Whiteside County, adjoining the city of 
Sterling, where they made their home for the 
remainder of their lives. Mr. Hoover died July 
14, 1859, and his wife August 3, 1870. They 
were the parents of nine children, viz.: Catha- 
rine, George, Sarah, Samuel M., Louisa, John, 
David, Elizabeth and Henry. Excepting the 
eldest daughter, Catharine, all are living, and, 
with the exception of John and Louisa, are the 
heads of families. Samuel, our subject, was 
raised on his father's farm. The country there 
was new, and the children were brought up very 
differently from the children of to day, having 
to endure many hardships. Samuel Hoover had 
to walk three miles to school in the winters 
through the snow. In the summer they could 
not spare him, but kept him at home to work 
on the farm. When a boy, especially on wash- 
days, he was sent out into the fields to pick up 
stones and pile them in a heap, ready to be 
hauled away. Many times he has worked at it 
till his fingers bled. Often his lunch was sent 
out to him, in order that he would not bother 
the folks at the house. On cold, fi-osty morn- 
ings he was sent barefooted after the cows. 
These are oidy a few of his early experiences. 



IIISrORi' OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Poverty was not the cause of this, as his parents 
were considered to be rich and were prosperous 
farmers, but it was the custom of the country. 
All the lads of the neighborliood were brought 
up in the same way. He was a great help to 
his father in many ways when he grew older; 
lie assisted him in building their house, barns 
and other buildings. When he was twenty-one 
years old he determined to go West. He told 
his father, who tried to dissuade him, telling 
him that if he wished to marry and settle dowu 
he would give him a fine start; but young 
Hoover was determined to see more of the 
country. Accordingly his father gave him $300 
and told him to go and see for himself, and if 
he succeeded in finding a better country than 
Pennsylvania, the old gentleman might be in- 
*duced -to sell out and emigrate. In 1850 he 
started for Burlington, remaining about two 
weeks, then returned to Pennsylvania. He 
traveled all the way back by land. His route 
was to Rock Island, then across to Peoria; 
there took the stage for Indianapolis, the stage 
route being over corduroy roads. The passen- 
gers stood it as long as they could, then got out 
and walked into Indianapolis. At Zanesville 
they bought horses, and Mr. Hoover started 
down the turnpike on horseback, crossing the 
Wheeling bridge, and then on into Pennsyl- 
vania, arriving home after the hardest riding he 
ever did. The following spring he and his 
brother George started back for Iowa and Illi- 
nois, buying a couple of fine stallions in Penn- 
sylvania before starting, taking them to Illinois. 
On arriving there, George returned to Pennsyl- 
vania, and reported to his fatiier that it was a 
pretty good country, which was the cause of the 
old gentleman selling out and moving to Illi- 
nois. Samuel and George had arranged to go 
to raising horses in Illinois before George re- 
turned East, leaving Samuel there, where he 
remained till spring, and during that time made 
considerable preparations for going into that 
business. Then the California gold fever broke 
out, and he began making the arrangements 
necessary for a trip across the plains. He bought 



a wagon and four horses, and secured three pas- 
sengers who paid him $150 each for their pass- 
age through and board. Early in the spring of 
1852 they started from Council Bluffs, follow- 
ing the main road of travel via Salt Lake. They 
took in a few more passengers on the road, 
among whom were ex-Lieutenant-Governor 
Charlie Fish, and a man named Durgae. The 
wagon train they joined was commanded by 
Captain Conda, who had about forty men with 
him and a large band of horses. Mr. Hoover's 
and Conda's parties continued together until 
they neared Salt Lake, where they separated, 
Hocver going via Salt Lake, and Conda going 
by a northern route; some of Conda's men 
joined Hoover. The party stopped in Salt Lake 
City a week, taking in supplies. They finally 
continued their journey, and arrived in Califor- 
nia in August. At Ragtown Mr. Hoover sold 
his horses and wagon, with the exception of the 
stallion which he had brought all the way from 
Pennsylvania, and which was almost too weak 
to walk, to an old stage man named- "Bill" 
Hamilton, for $700. He received the payment 
in inch slugs, vYhich he packed on his person, 
as his horse was not able to carry them. At 
Mud Springs he sold the horse for $500. Then, 
unin»umbered, he returned to Placerville, and 
he and the man named Durgae took a contract 
for putting down a slide or siioot to pass lumber 
down to the ditch to build a flume. For this 
they received $500. He came to Sacramento 
and at last decided that he wanted a ranch. Ac- 
cordingly he and a Dutchman who had come 
out with him started for the Debago country, in 
the neighborhood of the red-woods. They found 
the people there very much averse to having 
any new-comers there, on account of the trouble 
they were having with the squatters' claims, 
and as he was very politely but forcibly re- 
quested by several men to leave, he concluded 
he had better do so; so, mounting their horses, 
he and the Dutchman came straight back to 
Sacramento. Not long after that he bought 
out a restaurant between J and K streets, which 
he ran two or three days, and finding it to be a 



HI8T0RT OF SAORAMENTO COUNl'T. 



good business, bought out another on Front 
street. Three weeks later the big tire of 1852 
came, and he was the loser by about $1,500, to- 
gether with the improvements he had laid out 
on the place. This left him only $400, $200 of 
which he gave to a man and commissioned him 
to go to San Francisco and buy a stock of cakes, 
cherry brandy, etc. When the goods arrived 
from San Francisco he was unprepared to re- 
ceive them, and as part of them were of such a 
nature that they had to be disposed of immedi- 
ately, he spread out his cakes on the top of his 
barrels, and sold out all except his brandy. He 
was well satisfied with the results. He then 
decided to try mining, and accordingly sent for 
his Dutchman and went to Sonoma. They 
v/orked two weeks and got nothing. Mr. 
Hoover iiad his own and his friend's expenses 
to pay; so wlien his funds were reduced to $20 
they started for Sacramento. Arriving at Stock- 
ton, he had but $5, not enough to bring them 
both to Sacramento; so he told his friend to 
work his way up. When he arrived in Sacra- 
nento he had but 25 cents in his pocket. With 
this he bought some pie, then crept into a hay- 
stack, where he spent the night, the first and 
last night he ever spent in a like place. Next 
morning he hunted up "Bill" Ilamiltoti, the 
man who bought his horses, told him he was 
"dead broke" and wanted a job. Hamilton 
took him to the Bee House, gave him his break- 
fast, and told the landlord to board liim as long 
as was necessary; then gave him two horses and 
told him to go to work for himself, and when 
he was able he could repay him. In the course 
of two weeks he had made $700, besides paying 
Mr. Hamilton. This was during the floods, and 
the streets of Sacramento were all afloat. He 
hitched his team to a boat and took passengers 
through the streets. This only lasted two 
weeks, and then the streets were once more tit 
for foot travelers. He then tried hauling freight, 
and continued until the railroad was built. 
Finally he purchased his present place of 1,200 
acres on the Cosumnes River, where he carried 
on a successful business, the ranch being fertile 



and productive. He was one of the largest 
hop-growers in the county; also raised grain 
and cattle. He owned another ranch of 1,600 
acres on the Sacramento River, which is devoted 
to stock-raising. He tirst commenced raising 
hops some eight or nine years ago. The year 
hops commanded such a high price he hauled 
the most valuable load ever hauled through the 
streets of Sacramento; it consisted of 105 bales 
loaded on four wagons, and drawn by nine 
mules and a horse. He took it to Front street, 
and delivered jiart of it to Booth & Co., and 
the rest to Mebius & Co. It brought $10,000- 
The home place is one of the tinest in the coun- 
try. The building is a handsome structure, and 
the place is kept in tirst-class order. Mr. 
Hoover was married April 18, 1861, to Marga- 
ret Van Zandt, daughter of John and' Lydia 
Van Zandt, all natives of Mitflin County, Penn- 
sylvania. She was born November 25, 1838, 
and resided in her native place till she was six- 
teen years of age; then she went to Huntingdon 
County to school, and afterward taught school 
as long as she was in that State. From Penn- 
sylvania she went to Illinois, thence to Missouri 
where she was married. She left there for Cali- 
fornia April 21, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover 
had one son, Ben Van Zandt Hoover, born No- 
vember 24, 1863. 






"^ 



fOSEPH F. STILL.— The parents of Mr. 
Still, Joseph W. and Rachel (Fugitt) Still, 
were Kentuckians. In 1807 they moved 
into Missouri and settled in the Boone's Lake 
country, now Howard (bounty. A few years 
later Mrs. Still returned to Kentucky on a visit, 
with two children, traveling all the way through 
Illinois and Indiana into Kentucky on horseback, 
in company with an old lady and a gentleman 
named Horn. She picketed the horses out at 
night. It was an exceedingly rough and ad- 
venturous journey ibr even a man to make in 
those times; but she belonged to that sturdy 
class of pioneers who were inured to hardships 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



and the wild experiences of a frontier life. 
While Mrs. Still was in Kentucky Joseph F.) 
the subject of this sketch, was born November 
18, 1812. As soon as she was able to stand the 
journey, Mrs. Still, now with three children, 
started on the same road back to Missouri on 
horseback. In Missouri, the settlers were few 
and they all had to use special means to pro- 
tect themselves against the Ir.dians. In the 
war of 1812, which was opening at this time, 
the Indians were in sympathy with the British 
and kept up their hostilities even after the war 
had closed; and during this dangerous period 
Joseph W. Still was killed in Randolph County, 
at a point to which he had followed the savages. 
When the subject was ten years old, his mother 
married a man named Brown, and then the 
. family moved into Clay County, same State, 
still further out upon the frontier, Missourian- 
like. At the age of eighteen Mr. Still started 
out in the world for himself, and hired out to a 
house carpenter to learn the trade, and contin- 
ued with him until he was of age. September 
12, 1837, he married Mary B., daughter of Rev. 
Thomas Turner, an old Baptist minister. Then, 
with his bride, he moved into the Piatt purchase, 
in Missouri, and lived at different places in that 
section, always keeping as far westward as he 
could get, until 1849, when he started for Cali- 
ibrnia, in a train with ox teams, crossing the 
Missouri River May 6. At noon the first day 
out they elected James Long as the captain of 
the train. They traveled up tlie Piatt River to 
the vicinity of the mouth of the JS'orth Piatt, 
crossed the South Fork by way of Ash Hollow, 
went up the valley of the North Piatt to a 
point near the mouth of Sweetwater, crossed 
the North Fork of the Piatt, traveled up the 
Sweetwater to the South Pass of the Rocky 
Mountains and on to the Big Sandy, where the 
road divided; one branch, known as the Fort 
Bridger road, leading to Salt Lake, and the 
other, "Sublette's cut-off." Taking the latter, 
via Fort Hall and Snake River, they came on to 
the long-looked-for point of destination. On 
rea-;hing Bear River, July 4, they fired a salute 



for American Independence. On the desert 
they passed two days and two nights with only 
a five-pound powder-keg of water. They reached 
Placerville August 28, 1849, after a long, tedious 
journey. Mr. Still then began making rockers 
for gold mining, tearing up his wagon bed for 
this purpose. He made $6 a day at this busi- 
ness. Within forty steps of where he was 
at work they were taking out pounds of gold 
dust, which was more than -he could stand ; and 
he commenced mining also, but without col- 
lecting much gold for several days. He mined 
in Placerville until February, 1850, when he 
went over to Canon Creek, El Dorado County, 
at a point called George's Flat and mined there 
with varied success. The best day's work was 
when three of them took out over $2,200. On 
the last day they took out $1,600. Then they 
sold out for $4,000 and settled on the D ranch 
in lone Valley, which point derived its name 
from a large brand they placed on their cattle. 
They arrived here on the 1st of July, entering 
the live-stock business. In October following 
Mr. Still returned to the East, leaving his in- 
terests here in charge of his partner. Taking 
steamer at San Francisco he reached Panama in 
twenty-one days, landed at New Orleans upon 
the Havana and arrived in Missouri after a voy- 
age of fifty-one days from San Francisco. On 
leaving the Golden Gate he turned around, 
waved his hat and bade good-by to California, 
feeling perfectly satisfied to return East and re- 
main there; but after he had spent two years 
in Missouri the excitement in the beautiful land 
he had left was too much for him, and he and 
his wife, in 1852, came again to the Golden 
State, overland, leaving the Missouri River May 
5 and reaching Sacramento August 27, making 
the same trip he had made in 1849 to a day. 
The first winter here he spent in a hotel which 
he rented called the lone. It was merely a stop- 
ping place, situated four miles east of Stanislaus 
River, on the Stockton and Mariposa road. 
Then he spent a year and a half at Redwood 
City. Moving back into Mariposa County, he 
remained there until the fall of 1856 and then 



JIISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



be located two and a half miles above Gait, on 
Dry Creek, wbere he now has a ranch of 500 
acres. Two years ago he moved into Gait. In 
1887 Mr. and Mrs. Still celebrated their golden 
wedding, having all their cliildren and grand- 
children excepting one with them; also one 
great-grandchild. In their own family were 
six children, two having died. They have 
tweuty-fonr grandchildren, and have had four 
great-grandchildren,, but only one is living. 



■>, .^..t.,r-^. r 



fAVID W. TAYLOIl, farmer, was born 
in Frederick County, Maryland, February, 
29, 1840, and in 1844 the family removed 
with him to Seneca County, Ohio, where they 
lived thirteen years. Thence they moved to 
Wisconsin, and two years later came to Califor- 
nia, arriving September 15, 1859, at San Fran- 
cisco on the steamer Boluck. He proceeded to 
the vicinity of Hangtown, where he worked for 
his brother, John B., one year on his ranch and 
then started out for himself. He purchased his 
present place in 1881, where he raises grain, hay, 
cattle and hogs. In 1863 lie married Emma 
Jane Thomson, who was born September 9, 
1845. The children are Clarence E., Frederick 
P., Budd II., and Edith M. 

fOHN RICHAUDS was l,„rn in Cornwall, 
England, August 20, 1826, his parents be- 
ing Charles and Honor (Warner) Richards. 
The father was a miner of metals — tin. lead, 
copper and silver, and also occupied a small 
farm. John received due initiation in both 
lines of work, and w'len he came to the United 
States in 1845 he naturally sought the lead 
mines of Wisconsin, seventeen miles from 
Galena, Illinois. When the gold fever broke 
out in 1848, he started with three fellow-miners 
and six ox teams for the new El Dorado. At 
St. Joe they were joined by three other Yonng 
adventurers, having each one ox team. Tliey 



left St. Joe April 7, 1849, and arrived at Dutch 
Flats on September 9, of the same year, and 
went to mining without delay. Mr. Richards 
struck a good claim, and took out $5,000 in six 
weeks. In his find was one nugget worth $252. 
In 1851 he went East, mainly for the purpose 
of getting married, and having happily fulfilled 
that errand he invested his money in cattle, 
which he drove across the plains with the help 
of seven men, in 1853. He purchased the 
squatter right of one McHenry for $1,500, but 
afterward relinquished it under the ^advice of 
John P. Rhoads rather than contest the Mexi- 
can grant to the Sheldon ranch, in which it was 
included. The administrator of the Sheldon 
estate, Mr. Gunn, obtained judgment against 
others, and he preferred to save the cost of litiga- 
tion. In 1855 he bought nearly 500 acres of 
the same estate which he still holds, and after- 
ward about 1,000 acres of Government land. 
He still owns some quartz mines in Am- 
ador County and has been from the first more 
or less interested in mining operations. About 
250 acres of his ranch are bottom lauds on 
the Cosumnes. He raises various kinds of 
fruit, but mainly for home use only, besides 
the usual grain crops and some cattle. Mr. 
Richards was married November 17, 1851, 
to Miss Elizabeth Mitchell, born January 31, 
1830, the daughter of Joseph Mitchell, a 
farmer of Lafayette County, Wisconsin. They 
are the parents of ten children, of whom two 
died in infancy and eight are living: Ellen 
Alrena, born November 2, 1852, now the wife of 
Mr. Lafayette Miller, teacher of the school near 
Cosumnes postoffice; Emily Jane, born Novem- 
ber 26, 1854, now the wife of Alexander Milne, 
for thirteen years foreman in the office of the 
San Francisco Bulletin; Annie Sopliia, born 
Februarj 8, 1857, now Mrs. Henry Band, of 
San Francisco; Lizzie Viola, born March 4, 
1861, now Mrs. William A. Johnston, Jr.; 
Charles Joseph, born May 30, 1863; John ^1.!- 
coln, August 22, 1865; Mary Hattie, January 
31, 1808, now Mrs. E. A. Piatt; William Free- 
man, December 22, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. 




-tl^aA^cc 



lUSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Richards made one trip East, with the Pioneer 
Society in 1869. 

^^.^^^^.^.^ 



A. GETT, Jr.— It would he indeed 
difticiilt to point to a better instance 
of what may be accotiiplished by a 
young man of pluck, perseverance and principle, 
than i.s presented in the life history ot the gen- 
tleman whose name figures at the head of this 
sketch. Although but twenty-six years of age, 
he has already risen, almost unaided and alone, 
to a position of ease and prominent rank in a 
profession where hard, honest work tells per- 
haps more surely than almost any other line of 
life, namely, the legal; that, too, from the nar- 
rowest circumstances of his early days, and 
against serious and discouraging obstacles. He 
is a native of Sacramento, has lived all his life 
in this city, and it would hardly be saying too 
much to state that he has not an eneinj^ upon 
earth. A genial, good-hearted, honorable, lion- 
est, hard-working and talented gentleman, in 
the truest sense of that word, he deserves every 
whit of his success, and tlie bright future that 
lies before him is amply due to liis energy and 
ability. As before stated, Mr. Gett was born 
in the city of Sacramento, the date being July 
11, 1863. His father is Captain W. A. Gett, 
once a prominent business man, and still a well- 
known and, although reduced, an honorable 
resident of this city. He is a veteran of the 
Mexican war, where he saw much active service. 
He was a native of Woodford County, Ken- 
tucky, ant! an intimate friend of J'oung Clay, 
who fell at the battle of Buena Vista. The 
(iett family is indeed one of the old families of 
Kentucky, having settled there in the early 
days. Upon his mother's side Mr. Gett is 
sprung from the old Rogers stock of Tennessee, 
a family well known and jirominent there. 
Captain Gett is a pioneer of the golden days of 
'49, and was at one time a !nan of wealth and 
[)Osition. Business reverses, more the fault of 
others than his own, overtook him, a di>aster 

38 



from which he never recovered. The subject of 
this article was reared and educated in this city, 
attending different private and public schools. 
For a time he devoted his attention to engineer- 
ing and surveying, but being naturally of a busy 
and aspiring turn of mind, soon abandoned 
those pursuits for the study of law. He entered 
the law office of Jones & Martin, well-known 
attorneys of this city, and two weeks after at- 
taining his majority passed a brilliant examina- 
tion before the Supreme Court of California 
during its term in San Francisco, and was ad- 
mitted to practice before the bar. He immedi- 
ately ''hung out his shingle," and by his quick- 
ness of judgment, legal skill and careful study 
of his cases, has won a position in his profession 
of which any lawyer of twice his age might be 
proud. He believes firmly in the dignity of his 
profession, and will never lower its standard by 
any act unworthy of an adviser. He owes his 
great success quite largely to the effective course 
pursued by him of singling out the most salient 
point of. his case, letting the rest go, and re- 
serving all his strength for that point. Mr. 
Gett is a Democrat of unwavering views. He 
has been tendered the nomination for many 
offices of responsibility and honor, but has 
always declined them, wishing first to win tlTe 
right of accepting office at the hands of the peo- 
ple by placing himself at the very lead in his 
profession. That the future has much in store 
for him we feel assured, for in the end offices 
of trust and responsibility always come to those 
who are worthy of them, whether they seek 
them or not. Mr. Gett has, nevertheless, been 
of great service to the party by taking the field 
and doing effective work as a speaker and worijer 
during several campaigns. As is natural with 
a gentleman of such an active disposition as 
Mr. Gett, he is a member of many beneficiary 
orders. He is a I'ast Bresident of Sacramento 
Parlor, N. S. G, W., and has been a delegate to 
several Grand Parlors. He has held several 
important commissions for the orderj at times 
of great responsibility. He has _ been First 
Chieftain of the Caledonian Association; is a 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



nnmber of the Masonic order, lidding at present 
an office in Tehama Lodge, and a member of 
El Dorado Ltdge, I. 0. O. F. It should be 
stated tliat he is tiie ordnance officer on the staff 
of the Colonel of the First Artillery Regiment, 
N. G. C. The subject of this sketch is a young 
bachelor. 

^-3-^¥ 

J^ENRY HOLMES, a farmer of Sutter 
|B\ Township, was born in Yorkshire, Eng- 
■^ land, February 26, 1829. His father, 
William Holmes, was a manufacturer of woolen 
goods in the old country, and also carried on 
farming. In 1842 he came to this country and 
spent a few months in Wisconsin: but, being 
sick while there he returned to England to 
spend the remainder of his days there. He 
was born in 1805, and died in 1880; his wife, 
Elizabeth, died in 1836, the mother of four 
sons and one daughter. Two of the family are 
now living, — one son in England, and. Henry, 
the subject of this notice. The latter in his 
younger days was an assistant of his father, 
both on the farm and in the woolen mill. He 
became an expert in spinning and dyeing, tak- 
ii?g charge of the business to a great extent dur- 
ing his father's absence. In 1869 he bade 
adieu to his native land. Coming to America 
he spent the first year in Indiana, and afterward 
was in JSew York State; followed his trade as 
dyer in both States. In 1878 he came to Cali- 
fornia, and soon purchased his present place of 
160 acres in Sutter Township, between the up- 
])er and lower Stockton roads. He has also an 
interest, with his sons, in a section of land in 
San Joaquin Township. In his undertakings 
here, also, he is in partnership with his sons. 
He has been a hard worker, industrious and 
economical, and has been quite successful. He 
had but §500 when he commenced here, nine 
years ago. He was married in 1852, in Eng- 
land, to Mary Woods, a native of that country, 
who died in. 1871, the motiier of six children, 
four of whom are now living, as follows: Emilyj 



wife of James Spencer; Eva, wife of George 
Beiley; Joseph, wlio married Carrie Rich; and 
James W., who married Flora Canlield. 



fllARLES SCHREINER was born in Ba- 
den, Germany, in 1826, of Michael and 
Katrina (Hummel) Schreiner. The pa- 
rents, with Charles and two other sons, came to 
America in 1849. Their son George had pre- 
ceded them in 1845, and a son and daughter 
remained in Germany. The family settled on 
a farm in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. George 
settled in Boston, but after some years came lo 
Wisconsin, and went into the boot and shoe 
business at Fort Atkinson. Martin, who came 
with the others in 1849, afterward became a 
contractor and builder in Milwaukee, and was 
killed by a tall from a building. The mother 
died in 1874, aged about seventy-five, and the 
father in 1879, aged eighty-five. The subject 
of tins sketch was in the grmy of the Grand 
Duke of Baden from 1846 to 1849, and fought 
on the side of Prussia in the Schleswig-Ilolstein 
war; but in 1849 Baden was opposed to Prus- 
sia. He came to California in 1852, and went 
to mining on the Middle Yuba for the three 
months, doing fairly well, but losing in later 
ventures all he had made. He then went to 
Marysville and worked on a steamer, which was 
blown up three months later, while he was for- 
tunately on shore through sickness. After 
getting well he came to the place he now owns, 
seven miles south of Sacramento, on the Free- 
port road, and went to work keeping cattle for 
the owner, a Mr. Blanchard, and in 1854 he 
bought the ranch comprising 160 acres. He 
also owns 320 acres near Elk Grove. He raises 
wheat and barley, and keeps a dairy of about 
thirty cows at the home place. In 1860 Mr. 
Schreiner was married in Sacramento to Miss 
Christina Klenk, a native of Wirtemberg, who 
died in August, 1887, aged forty-eight, and was 
buried in Sacramento. 'Three children survive 
her: Elizabeth, Charles, Jr., and Henry. Miss 



UISTOMY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Schreiner has a good district-school education; 
and Charles was graduated from the Sacra- 
mento Business College. Henry has taken a 
course in the California Institute for the Deaf 
and Dumb, receiving his diploma June S, 1886. 



»^,^^«f-,^*.-... 

WILLIAM ADLUM SCOTT was born 
in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 
9, 1833, his parents being James and 
Polly (Davidson) Scott. He was reared on his 
father's farm, and received the limited education 
of an occasional term in the district school. 
At the age of ten he hired out, driving horses 
and otherwise helping in farm work. In 1850 
or 1851 he became an apprentice to a carpenter 
in Manslield, and in 1852 went to Sandusky 
city, where he earned high wages at his trade, 
because of the cholera then prevailing, he hav- 
ing escaped the epidemic. March 26, 1853, 
he left Mansfield for Califoinia, by way of Cin- 
cinnati, St. Louis, Soda Springs, and Sublette's 
cut-off to the head of the Humboldt; down the 
river to its '-sink," and thence across the desert 
to Ragtown, ai-riving in this State August 12, 
and in San Jose September 2, 1853. He worked 
at his trade two months, but was taken sick and 
became unable to work. He moved to El 
Dorado County, and did a little mining and 
ranching until March 10, 1854, when he again 
went to carpentering on a job at Shingle 
Springs. On its completion he moved to the 
Cosn Mines, May 31, 1855, and was engaged in 
building irrigating wheels at intervals for five or 
six years, meanwhile remaining at a small ranch 
of about eighty acres, of J. C. Austin, in 1856. 
In June, 1857, he was married to Miss Zilplia 
Moore, a native of Indiana, and daughter of a 
school-teacher of tluit name, who taught for 
many years near Lafayette. Mr. Scott made 
his first purchase of land in 1869, about 160 
acres, since increased by later purchases to about 
500 acres. For some twelve years he made a 
specialty of the fruit business, raising some and 
also buying of others to sell to the trade, but 



general farming is his principal business. He 
raises some horses, cattle and sheep, besides the 
usual grain crops. He has an orchard of about 
1,000 trees, and has realized as high as $8,000 
f'som its product in one year, but for the last 
five years the sales have not reached ten per 
cent, of that amount in any one year. Mr. and 
Mrs. Scott are the parents of two sons, stilJ liv- 
ing: George W., born in 1858, and Lewis M. 
in 1860. They were divorced, and Mrs. Scott 
left August 20, 1884. She is now living at Se- 
bastopol with her two sons. In November, 1885, 
Mr. Scott married Mrs. Sarah Muse, born in 
Kelsey, El Dorado County, in 1860. They are 
the parents of two children: William, born 
August 10, 1886; and Ellen Jane, September 
7, 1888. 



^^-M^« 



fDWIN F. SMITH, Secretary of the 
State Agricultural Society, and a resident 
of Sacramento, is a native of this city. 
He was born in February, 1853, the son of 
Captain F. C. Smith and Augusta J., ?tee Petrie. 
Captain Smith was a native of Pennsylvania, 
but removed in early life to HopkinsviUe, Ken- 
tucky, where he resided for many years; he was a 
pioneer on this coast, coming here in 1849. Tlie 
first business enterprise which engaged the sub- 
ject of this sketch was selling papers on the 
streets of Sacramento. Next he worked on a 
farm in Colusa for three years. In 1866 he was 
sent to the high school in San Jose, and there 
remained for three years, and there it was that 
he obtained the education which has so well 
fitted him for the honorable position which he 
has since been called upon to occupy. Upon 
his return to Sacramento in 1869, he entered 
the service of the Pacific Union Express Com- 
pany, and later on was with Wells, Fargo & 
Company, in whose employ he continued for 
eight years. After a three-years experience in 
mercantile pursuits in this city, he became 
Secretary of the State Agricultural Society in 
1880, and has held this position since that time; 



HISTOMY OF SAOBAMMNTO C'OUIiTr. 



but in 1879-'80 he was Secretary of tbe Con- 
stitutional Convention, of wliicb body Hon. 
Josejb P. Hoge was President, and was Secre- 
tary of the Senate during the twenty-liftli and 
twenty-sixth sessions, and for the two extra se^- 
sio7is of 1884-'86. In 1876 be married Jeannie 
A. Miiir, a native Calilornian. They have two 
children: Ilabey Genery and Elsie. 

fllARLES H. JOLLY, grocer, Folsom, was 
born in Green County, Pennsylvania, June 
18, 1842, son of Titus and Eachel Jolly, 
the former of Scotch descent and the latter a 
native of Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Mr. 
Jolly never saw any of bis relatives, and does 
not know that he has any in America. He left 
home at the age of twelve years, went into 
Monongalia County, Virginia, and obtained 
such employment as he could, tbe first respons- 
ible position being that of salesman and deliv- 
ery boy in a cabinet and general furnishing 
store. Next he went to Hancock County, Hli- 
iiois, where he did carpenter work about two 
years; then he went into Kansas with a party 
of trappers, and sptnt tbe summer of 1857 in 
the Rocky Mountains. In 1858 be left La 
Harpe, Hancock County, Illinois, and came 
overland to this State with three others, one of 
1 hem being a brother. They crossed the Mis- 
!-ouri March 24 and came leisurely along, as they 
were traveling more for sport than to reach a 
certain point as soon as possible. They passed 
the time hunting, trapping and fishing, and 
reached California November 20. Mr. Jolly 
first commenced mining at Rattlesnake Bar, 
continuing in the business there and at other 
places for about a year; next he followed car- 
pentering at Auburn, Placer County, awhile; 
then he was at Folsom a short time: then 
clerked five years in the store of Bradley & 
Seymour; then he followed teaming again in 
and around Colfax, Dutch Flat, Alta, Gold Run, 
etc., f\)r two years. Selling out this interest, be 
went to Virginia City, and for two years pros- 



pected in tbe wilds in that part of the country, 
in company with two others. The next year 
he was in this State not doing much of any- 
thing, until finally he bought an interest in a 
grocery store in Folsom, where he carried on 
the business under the firm name of Smith, 
Bishop & Jolly. The second year Bishop sold 
to Campbell; the third year the stoie was con- 
sumed by tire. May 6, 1872, uninsured, and the 
firm lost about everything. Mr. Jolly then re- 
mained out of business for six or seven years, 
during which time be was clerking, speculating, 
etc., until 1883, when he again began regular 
business for himself, which he has carried on to 
tbe pres-ent time. He is a member of Folsom 
Lodge, No 109, A. O. U. W., joining the order 
in 1879. May 24, 1869. he married Miss Eve- 
line Heaton, a native of Peoria, Illinois, who 
came to California in 1852 with her parents. 
Her father, James Heaton, was a well-known 
pioneer of Folsom. 

fHOMAS J. THOMPSON was born March 
19, 1814, in Knox County, Indiana, his 
parents being Colvert and Jane (Mayfield) 
Thompson. The father was a shoemaker by 
trade and went to Indiana in 1822, settling 
finally in Vincennes, ihat State, where he died. 
He bad eleven children, four boys and seven 
girls. Tbe subject remained at home, working 
on his father's farm until twenty-one years of 
age. April 12, 1854, he started for California, 
crossing the plains with his family, seven in 
number; he arrived at Gold Hill, August 30, 
1854, after a pleasant trip. He went at once 
to mining, continuing the same for about eight- 
een months, bi.t not being successful, be came 
to Sacramento, remained but a short time, and 
then went to harvesting for Joseph Kerr. He 
saved $30 and concluded to go on a ranch, the 
$30 being invested for lumber with which to 
build their cabin, but it was not sufficient and 
the neighbors helped them out. The first year's 
crop consisted of fifteen acres of wheat, which 



lIlSl\)Rr OF SACRAMENTO COUh'TY 



was a good crop considering the dry season. 
Thus lie struggled along, but to-day is amply 
paid for his energy and grit. lie has one of 
the finest homes in the county, lie was inarriedi 
March 17, 1840, to Miss Mary Atin Earls, who 
died March 16, 1872, leaving five children, 
namely: Henry, Melissa, Isidore, Theodore and 
Alonzo. He was again married in 1872 to Miss 
Agnes B. Thornell. He has sixty acres devoted 
to general farming, seven acres to vineyard and 
about 200 peach and fi-uit trees. 



tON. GROVE L. JOHNSON, one of the 
leading members of the bar of Sacramento 
County, was born March 27, 1841, in 
Syracuse, New York, where his younger days 
were passed, his education obtained, and where 
he was admitted to the bar when but a little 
past his majority. At the age of fifteen years 
he was left an orphan, without means, and from 
that time forward has made his own way in the 
world, — much of it by "fighting," as he him- 
self expresses it; but his "fighting" has been 
in great part for his friemls and the city of his 
adoption. He began the practice of his profes- 
sion in his native city, but with such close ap- 
plication that his physical forces began to yield, 
and he saw the necessity of a change of climate. 
Accordingly, in 1863, he came overland to this 
State, by stage, being twenty-two days and 
nights on the journey. In 1865 he selected 
Sacramento for his residence. The next year 
he was appointed swamp land clerk of the board 
of supervisors of this county, an office he held 
for over seven years, though the political com- 
plexion of the l)oard was twice changed during 
that period; and since May 1, 1874, he lias been 
busily engaged as an attorney, and to some ex- 
tent in politics. In the fall of 1877, with his 
colleague, he was elected as a Republican mem- 
ber of the Assembly; and two years later he 
was elected to the Senate. In 1882 he was 
again nominated for the Senate, but by politi- 
cal maneuvering he was counted out. louring 



his term in the Legislature he came prominently 
to the front as an unyielding opponent of the 
so-called " gag-law," and contributed signally to 
its final defeat. As a member of the Senate he 
was chairman of the committees on the Chinese 
and Chinese Immigration, on irrigation, water 
rights and drainage, and a leading memher of 
those on judiciarj', education, the State prison 
and the State library. In reference to this 
period of Mr. Johnson's life, we will quote sub- 
stantially from the Evening Post of San Fran- 
cisco, published at the time: Fierce struggles, 
deadly conflicts, great indecorum, restless wait- 
ing, bitter complaining, exaltation, defiant toil, 
tender feeling have been that man's portion in 
life, as one will see through his strange voice. 
This characteristic voice accounts for much of 
his power over men. Men strike hands with him 
and swear to stand by him, because his voice tells 
tliem that he has lived their life of pain and 
conflict. But this same voice in bitter sarcasm 
vibrates like the sting of a bee. His intense 
nature is of course variable in expression. 
While he is affable and accessible to all, whether 
friend or foe, he can confront harsh natures and 
cold-blooded critics with an icy coldness; his 
inner man hibernates in an alabaster cave. A 
cold-blooded calculation might silently torture 
Johnson, but a thousand enemies could never 
move him from a position. In debate he is ut- 
terly irresistible; in retort he surpasses all the 
attorneys of the State; in fact, in sudden re- 
partee he is terrible. His industry is appall- 
ing, and he is evidently a man of destiny. For 
two terms Mr. Johnson was president of the 
old volunteer fire department, and took an act- 
ive |)art in the founding of the Exempt Fire- 
men's Association, in November, 1872. In 
1873 he became secretary of the association and 
served seven years; since then he has been its 
president. In the Odd Fellows' Order he has 
been grand representative to the Sovereign 
Lodge of America; of the Red Men, he has been 
grand sachem; of the Druids, past noble arch; 
of the Knights of Pythias, past chancellor; of 
the LJnitod Workmen, past masterworkman; of 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tlie Knights of Honor, past protector, etc. He 
was married at Syracuse, New York, in 1861, 
to Miss Anne de Monf'ridy, a native of Onon- 
daga Coutity, New York, and Mr. Johnson, 
after liis tirat trip to this State, returned via 
Panama for her, and brought her "West by the 
Nicaragua route. Their children are: Albert M. 
and Hiram W., associated with their father in 
legal business, and three daughters. 

— — €^->^'S^— — 



fEORGE W. MORSE, a farmer of San 
Joaquin Township, was born Angust 10, 
1838. His parents, Lyman and Harriet 
Morse, were natives of Vermont, and emigrated 
from New York State to Rock County, Wis- 
consin, in pioneer times, and remained there 
until the father's death, at the age of sixty-two 
years. He was a farmer by occupation, but was 
running a hotel at the time of his death, having 
leased his land. In his family were two sons 
and one daughter: Harriet, deceased: George 
W. and Lucien H. Harriet married Alonzo 
Bowman, and lias since died. George "W. is 
said to be the first white child born in that 
county. He was reared on a farm, and after 
the death of his father he went, at the age of 
eleven years, to live with Jerome Vaughn, and 
remained with him until he was of legal age for 
the transaction of business for himself. April 
10, 1860, he came across the plains and moun- 
tains to California with horse teams, and arrived 
in Sacramento September 1. The journey was 
a very pleasent one, the principal accident being 
a loss of five horses in a stampede. In the train 
were twenty wagons and about forty men, be- 
sides the women and children. On arrival here 
Mr. Morse at once began freighting from Sac- 
ramento to the mines, and followed that business 
ten years. The last trip was made from Elko 
to the White Pine country, where were mines. 
In 1870 he came down and settled in San Joa- 
quin Township, this county, on which there was 
not a stroke of improvement. Now his place of 
800 acres is one of the best in the county. He 



purchased the land in 1862, about nine years 
prior to his location upon it. It is about six 
miles from Elk Grove, eighteen from Sacra- 
mento, and three and a half from the upper 
Stockton road. Mr. Morse was married in Sep- 
tember, 1870, to Miss Emma Russell, a native 
of Arkansas. Her people came to this State in 
1860, locating in Sacramento. Mr. and Mrs. 
Morse have two sons and two daughiers: Eg- 
bert, born in April, 1877; Maud, June 14, 
1879; Archie, August 26, 1881; and Eva, 
July 12, 1885. 

fDOLPH JEAN, farmer, Brighton Town- 
ship, was born in France, December 29, 
a son of Frank and Francoice (Goubert) 
Jean. The former died in 1854 at the age of 
sixty-seven years, and the latter a few years later. 
They had four sons and three daughters. One 
of these, Adolph Jean, was brought up on the 
fari!i, and in 1867-'71 he followed farming on 
the Island of Jersey, near the coast of France, 
and then came to America, landing at Quebec; 
he worked on a farm near Toronto, Canada, four 
months; went to Detroit, where a friend helped 
him to obtain employment in the Saginaw lum- 
ber camps; but one winter's experience there 
made him long for California, and hither he 
came, stopping first in San Francisco a few days 
endeavoring to find work, but in vain. Coming 
on to this county, he immediately found employ- 
ment in Brighton Township, cutting and putting 
up hay, receiving $40 for the month he was 
employed. The gentleman who gave him this 
employment was John Boey, now deceased. The 
rest of the summer he worked in a hay press 
for Charles Baker, and during the winter worked 
upon a farm. The next season he was engaged 
by John Scofield, who bought Mr. Baker's place; 
next he was employed by Dr. W. S. Manlove, 
on his farm, until March 1 1874. During the 
twenty-two months he worked out he saved 
$900 from his earnings, and this capital enabled 
him at the date mentioned to rent the farm of 



inSTOltV OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



615 



Charles Baker. He remained on that place live 
years, when Mr. Baker was compelled to vacate 
the ranch. Mr. Jean then purchased the place 
where he now resides at $100 per aci'e, and 
during the last part of January he moved upon 
it into a small house iiastily put up. Ilis present 
handsome residence was erected three years ago. 
This farm contains sixty-six acres of as good 
land as can be found in the State. It borders 
the American lliver, and is on the Ooloma road, 
ninej^niJes from Sacramento. There are thirty 
acres in orchard, comprising prunes, ])lums, 
peaches, apricots and pears, and twenty-three 
acres in vineyard, in a good bearing condition. 
In September, 1888, Mr. Jean bought another 
ranch of 180 acres, on the Sacramento River, in 
Yolo County, above El Cajon. It is good pas- 
ture and dairy land. 



-^Mf. 



f^DMUNDG. MORTON^, Sr., is from " Rev- 
L olutionary stock." His father, William, a 
"I millwright and general mechanic, was 
born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, about the 
time of the battle of Bunker Hill. It is related 
of his grandmother that during the battle she 
had to apply to General Gates for permission 
to leave the city. The father, being a skilled 
workman, was in demand throughout New Eng- 
land for his services as millwright, which occu- 
pation he followed for many years. He died at 
Salmon Falls, New Hampshire, at an advanced 
age. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, July 24, 1824; 
attended the common schools of his native city, 
and graduated at the Berwick Academy in 
Maine. Not inheriting the mechanical genius 
of his father — whose mantle in this respect 
seems to have fallen upon iiis younger brother, 
Albert, now a resident of Florida — Edmund 
went to Boston, where his uncle, Edmund R. 
GritSth, was a dealer in paints and oils, and 
with him served an apprenticesliip; afterward 
he had charge of a portion of his uncle's work. 
In 1847 he started in his business for himself, 



in the same line, at the corner of Bedford and 
Columbia streets, and continued for six years. 
In May, 1852, he came to California, in the 
clipper ship "Stattbrdshire," Captain Richard- 
son, around Cape Horn, being 101 days on the 
journey. Captain Richardson was afterward 
wrecked on Sable Island, in 1856, losing both 
his ship and his own life. After his arrival in 
San Francisco, Mr. Morton suffered from ague 
for a considerable time. Before the expiration 
of the year 1852 he came to Sacramento, and 
after the tire erected a building at the corner of 
Seventh and J streets. The structure was 
hardly completed when the floods came and he 
lost every dollar he had. Returning to San 
Francisco, he engaged in the produce business for 
about a year. Then he went to " Indian Gulch," 
in Mariposa County, where his brother, James 
A., — who had come to the Coast in 1849, — 
was located as a trader, and joined him in busi- 
ness. Soon afterward they engaged together in 
mining on the Marseilles River and in assisting 
on the construction of a coffer dam of 1,200 
feet, which was destroyed by a storm about the 
time it was completed. In mining theiy suc- 
cess was varied. They then went to tj^e San 
Joaquin River and engaged in quartz mining for 
several years. Next, for the sake of better school 
advantages, Mr. Morton concluded to change 
his locality. At this time he had three chil- 
dren. Accordingly he came and purchased a 
ranch of 300 acres on the American River, moved 
his family there and thes engaged in farming 
until 1884, when he sold the place and bought 
a lanch of 500 acres near Hickman, five miles 
from Colusa. This ranch is peculiarly situated 
with regard to facilities for irrigation, and is 
devoted to the culture of alfalfa, which matures 
in about three weeks' time, by irrigation, giving 
an average of ten tons to the acre per annum. 
Mr. Morton's wife, nee Adaline Hicks, was a 
daughter of William Hicks, a farmer and trader 
of Yarmouth, Maine. Her granfather Hicks 
was one of the survivors of the battle of Bunker 
Hill, and was present at the dedication of the 
Bunker Hill monument in 1848. Mr. Morton 



HISTORY OF SAGRAMENTO COUNTY. 



has iive daughters and two sons. The second 
daughter is the wife of B. F. Howard, the 
superintendent of the schools of Sacramento 
County. The youngest daughter, Mollie, grad- 
uated at tlie high school, and is now at tlie State 
University at Berkeley, completing her educa- 
tion. The eldest son, Edmund, Jr., has charge 
of the ranch. 

^-m-^ ■ 

:1LLIAM ROBINSON GRIMSHAW, 
deceased, was born in the city of New 
Yiirk, his parents being John and Emma 
(Robinson) Grimshaw. The father was Englis^h, 
and of a family interested in manufacturing in 
Manchester. The mother was American for at 
least five generations, being of the Robinson 
family of Rhode Island. The father dealt in 
cotton or cotton goods and traveled much. 
William R. was taken to England when two 
years old, remaining three yeai-s, and again at 
the age of six, when he remained five years at 
school. Losing his father early in life, he was 
much indebted to Thomas Minturn, an uncle by 
marriage, for his support and education. On 
his return from England he was sent to Mobile, 
Alabama, where he lived four years in some 
school or college. Again returning to New 
York, he is known to have spent some time in 
Burlington, Vermont, and at some point in the 
interior of the State of New York, and again in 
New York city — in all six years, for the most 
part, as is supposed, spent in completing his 
education. Ho is also known to have been a 
drng clerk for a time before he came of age. At 
the age of twenty-one he " shipped before the 
mast" on the Isaac Walton, owned wholly or in 
jKirt by his uncle Minturn, and bound for Cali- 
fornia. Arriving at Monterey, he shipped on 
the Anita, a naval tender, which he left in Oc- 
tober, .1848, to accept the position of book- 
keeper for S. Brannan & Co. at Sutter's Fort, 
at a salary of $400 a month. In November, 
1849, he went into partnership with William 
Daylor, and kept a store on his ranch on the 



Cosnmnes. Mr. Uaylor died of cholera in 
1850, leaving no issue. In April, 1851, Mr. 
Grimsliaw was married to Mrs. Sarah P. 
(Rhoads) Daylor, the widow of his late part 
ner, to wliom she had been married four years 
before, at the age of seventeen. After some 
years they lived in Sacramento for a time, 
where Mr. Grimshaw was a law clerk with 
Winans & Hyerin 1857. By private study and 
from such experience of legal business as he had 
gathered in a law ofHceand his superior ganeral 
education he was deemed qualified to become a 
lawyer, and was admitted to the bar in 1868. 
He, however, quit the practice of law in the 
spring of 1869, not finding it as congenial as he 
had anticipated. He was a justice of the peace 
for fourteen years, and a teacher of the district 
school for six years, toward the close of his life. 
In 1876 he made a voyage to China for his 
health, but with no marked improvement. He 
died September 14, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Grim- 
shaw were the parents of twelve children, nine 
sons and three daughters, of whom seven, with 
their mother, are now living: William R., born 
March 31, 1852; Em ma G., November 26,1853, 
now Mrs. William D. Lawton, of Sacramento; 
Thomas Minturn, August 15, 1856; George R., 
October 8, 1858; John Francis, June 1, 1862; 
Frederick M., May 9, 1866; and Walter S., Janu- 
ary 15, 1868. The mother was born in 1830 in 
Edgar County, Illinois, being a daughter of 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Foster) Rhoads. She 
has been a resident of the Cosumnes, with hut 
little interruption, since the arrival in California 
of her parents, with their fourteen living chil- 
dren and two or three grandchildren, in 1846. 

.■■ ii'^i i i i rr^ i. ■■. 



ILLIAM R. GRIMSHAW, oldest child 
of William R. Grimshaw, Sr., was bcrn 
in Sacramento, March 31, 1852. He 
was educated in the district school, also to some 
extent at home by his father, and in no small 
measure by self-education in later years. At 
the age of fifteen he began to help on the family 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT T. 



ranch, and lias ever since been engaged in farm- 
ing, lie now owns a very comfortable home 
and a small farm of forty acres, to which he gives 
his undivided attention. He was married in 
July, 1877, to Miss Alice Bean, a native of Mis- 
souri, but who was reared in this State, and is a 
daughter of Russell T. Bean. They are the 
parents of four living children: Emma, born 
February 7, 1880; William R., December 5, 
1881; Sarali, April 17, 1884; Agnes, July 11, 
1887. They lost their first born in infancy. 

^\LTER ABOILE MILLER was born 
October 9, 1833, in Onondaga County, 
New York. His boyhood was spent on 
the liome farm. In 1846 when he was thirteen 
years of age, the family moved to Wisconsin 
and located in Walworth County, in the south- 
ern part of the State and adjoining the Illinois 
line, where they remained four years; thence 
to Columbia County near Ft. Winnebago, where 
Mr. Miller, father of Walter, bought 260 acres 
of land, and here they remained until 1860. 
The family emigrated to California in 1863 with 
the exception of one daughter. After seeing 
the family located, H. D. Miller returned 
to AVisconsin, settled his business there and 
returned, bringing with him the afore-mentioned 
daughter. On reaching California, AValter M. 
carried on the business of hauling freight from 
Sacramento to Placerville (then known as Hang- 
town) for two months. He then had sufficient 
money to purchase the necessary implements to 
start in farming, and provide for the family 
who, during this time, had no special place of 
residence or ready means to live on. For the 
first two months he rented land in Brighton 
Township, but in the spring of 1862 he and his 
brother, W. B. Miller, bought a squatter right 
to 160 acres of land and worked it together for 
two years, up to 1864, when W. B. Miller re- 
ceived a title to it from the Government. W. A. 
Miller bought and moved upon land adjoining 
it, and afterward found it to be railroad land 



and received title from the railroad company to 
320 acres. Of this Mr. H. D. bought eighty 
acres, paying the same price for it as had been 
paid to the railroad company. Walter A. 
bought 160 acres more in 1875, making 400 in 
all. The farm is about one-half bottom land, 
of a dark loamy soil, particularly adapted to 
fruit and grapes; twenty acres are planted in 
orchard consisting of a general variety of fruit; 
thirty acres with grape, all in heavy bearing, 
there being some vines that have yielded 150 
pounds to the vine; 100 of the vines are twenty- 
seven years old. For about seventeen seasons 
Mr. Miller had run a machine, the first six or 
seven seasons with horse power, and since that 
time steam power has been used. He has 
threshed from the Joaquin pretty nearly to the 
Red Bluff. He was married in Syracuse, New 
York, August 22, 1871, to Miss Florence H. 
Hall, a native of Syracuse and daughter of Upson 
S. and Jane C. Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Miller 
have two children: Carolina A., born May 29, 
1872, wife of Frank Dahn; and Leroy H., born 
October 8, 1875. 



|EORGE BUCKMAN GREENE was born 
in Leesburg, Virginia, March 4, 1849, his 
irents being Josiah B. and Caroline 
(Beale) Greene, natives of New Hampshire. 
The father was in the jewelry business in Lees- 
burg for some years. In the winter of 1849-'50 
he came to California, but returned East in 1852 
and brought out his wife and child. In due 
time the boy attended the district school and 
afterward a private school at Petal urn a. As he 
approached his majority he became familiar 
with the farm work and dairy interests of his 
father. He went into business on his own ac- 
count in 1871, renting his father's dairy farm. 
He owns the place he occupies, which he bought 
of his father in 1886, and of whicli he received 
the deed two years later, having been on the 
place since 1877. It contains 114 acres, with a 
very neat home and well-kept grounds. Sixty 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNT)/:. 



acres are orchard, on which he raises pears, 
peaches and apricots, a few cherries and plums. 
Ten acres are devoted to vegetables, and the re- 
mainder is tule or swamp land, of which some 
fractional parts are being reclaimed from 3'ear 
to year. Mr. Greene was married January 1, 
1875, to Miss Alice Stanley, a native of Cali- 
fornia, daughter of liarvey and Harriet (Hoag- 
land) Stanley. The father was born in Vermont 
in 1812, came to California in 1849, and died 
in 1862. The mother is still living. Mr. and 
Mrs. Greene are the parents of two boys: George 
Albert, born in August, 1876; Arthur Edison, 
March 16, 1885. A pretty and well designed 
two-story house, with carefully kept grounds 
and neatly trimmed hedges, constitute the home 
of the Greene family. Mr. Greene is a school 
trustee and a member of the Board of Swamp 
Land Trustees in District No. 150. He is a 
man of special talent in the line of mechanics 
and engineering. Without any formal training 
or apprenticeship he has constructed a small 
steam launch, which is the pride of this section, 
and of which he is the able commander and 



..^ 



|mLBERT De FOREST MILLER, faVmer, 
1^1 Brighton Township, arrived here with his 
^P father, Henry Miller, October 12, 1860. 
He was born in Onondaga County, New York, 
February 7, 1844. His father was also a native 
of New York and his mother, nee Julia Adams, 
was a native of Connecticut. In 1846 his parents 
emigrated to Walworth County, Wisconsin, and 
in 1848 into Columbia County, that State, in 
which county one of his ueighbors, G. W. Scott, 
was keeping a general store, and is now a promi- 
nent citizen of Yolo County, living two and a 
half miles from Madison, having come to this 
State in 1851. The Miller family, numbering 
thirteen individuals, came to California overland 
with five wagons. Leaving their Wisconsin 
home May 7, 1860, they arrived in this county 
October 12 following. In the party were W. \\. 



Miller with three children, now living in Ven- 
tura County, this State; and one married sister, 
Mrs. James Powderly, with husband and three 
children. On his arrival here, Mr. Miller, Sr., 
located in Brighton Township, renting two 
years. In * the winter of 1862-63 he re- 
turned East for a year, and from 1864 till his 
death made his home here. Both finished 
their days at the residence of their son, the 
subject of this sketch. Their children wei-e: 
W. B., now of Ventura County, a farmer and 
stabler at times; Mrs. Schaper, whose sketch 
appears elsewhere; W. A., who lives in Brighton 
Township; Sopliia, who first married Mr. Pow- 
derly and afterward Mr. Towusend, and is now 
deceased; Allen De Lorin,of Sacramento; Sarah, 
who died in New York State between two and 
three years of age; the next in order of i)irth 
was the subject of this sketch; Sanford De 
Lorin, who died in Wisconsin, at the age of 
fifteen years, from poison given ignorantly by a 
drunken physician; George Alonzo, residing 
near Yreka, this State, when last heard of, 
about ten years ago. Frederick, a farmer in 
Oregon ; Miner Adelbert, a farmer in El Dorado 
County; Henry, living at Salmon Falls, same 
county, also a farmer; Josephine Elizabeth, wife 
of Henry West in Sacramento; and Sarah, 
now the wife of Charles Robinson of Sacra- 
mento. When his father went Jiast, the sub- 
ject of this sketch was left in charge of the 
family, all younger than he, farming on the 
river near Brighton. During the flood of 1861 
-'62 he was on a piece of land rented from Mc- 
Cloy of Sacramento. A wind moved the house 
ten or twelve feet, upsetting everything within 
and carrying the kitchen fifty yards away, but 
injuring no one, although eight persons were 
in the house. They were rescued by boats. Mr. 
Miller plowed and sowed between floods and 
raised 1,700 bushels of wheat and barley that 
season, hauled it to Folsom and sold it at the 
low rate of seventy-five cents a cental (100 lbs.). 
In 1862 he moved upon the farm of A. B. 
Davis just south of Brighton. From 1863 to ■ 
1867 he followed teaming, using six horses to 



HISTORY OF SAVRAMENTO COUNTY. 



619 



tlie wagon. In 1864 Mrs. Bennett, now Mrs. 
Schaper, came here a widow from Wisconsin 
with four cliildren, making the fainily to be 
supported aljout thirteen in number. That year 
he was cultivating ItjO acres, and it proved a 
liard year, tlie barley yielding only twelve 
bushels to the acre and bringing only four and 
a half cents a pound. During the fall of that 
year he worked on the canal in Yolo County, 
employing two teams; but, finding it nnremu- 
nerative, quit it at the end of si.xty days. In 

1866 hepurehased eighty acresof land in Brighton 
Township, built a house upon it and followed 
fanning and teaming for others. In the fall of 

1867 his mother died. Afterward he followed 
his agricultural pursuits and speculated in live- 
stock, hay, etc., and made money, — the founda- 
tion of his present good fortune. In 1868 he 
rented 320 acres in Yolo County, which he also 
cultivated. His farm in Brighton Township now 
consists of 240 acres, largely devoted to stock- 
raising. December 28, 1868, he married Mrs. 
Margaret J. Lea, who was born on Prince Ed- 
ward's Island July 4, 1848, reared in Boston, 
Massachussetts, and came to California in 1862. 
By lier first husband she had one daughter, in 
1867, named Annie R. Mr. and Mrs. Miller 
have five children, besides one who died in 
childhood, namely: Mina Alberta, born Novem- 
ber 13, 1869; Arthur Eugene, February 27, 
1872; Amy Elizabeth, July 23, 1874; Bertha 
Belle, September 9, 1877; Ruby May, who died 
February 19, 1885, aged twenty months; and 
Leland Stanford, born January 27, 1886. 



^ENRY WILLIAM MYERS was born in 
|m^ Hanover, Germany, February 22, 1834, 
^M his parents being Henry and Josephine 
(Klingenberg) Myers, originally Meyer. The 
father died in 1847, aged fifty-two. Grand- 
father William Meyer reached the age of 103, 
and his wife was nearly eiglity. H. W. Myers 
while quite young went to live with his father's 
brother, Frederick. He received the compul- 



sory education of that country, and learned 
farming with his uncle. In 1854 he came to 
this country, where his first employment was as 
a farm hand on Long Island. In 1855 he moved 
to Ohio, where he worked two years, and on 
March 10, 1857, he left New York for Califor- 
nia, coming out by the Panatna route. On his 
arrival on this coast he tried mining for one 
month, and on June 15, 1857, he catne to work 
on Grand Island at $45 a month, on the ranch 
he has now owned for a quarter of a century. 
They raised vegetables chiefly, the soil yielding 
heavy crops, for instance 11,000 sacks of pota- 
toes, of 140 pounds to the sack, on forty-five 
acres. After eight months he bought, in part- 
nership with another, a place on Sutter Island 
for $700, which he worked three years. In 
1864 he rented the 250 acres on which he now 
lives, and bought it in 1865. In 1866 he paid 
a visit to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he had some 
relations, and was there married to Miss Sophia 
Kruhoff, also a native of Germany. On his re- 
turn he was accompanied by his brother Fred- 
erick, to whom he sold seventy-eight acres of 
liis ranch, reducing his own holding to 178 
acres. Some twenty years ago he began to 
plant fruit trees, and has now about forty acres 
in orchard, besides fifteen acres on his 120-acre 
ranch on Miner Slough in Solano County. The 
greater part of his home place has been over- 
flowed since February, 1881, but the levee now 
being erected or repaired will, it is to be hoped, 
soon make overflowed lands on Grand Island a 
thing of the past, and transform its whole area 
into one of the garden spots of the earth. Mr. 
Myers built the present house, a comfortable 
and substantial residence of eight rooms, in 

1876. Besides his ranches he owns considera- 
ble realty in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. 
Myers are the parents of four living children: 
Louis William, born October 27, 1869; Edward 
Henry, September 21, 1871; • Dora Sophia, 
March 4, 1873; Wilhelmina Carolina, June 12, 

1877. The sons are now following a course at 
Atkinson's Business College in Sacramento, and 
the elder daughter is at the Irving Institute in 



UISTORT OF SAaUAMBNTO COUNTY. 



San Francisco. Miss "Minnie" is making the 
most industrious use of the local district school, 
to be followed in due time by a higlier educa- 
tion. 



tlCHARD J. MQUPHY, Captain of the 
guard at the Folsom State Prison, was 
born in San Francisco, September 4, 1854. 
His father, James Murphy, was a native of Ire- 
land, who emigrated to the State of New York 
about 1845, and resided in Troy. In 1854 he 
came to California by the Nicaragua route, 
landing in San Francisco in February of that 
year. After remaining there for nearly a year 
he went to the mines, lirst at Prairie City for a 
siiort time, and then to Weber Creek, El Dorado 
County, about iive miles from Coloma. He fol- 
lowed mining and raising cattle, taking land 
under the homestead law and also buying some 
from the railroad company. He is still raising 
cattle, and even raining to some extent. He 
and his sons are the owners of about 1,000 acres 
of land altogether. He was married in 1852 
to Catharine O'Connor, who was born in Ire- 
land, but brought up in New York. She died 
in El Dorado, in June, 1872, at the age of forty- 
three years. In their family were five children, 
viz.: llichard J., George Henry, James, Mary 
and Francis. Mary is the wife of Henry Kipp, 
guard at the Folsom State Prison, and the otliers 
are residents of El Dorado County. After the 
death of his mother, Mr. Richard J. Mnrphy 
was clerk in a grocery in this city about two 
years, and for the ne.xt five years was employed 
at the railroad shops, in tlie boiler department, 
under Charles Shields, foreman, and completely 
learned the trade. When work in the shops 
became slack he went to mining in El Dorado 
County and working on the ranch, having an 
interest in two pieces of land, amounting to 160 
acres. In July, 18S0, when the State Prison at 
Folsom was completed, he took the position of 
guard, and served in that relation all tiirougii 
Tiiomas Peckraan's administration, then warden. 



When McComb had charge of the prison he 
was made driver of the prison wagon between 
Folsom and tiie prison; next for about two 
months he was gate-keeper; then turnkey for 
three or four months; next Lieutenant of the 
guard two years; finally, v/hen Charles Aull be- 
came warden, he was promoted to his present 
position as Captain. He is a member of tiie 
order of Native Sons, and of the Young Men's 
Institute. Politically ho is a Republican, taking 
an active interest in public aifairs. He was 
married in March, 1883, to Mrs. Mary Milroy, 
a native of Canada, who has lived the most of 
her life in Folsom. She hid one son by her 
former marriage, Arthur Alilroy; and by the 
present marriage there is one daughter, Martha. 



— ^-m-^ — 

fllOMAS MOORE TAVERNER was born 
in England, April 5, 1833, his jiarents 
being George and Susan (Moore) Taver- 
ner. The father lived to the age of eighty-five. 
Reared (m his father's farm, Thomas received a 
limited education. In 1856 he emigrated to 
Canada, and went to work on a farm. In 1859 
he came to California, and hired out on a farm 
near Elk Grove, remaining in that neighbor- 
hood until 1865. In the spring of that year he 
engaged in sheep-raising, in partnership with 
John Richards. In 1867 they divided the 
stock, and Mr. Taverner bought 1,100 acres of 
the Hartnell grant, and took his brother George 
into partnership in the sheep-raising business. 
In 1871 he purchased 1,700 acres, also of the 
Hartnell grant, and in 1874 they divided and 
traded some lands, leaving Thomas M. about 
2,200 acres in one body, witli about twelve 
miles of outside fencing. Early in 1888, in 
partnership with Edward Lyons, he bought the 
Cave place of 544 acres, making him owner of 
about 2,500 acres. This partnership still con- 
tinues, and he conducts the sheep industry and 
raises all kinds of grain crops and alfalfa. He 
could raise fruit, Init not to advantage, through 
lack of railroad facilities to take them to mar- 



HISTUKY OF HACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



iet. Mr. Taverner ■was married in England 
in 1854, having by that marriage one son, who 
afterward came here, but \v;is accidentally killed 
in 1878, being run over by a loaded truck he 
was driving. On September 26, 1874, Mr. 
Taverner was n)arried in Sacramento to Miss 
Anne Hirst, a native of Ei.gland, and daughter 
of Eobert Hirst, an engineer. Mrs. Taverner's 
maternal great-grandfather, Richard Scholfield, 
of Burnley, lived to the age of 101 years and 
nine months. He was at one time a sea-cap- 
tain, and later in life a book-collector. She has 
in her possession one of those old treasures 
from his library, Josiah Burchett's "Complete 
History of the Most Eemarkable Transactions 
at Sea." London, 1720. Mr. and Mrs. Taver- 
ner are the parents of four children: John 
Thomas, born in ISI'o; George Moore, in 1877; 
Mary Ellen, in 1879; and Etfie May in 1881. 

-^-^*^«f-f--- 



fEORGE TAVERNER, a prosperous and 
worthy farmer of Lee Township, was born 
in Devonshire, England, in 1841, being 
the son of George and Susan (Moore) Taver- 
ner. He received but a limited education, en- 
gaging at tlie age of seventeen in the trade or 
business of a butcher, which he followed in 
England until he was twenty-three. In the 
spring of 18G4 he emigrated to America, and 
went to Lawrence, Massachusetts, where lie 
followed his old line of business for one year. 
In 1865 he was employed in the Pacific Mills, 
where he worked at running a printing ma- 
chine for about two years. In 1867 he came to 
California by the Isthmus route, and again re 
turned to his original business in Sacramento 
for one year. The ne.xt two years he tended 
sheep for Martin Monsch on the Laguna, work- 
ing for wages. In the spring of 1870 he pur- 
chased a half-interest in his brother's flock of 
1,400 sheep. Tiiey also bought 2,144 acres of 
uplands for grazing. In the fall of 1873 he 
sold his share, 2,400 sheep, and his lialf of the 
land. For eight years he traded in mutton and 



beef, renting his present ranch for the last half 
of that term. In 1881 he purchased it, being 
900 acres, which he has since increased to 1,600, 
all in one body. He also rents three sections 
of land from Mrs. Monsch, and 1,100 acres 
from Mrs. Miser, — all for sheep pasture, having 
generally from 3,000 to 4,000 head, and has 
had twice as many in years past, when the 
business was better. He also raises horses, 
keeping seventeen to twenty head. In 1888 he 
sold ofl' his cattle, finding they did not do well 
with sheep. Of the home ranch 180 acres are 
bottom lands on the Cosumnes, on which he 
raises ali'alfa and corn for feed. He employs 
five shepherds and farm help as needed. In 
1883 he went to England, and was there mar- 
ried, in August, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Berry, 
a daughter of JSTathaniel Berry, of Westcot 
Farm, Devonshire. Mr. Berry is still living, at 
the age of seventy-one, and has one sister liv- 
ing, who was born about 1815. Mr. and Mrs. 
Taverner are the parents of two children: Mary 
Josephine Victoria, born September 30, 1884; 
and Frances Kate, born February 13, 1889. 
Mr. Taverner has been since 1883 a trustee of 
the Wilson school district, in which he resides, 
and he is also clerk of the board of trustees. 

ILLIAM H. XICIIOLS, of Folsom, 
was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, 
July 16,1848. In 1856 the family "re- 
moved to New York city, and lived there five 
years, and then came to Placer County, in this 
State, and soon afterward to Folsom, where 
William H. was engaged by the Sacramento 
Valley Railroad Company, headed by L. M. and 
J. P. Robinson. He was in their employ twenty 
years. Since then he has followed blacksmith- 
ing and draying. In his shop he employs four 
men, one wagon-maker and three horse-shoers. 
Eli L. Nichols, father of William, was also born 
in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and died in Folsom 
April 6, 1888; and his mother, Lucy N., was 
fifty-six years of age when she died, in March, 



UIHTORT OF tiAGRAMENTO COUNTY 



1881, also in Folsoin. August 21, 1869, Mr. 
Nichols, the subject of this paragraph, married 
Christina Wagner, a native of Pennsylvania. 
The names of their seven children are, Lena W., 
Willie, Charlie, Maud, Lawrence, Bertie and 
Minnie. 



fDWIN C. HOPKINS, referred to in the 
following sketch, is a gentleman of ster- 
ling integrity and marked business ability. 
He was born in Cambridge, Vermont, where he 
received his early education in the common 
schools. He started out in life as a farmer, but 
soon afterward became a clerk in a general 
store. February 22, 1869, he came to Sacra- 
mento and joined his brother in the news and 
book store, and was his successor at the same 
stand until 1886, when the present partnership 
was formed. He takes a prominent part in 
social affairs, being a Freemason, a member of 
Sacramento Lodge, No. 140, also of Royal Arch 
Chapter, No. 3, of Council No. 1, of Com- 
mandery No. 2, of Unity Lodge, No. 2088, K. 
of H., of Sacramento Lodge, No. 11, K. of P., 
of Capitol Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F., and of 
Red Cloud Tribe, No. 40, L O. R. M. 



"^"^^ 



fS. HOPKINS, senior member of the firm 
of Hopkins & Pro., dealers in wood and 
® willow ware, 311-313 J street, Sacramento, 
is a veritable son of New England, possessed of 
ail the versatility, energy and pluck so charac- 
teristic of New England people. He was born 
March 21, 1837, at Cambridge, Vermont; his 
father, S. F. Hopkins, was a merchant; his 
mother's maiden name was Harriet Austin. The 
family is clearly of Welsh origin, and the direct 
line of ancestry can be traced back to the May- 
flower. Stephen Hopkins was one of the sign- 
ers of the Declaration of Independence. The 
.suUject of this notice was educated at Georgia, 
I'raiiklin County, Vermont. At the age of six- | 



teen years he began teaching school, in his na- 
tive town, and later at Grand Isle. In 1854 he 
emigrated to Crete, Illinois, a few miles south 
of Chicago, and taught school there four years. 
Thence he went to Blackjack and Cottonwood, 
Kansas, and was on hand to participate in the 
Kansas troubles in 1856-'57, between the settlers 
and the border ruffians. Returning to Vermont, 
he was employed in a bookstore at Burlington, 
and in 1861 enlisted from Burlington as a pri- 
vate in the First Vermont Infantry, going out 
with the three-months men, to Newport News. 
He participated in the disastrous battle of Big 
Bethel, and at the expiration of his term of en- 
listment was honorably discharged and returned 
to his home in Vermont. In 1862, when twenty- 
five years old, still unmarried and unsettled in 
life, he determined once mere to strike out for 
the far West, and came to the Golden State. 
Embarking on the steamer Ariel, he came by 
M'ay of the Isthmus, arriving in San Francisco 
June 30, 1862. His first enterprise was the 
management of a dairy ranch which he owned 
in Marion Count}'. This he sold in 1863, and 
he went to the Forest City mining district and 
engaged in dairying, saw-milling and mining. 
After a time he quit all these and resumed 
school-teaching, first in Solano County and 
afterward in Bloomfield, Sonoma County. In 
1865 he became a member of the Maine Prairie 
Rifles in Solano, and was First Lieutenant ot 
that organization. Was justice of the peace 
in 1866-'67. February 4, 1868, he came to 
Sacramento and started a news office and book- 
store, and continued in this line for ten years; 
then, in 1878, he sold out to AV. A. and C. S. 
Houghton, who continued the business. Soon 
afterward he engaged in the wood and willow 
ware trade, in company with U. C. Billings- 
by. In 1886 his brother, E. C, succeeded Mr. 
Billingsby. Mr. Hopkins entered public life 
in 1876, as county supervisor for the unexpired 
term of J. A. Mason. Was a school trustee 
until 1888, aiid a director of the Free Library for 
five years. Is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 4, 1. 
O. O. F. ; a past president of the Society of 



IIISTOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Veteran Odd Fellows; a member of Sumner 
Post, No. 3, G. A. R.; of Sacramento Lodge, 
No. 80, A. O. U. W.; of Unity Lodge, No. 
2088, K. of H. ; was president of the first Im- 
migration Society, wliich was organized in 1878, 
and two years afterward was merged into the 
Central and Northern, and of which he was 
president for two years; was also, in 1886, one 
of the founders, and lias been a director up to 
this time, of tlie Sacratnento Improvement As- 
sociation; and also was one of the original 
members and directors of the Sacramento Board 
of Trade, and since then chosen to the same 
position. Mr. Hopkins was married April 17, 
1868, to Miss Harriet Hewes, daughter of Jona- 
than Hewes, of Vermont, and a descendant of Cy- 
rus Hewes, who also was a signer of the Declara- 
tion of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins 
have three children: Stephen I., Grace E. and 
William. Such, in brief, is the outline of the 
busy life of one of Neft' England's sons. 



IgROFESSOR CHARLES A. NEAL, leader 
f^ of the First Artillery Band, is a native of 
^C London, England, where he was educated. 
Very early in life he exhibited a peculiar fond- 
ness for music, and when at the age of fifteen 
he came to America he was already a trained 
musician. He spent one year in Savannah, 
Georgia, where he played in the local band of 
that city, and later on spent one season at St. 
Augustine, Florida; then near Charleston, 
South Carolina, taught school and tried his 
hand at farmi ig. In August, 1876, he received 
the appointment of Leader of the Marine Band 
on the flag ship Hartford, of the South Atlantic 
Squadron then lying at Norfolk; and for three 
years occupied that position. In 1880 he went 
to Colorado and tried mining for one year; at 
the expiration of that period he came to Sacra- 
mento, December, 1881, and at once became the 
leader of the Artillery Band, holding that po- 
sition easily by his superior attainments as a 
musician. The First Artillery is, it is hardly 



necessary to state, as it is so well known in Sac- 
ramento, attached to and a part of the First 
Artillery Regiment, N. G. C; it was organized 
in 1879, — the first leader being Mr. A. Davis, 
and is composed of twenty-one members, — about 
one-third of whom are professional musicians, 
while the balance are engaged in various avoca- 
tions and play in tiie band from their inherent 
love of the art. Under the leadership of Pro- 
fessor Neal, the band has attained a very high 
degree of excellence and has become one of the 
attractive features of the Capital City, their 
summer concerts in the capital grounds at- 
tracting immense crowds of pleasure seekers; 
and during the winter it is the custom to hold 
a series of concerts at the Opera House, which 
are attended by the elite of the city. 

— ^€(ii::®»-^ — 

fOHN NEAL, hop-raiser, Sutter Township, 
was born in Kennebec County, Maine, Feb- 
ruary 13, 1813, a son of Nathaniel and 
Betsy (Baker) Neal, the former a native of New 
Hampshire, and the latter of Maine. Both the 
parents died in Maine, at the age of eighty 
years. As a remarkable coincidence, both the 
parents of Mrs. Neal also died at the age of 
eighty years, and all four of these parents men- 
tioned died within five years of each other. Mr. 
Neal, our subject, was born in the township of 



up 



th. 



k'oods 



where 



New Portland, " away 
he passed his boyhood. When he was fifteen 
years of age, the family removed to New Sha- 
ron. Before he was twenty-one he went U])on 
the Penobscot River and became engaged in 
building mills and l)ridges, and " river driving," 
that is, driving logs from the camp down to the 
boom above Oldtown, where a crew of 100 to 
300 men were employed in separating the logs 
and forming them into rafts. Every owner of 
logs had to pay a certain amount for " boom- 
age." After an engagement in this line for six 
years, in somewhat different capacities, he, in 
1838, came to Illinois; and he was a resident of 
Dixon, that State, when General William Henry 



HISTORY OF SACMAMENTO COUNTY. 



Harrison was elected President; but Mr. Neal 
was at that time a Democrat, and does not boast 
now, as some do, of voting for that General 
when he did not; he, however, did vote for his 
grandson for his present position as President of 
the United States. Mr. Neal took Government 
land in Lee County, Illinois, and followed agri- 
cultural pursuits thereon until 1848; then he 
resided four years in Eock County, Wisconsin; 
then selling out, he left there May 3, 1852, for 
California, starting with oxen, thinking they 
would stand the journey better, but, finding a 
party who desired a greater speed of travel, he 
exchanged his oxen for horses. They took the 
old Fort Plall route, and after a qniet and com- 
fortable journey arrived in this county October 
8. Mr. Neal claims to be a Yankee; at any 
rate he has the Yankee genius, — the ability to 
tarn his hand to ahnost anytlring. He has made 
wagons, followed farming and hop-raising, etc., 
and like every body else has had his " nps and 
downs." He is a genial, whole-souled gentle- 
man, and, notwithstanding his advanced age, is 
still in good health and active, able to make a 
full hand at manual labor. He has made his 
home on his present place ever since he pur- 
chased it in 1854; it is now all in hops. He had 
at one time eigiity acres in this crop, and one 
year he raised eighty tons of hops, about twelve 
or fourteen years ago, and that was especially 
remarkable for that time. In his political views 
lie lias been a Republican ever since 1852. He 
married his present wife in 1843. They have 
had two children: Charles, who died in his fourth 
year, and Edwin, who died in infancy. They 
have also two adopted children, — "William and 
I'enjamin. 



?OHN NICHOLAS, farmer, has born in 
Arendal, Norway, November 27, 1828, a 
son of Terg and Karen Nicholas. In his 
father's family were four sons and one daughter, 
of whom two are now living: Aaron, a brother, 
who resides in Norway; another brother came 



to the United States when a young man and 
died in Chicago two months afterward, in 1851. 
John's father died in 1851, and his mother sev- 
eral years previously. He, the subject of this 
sketch, lived with his parents until he was four- 
teen years old, when he was confirmed by the 
priest, according to the customs of his country, 
and he struck out into the world for himself, 
going to sea as a cabin boy. He worked his way 
up from that to the position of an able-bodied 
seaman during the ten years he was on the 
ocean. His vessel made trips to nearly all 
foreign countries. In 1849 or 1850 he ob- 
tained from the authorities of his native country 
a passport that would enable him to travel in 
any country without being molested; and then 
he visited Havre, France, and then shipped as a 
seaman to New York; returned to Amsterdam, 
then to New York again, and Mobile. In the 
latter place he remained until the following 
spring, when, having teamed of his brother, 
Nels Nicholas, being at New Orleans, he went 
there in search of him; but upon arrival found 
that he had left there three days before. His 
brother died in Chicago that year. John then 
spent a summer in Ijoston, aad visited Phila- 
delphia, then New Orleans again, and then spent 
another winter at Mobile. Then he went up 
the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, 
thence to Cleveland and Buffalo, and then to 
Chicago to learn the particulars of his brother's 
death. lie returned to Buffalo and New York, 
and to Mobile for still another winter. In the 
summer of 1853 he had a siege of the yellow 
fever. In 1854 he came to California, by way 
of New York and the Isthmus, arriving in San 
Francisco in October. For three years he fol- 
lowed mir.ing at Iowa Hill, El Dorado County, 
and around Grass Valley in Nevada County, 
etc.; and ever since 1857 he has followed farm- 
ing on a tract which he then purchased. All 
the improvements that exist upon it he himself 
has made. The place is well improved and in 
good condition; contains 160 acres; is six miles 
from Sacramento and between the upper and 
lower Stockton roads. Mr. Nicholas is an in- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



dnstrious and honest man, a faitliful and useful 
citizen. He was married first in 1852 to Eliza- 
beth Ourkirk, a native of Holland, who died in 
1879, the mother of two ciiildren, both now de- 
ceased. In 1883 he married for his present 
wife Louisa Sorensen, a native of Norway, born 
November 19, 1851, and came to California in 
1881. By this marriage tiiere are two children; 
Elmer, born December 20, 1883, and Edwin, 
July 19, 1887. They also lost a daughter, 
Sarah Elizabeth, who died October 13, 1886, 
aged one year, eight months and twenty days. 

fj. NAGELE was born in Rhenish Bavaria, 
February 5, 1846, his parents being Leon- 
® ard and Susannah (Roedinger) Nagele; 
educated from six to fourteen in the town of 
Siebeldingen, near Landau; he grew up to man- 
hood there, and then left with the intention of 
being absent but fourteen days on a visit to his 
brother near Paris; but in the meantime decided 
to come to America. Taking passage at Havre 
on the C. R. Winthrop, after a voyage of seventy- 
one days he arrived at New York December 5. 
There he engaged in the ship-ciiandler house of 
L F. Chapman. Leaving New York May 23 
of the following year, embarking at Pier No. 11, 
on the ship I. F. Ciiapman, he started for Cali- 
fornia. The voyage was somewhat uneventful 
until they had rounded Cape Horn, when the 
vessel sprang a leak and they iiad to return to 
Rio Janeiro for repairs. They were there tliree 
and a half months; and on starting again they 
encountered foul weather, ran out of provisions 
and had to turn into a Chilian port and obtain 
supplies; again putting to sea, they arrived at 
San Francisco May 4, 1864, being 351 days on 
the trip. In that city he went to work for Will- 
iam B. Cook & Co., wholesale stationers in 
Montgomery Block, remained with tliem nearly 
two years, and then started in business for him- 
self, in partnership witii George W. Wright, on 
Stockton street, between Vallejo and Broadway. 
He retired from tliis business and went into tiie 



employ of a paper-house, having two routes on 
the Chronicle and one on the Bulleti», one of 
them including the whole of Alameda. For the 
next live years he was brakeman on the western 
division of the Central Pacific, and then entered 
the sheep business back of Haywards, which he 
prosecuted one year with loss, on the Stony 
Brook ranch. He then went to railroading 
again on the North Pacific Coast road between 
San Francisco and Duncan's Mill.* June 15, 
1877, he came to Sacramento, engaging with 
Mr. Meinke; he then bought the Five-Mile House 
at Brigiiton, which took the name of Jake's 
Five-Mile House. He returned to Sacramento 
again in 1881, and opened business at his present 
location on J and Third streets. At first he 
was alone, then in partnership with Mr. Steger, 
the latter being succeeded by his prerent part- 
ner,Svensson. Mr. Nagele married Agnes Free, 
who died in Alameda in 1874, leaving two chil- 
dren, — William F. and Mamie Agnes. He has 
been a member of the I. O. R. M. since 1870, 
is now Past Sachem, and is Grand Mishmana of 
the Grand Council of California; and is also 
Keeper of AVampum in Red Jacket Tribe, No. 
28, which office he has held three years. He is 
also treasurer of Capital Lodge, No. 66, A. O. 
D., and a trustee of Council of Chosen Friends, 
and a member of the Turn-Verein. Politically 
he is a Republican, lie has educated himself 
in the English language, never having had any 
one to teacii him even to the slightest degree. 
He also taught himself how to write. He is a 
genial, popular man, and his ale vaults wiiere 
he is employed are first-class. 



--^^ 



m-^- 



fARL MUNGER, the well-known deputy 
assessor of Sutter Township, was born in 
the Territory of Utah, July 27, 1852, 
and was but nine weeks old when his parents 
removed with liim to California. They were a 
portion of a party of nine who came across the 
plains in wagons, being three months on the 
road. The only special trouble they had was 



UISTORT OP SACBAMENTO COUNTY. 



among the members of the party themselves 
soon after starting, resulting in a separation. 
Packing their mules, the most of the family 
walked across the Great Desert. Calvin Hun- 
ger, the father of Carl, was born at Saratoga 
Springs, Saratoga County, New York, in April, 
1822, and died in July, 1875, at the residence 
of his son Carl, four miles from Sacramento, on 
the river road. Carl's mother is a native of 
Massachusetts, and was born in 18^*2. When 
the family arrived at their destination here, near 
where they now reside, they had but seventy- 
live cents left in the purse, and the price of one 
meal was$l. They immediately began mining, 
at the point called Golden Hill, and made money 
rapidly. They also kept the Oak Hall Plouse, 
near their present residence. This place now 
comprises 135 acres, devoted principally to the 
raising of hops and a small portion to hay. 
Calvin Hunger had three children. The two 
who are still living are Carl and Mary. 

Ig^ENRY SEYMOUR HILL, miller, Elk 
^m\ Grove, was born in Litchfield County, 
^wl Connecticut, September 11, 1825. His 
father, Samuel Hill, was born near New Orleans 
during the war of the Revolution and. the strug- 
gle with the British in that locality, his father 
being a soldier in the British sei-vice at that 
time. The maiden name of the mother of Mr. 
H. S. Hill was Laura Pitcher. Samuel and his 
family moved to Pennsylvania in 1828, where 
he died about 1845 ; his w-idow lived until 1852. 
They had located in Susquehanna County, on 
the line between that and Bradford County. 
Mr. Hill, the subject of this notice, the youngest 
of five children in the above family, was brought 
up in Pennsylvania and lived there until 1851. 
September 24, that year, in company with a man 
named Brown, a young physician just starting 
out in the world, he left Bradford County and 
took passage at New York on the steamer 
Brother Jonathan, on the lirst trip ever made by 
tliat vessel in the California trade. She was 



afterward lost on the Pacific coast while run- 
ning between San Francisco and Oregon. Mr. 
Hill landed at Chagres, took a small boat called 
the Bungo up that river to Cruces, with twenty- 
seven others, of whom three were women, and 
eighteen of them were from Bradford County, 
Pennsylvania. From Cruces they went to 
Panama across the Isthmus. Mr. Hill started 
with a mule, but shortly afterward gave it to a 
sick traveler, and he and Brown footed it the 
rest of the way. In a week or ten days he took 
the old steamer Panama, one of the first steam- 
ers on the coast, for San Francisco, with 1,200 
passengers aboard, when it was registered to 
carry only 500 or 600. In twenty-one days he 
landed at the city of the Golden Gate November 
4, 1851. There he waited for other passengers 
from Bradford County, who took the old pro- 
peller Monumental City, and were two weeks 
behind the other vessel reaching San Francisco. 
In the meantime Mr. Hill had been earning 
something in the city, and when his friends ar 
rived he was able to help them pay their passage 
to the mines, at Columbia Flats, Tuolumne 
County, where Mr. Llill and two others took 
some claims. On arriving at the mines they 
waited a month for water, with which to wash 
for gold; but Mr. Hill's patience gave out and 
he sold his share in the mines to two others, who 
remained there and made a fortune in two 
months, taking out about $80,000 ! Mr. Flill 
came to Sacramento and contracted with parties 
to build a mill in Eureka, Yuba County, and 
was there until the following July, then stop- 
ping in San Francisco until autumn, when, after 
the great fire, he came to Sacramento again. 
The next spring he went to the mines and struck 
some new discoveries in Placer County, in a spot 
near the Bear River called the Long Ravine. 
Then he kept boarding-house and provision-store 
in Eureka, and also did some mining there. 
Selling out, lie left there in June, 1853. He 
went to Foster's Bar, on the Yuba River, and in 
the fall to Marysville. In the spring of 1854 
he went to SantaClara and remained there about 
a year; and then to Santa Cruz until 1861, where 



niSTORi' OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



he had property and prosecuted the mill wright's 
trade; then, from the autumn of 1861 to 1869 
he was engaged in the same business at Virginia 
City; was next in Sacramento until 1871; then 
built a mill at Lakeport, Lake County, being 
there about two years, working at different 
points. In 1874 he came to Sacramento again, 
and then to Red Bluff, where he was a member 
of a stock company who built a mill there. Mr. 
Hill constructed the whole building in 1875. 
Ill January, 1876, he bought property in Elk 
Grove, and in March following his brother and 
his family came to this place with him. During 
the latter year he erected a small feed-mill, 
which was run until 1878, when he enlarged it 
and put in machinery for making flour. It was 
rented out two years, ending April, 1880, since 
which time Mr. Hill has conducted it, in part- 
nership with Louis Bower, who in fact has been 
interested in the concern ever since 1878. Mr. 
Hill has been a member of the order of Odd 
Fellows ever since 1848, and now belongs to 
Elk Grove Lodge, number 274, and to the Occi- 
dental Encampment of Sacramento, No. 57, and 
also to the Veteran Odd Fellows' Association of 
San Francisco. He was married in Santa Cruz, 
in 1856, to Mary Uhden, a native of Ohio, and 
they have two children: Eddie and Laura. 



fEORGE PETERS, rancher, was born on 
one of the Azores Islands, April 26, 1833, 
and was reared upon a farm. In 1848 he 
emigrated to the United States, landing in J^ew 
•York; but he followed the life of a sailor for 
four years on American vessels. He then left 
Boston on board the clipper New Flying Fish 
for California, landing in San Francisco and ar- 
riving in Sacramento in the fall of 1852. Here 
he found employment in a flour warehouse, at a 
salary of $8 a day, and remained there two 
months. For the ensuing fourteen years he fol- 
lowed mining, with some success. In 1865 he 
purcliased his present ranch of 140 acres of 
choice river land on the Sacramento, six miles 



south of the city. It is the best in his neigh- 
borhood, and is devoted to general farming and 
stock-raising. He was married Ifovember 12, 
1862, to Belle Nevis, and they have six children : 
Joseph, Anton, Manuel, Belle, Eliza and Mary. 






fHOMAS O'TOOLE, deceased, was born 
in Ireland in 1833, his parents being 
Patrick and Bridget (]?urke) O'Toole. 
The father was a tenant-farmer in Galway. The 
boy received a fair education in his youth. Left 
an orphan by the death of both parents, he was 
invited to this country by an older brother, 
James, living in Massachusetts,' and came in 
1848. Being acquainted with farm work he 
followed that line for some years after his ar- 
rival in the United States. He was married in 
Roxbury, Massachusetts, February 12, 1856, to 
Miss Margaret Tympany, also a native of Ire- 
land, a daughter of John and Mary (Flaherty) 
Tympany, both now deceased. The father was 
over seventy when he died, but the mother died 
before she was sixty. Mrs. O'Toole came to 
America in 1853, having been preceded by an 
older sister. Immediately after their marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. O'Toole set out for California by 
the Panama route, and arrived in San Fran- 
cisco on Good Friday, 1856, with just §100. 
Both went to work in that city for six months, 
the wife receiving §5 a month more than the 
husband, owing to the scarcity of good female 
help. The husband then went to mining for 
two or three months at Drytown, Amador 
County. They afterward worked for two years 
on a milk ranch in Yolo County. Mr. O'Toole 
then rented 400 acres of John Rovney, in Brigh- 
ton Township,* in this county. He had two 
partners in that venture, and they raised wheat 
and barley. The following year Mr. O'Toole 
rented a farm on his own account, and put in a 
crop of wheat and barley, but lost it all by the 
flood of 1862. He then rented eighty acres and 
again put in wheat and barley, which came uut 
all right, and sold for five cents a pound for 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



wheat, and four and a halt' for barley. In 1866 
lie bonght 160 acres in the same township, and 
now owned by Rovney. There they lived seven 
years, when they sold out and went to Kansas. 
Not liking that State they returned to Cali- 
fornia, and bouglit the 288 acres now occupied 
by the family at Freeport. Wheat, barley and 
alfalfa are the chief products. They carried on 
an extensive dairy at one time, but now milk 
only ten cows. They also own 413 acres at 
Sauislniry Station, devoted chiefly to wheat and 
barley, and now in charge of the oldest son. 
Mr. Thomas O'Toole died September 15, 1885, 
much respected in the community, and without 
an enemy anywhere. He was a model man in 
all the relations of life. He had worked hard 
for a living from an early age, and knew how to 
keep upright and honorable through all the 
hardships as well as the successes of life. The 
wife and five children survive him. These are: 
John Thomas, born May 4, 1860; James Jo- 
seph, February 17, 1866; and three daughters, 
vVgnes, Maggie and Nellie. Both sons belong 
to the Y. M. I. of Sacramento, and the oldest to 
the N. S. G. W., Parlor No. 3. All the chil- 
dren received an academic education in college 
or convent, and the daughters are ail accom- 
])lished musicians, while Maggie is an artist in 
painting of decided ability. John T. is married 
to ]\[iss Mary Connelly, a niece of Mrs. Cather- 
ine McAnally, of Courtland. They have one 
child, Francis Joseph, born December 2, 1888. 



fAVID OSBARN was born in Clark County, 
Ohio, September 12, 1825, his parents 
being Isaac and Elizabeth (Rail) Osbarn. 
The father was a native of Ne^^ York and the 
mother of New Jersey. His grandfather, Jacob 
Rail, a native of New Y'"ork city, was a soldier 
of the Revolution, entering the army, with his 
grandfather, at the age of seventeen. The Ralls 
were of Dutch origin. After the war Jacob 
Rail owned a grist-mill in New Jersey, where 
his (laughter Elizabeth was born September 11, 



1805. lie moved to Ohio, while his daughter 
was a little girl, and finally settled on a farm in 
Clark County. Isaac Osbarn died comparatively 
young, leaving two sons — the subject of this 
sketch and his brother, Jacob Rail, born No- 
vember 20, 1830. After some years the mother 
was married at Carlisle, Ohio, to Joseph Clip- 
pinger, a widower of that place. In 1876, on 
the occasion of Mr. David Osbarn's visit to his 
home and the Philadelphia Centennial, they 
were induced to spend the evening of life with 
him at Courtland. They enjoyed some years 
of serene tranquillity in the glorious climate of 
this section, and here they passed to the better 
land within a few months of each other. The 
mother died toward the close of 1885, having 
passed her eightieth birthday; and the stepfather 
had preceded her, aged eighty-three. They lie 
buried side by side in the Sacramento cemetery 
in a double grave constructed for their remains 
by the filial- care of Mr. Osbarn. Mr. David 
Osbarn left his home at Carlisle, Ohio, with 
nine comrades, January 24, 1850, and New 
Y'ork, February 12, for California, by the Isth- 
mus route, arriving at Chagres on February 22. 
Crossing the isthmus in those days was a pe- 
culiar experience for a man brought \\\y amid 
the civilized environments of an Ohio home. 
Mr. Osbarn and his companions ascended the 
Chagres River in canoes "poled" by half-naked 
natives. When they became overheated by 
their laboi-s iiiuler a burning sun these dark 
sons of the soil, often of mixed blood, did not 
hesitate to strip off their blouses, so that white 
ladies traveling that way have been known to 
disguise their sex in men's clothing to mitigate 
their mortification. At Gorgona they left the 
canoes to make the remainder of the journey to 
Panama by mules, along a narrow, jagged track 
with a dense thicket on either hand. Arrived 
at Panama, this particular company were con- 
fronted by a serious drawback of another char- 
acter. They were detained forty-eight days 
waiting for the steamer Sarah Sands, a propeller 
with four masts, which relied on her sails fully 
as much as on her engine for making headway. 



JlLSTUHr OF SACJLUIENTO COUNTY 



Mr. Osbarn and his party runted a place, bought 
their supplies and boarded themselves. Finally 
they left Panama, April 9, with about 300 pas- 
sengers and a ship's company of perhaps another 
hundred persons. They were soon put on short 
rations for food and water, the condensed steam 
being utilized and doled out for drinking. The 
supply of coal was exhausted, and on April 18 
they put into San Simeon Bay in distress for 
wood, water and beef. Passengers volunteered 
and the seamen gathered about lifty cords of 
wood. On the 22d they left, but the wind be- 
ing unfavorable and the wood inadequate to get, 
ting up the required amount of steam power, 
it was found necessary to put back into the bay. 
A mounted messenger was sent forward to 
Monterey to procure coal, and the passengers 
were offered the alternative of going by land. 
Mr. Osbarn, who had suffered by Panama fever 
and had been taken aboard before convalescence, 
concluded to try the land passage to San Fran- 
cisco. About half the passengers, including 
Mr. Osbarn and five of his special party, set out 
by land by way of San Solidad and San Jose 
missions, and arrived at San Francisco, June 1. 
The hardships of the land trip had some com- 
pensations in the hospitality of the natives and 
the relief from ocean dangers. Mr. Osbarn 
and his five companions paid fifty dollars for a 
ride with a freighter from San Jose to San 
Francisco. On June 1, they waded knee-deep 
in sand in the present metropolis, and found 
but few good buildings. Aside from the cns- 
toni-house and postofiice there were one or two 
good hotels and gambling houses, the remainder 
being shanties and tents. Awaiting the arrival 
of their baggage and con)rades by the steamer 
for about a week, they bargained with the op- 
position steamer Hartford for a passage to Sac- 
ramento at §25 a head for a club of twenty-five, 
the fare being $50 each by the regular line. 
They found Sacramento a "half-dried-up mud- 
hole" and largely a city of tents and shanties. 
Tlie conspicuous exceptions were the Orleans 
Hotel and the El Dorado gambling-house. It 
has always Ijeen a matter of surprise to.thought- 



ful observers like the subject of tiiis sketch, 
how men could be such fools as to stake their 
all against professional gamblers skilled in all 
the arts of cheating. Before the close of June 
our party left for the mining region at George- 
town, El Dorado County, by way of Brigliton 
and Coloraa. After prospecting around, even 
into Xevada, and without pleasure or profit, 
Mr. Osbarn was taken sick. His fibre was not 
tough enough and the surroundings of mining 
life were disgusting. Recovering from a month's 
illness he bought a team, and making some 
money bought other teams, kept a hay-yard and 
a blacksmith shop and had an interest in a store 
at Michigan Springs After a time he super- 
intended his business frdm Sacramento, and suf- 
fered heavily with everybody else from the fire 
and flood of 1852-'53. His judgment prompt- 
ing him to return to the permanent and secure 
pursuits of his youth in Ohio, he bought 160 
acres in Yolo County, opposite Courtland, 
March 4, 1854, where he remained until 1859. 
Traded his place for improved property in Marys- 
ville, which he kept only a year. In 1861 he 
bought land at Courtland, in this county, and 
has since become the owner of several 'ranches 
in that neighborhood or within a radius of five 
miles, developing the thick-brush land of those 
times into the fruit farms of the present. After 
ail these years and much experience and obser- 
vation, Mr. Osbarn thinks "there's no place like 
home," and that the valley of the Sacramento 
is the garden spot of earth. The subject of 
this sketch is a gentleman of strong religious 
and moral convictions, inherited from his Meth- 
odist parentage, but his views are rather evan- 
gelical than denominational. In politics, he was 
of the American party in 1854, and has since 
been a Republican, while he would probably be 
a Prohibitionist were he entirely satisfied of the 
wisdom of basing a political party on the tem- 
perance reform movement. He recognizes and 
regrets the tendency to moral decadence in the 
organized machinery of all political parties. 
Remaining unmarried through all these long 
years, Mr. Osbarn's kindly nature has taken a 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



very special interest in his brother and his family. 
Jacob Rail Osbarn came to California in 1855 
and after remaining here about a year returned 
to Ohio, where he was married November 25, 
1856, at Carlisle, to Miss Mary Martha Clip- 
pinger, a native of that State, born December 
10, 1834, daughter of Joseph Clippinger, already 
mentioned. Jacob E. was a soldier in the civil 
war and after tilling his term of service, volun- 
teered again to repel the Morgan raid in South- 
ern Ohio. Some years later he moved with his 
family to tliis State, and they have since made 
their home with him, in city and country. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jacob R. Osbarn are the parents of 
three living children: David Horace, born in 
Ohio, March 23,1858; D..nna Elizabeth, Novem- 
ber 4, 1861; Martha Rebecca, "uncle's baby," 
July 31, 1875, now attending grammar-school 
in Sacramento. Dorma Elizabeth is married to 
Henry Elliott, a contractor and builder of Sacra- 
mento. They arc the parents of Ratie Elizabeth, 
born October 9, 1883; and of David Osbarn 
and Donna Orictta, twins, born June 25, 1888. 
David H. married Miss Agnes Dashiell, a native 
of this State. They are the parents of two girls. 



fHRISTIAN H. RAVE was born in 
Schleswig, a province of Germany, in the 
year 1820, his parents being Frederick, a 
cabinet-maker, and Rebecca Rave. He at- 
tended school until he reached the age of four- 
teen years, then was apprenticed to a locksmith 
at Hamburg to learn the trade, then traveled to 
complete his education. Having become an ex- 
pert workman he desired a larger field and bet- 
ter opportunities for advancement, therefore set 
sail in a packet ship from Hamburg for New 
York, and arrived after a tempestuous voyage of 
six weeks. Undeterred by the fact that he was 
totally unfamiliar with the English language, 
he found his way to Philadelphia, and obtained 
employment at his trade on Chestnut street. In 
1849 he, with a party of nineteen mechanics, 
determined to make their way to the land of 



gold. They went to St. Louis and there se- 
cured an outlit and provisions, and started to 
cross the plains, but they were illy prepared for 
such a journey, and by the time they arrived 
at Salt Lake their teams had given out and 
they were obliged to reorganize, and bought 
some Indian ponies and packed the remainder 
of the way. Nor was this all, for, taking the 
advice of some officious parties who were sup- 
posed to know, they were induced to take a new 
"cut-off" across the mountains and the dreary, 
pathless desert, only to find later that the cut- 
off was in fact a much longer route; their pro- 
visions and water gave out, and they suffered 
terrible hardships, losing two of their number 
in death. Meeting another party on the Jesert who 
still had a small supply of water, our subject 
paid his last dollar for a cup of tiie precious 
fluid, and begged for more, but was sternly re- 
fused. When he arrived at Sacramento, with- 
out money, friends or even acquaintances, he 
was glad to find any kind of employment, sucli 
as unloading vessels at the levee and doing any 
odd job that came to hand. At last he obtained 
employment with one Woodruff, proprietor of a 
stove store, whose stock consisted in part of 
stoves which had been shipped around the 
Horn and had to be "set up" after their arrival 
here. These stoves often brought $300 or even 
$500. Woodruff became his friend, and event- 
ually assisted him to start a small shop of his 
own on Sixth, between J and K streets, where 
it may be seen to this day, a relic of the past. 
In this little shop was laid the foundation of a 
successful business, which, extending through 
the early years, broadened and grew with the 
growth of the Capital City. His business was 
to make locks, locks for the people, locks for the 
banks, hotels, and the jail and prisons, 1,400 be- 
ing made under contract for the latter; and not 
only locks but iron doors, which, because of 
many fires, became an important industry, and 
was carried on subsequently for many years. 
He returned to Europe in 1853 to visit his old 
home, and his father, who died the following 



sprmg, 



and to be married to Elizabeth Riemech- 



HISTORY OF SAOKAMfSNTO COUNTY. 



neider. Together they journeyed from the 
fatherland and took up their residence in tlie 
land of sunshine, and here tliey have lived for 
nearly forty years, having in the interval made 
three other trips to Europe. They are spending 
in well-deserved affluence the latter part of their 
lives at their pleasant home on Seventh street, 
surrounded by their children and their children's 
children. 



tL F R E D R A N D O L r LI, rancher. Dry 
Creek Township, was born July 15, 1831, 
in McLean County, Illinois, son of Gard- 
ner and Elizabeth (Stringfield) Randolph. His 
tather, a native of Virginia, emigrated in an 
early day to Tennessee and thence to Alabama, 
and from there to Illinois, settling in 1860 at a 
point he named Randolph Grove. Afterward 
he lived in Riley County, Kansas, and about 
1871 came to California and died at the resi- 
dence of his son Alfred, in 1873, at the age of 
seventy-one years. He was a man of noble 
principles and a sympathetic Christian. His 
wife is now deceased. In their famil}' were 
seven sons and six daughters, and all the chil- 
dren except two of the daughters came to Cali- 
fornia. Alfred Randolph was raised on a farm 
in his native State, and in 1850, when he was- 
but nineteen years of age, he crossed the plains to 
this State withoxteams,beingabout four months 
on tiie way, and the journey was on the whole 
quite enjoyable. Stopping at Hangtown, he at 
once began mining and prosecuted that line of 
business for eight years, most of the time in the 
same district, and with moderate success. In 
1858 lie came to this county, locating upon his 
present farm of 160 acres at that time, and there 
he has ever since remained. This ranch he has 
enlarged by purchasing additions until he now 
has 250 acres. It is twenty-two miles from 
Sacramento. He raises hay, grain and live- 
stock. He was married in June, 1877, to Miss 
Emma, daughter of William J. McFadden, and 
a native of Coshocton County, Ohio. They 



have three children: Harry Marvin, Estella B. 
and Clinton A. Mr. Randolph is a member of 
the A. O. 17. W., of Gait, and in his political 
principles in a Republican. 



fOHN H. HAYDEN, farmer, was born June 
6, 1850, near Dayton, Montgomery County, 
Ohio. His father, Martin Hayden, is a na- 
tive of England, was a shoemaker by tfade, and 
came to California in 1876, locating in Sacra- 
mento. July 15, 1885, he was run upon by the 
cars at the intersection of Twenty-sixth and R 
streets, in the city, and nearly killed, since which 
time he has been unable to work. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Barbara Wise, is still 
living, and they are both residing with their 
son, the subject of this article. They have three 
children, viz.: Mary F., wife of John W. Chest- 
nut; Oscar H., residing in Iowa, and John H. 
The latter is a farmer and also a good carpenter 
and shoemaker. He was two years old when 
bis parent emigrated with him from Ohio to 
Missouri. A year afterward they moved to Iowa, 
and in 1873, to Kansas, where they engaged in 
farming and stock-raising; were there during 
the grasshopper scourge. Selling out in 1876, 
they came and located in Sacramento. John 
and his wife threw themselves into hard work 
by the day. He was employed by Mr. Todd, 
on the corner of Fifth and L streets, in the 
lumber yard, and was there three months when 
the property changed hands. From there he 
went toNicolaus, and next he and his wife wetit 
to the head of Feather River to work on a farm 
and in a dairy, remaining only two months; 
then they were two months at Spaulding's, and 
then in succession to iiis fatiier's place. Black 
Station; and then for a man on the lower Stock- 
ton road, and then they purchased a half block 
on Twenty-eighth and Y streets, in 1878, and 
later the same year the other half, at a cost of 
$850. In 1883 they sold the same for $950 and 
purchased six and a fourth acres on Tiiirty-lirst 
and Y, at a cost of $100 per acre: and in 1884 



IITSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



eight acres additional, at the same price. In 
1888 thej sold the whole for $10,000. During 
the last year they purchased their present gar- 
den spot of ten acres, which is only one mile 
from the city. On this they have a very line new 
two-story honse, and' the whole tract they are 
improving by putting ont trees and planting 
vineyards, orchards, etc. It will soon be one of 
the finest residences on that road. There are 
live wells of excellent water ranging from 
twenty-six to sixty-six feet in depth, with a 
never failing supply. Thus it is seen what 
might be accomplished where husband and wife 
are faithful together with a single aim in view-, 
to make a comfortable home in which they can 
enjoy their declining years. In 1874 Mr. Hay- 
den married Miss Julia A. White, daughter of 
William and Elizabeth White, father a native of 
Virginia, and the mother of New York. They 
have had three children: Martin W., born De- 
cember 17, 1875, and died June 6, 1877; Alson, 
a little boy who died in infancy, and John B., 
who was born May 26, 1879. 

fOHN GEORGE PYJS'E, deceased, was a 
native of Ireland, born near Fermoy, in 
1825, his parents being J. G. and Ann 
(Pyne) Pyne. The Pynes were originally Eng- 
lish, but V)eing long settled in Ireland, they be- 
came "more Irish than the Irish themselves," 
entirely identified with the interests and aspira- 
tions of that land so favored b}' nature and so 
abused by man. The parents of Mr. Pyne were 
blood relatives some degrees removed, and were 
people of wealth and high social standing. The 
grandfather, also named J. G., which seems to 
have been a favorite family name, was a prac- 
ticing physician of local distinction. The great- 
grandfather was Lord Chief-Justice Pyne of the 
King's Bench. The Pynes have a family tradi- 
tion that their ancestry can be traced back many 
hundred years. Be this as it may, it is unques- 
tionable that the late J. G. Pyne, of Courtland, 
was a man of education, refinement and culture. 



He was a college graduate and had studied ar- 
chitecture and engineering, and is known to have 
practiced the latter, being for some years in the 
employ of the Santa Fe Railroad as a civil en- 
gineer. In 1856 he owned a fiirm in Dubuque 
County, Iowa, which he sold before coming to 
California in 1862. With two brothers, Edward 
and William, he came to the Sacramento River, 
where they worked together for a time on a 
rented ranch. Willia.i: afterward went back to 
Ireland and died untnariied. Edward moved to 
Virginia City, where he engaged in mining. 
John G. worked for a time for one of the ranch- 
ers on the river, and in 1868 bought the ranch, 
increasing the acreage by later purchases to 118 
acres, all planted in fruit trees. In 1877 Mr. 
Pyne made a visit to his native land and was 
married March 27, 1878, in St. Peter's Episco- 
pal Church, in the city of Cork, to Miss Kate 
Pyne Brown, a native of Inchigeela, in the same 
county, daughter of Richard and Henrietta 
(Pyne) Brown, a blood relative in the third de- 
gree, both being great-grandchildren of Chief- 
Justice Pyne, already mentioned. A grand- 
uncle of Mrs. Kate Pyne was celebrated for 
military prowess, and was called Captain Tala- 
veras I'yne for recovering some captured colors 
from the French in the battle of that name. 
After six years of married life devoted to pro- 
moting the happiness of his wife, and the en- 
joyment of learned leisure in the nice home he 
had erected and beautified, Mr. Pyne died in 
1884, aged fifty-nine. Mrs. Pyne by a later 
marriage, since legally dissolved with the right 
of resuming her former name, is the mother of 
one ciiild, Dora Isabella, born September 3, 1887. 



f!|PHRAIM RAY, an old Californian, and 
L resident of Sacramento County since 1850, 
^ is a native of the north of Ireland; he was 
born there June 10, 1827. His father, John 
Ray, emigrated to the United States with his 
family in 1836; stopped a short life in New 
Jersey, and was naturalized there, and then 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



moved to Illinois, settling in Clay Coutity; his 
death occun-ed about a year and a half after- 
ward. Mrs. Kay, whose maiden name was Jane 
Thompson, survived her husband about three 
years. In their family were seven children, six 
sons and one daughter; four of these are now 
living: AVilliam, Hugh and John in Clay County, 
Illinois, and Ephraim here in California. The 
latter was brought np as a farmer's boy, and has 
passed all his life in the same noble calling. 
After the death of his father he and his twin 
brother Robert went to live with their brother 
Hugh, the third in order of birth; and when 
they were sixteen or seventeen years old they 
secured teams and began hauling wheat from 
Rock River to Chicago. After accumulating 
some money they took some land in Ogle 
County, and commenced improving it at such 
times as they were not otherwise occupied. In 
the fall of the year they would make freighting 
trips between Chicago and Galena. Thus they 
were employed until the California gold fever 
broke out, and in tlie spring of 1850 they came 
with ox teams to Sacramento, arriving in Au- 
gust. There they turned out their teams upon 
a ranch upon the Cosumnes River and went to 
the mines at Folsom. They worked at Reale's 
Bar at the junction of the north and south forks 
of the river. After accumulating a little money 
they returned to Illinois. Robert married and 
remained there until his death in February, 
1884. In the spring of 1852 Ephraim recrossed 
the plains with ox teams to his far western 
home; and here he engaged in hauling freight 
between Sacramento, PlacervilJe, Georgetown 
and other places and the mines. In 1854 he 
moved down to the Mclntyre ranch in Dry 
Creek Township, and he has since been engaged 
in agricultural pursuits and in the care of live- 
stock. In 1876 he disposed of his farm and 
moved into Gait, his present residence. He 
has always been a hard-working man, devoting 
his attention principally to the raising of cattle 
when it was on a good paying basis. When he 
quit the ranch he let out on shares what cattle 
he had, sending them to Pit River in Modoc 



County; six years afterward he disposed of them 
altogether. One thing can be said of Mr. Ray 
that can lie said of very few men: he has always 
conducted his business in such a manner as not 
to run in debt; and daring the many years he 
has lived in California he has never owed a man 
a dollar ! Often he refrained from buying 
when a good bargain might have been made be- 
caut-e he had not the money in hand. Mr. Ray 
is an Irishman by birth, a naturalized citizen of 
the United States, a supporter of the Union 
during the last war, and a Republican in his 
political views. He is a charter member of 
Gait Lodge No. 83, K. of P. 



fETER HOEY, farmer, Brighton Township, 
was born in County Lowth, Ireland, De- 
cember 23, 1839, son of John and Mary 
Hoey, farmers. Of the family of nine children 
six sons came to the United States. The iirst 
to come was Patrick, who located first in New 
Orleans and came thence to California. The 
next was John, who left Ireland in 1850, and 
also stopped a short time in New Orleans and 
came to this State with his brother, in 1854; 
but the first to come to California was Bridget, 
now Mrs. Stoner, who came to the United States 
early in 1851, and to California in 1853. Cath- 
arine Quail came next, in 1866; Mary Carroll 
in 1867; Peter in 1868. John died in Novem- 
ber, 1880; Patrick, in April, 1887; Michael, 
who never came to the United States, died in 
the old country in 1882. Thomas, still another 
brother, inherits tlieold home place in Ireland. 
Another sister, Margaret, now Mrs. Byrne, also 
resides in Ireland. Peter Hoey, the subject of 
this sketch, when a little boy, entered the em- 
ploy of Sir John McNeal, who manufactured 
tile and brick. After he learned the business 
he had the position of burner, and for sixteen 
years conducted the whole business on contract. 
Then he ran a portable threshing-machine for 
five years. He left home at the age of twenty- 
seven years, and he sai ed from Dundalk, Ire- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



land, in the spring of 1868, and landed in 
Sacramento June 5, coming by way of New 
York and Panama. He first stopped with his 
brother John, and the next year bought a farm 
of 163 acres in Brighton Township; and this 
is his present ranch. In 1882 he purchased 
another ranch of 170 acres, on the Coloma road, 
and since then he has sold half of it, and now 
owns seventy acres of the place. His total real 
estate is now 233 acres. He has followed agri- 
culture ever since his arrival here. The large 
ranch where he resides is devoted to grain, but 
it is also well adapted to fruit. On the smaller 
ranch he has fifty-six acres in vines and the rest 
in fruit trees, bearing. Mr. Hoey was married 
first in 1872 to Bridget Dunn, a native of 
Queen's County, Ireland, who died April 15, 
1885, the motlier of four sons, of whom only 
one is now living, John J., born September 19, 
1880. In 1886 Mr. Hoey married Annie Cur- 
tis, who was born in Ireland and came to this 
State in 1876. They have two children: Gracie 
and Gertrude, t .vins, born March 29, 1887. 

fDWARD KELLEY, of Brighton Town- 
ship, was born in Calais, Maine, March 4, 
1822, son of John and Hannah Kelley, 
both natives of Ireland. He was reared in his 
native State. At the age of nineteen years, in 
1841, he married Maria Kern, a native of St. 
Stephens, New Brunswick. In the mean time he 
learned to be a ship carpenter and calker, at 
Calais, Bangor and Eastport, Maine, at St. Ste- 
phens and in New York. At St. Stephens he 
worked on a ship called Fannie, for Eastman & 
"Wright Bros., of Boston. From Eastport they 
fetched a steamer named S. B. Wheeler, and 
this was placed in the ship Fannie, of 250 tons 
burden. The method by which this was done 
was the following, which was the invention of 
William Hines, of Kennebec, Maine, from 
whom Mr. Kelley learned his trade: they calked 
• the ship up to the gunwales, launched it, took 
it along side the wharf and sunk it into a cradle. 



by the help of the tide which rises forty to fifty 
feet there. Then they hauled the steamer into 
the ship and then the hull hauled upon the 
flats. Then as the tide ebbed they let the water 
out through a 1 x 8 foot scuttle, whicli let the 
steamer down in place. Closing the scuttle 
enabled the next flood-tide to set it afloat. But 
the deck of the ship was not put on till after it 
was hauled to the quays. The space between 
the ship's skin and the steamer was then filled 
up with 300 tons of coal, and freighted with 
flour and whisky, etc., all they could pack in, 
and then all was ready. They chen came around 
Cape Horn, landing in San Francisco May 10, 
1851. First they discharged all the freight ex- 
cept the coal, which they afterward unloaded 
into a hulk that they bought for the purpose. 
The ship was then run up to Benicia and an- 
chored among the tules. Then they took the 
mizzen and main masts out excepting the fore- 
mast, and all the decks but the forecastle. Next, 
taking a six by ten plank out of the ship's side 
below water mark, they sank it again, the pres- 
sure of the water being gauged by a leather 
valve large enough to cover the aperture and 
guided by ropes inside and out. The S. B. 
Wheeler was then taken out of the ship, and run 
about two years between San Francisco and 
Stockton, commanded by Captain Spear. The 
engineer who came with it to the coast was named 
Lockett. The steamer was afterward run to the 
Sandwich Islands, whither Mr. Kelley -.vent and 
calked the deck, for Mr. Wright of the Islands. 
In 1852 he went to Madeira, near the San Quen- 
tin State Prison, and worked six months in a 
saw-mill called the Baltimore, perhaps the first 
saw-mill on the coast, for a Mr. Morrison. The 
next five months he was employed in a mill at 
Bolinas, Marin County. Then he purchased a 
lot of forty feet front at the corner of Dnpont 
and Washington streets, San Francisco, in part- 
nership with John McCloy. He brought lum- 
ber in his schooner from the mill where he was 
working and built a house on the lot, in 1853. 
His next move was to go with Meggs & Will- 
iams, who went up into Mendocino County, to 



niSrOBY OF SAGBAMENTO COUNTT. 



put up a mill, and worked for them seven 
months, at $130 a month. Returning to San 
Francisco, he leased a lot on Clay Street and 
built a house there torrent; but two years after- 
ward the extension of Davis Street prevented 
liim from obtaining what he had to pay for the 
ground, and he had to surrender the lease and 
the building with it. Next he made thetrip to 
the Sandwich Islands already referred to; and 
in 1856 he worked a short time in San Fi'aii- 
cisco, and then bought his place in this county 
from Captain Mace, for $1,100. Thenceforward 
he has been a resident of this county. There 
are 173 acres here, well improved. Mrs. Kelley 
died in 1852. They had five children, all of 
whom are dead. In 1855 Mr. Kelley married 
Elizabeth McCloy, and by this marriage there 
have been three children, two of whom are liv- 
ing; Jane, wife of H. B. Smith; and Elizabeth, 
now Mrs. Peter Robinson. The one who died 
was Maggie, who was burned to death when 
fourteen years old. 

fH. RUSSELL is a pioneer of Sacramento, 
who was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 
** July 11, 1825, the youngest of eleven 
children, five of whom were boys. His fiither, 
Francis Russell, was a native of Chester County, 
Pennsylvania. When a little over thirteen years 
old (April 1, 1839), he went to work as a clerk 
in his brother's hardware store, and for nine 
years, nine months and nine days continued 
with him. His friend in the store was John 
"Whiteside, and for several years the subject of 
"going West" was discussed between them. In 
1846 he entered man's estate, and to celebrate 
the event he received $100 and a new suit of 
clothes, when he at once started off on a trip to 
"see the world." He went to Ohio, to Michi- 
gan (where he had a brother), and to Chicago, 
where he met a party of fifteen young men wlio 
were making a pleasure trip. There were no 
railroads out of Chicago at that time, but a 
stage line ran to fxaleiia, 198 miles, and the fare 



was $3. On this stage trip he first met (tov- 
ernor Stoneman, then a young lieutenant on his 
way from General Kearny. The stage was up- 
set and Stoneman and Russell became acquainted 
and went on to St. Louis together. Years after- 
ward, when Stoneman had become Governor of 
California, he met him again and the incidents 
above related were recalled. The trip made, his 
$100 spent, he returned again to the store a 
"wiser if not a better man." He came to the 
coasfin 1849, with two companions, Sam Crist 
and Henry Good, arriving in Sacramento on the 
12th of August. They camped here for a 
month, and then went to the mines. The ups 
and downs of mining life need not be related 
liere. Suffice it to say that in February, 1854, 
he returned to New York, via the Nicaragua 
route, and on the 1st of May was married to 
Justice E. Banner, daughter of George Danner, 
of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a well-known Penn- 
sylvania man, who owned the receipt for the 
noted Hostetter's Bitters. Mr. Russell returned 
at once with his wife and engaged in the drug 
business, under the firm name of Fowler & Rus- 
sell, afterward Russell & Kirk; this was in 
1860. In 1863-'64 he was mining in Nevada, 
and afterward was interested in land and was 
engaged in farming in Sutter County. In 1853 
he was elected treasurer of that county. Re- 
turning to Sacramento in 1885, he was elected 
public administrator for two years, and latterly, 
with his son-in-law, F. Y. Williams, he has been 
ranching in Placer County. His family consists 
of one son and three daughters: Margaret, now 
Mrs. Grifiits; Caroline H., now Mrs. F. Y. 
Williams; Mary I., and B. tl. Russell, the 
youngest of the family. Their home is on II 
street. 



fO. KANE, a rancher of Dry Creek Town- 
ship, was born January 1, 1820, in Lon- 
® donderry County, Ireland, son of John 
and Mary (McMaster) Kane. His parents came 
to the United States in 1830, by way of the St. 



•UAMICNTO aoUNTY. 



l.iiwri'iH'i^ liivt^r, Ituidiiij^ at, hmviHtdii, Maine; 
tlii'V livril ill NiiiMiint Coiiiily, Nfw York, iinlil 
lsil,,„„| Ihcn inuv.Ml I,,, Kimr ('..iiiil.v, lllinci.^, 

lil'iiM' il,.... w.'»l ,,1'St,. (l|iurl,..s, wliriv Ihcy iv- 

Hia.Ml on M raini until lln-ir .Iralh, llic rulln-r in 
isr.l, lit, iJin iif^'e i.f Hixty li\r yrarH, and llic 
ninllii.f in isr)li, 111, \\w a;r„ ..f IJI'ty.Mx ymi'H. 
'I'lirv IumI liv duiiu'liliTK ami tlimo sons; flui 
lalhT were l'alri,rl(. I'.aer and .1. ( ). Tlif tAVu 

\'v\rv, ill ivIiiniiiiM- honn, in Isr.l, di.'d in Si. 
l.diiiH, MisM,,iiri, with A«iali.Mdiol,.ra. Mr. Kane, 
llid rtiilijccl of IhiH f,k.'lcli, wan lin.n-lil np i.n a 
I'arni. In isr)(), when iiJMnit. tliirty yi'iirH ol' ai^c, 
ii(^ ciinii' ai'i'oHh the |ilaiiis and nioiinlaiiiH to 
Calirornia, reaidiin^- liiinj^Mown, Aiijrimt, Jl), and 
lollnwed ininiiiM' Ihriv nnlil 1X54, with ^o^A 

HM.veHri. 'I'l he .•ain,. down lu Deor Valley 

and |.nirha I a ,i,|uallerV Idle near SheMon, 

and r.'inaiiMMl Mieiv nnlil IS^S. 'I'hen, „.'llin^- 
onl, he |)iii'cJiaHed liiH |ii'enent |U'o|ierl\' in I Iry 
Cividv TownHhii), MtU'tili iiiileM noiih of Call and 
one mile east of lIi(d<svillo. All the inipro\e- 
iiieiilH (Ml this plaeo ho iiiiiimdr liaH made; and 
he hiiH alHo mi^t with Homo heavy Iohhoh. His 
honse with eontenln, iiudndinj,' !ii;5()() in papei' 
money, wan dertlroytHJ hy lire ,1 idy S, ISSS; l.nt 
ho ndiuill and now' has a comrorlahle home. 
lliN land, -^(U) aeros in o.vtoiit, is in a line slale ..1° 
oidlivalion, diU'ot.Hl to hay, oraiii and live-wloel;. 
llohaHalrtuHomofriiitoriill kinds, and tlireoaeroB 
ol" raisin M-rapes, in a lloiirishine; eondition. Mr. 
Kane is a hard workino-, honest m;m, is pliys 
ieally a<Mi\e, and enlerprisino. H,, is .a nu'iiiiier 
of (Jail Lodoe, No. 'Z\\\\ I. ( >. ( >, K., and ,d' I he 
order of K .ot' 1'. of Ih.. same pl.ac'e. I'nnn 
ISC.;! I,, ISSC. he was a jllslieeof Ihe |.eaee. In 
Isr.O he parlieipaled in \\u- Indian Ir.niM.vs of 
that year. 

fSiisse,\ County, N<^w .l.^rsey, in lS2t). In 
ISIS he moveii to liepul.lican, Ohio, and 
a sluM't time afterward, in 1S52, eame lo Call 



'i'he I'.awi Il 

lull lorlnnalelv 



Ihiee months on the way. 
Hl,,de some of his .-allle, 
;'oveiv,l Ihem. Arrivin- 
meiilo wilh a lew head of <-all,le, he s,dd 
Was Ihen .wiinlovnd l.y William Mnl- 



drow 



ipn.y 
Ihs, and 



d lAVonly. 



land and ho^'aii f^'ardunino;. T 



yoarfl iiftorward hu lioiii;ht throe Hpan of iiiuleH 
anil commmicod teaming over the Sierra Nevada 
Mountains, and this Imsiness h.* followe.l for 
ahoiit twenty years. JMiially he hoiiohl, llm 
raneh of -ISli acres wIunv he is now livino and 
whei'e ho is raisilljf all kind cd' slork, hay and 
j^rain. William DoKay, father of Seely, was 
also a native of Now .lersoy and diod in that 
Statu; and his wife luudiel, «,/■ iiamilhm, horn 
also in New .Jersey, died in KepnMie.an, Old... 



Mr. C5. S. !)(d<. 






■n in London, faioland, in IS-iH, and 
;e one ehild, ( I uy I'. 

— ^€(li:®i^*^ 

•gR^ClilN RANDOI.I'll KUNVON was l...rii 
Will C.nnly, Illinois, in IS.-Ji^ said lo 
' the lirsl while. 'hild li.>rn in ihateounly, 
his parents h.dno Armslea.l .an. I Anna (llor'n- 
hi.eker) Kuiiyon. The molhor, a native of Ohio, 
died in ehihihirth, in ISiiil. Tlu> fatlior, a native 
of Koid.\icky, died at Santa lio.sa, ('HJifonua, 
ill lS7tl, a<;;od about aovonty-live. (iramliathor 
Michael Itunyon was nhotit eii^'hty at his death 
in ISoC. The father move.l wilh his family I.. 
Missouri in 1S|.|, ami th.aiee I.. California in 
ISlil, selllin^' soon afterwar.l on I he Sacraineiit.o 
Kiver, two miles l..d..w Courlland. Here tiie 
elder Mr. Uniiy..n lirsl l....k up U)0 acroa, to 
which he added l.y lal.r purehaso until heowuoil 
aliout a section of Ian. I, with a froutan'o of one 
mile on the river. O. U. Kuny,.n work.Ml r..r 
his fatlu'r fn.m l...yhood nnlil isr..-). ami ha.l 
luit little re>{idar scho.diiig in his youth. In 
1855 ho returned to Lockport, Illinois, his 
birtii-place, and went to s(du...l in iieloit. Wis 
cousin, for three yi>ars. Kor several y»'ars he 
was in husinosa as a hoot ami shoe dealer in 



HISTORY OF SACHA.V/CNTO COUM'T. 



Lockport, and at "Waterloo, Iowa. He was also 
a hook-keeper for a short time at this period of 
his life. Mr. Rnnyun was married at Lockport, 
December 28, 1859, to Miss Martha E. Place, 
who was born at Oswego, New York, in 1835, 
daughter of Joseph and Malora (Wright) Place. 
Joseph Place died in 1865, at the age of eiglit}'- 
four, and Malora Place died in 1847, at the age 
of lifty-one. The Place family is American for 
several generations, and of English origin. Mr. 
and Mrs. Runyon are the parents of two living 
children, both horn in Lockport, Illinois: George, 
in 1863, and Laura M., in 1868. One child, 
Howard Wright, born in California, died at the 
age of five years. In 1870 Mr. linnjon re- 
turned to California, and went to Iruit-raising 
about two miles below Courtland, where he 
still resides. His ranch comprises 300 acres, 
of which, however, two-thirds is swamp land, 
and 100 acres are devoted to fruit and alfalfa. 
In 1875 his title was perfected, and in 1878 he 
built his present residence, one of the most 
beautiful homes on the river. It is a two-story 
and basement house of fourteen rooms, well 
built and handsomely furnished. Its dimen- 
sions are about 50x60 feet, and must have cost 
over $12,000 to build and finish, not to mention 
the additional outlay for interior ornamentation. 
Mr. Runyon has been school trustee of the 
Onisbo district for ten years. 



SAAC F. FREEMAN (" Uncle Isaac"), a 
prominent citizen of Sacramento County, 
was horn in Ohio, in the year 1814. As 
early as 1836 he made a trip across the country 
from Hamilton, Ohio, to the Black Hawk pur- 
cliase, now Burlington, on the west side of the 
Mississippi, crossing the river in a canoe run by 
Indians; and three years afterward he settled at 
Bentonsport on the Des Moines River west of 
Burlington. At that time the milling (corn- 
grinding) for the immigrants was done by Meeks 
& Sons at Bonaparte, and Dr. G. S. Bailey 
dosed out the quinine to the inhabitants all 



along the Des Moines River. In 1852, with a 
son, A. C, twelve years old, he drove a herd of 
live-stock across the plains, and walked all the 
way, sleeping every night with no tent cover- 
ing. Although the Indians were numerous 
along the route, they gave no trouble. After 
arriving in California, Mr. Freeman was en- 
gaged in the milk business forabout a year, and 
then returned East. In 1859 he came again to 
California, settling at his present home near Elk 
Grove. The country at that time was wild, and 
only the following settlers were in Old Elk 
Grove, then known as the " Illinois Ranch." 
Thomas and Thaddeus McConnell, H. Stewart, 
Judge Ilannon, Messrs. Beam, Foulkes, Buck- 
ner, Frye and James Whitcomb. There was no 
farming, stock-raising being the only industry; 
hay-raising began about 1861, but little or no 
wheat till later. Xerr Bros, set out the first 
grape-vines in that part of the county. The 
land grants made mnch trouble and impover- 
ished many of the original settlers. The flood 
of 1862 caused a great devastation, and reached 
nearly up to Georgetown, now F'ranklin. The 
plains were covered with cattle dying and dead, 
and a man named Meny was said to have made 
money by killing them and stealing their hides. 
In 1869-'70 Mr. Freeman was a member of the 
Legislature. He has been a school trustee for 
over thirty years, and he has filled various other 
positions. He has now been a farmer for sixty- 
live years, and has always been in favor of white 
labor and opposed to Chinese labor, Chinese 
citizenship and C'hinese immigration. 

fETER PLANALP, farmer. It is with 
pleasure that we record the life of such an 
old Californian as the subject of this sec- 
tion of our history. He is a marked type of 
those who came hither in early day. He was 
born in Switzerland, Xovember 20, 1828, a son 
of Peter and Barbara (Staliley) Planalp. In 
1834 the family came to the United States, lo- 
cating in Dearborn County, Indiana, where they 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



made their home for a number of jears, during 
the more active part of their life. The old gen- 
tleman was a farmer by occupation, and when 
lie and his wife were somewhat advanced in 
years they went to Missouri, where they remained 
with some of their children nntil their death. 
They had three sons and four daughters, all of 
whom are living. Mr. Planalp, the subject of 
this sketch, is the only one of the family in this 
State. He was brought up a i'armer boy in 
pioneer times, at hard work and with but little 
schooling. At the age of twenty-four years, in 
company with a returned Californian, — Mr. 
Matthews, — he started, April 15, 1852, for the 
gold fields of this State. He came by steamer 
to St. Louis, and thence by mule teams, leaving 
Independence, Missouri, May 10, and arriving 
in Sacramento September 16, without any special 
trouble on the trip, although the trains ahead 
and behind them had troubles with the Indians 
and other accidents. When he arrived in Sac- 
ramento he had poor health. The friends with 
whom he came went up on the San Juan grant, 
on the American River, and obtained a ranch. 
Mr. Planalp obtained work from a neighbor 
living there, remaining with him three months. 
He then made a trip through the mines between 
Sacramento and Marysville, and up the Yuba 
River and on to San Juan and other places. 
Returning to this county, he obtained work upon 
a farm about where he is now living. Some 
two years later he again visited the mining 
region and worked about two years there. Pre- 
vious to this he had taken up land claims in 
Dry Creek Township, and when he returned 
from the mines he went upon his land, and since 
1858 he has given his entire attention to farm- 
ing and stock-raising. In 1863 he sold his 
lands, went to Fresno County and entered the 
live-stock business there, remaining until 1867. 
Returning then to this county, he bought back 
his old place, which he now occupies. It com- 
prises 874 acres, and 240 acres adjoining 
belongs to his wife. Mr. Planalp is a most 
successful farnjer, beginning here, as he did, in 
early days without anything to help him except 



his industrious habits and business tact. In 
1879 he erected his handsome residence in Gait, 
where he has ever since resided. In politics he 
has always been a Democrat, but not an active 
politician. In 1870 he married Mrs. Rosanna 
M. Need, widow of Michael Need, who came to 
this State in 1857. Mrs, Planalp has had four 
children, two by each marriage. The names of 
all are, in order, Sarah E. and George W. Need, 
and Rosanna and Henrietta Planalp. All are 
natives of the Golden State. 



— — -Ir^^-I-'- — 

fOHN G ARM AN HITE was born near 
Rushville, Schuyler County, Illinois, De- 
cember 28, 1848, his parents being Alexan- 
der and Arabella (Matthus) Hite. The father, 
born in Virginia in 1806, died on the place now 
owned by the son, in December, 1885, lacking 
only a few days of being eighty years old. The 
mother, born in Ohio in 1812, and there married 
in 1829, is living with her daughter Rachel, 
now Mrs. C. E. Adams, of Sacramento. The 
parents came to California by the northern 
route across the plains in 1853, arriving at 
Bear River, September 24, with six sons and 
six daughters. Their youngest child, Daniel 
Oren, born in Sacramento County in 1854, is 
now living with the subject of this sketch. One 
daughter died in 1861, aged fifteen; another is 
also deceased, and one son, Abram E., died in 
1885. The father bought a place on his arrival, 
about three-quarters of a mile to the west of his 
later location, now owned by his sou, a quarter 
of a mile west of the Six-Mile House, on the 
lower Stockton road. This he settled on Janu- 
ary 9, 1855, taking up a quarter section, of 
which, however, only 120 acres were patented 
to him. He put np a house the same year. 
From 1858 to 1864 the family lived on the 
Haggin grant, six miles above Sacramento, the 
two oldest sons renting the father's ranch. J. 
G. attended the usual spring and autumn terms 
of the local schools during his boyhood and 
youth, and before his majority had also picked 



HISTORY OF 8A0RAMENT0 GOUNTY. 



up the trades of carpenter and blacksmith. Be- 
fore he was quite twenty-one he went into the 
threshing business, which he still follows now 
with much improved machinery, and in winter 
and spring he worked as carpenter. He also at 
one time clerked in a store at Freeport for two 
years. Mr. liite was married July 17, 1876, 
to Miss Lillian Rheil, a native of California, 
her parents being Philip G. and Mrs. Hannah 
(Bodge, by birth Weber) Rheil, both living in 
Freeport. January 5, 1881, Mr. Hite bought 
out his father, and built a new house of six 
good rooms. He raises grain and hay chiefly. 
He rents 400 acres in Sutter Township, across 
the road to the north of his line, mostly sown 
to wheat; and with a partner rents 240 acres 
more, devoted mainly to cattle and hay. For 
four to live months each year he is engaged in 
threshing for various ranchers, in and out of 
Sacramento County. Mr. and Mrs. Hite are 
the parents of two children: Lovella, born 
October 11, 1878: Waverly John, March 9, 
1880. 

fOSEPH HANLON was born in West 
Meath, Ireland, in 1837, his parents being 
James and Catherine (Garrity) Hanlon 
They were the parents of four sous who grew to 
manhood, of whom three emigrated to America, 
and one remained at the old home, and another 
has lately returned there. The maternal grand- 
mother lived to the age of ninety-seven, the 
only relative known whose age extended beyond 
seventy. Joseph Hanlon arrived in New York 
in 1854, and soon afterward went West, going 
to work near La Porte, Indiana, in that year. 
In 1857 he came to California, and went to 
mining at Iowa Hill, Placer County, but with 
only moderate success. In 1858 he came down 
into the plains and went to work for the owner 
of the place he now owns. In 1859, he and iiis 
partner, Timothy McEnerney, rented IfiO acres 
of the same, and in 1862 they bought eighty 
acres, to which they added by later purchase 



until they owned 760 acres in 1875. They ran 
a dairy and did general farming besides raising 
cattle and horses. In 1881 Mr. Hanlon paid a 
visit to Ireland, returning in 1882; and in 1883 
he bought out his partner's interest, becoming 
sole owner of 760 acres of land. September 21, 
1884, Mr. Hanlon was married, in San Fran- 
cisco, to Miss Catherine Callahan, a native of 
Ehode Island, the only child of Michael and 
Julia (Gavegan) Callahan. The father, who was 
an assistant railroad superintendent, was acci- 
dentally killed at the age of twenty-nine years. 
The mother, who was fifty-five years old in 
January, 1889, resides with her daughter in the 
placid enjoyment of the health and vigor of 
well-preserved womanhood, with a fair promise 
of reaching the age of her father, who was ninety- 
eight years old at his death in 1883. Her ma- 
ternal grandparents, who were also named Gave- 
gan, — Matthew and Ann, — died at the ages of 
eighty-one and seventy-seven, the husband being 
two years older than the wife and surviving her 
two years. He was a leather merchant in 
Strokestown, County Roscommon, Ireland. Mrs. 
Hanlon is an accoinplislied pianist, and a singer 
of marked ability. Before her marriage she was 
a teacher of vocal and instrumental music in 
San Francisco, where her musical talent was in 
frequent demand for charity concerts and enter- 
tainments, her generosity and self-sacrifice being 
widely known to the benevolent projectors of 
such enterprises. Mr. and Mrs. Hanlon are the 
parents of two boys: Joseph Aloysius, born 
December 28, 1885, and James Ignatius, born 
August 24, 1887. 



-■V'" 



fAMES 11. II AJVllLTON, a rancher of Sut- 
ter Township, was born May 9, 1832, in 
Kentucky, and is the son of James and 
Sarah (Lewis) Hamilton, natives also of Ken- 
tucky. The grandfather of James II., also 
named Jatnes, was a native of Scotlaiui, came 
to America before the Revolutionary War, iu 
which he served as a soldier. In his family 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



were three children: William D., Mary A., 
wife of Boone McDonald, and they resided in 
Kentucky until their death, and James. In 
the family of the father of the subject of this 
sketch were thirteen children, six sons and 
seven daughters. The sons were: "William, 
John, Andrew, McCrager, Matthew and James 
H. The latter was brought np on a farm in 
Kentuck}' until he was seventeen years of age, 
when he learned the carpenter's trade, and fol- 
lowed it some three years in Kentucky, and 
eleven years in Callaway County, Missouri; he 
and his wife and one child, in 1864, came to Cali- 
fornia, overland, with mule teams, consuming 
four and a half months' time. Going direct to 
the Cosumnes River he commenced fanning fo.i 
himself, and was engaged in that pursuit two 
years. He then tried his hand at gold-raining, 
and found that, after a six-months trial, it took 
two dollars to make one. Quitting that he went 
to Sebastopol, in Sacramento County, and pur- 
chased land from the State, commenced stock- 
raising, and continued that business until 1881, 
with marked success. In that year he sold out 
and bought his present property of 120 acres, 
five miles south of Sacramento and one mile east 
of the Freeport road. This land is specially 
adapted to fruit. Four acres are in straw- 
berries and five acres in choice varieties of 
peach, plum, French prunes, Hungarian prunes, 
silver prunes, apricots, apples, Bartlett pears, 
nectarines, almonds, persimmons, English and 
black walnuts, and some of the finest grafted 
oi'ange trees in this part of the country. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hamilton have made one visit to his 
old home in Kentucky, and to his mother, who 
is still living in St. Charles, Missouri, at the age 
of ninety-one years. After making that visit 
he was glad that lie had a home in California^ 
to which he might return. Mr. Hamilton has 
been a member of Callaway Lodge, No. 105, I. 
O. O. F.; is now a member of Sacramento 
Lodge, No. 2, of the same order, and also of 
Sacramento Grange, No. 12. In 1856 he mar- 
ried Miss Rebecca La Rue, a native of Vir- 
ginia, born November 11, 1834, and a daughter 



of Jacob and Elizabeth La Rue, both deceased; 
mother died in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton 
have two children: the daughter, Annie E., 
born in Callaway County, Missouri, June 14, 
1861, is the wife of H. W. Foster; and the son, 
George L., born November 13, 1871, is now at- 
tending the Sacramento Business College. 



->^ 



iERRITT C. PIKE, of Brighton Town- 
ship, has a ranch of 310 acres, all 
improved; 235 acres are in orchard 
and the rest in vineyard. The orchard com- 
prises apricots, peaches, French prunes, plums, 
etc. Of peach-trees he has about 15,000; of 
plums and prunes, 9,000; about ten acres are 
in almonds. Ages of fruit-trees, from four to 
eight years. The vineyard embraces Tokays, 
Muscats and other table varieties, and of Zin- 
fandels, Carignanes, Materos and Petit Bour- 
ger and otiier wine varieties, one to four years 
old. In 1888 he sold 24,600 l)oxes of wrapped 
fruit; had twenty-six tons of dried fruit, two 
tons of almonds from four-year-old trees, and 
also sold $2,000 worth of undried fruit to the 
cannery. He has also an acre and a half of 
blackberries, which produce 500 crates annually, 
worth in market 75 cents to $1.25 per crate. 
There are about a 1,000 trees along the drive- 
way, and bordering the ranch all around. Dur- 
ing the busy season of wrapping and drying he 
gives employment to fifty-five to sixty men. 
Has a twenty-five-horse-power engine to supply 
steam in connection with the two steam driers, 
costing $884 each; capacity, twelve tons of 
fresh fruit every twenty-four hours. Each drier 
has 120 trays. The main building of the dry 
ing establishment is 24x60 feet, with two 
wino-s 20 X 24 feet, for storing. There ai'e also 
a packing-house and other buildings. Of this 
place he purchased 190 acres in 1877 of G. G. 
Briggs, and 120 acres of J. T. Wight in 1885. 
The purchases were made by Montgomery 
Pike, Sr., and M. C. Pike, in 1877, who ran the 
business until January 1, 1888, when Mont- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT}'. 



goinery Pike, Jr., bouglit his father's interest, 
and for a while the business was carried on un- 
der the firm name of Piice Brothers, until W. 
S. Kendall, of Sacramento, bought Montgomery 
Pike's (Jr.) interest. At first the land was all 
heavily timbered with live oak, jack oak and 
willow. There are two kinds of soil: the bot- 
tom land is a deep, sandy loam, adapted to 
peaches, plums and apricots; the upland is the 
clay loam, good for grapes and almonds, never 
baking, and easily worked at any time of the 
year. Mr. Pike was born in Jefi'erson County, 
Iowa, December 2, 1859. His father, Mont- 
gomery Pike, first came to California in the 
spring of 1873, and made arrangements for the 
family; they came the next autumn. lie is 
now residing in Santa Barbara County, engaged 
in raising fruit. Mrs. Pike died in 1886. The 
family comprise Elias, born in Indiana; Jenni- 
son, born also in Indiana, and is a minister of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church in Iom'm; Mary 
O., who died in 1882; Annie M., born in lowa^ 
now Mrs. McEwing, in Santa Barbara County; 
M. C, the subject of this sketch; and Mont- 
gomery, born also in Iowa. The latter owned 
a coal mine in Kirkville, Wapello County, Iowa, 
and ran it about four years; and since that time 
has been engaged here in the fruit and vege- 
table business. October 15, 1885, M. C. Pike 
married Lizzie A. Shields, daughter of John 
Shields, of this cour.tv. 



fOIIN PIERCE RHOADS, deceased, was 
born in Muhlenburg, Kentucky, October 5, 
1818, being the third child of Thomas and 
Elizabeth (Foster) Rhoads. His parents moved 
from Kentucky to or near Vincennes, Indiana; 
and as early as 1830 to Edgar County, Illinois, 
where he owned h farm. John P. was brought 
up on a farm and his educational opportunities 
were limited. He used to tell of helping in his 
youth, among other jobs, in the construction of 
a section of the National Road, near the Wabash, 
for which his father held a contract. By pri- 



vate study and great industry he supplied the 
deficiency in his early education, and in mature 
life was regarded as a well informed man. At 
the age of eighteen he was married to Miss 
Matilda Fanning, also a native of Kentucky, 
probably on the eve of his family's removal to 
Missouri, in 1836. He farmed in Ray County, 
in that State, and six childi-en were born to 
them there, of whom three are still living: 
Thomas F., now a resident of Rapid City, Da- 
kota; Mathew M., of Modf)C County, California; 
and Mary E., now Mrs. William H. Taylor, of 
Hudson, Grant County, New Mexico. With 
the father and both families he came to Califor- 
nia in 1846. Separating at the Hastings' cut- 
ofi" from the Bonner party and following the old 
route the Rhoads family escaped the disasters 
that befell the Donners. When the news was 
brought, by the " Forlorn Hope" to Johnson's 
crossing, on the Bear River, where the Rhoads 
family were living, John P. was the most active 
in the effort to rescue the survivors. He im- 
mediately extemporized a small raft on which 
he crossed the swollen river and hastened across 
the plains oti foot to carry the dreadful news to 
Sutter's Fort. He was a member of the first 
and fourth relief parties, and among the heroic 
services rendered one grateful survivor, Naomi 
L. Pike, then a child, afterward Mrs. Schenck, 
since deceased, of the Dalles, Oregon, tells how 
he carried her over forty miles upon his shoul- 
ders, carefully wrapped up in a blanket. Early 
in 1847 he moved to Sonoma County witii his 
wife and children, but in the fall of that year 
he bought land on the Cosumnes, known as lot 
five of the Sheldon estate. With the discovery 
of gold in 1848 his farming plans were laid aside 
for a time, and he went to mining in Rhoads' 
Diggings, near Folsom. During that year, in 
his absence, twin sons were born to him in 
Sonoma, Andrew J. and James K., who are now 



in Tulare County. Later 



e year 



when the gold fever had somewhat chilled, he 
moved his family to his ranch on the Cosumnes, 
and engaged in general farming and stock-rais- 
ing. Here in 1850 another child, William B. 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



was born, but he was killed in childhood by 
failing f'roiii the second floor of a barn. In 
1851 the mother died, leaving six surviving 
children. In August, 1852, Mr. Rhoads was 
Hiarried to Miss Mary Murray, a native of Ire- 
land. She bore him eight sons, five of whom 
are still living: John M., in 1853; Francis J., 
in 1854; Michael M., in 1855; Daniel C, in 
1856, and Paifus H., in 1860. Daniel C. is 
married and is the father of one boy. Novem- 
ber 18, 1884, Rufus II. married his wife, Mary 
A., a native of this State, and a granddaughter 
of S. W. Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
for some years a settler on the Cosnmnes, but 
now residing, at the age of seventy-nine, in 
Hudson, Grant County, New Mexico. He now 
has two sons, — Emmet Francis and John R. 
Michael M. was married December 26, 1887, to 
Lizzie Murphy, of Toronto, Canada, and re- 
sides in Sacramento. In 1863 John P. Rhoads 
was elected a member of the State Assembly 
on the Republican ticket. He was a school trus- 
tee of the Riioads district for twenty years, and 
enjoyed the confidence and respect of his neigh- 
bors in all the relations of life. He died De- 
cember 20, 1866, his second wife surviving 
until February 9, 1869. Francis J. Rhoads, 
and his younger brothers, J. M., M. M. D. C, 
and R. H. Rhoads, besides the usual district 
school education, took a coui-se in St. Mary's 
College in San Francisco; Daniel C, afterward 
in the Pacific Business Collegeof San Francisco. 

tUTHER KURTZ HAMMER (deceased), a 
pioneer of California and one of the best 
known Sacramentans in times gone by, was 
a Dative of Hagerstown, Maryland, born Feb- 
ruary 7, 1826, and a son of Jacob Hammer 
When he was a mere child, the family removed 
to Mansfield, Ohio, and there he grew to man- 
hood and learned the jeweler's trade. From 
there he went to Illinois, where he worked at 
his trade. When the California gold excite- 
ment broke out, he decided to trv his fortunes 



in the new El Dorado, and in 1849 he joined 
one of tiie parties organized to cross the plains. 
The trip was more than ordinarily spiced with 
adventure. On one occasion, when attempting 
to cross a river on horseback, the horse was 
caught in the current and swept down the 
stream, while he himself was helpless. But a 
lasso was thrown at him from the shore, and 
catching it, he was pulled in and rescued when 
on the point of drowning. The horse, however, 
was lost. He was an expert banjo player, and 
as be had one of those instruments along, there 
was often music in the camp. The " Across the 
Plains" speaks of an instance where a train had 
gone into camp for the night, and among its 
people were several negroes. Mr. Hammer 
came into the camp with his banjo, and greatly 
entertained the people of the train with his 
music, while the negroes were rendered frantic 
with delight. On arriving in California he 
engaged in teaming between Sacramento and 
Jackson., afterward settling in the latter place 
and embarking in the jewelry business there. 
From there he removed to Sacramento and en- 
gaged in the music business in partnership with 
J. R. Tolles. A few years later Mr. Hamuier 
became sole proprietor of the business. He 
came to Sacramento a single man and married 
in this city to Miss Maria L. Tolles, a native of 
Mansfield, Ohio, both of whose parents died in 
Sacramento. Her father was engaged in the 
real-estate business here up to the time of his 
death. Mr. and Mrs. Hammer were the parents 
of four children, of whom only M. L. survived. 
The deceased are: Frank T., Frederick C. and 
Alice M. L. K. Hammer was a prominent 
Mason. He joined the order at Sacramento, in 
Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, and was a member 
of the Chapter, Council and Commandery. He 
was also a meml)er of the Pioneer Society. 
Since the organization of tlie Republican party 
he has been one of its supporters, and always 



took an active interest in pi 



iblic affairs. He 



held the post of school director for two terms, 
and was an incumbent of the office at the time 
of his death, wliich occurred November 27 



HIsrORT OF SACEAMENrO OOUNTY. 



1883. Mr. Hammer is remembered as one of 
the representative business men of his time. 
He was virtually the introducer of the Chicker- 
ing piano in this market, and was identified 
with that instrument for many years. M. L- 
Hammer, proprietor of the wiiolesale and retail 
music liouse at 830 J street, is the only surviv- 
ing child of Mr. and Mrs. Hammer, and is a 
worthy representative of the name of one of the 
California pioneers, as he ranks to-day, though 
a young man, among the leading business men 
of Sacramento. Mr. Hammer was born in 
Sacramento, October 25, 1864, was reared here 
and educated in the city's public schools. 
When his father's death left the music estab- 
lishment on his young shoulders, he had had 
but a year's experience in the business. But lie 
rose to the emergency, and instead of sinking 
under the load, has increased the trade of the 
house in every direction, and now has a larger 
trade in the general musical line than any 
house on the Pacific Coast, outside of San 
Francisco, while his business is now in better 
shape, than ever. Mr. Hammer is a member 
of Sacramento Lodge, A. F. &, A. M, and of 
Sunset Parlor, N". S. G. W. In politics he is a 
Republican. Mr. Hammer is an entertaining, 
pushing young man of excellent business quali- 
fications, and well deserves the success with 
which he is meeting in business. 

fLFRED MARTIN GUNTER was born 
September 3, 1842, in La Porte County, 
Indiana, his parents being Jacob and Jane 
(Sanford) Gunter. His mother is a native of 
Pennsylvania, and was born September 11, 
1818. His father, Jacob Gunter, was also a 
native of Pennsylvania, and was born June 13, 
1814. Tiiey were married February 23, 1836, 
in New York State. They went to Ohio and 
located near Cleveland, remaining for five or six 
years, thence to Illinois, then to Indiana, in 
both of which places they remained two or 
three years. Then they went to Jefferson 



County, Iowa, where they lived about five 
years. -In 1853, with others, they started for 
California. They took three wagons, drawn by 
ox teams, and about twenty head of cattle. 
They had no trouble on the way, exceptino' one 
night when they had to keep watch in order to 
keep the droves of buflalo from causing the 
cattle to stampede. They had the cattle tied to 
the wagons, there being no timber in that sec- 
tion. The parties Just ahead of them and be- 
hind were much annoyed by the Indians. After 
a journey of six months they landed in Pleasant 
Valley, El Dorado County, September 3. Mr. 
Gunter kept hotel for a time at Pleasant Valley, 
but afterward bought a ranch, which he sold 
after working it a year. Coming to Sacramento 
County, he bought a ranch in Brighton Town- 
ship. Twelve years later he sold out and 
moved to Inyo County, California. . His home 
is now in New Monterey. He and his wife are 
both living; he is seventy-five years old, and 
his wife seventy. They raised a family of twelve 
children, six sons and six daughters, one of 
whom has since died. Their names are as fol- 
lows: Efiama, born August 7, 1837, wife of J. 
M. Bell, resident in Pleasant Valley; Minerva, 
born March 2, 1839, wife of Joseph Power, 
resident in Inyo County, California; A. M.'; 
Adaline, born February 13, 1844, wife of Nel- 
son Shaver, of Sacramento; F. S. Gunter, born 
October 23, 1846, resident in Sacramento; A. T. 
Gunter, born October 18, 1848, resident in New 
Mexico; H. N„ born August 29, 1850; Eliza- 
beth N., born September 26, 1853, wife of Alley 
McGee, resident in Inyo County; Caroline, born 
October 28, 1857, resident in Inyo County, wife 
of John McGee; P. B., born October 28,1857, 
resident in Sacramento; N. J., born December 
29, 1859; and Mary J., born June 11, 1862, 
and died an infant. A. M. Gunter, the subject 
of this sketch, has spent all his life, excepting 
the first eleven years, in California. He took 
up a ranch, which other parties were striving to 
get, when yet too young to hold it in his name. 
He went there and stayed in a little house wlwch 
was built on the land, and which he had to o-uard 



HISTORY OF SAUKAMBNTO COUNTY. 



night and day. After he had been there a suffi- 
cient length of time, his father obtained a title 
to the land in his name (his father's). In 1862 
he went to Silver City with a load of freight, 
where he was exposed to the small-pox. He 
returned after an absence of twenty days, and 
was taken down with the disease, giving it to 
the other members of the family. During his 
absence his father had sold his ranch and spent 
the proceeds. But he gave him two cows, which 
he exchanged for oxen. With this team he went 
to baling hay, which occupation he followed for 
tiiree or four years. In this way he obtained 
his start in life. In 1870 he bought the place 
where he now resides; it contains 480 acres, 
and is devoted to general farming. It is situated 
on the road four miles east of Florin, in Brigh- 
ton and San Joaquin townships. Mr. Gunter 
is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, In- 
dustry Lodge, No. 157, of Sacramento, and the 
P. of H. He was married April 10, 1872, to 
Mary Margaretta Kent, born November 25, 
1849, daughter of James and Martha M. Kent, 
who came to California in 1853 across the 
plains, settling in Sutter County, -.inhere .they 
lived fifteen years; then moved to Elk Grove, 
where her father died September 18, 1884. Mr. 
and Mrs. Gunter have eight children, six sons 
and two daughters: Alfred Franklin, born Au- 
gust 17, 1873; AVilfred Edir.ond, December 25, 
1875; Mary Etta Leona, November 19, 1877; 
James Garfield, December 17, 1879; liufus 
Irving, March 27, 1882; Cora Alena Pearl, 
April 1, 1884; Orren Alonzo, July 25, 1886, 
and Larren Elbridge, August 31, 1888. 



FOSEPH GPtONDONA was born in Italy, 
jtember 6, 1819, and came direct to Cali- 
fornia in 1852, by way of New York and 
the Isthmus, walking across the latter, and 
landing at San Francisco in February, 1853. 
He first followed mining at Angel's Camp in 
Calaveras County, and then in Bear Valley, 
Mariposa, remaining there five years. Return- 



ing East, he was in Boston six months. Com- 
ing again to the coast by steamer, he went to 
the Bear Valley mines, where he remained two 
years, but not with much success. In Decem- 
ber, 1861, he went to San Francisco and then 
came to this county and rented a small piece of 
land two miles south of Sacramento, of Samuel 
Lardner, for five years; afterward he bought 
more land of Mr. Lardner, making sixteen 
acres, lie now has fifteen acres in orchard, and 
five acres in hops. This place was a swamp 
when he took possession of it, but he has made 
it a "garden of Eden." It is now about a half 
mile from the city limits, and near the levee 
road. The land is of the finest quality, and one 
can raise anything upon it any time of the year, 
as it is irrigated from the river, and able also to 
stand any amount of wet weather. The house 
is picturesquely situated in a grove of sycamore 
and eucalyptus, and fine fruit trees grace the 
surroundings. From the house the steamers 
are seen daily on the river. Mr. Groudona is 
still in good health and active, speaks good 
English, and is glad to spend the remainder of 
his life in this golden State. He was married 
in Italy, September 8, 1844, to Maria Pendola, 
and they have five sons and one daughter: Kate, 
in Italy, born September 14, 1845; Nicholas, 
born in Italy, April 13,1850; John, in Boston, 
November 17, 1852; Charles, born in Califor- 
nia, October 24, 1863; Frank, June 14, 1865, 
and Domingo, March 30, 1868, all of whom are 
living. 



fHARLES W. HARVEY, farmer, and one 
of the most worthy of the old settlers in 
Sacramento County, has been a resident 
here ever since 1853. He is a native of Herki- 
mer County, New York, where he was born 
August 18, 1831. He is a son of David Har- 
vey, some knowledge of whom and of the Har- 
vey family may be obtained from the sketch of 
Obed tiarvey, elsewhere in this work. When 
Charles W. was eight years of age, the family 



lIlSTJliY UF tiACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



moved from New York to Illinois, wliere he re- 
mained witii them until of age, a farm laborer. 
Being iiitellectuallj apt, lie obtained a good 
education, even with the limited advantages of 
the pioneer school. After his parents removed 
to Elgin he remained upon the farm in Kane 
County, till he left for California. November 
25, 1853, he sailed from New York on the 
steamer Prometheus to Nicaragua, and thence 
on the Countess to San Francisco; thence on a 
steamer to Sacramento, and then he traveled by 
the stage to Hangtown (now Placerville), ar- 
riving December 24. The month afterward he 
located upon Dry Creek in the valley. At that 
time his motiier and brother had some school 
lands, upon which Charles entered and engaged 
in the live-stock business. About the same 
time he bought several claims for himself, 
which were afterward found to be a grant that 
superseded other school land. He continued in 
the stock business, in connection with his 
brother and others, for a number of years. After 
severing his connection with them, he continued 
in the same business and in dairying until 1873, 
when he purchased the Briggs House in Gait, 
then in poor condition, fitted it up, gave it 
character, and conducted it for eleven years, 
with good patronage. Since he left the hotel 
Mr. Harvey has been engaged in no particular 
business. He is a charter member of Phoenix 
Lodge, No. 292, I. O. O. F., of Gait, and also a 
member of the Encampment of the same place. 
He is a gentleman of liberal views, and has 
alwaj's been interested in the growth of his 
adopted town. He was married in 1862, in Illi- 
nois, to Martini Sher^j'ood, a native of the State 
of New York. Their children are: Obed V., 
Irvin and Lou. 



•^— 



fOHN ROONEY, farmer, Brighton Town- 
ship, was born in Ireland, August 14, 1826, 
a son of John andAnn (Garland) Roouey. 
His parents had nine children, of whom six 
lived to be grown up: Peter came to the Ll^nited 



States in 1835, and died in Alabama; Patrick 
came to Alabama in 1850 and to California in 
1853, and died here; John was the third child; 
Mary came in 1835 to the United States, and 
died in Massachusetts; Mrs. Katharin Murray 
emigrated to America about 1842 and now re- 
sides in Peru, Illinois; and Bridget is still in 
old Ireland. Peter, the eldest, made that part 
of Alabama his home which the other members 
of the family also intended for their permanent 
residence. Mr. John Rooney, the subject of 
this sketch, came to the United States in 1847, 
when he was just twenty-one years old. lie was 
very young when his father died, being the 
youngest child at the time, and was brought up 
on the farm. He sailed from Liverpool to New 
York, and from there to Boston, near which 
place at Roxbury, his sister, Mrs. Mary Hoey 
was living. Two months afterward he went 
into King County, .Alabama, where Peter was 
living. November 20, 1849, he started for 
California, sailing from New Orleans to Cha- 
gres, Panama, and thence to San Francisco, 
landing there January 27, 1850. He arrived in 
Sacramento February 2, when this place was 
" all slough holes." Proceeding to the mines 
at Georgetown, El Dorado County, he remained 
there about nine months, and enjoyed gooJ suc- 
cess. At this time, in May or June, a friend from 
Alabama, John Hopper, obtained from him and 
his partner, Smith, $10,000, without security, 
for speculating purposes. By Christmas Hopper 
was " busted," and Rooney and Smith came 
down and took up this land for security. It 
consisted of 160 acres, about one and a half 
miles from where he now lives. They put in a 
crop of barley and made considerable money, 
about $5,000 net. Mr. Rooney carried on this 
farm and also the Alabama mine in El Dorado 
County, both which paid well, the mine yield- 
ing sometimes as high as $800 a day; his suc- 
cess, of course varied; but he netted $25,000 by 
1858, since which time he has been farming. 
His first place he kept until about 1879, when 
he purchased his present place, consisting of 610 
acres, five miles from Sacramento, on the Co- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Icnia read, loider ng the Airerican Eiver. It is 
a tine, productive place. Here liis principal 
ciops are all'alfa and bops, flis tine residence 
lie built when he purchased the place about ten 
jcars ago. In regard to political principles 
Mr. Kooney was during the war a Douglas 
Democrat; in 1864 he supported Lincoln, and 
i-ince 1868 he has been a Democrat. In 1853 
he visited Alabama, and there married Mary 
Clark, a native of Ireland, who came to the 
United States with her mother in 1850. Mr. 
and Mrs. Rooiiey have had four sons and one 
daughter: John, the eldest son, died February 
4, 1885, at the age of twenty-four years; the 
other children are living: Peter W. married 
Mary Powers; Mary is the wife of Thomas 
O'Xeil, of Sacramento; Steven A. married 
Mary Tagney ; and James is the youngest. The 
sons are all resident upon their father's farm. 



13|\NIEL RODEN, deceased, formerly a 
InM farmer in San Joaquin Township, was 
^^ born in Tennessee, March 21, 1831, his 
parents being Allen and Mary Roden, both 
natives also of Tennessee. When he was very 
young his parents moved with him to Laclede 
County, Missouri, where he remained until 
about twenty-three years of age; and during 
that time, in 1852, he married Elizabeth Brid- 
ges, who was born in Union County, Illinois, 
September 23, 1831, a daughter of Calvin and 



both natives of old Vin 



■ginia. 



Prudy Bridges, 
In her father's family were eight suns and two 
daughters, all now dead excepting the two 
daughters. Mrs. Mary Jones, the other daugh- 
ter, resides in Laclede County, Missouri. When 
Mrs. Roden was yet a child her fathe);died, and 
afterward her mother moved with her family 
from Illinois to Missouri, where she. Mrs. Roden, 
was brought up. In the spring of 1854, Mr. 
Roden and his family started for California with 
ox teams, and arrived in Sacramento County 
October 4. It was a long and tedious trip. Two 
or three of Mr. Roden's horses and two head of 



his cattle were stolen by the Indians. The tirst 
year here he cultivated a ]iiece of rented laud, and 
then entered a Cjuarter section of land in the 
northwestern portion of San Joiiquin Township, 
and after that boughr another quarter section 
adjoining. Here he made bis home until the 
autumn of 1875, when he sold and bought the 
present homestead in the same township and on 
the border of the Cosumnes River. The farm 
property is now owned by Mrs. Maxtield and 
Mrs. Bates, widows. The present farm, of 320 
acres, is rich land. Mr. Roden died March 14, 
1881, and since then the farm has been managed 
by ills widow and son. Iti the family there 
have been six children, viz: Isaac, who mar- 
ried Eimira McLaughlin; Daniel, w'ho married 
Anna Maxtield; Jessie, wife of James Mitchell; 
Emeline, Benjamin and John, — all residing 
in this county. For many years prior to his 
death, Mr. Roden was not a very hale man phy- 
sically, but his intellect and disposition were 
admired by all in the community, and he was 
faithful and kind to his family; was Democratic 
in politics, taking great interest in the public 
welfare. 



J^ON. OBED HARYEY, M. D.— Nothing 
^m\ can be of greater interest in connection 
^11 with the historical volume of a county 
than a page from the life history of those who, 
having become identified with the material and 
social interests in tarly days, have contributed 
so largely to its growth and development, and 
lei't the impress of their personality upon 
their generation. As grandly illustrative of this 
remark we take pleasure in noting here the prin- 
cipal facts of the life of the subject of this 
sketch. Dr. Harvey is a native of New 
York State, and was born in Wayne County, 
near the shore .of Lake Ontario, September 7, 
1825, the son of David Harvey, a farmer, and 
Nabby, nee Ainsworth, a native of Wilbraham, 
Massachusetts. The latter was of Welsh an- 
cestry, while the Doctor's ancestors came from 



JlLSTOJiY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTV 



Scotland; and it is a matter of familj' history 
tliat botli his great-grandfather and one of his 
sons died on a prison ship while serving their 
countfy during tiie Revolutionary war. A por- 
tion of Dr. Harvey's boyhood w^as passed at 
Gilbertsville, Otsego County, New York, where 
he attended the acadenny and began the study 
of medicine, under Dr. Eoderick. Later on 
he went to St. Charles, Illinois, where his par- 
ents resided, and, continuing his studies under 
Prof. G. W. Richards, was graduated with honor 
at the Rock Island Medical Institute, which 
•was subsequently merged into the University of 
Iowa, in 1848. After practicing his profession 
for two years at Genoa and Elgin, the discovery 
of gold in California was attracting the attention 
of the civilized world, and he became one of the 
pioneers who braved the difficulties and dangers 
of a trip overland, to the land of golden prom- 
ise, arriving with his party at Hangtow-n (now 
Placerville), in El Dorado County, August 3, 
1850. Here he practiced his profession, and in 
conjunction with Dr. Asa Clark, now of 
Stockton, had charge of the El Dorado County 
Hospital; was also associated with Dr. Keen, 
a prominent physician and politician of that 
county; and during the years of his residence 
there he was interested in mining and in many 
enterprises of public moment. In 1859 he was 
a delegate and active member from that county 
tQ the first railroad convention ever held in this 
State; it was held in San Francisco and was one 
of the incipient movements in the final estab- 
lishment of a public highway across the conti- 
nent. On his way East in the fall of 1857, on 
the steamer Central America, he was wrecked, 
September 12, at 8:00 p. m., off Cape Hatteras, 
being one of forty-nine passengers saved out of 
about 425; they were picked up by the Nor- 
wegian bark Ellen, after having floated on a 
piece of the wreck about nine hours. The Doc- 
tor was entirely alone during the most of this 
struggle on a separate piece of the wreck; 
sighting a light in the rigging of the hark some 
distance away, he made his last vigorous effort 
in swimming, and by use of his voice attracted 



the attention of the crew and soon was alone 



side the vessel; and when a 



rope 



was thrown to 



him grasped it and was drawn up to the gunwales 
of the vessel, when the strength in his hands 
gave way and he dropped back into the water. 
This occurred three times. Finally a ship's lad- 
der was thrown him and in some way he tangled 
himself upon the end of it and was safely drawn 
on board, about four o'clock in the morning. 
Arriving in New York, the medical department 
of the University of New York conferred upon 
him an honorary degree. Also while there he 
attended as a delegate from the California State 
Medical Society the meeting of the American 
Medical Association held in the city of Wash- 
ington, District of Columbia, in 1858; this be- 
ing the first or second occasion the State Medi- 
cal Society of California was represented at a 
meeting of the National Association. Loud 
applause greeted the calling of his name by the 
secretary incident to his perilous voyage, and 
the Doctor was the recipient of many warm 
complimentary expressions and congratulations 
upon his almost miraculous, escape. He has 
made several other visits East during the inter- 
I vening years, but always returns with increased 
regard for the comfort and advantages of his 
adopted State. In 1869, when the town of 
Gait was started. Dr. Harvey located there; 
and having acquired a large landed interest he 
laid out the town, and since then has made his 
residence there. Having relinquished his med- 
ical practice, he has devoted his time to his 
I large and varied farm interests. He has abont 
i 3,500 acres, mostly devoted to dairying, grain 
I and stock, with a small orchard and vineyard of 
j choice selected fruits. He has taken an active 
I interest and leading part in raising means for 
I the erection of school buildings, churches, and 
the establishment of other public improvements; 
and it is in this connection especially that we 
may be permitted to refer to his remarkal)le 
wife, nee Susan Mitchell Hall, to wiiom the 
Doctor was united in marriage in May, 1868. 
She is a native of New Haven, Connecticut, 
and brought with her to this land of sunshine 



048 



IIISTOUT OB' SACRAMENTO CODNTT. 



not only tlie traditional "steady liabits" of her 
nativity but also the culture and inbred refine- 
ment and educational acu;nen tor which the 
Elm City is famous. Tiieir only son, following); 
a taste for scientific pursuits, is completing a 
course of study at the Institute of Technology 
at Boston, while their only daughter is a pupil 
at Ogoiitz, the celebrated institute for young 
ladies near Philadelphia. Thus each in a way 
is being fitted to fill the place in life which he 
or she is destined to occupy. Politically Dr. 
Harvey is a Republican. A Whig in the early 
days, he was largely instrumental in the organ- 
ization of that party in El Dorado County in 
1852, and during the first Lincoln compaign he 
was brought forward by his friends and elected 
to tiie State Senate and served in that capacity 
for three years; and later served in the Assem- 
bly. Was one of the prime movers in the or- 
ganization of the Union party at the beginning 
of the last war. He has been an active, prominent 
director of the State Asylum for the Insane at 
Stockton for the past twelve years, and has filled 
many other positions of honor and responsibility. 

fRANK McNAMEE, deceased, for many 
years a resident of this State, was born in 
1818, in County Cavan, Ireland. In 1847 
he emigrated to America and lived in the East- 
ern States until about 1854, when he came to 
California. He was a farmer by occupation, the 
calling in which he had been reared. For the 
first two or three years here he mined at Prairie 
City and Alder Creek. The first thousand dol- 
lars he saved he put into the Adams Bank in 
Sacramento, and when that bank failed he lost 
all his mone}'. He continued mining, however, 
until he accumulated a little money again, when 
he embarked in the mercantile trade, in Fol- 
som, and continued in that business till the 
time of his death, June, 1878. He was a suc- 
cessful besiness man and earned some property 
outside of his regular business. His first wife 
was Mrs. Annie, nee Peniiock. They had two 



children; and she died in 1869. He married 
Anne Hoey, a native of Ireland, who came to 
California in 1867, and since that time has been 
a resident of Folsom. Since the death of lier 
husband, Mrs. McNamee has carried on the 
business which her husband left, and with that 
tact and enterprise which mark a successful 
business character. 



fAMES ROBINSON, farmer, was born in 
March, 1813, in the north of Ireland, son of 
Robert and Rebecca (Osboiii) Robinson. 
Hisfather, a farmer, lived and died in his native 
land; was engaged in trade a great deal, and 
hired men to carry on his farming. He died in 
1840, at the age of eighty-five years. His 
widow afterward moved to Australia with one of 
the sons and died there. In her family were two 
sons and three daughters: James, Kate, Anna, 
Rebecca, deceased, and Robert. Anna is now 
Mrs. Funston, of Sacramento. James Robinson 
emigrated to tlie United States in 1882, sailing 
from Londonderry and landing in Quebec, 
Canada. Then be went to New York city in 
June, a short time before the Asiatic cholera 
broke out in that city and lived there three 
years. Was foreman most of the time for a 
great contractor, Christie Keys. Next he was 
in Philadelphia about eight months, and then 
he came to St. Louis and spent a winter, then 
he was in Galena, Illinois, seven years, and 
finally, in 1853, came to this State. Buying 
horses and wagons in Galena, and provisions at 
St. Joseph, Missouri, he came overland, stop- 
ping several places on the way; was a week at 
Salt Lake. He arrived in Sacramento in Au- 
gust. Within a short time his leg was broken 
in an accident, which compelled him to remain 
in this city for a long time. As soon as he was 
able he entered into the business of keeping 
cows, selling milk and butter, and followed it 
for a few years. In 1867 he purchased 157 
acres of land in one place in Brighton Township 
and 800 in another. The former tract is where 



UISTOlir OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



lie now lives, having dwelt there most of the 
time since he bouglit it. Mr. Robinson was 
married in Philadelpiiia, in lS-4'2,to Ann Virtue, 
a native of Ireland, of Scotch and English de- 
scent, as well as her husband. They have two 
sons and four daughters living: Rebecca, Peter 
M., Anna, James V., Kate and Jennie. 



fAMES KEID, a pioneer, was born in Perth, 
about forty miles north of Edinburgli, 
Scotland, on the 10th of September, 1806; 
his parents being Peter and Jean (Jack) Reid, 
the father a cattle dealer, or drover, of Perth. 
The subject of this sketch was the oldest one of 
a family of eleven children, and when fourteen 
years old was apprenticed to a shoemaker, and 
served four years learning that trade. When 
he was twenty-two years old he decided to go, 
with his brother-in-law, who was preparing to 
emigrate to America. They set sail from Dun- 
dee in the brig Majesty, for New York, and 
after a voyage of six weeks' duration, landed 
safely in that city in August, 1829. He imme- 
diately obtained work at his trade, but found 
that making shoes in New York was very dif- 
ferent from making brogans in Scotland. In 
1832 (known all over the East as the great 
cholera year), he was working in a shop on 
Eighth avenue, and to escape the dread disease 
went hastily to Connecticut. When the frosts 
of the fall had allayed the danger he returned, 
and established a shop on Eighth avenue and 
Nineteenth street. When the excitement con- 
sequent upon the gold discovery in California 
was at its height, he made one of a party of forty 
who purchased the brig John Anderson, fitted 
her out with a cargo of mining implements, 
(which were found to be of no earthly use when 
they arrived), a run of mill-stones, etc., and 
started merrily to make their fortunes in the 
land of gold. Alas, for human hopes and e.K- 
pectations! They made the voyage around the 
Horn in five and a lialf months; the captain 
died, and storms beset their pathway, botli ex- 



ternal and internal, for discontent prevailed 
among both passengers and crew; and when 
they arrived off tlie brig at Sacramento, lie 
was only too glad to realize $200, as his share of 
the investment of many hundredsof dollars. He 
had had the forethought to bring a stock of shoes 
and brandy: these he sold and in this way gained 
a start. He then opened a tin store, a leading 
industry in mining days when wash-pans 
costing "three bits" would sell for $6, and 
screens costing 30 cents would readily sell for 
$5 " in dust " He afterward started a bath- 
house near the bridge, and later on ke])ta saloon 
on the present site of the water-works build- 
ing. He continued in the saloon business till 
1856; in the meantime he had acquired prop- 
erty, which was invested in a ranch on the op- 
posite side of the American River, and to this 
ranch he moved his family in the fall of that 
year, 1856. The floods of 1867-'68 absolutely 
destroyed his property, house, buildings, stock, 
everything, and he went into the railroad shops, 
where he worked in the boiler department for 
thirteen years. Mr. Reid was married in Perth, 
Scotland, in 1828, to Margaret McKewen. They 
have three daughters living. Their only son 
died at the age of fifteen years. Mrs. Reid died 
in April, 1889. 



-|-^«J- 



fEORGE WASHINGTON HARLOW, 
farmer, Brighton Township, was born in 
Franklin County, Illinois, on the National 
Road, 110 miles due east of St. Louis, August 
12, 1828. His father, Isaiali Harlow, was born 
and brought up in old Virginia, eighteen miles 
from Richmond, on the sea-coast. His mother, 
nee Margaret Carr, was born on the place called 
Bnrke Garden, Tazewell Court-house, West 
Virginia, where she was married, and where she 
and her husband resided six years, moving to 
Illinois with three children and with live horses 
and a wagon, and settled in Franklin County. 
Mr. Harlow exchanged the wagon and three 
horses for the farm claim. The ])laco being 



II18T0HY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



heavily timbered, much time and arduous labor 
were required to clear it up; but he persevered 
until he subdued to cultivation a very large 
held. After living there about eighteen years 
lie moved to Dane County, Wisconsin, bought 
land upon the main road from Galena into the 
Wisconsin pineries, built a hotel and conducted 
it about four years, when he died. Mrs. Harlow 
continued to make that her home until her chil- 
dren were all grown up and married, and then 
she lived with them until her death, which took 
place February 14, 1882, at the home of her son 
Isaiah Harlow, in Howard County, Iowa. She had 
eight children: John, Cynthia, William, Eliza- 
beth, George W. (the subject of this sketch), 
Isaiah, Susan and Mary. George W. is the only one 
of these now living. After the death of his father 
the farm fell to him and his brother Isaiah, who 
conducted it some time. It was afterwards sold 
and he moved to Howard County, Iowa, where 
his mother lived with him until he came to 
California; she then went to live with Isaiah. 
Mr. Harlow followed farming, and in 1857 or 
1858 built a saw-mill and ran it about five 
years, there being a large quantity of good tim- 
ber in the vicinity. May 2, 1863, he left home 
for visiting friends in New York State, prepara- 
tory to coming to California. In the spring of 
1864 he took the steamer North Star at New 
York city and came by way of the Isthmus and 
the old steamer Sonora to San Francisco, arriv- 
ing May 28. Coming to Sacramento, he bought 
an outfit here and went over the mountains to 
Bodie, Mono County, California, and worked in 
the mines during the summer of 1863. Re- 
turning to this valley, he rented a farm in Yolo 
• County, three miles above Sacramento, and lived 
there during the season of 1864. In the fall 
he went over to Bodie again and followed team- 
ing, hauling material for building quartz-mills. 
In the fall of 1865 he located upon his present 
place, which he bought from the railroad com- 
pany and where he has resided ever since. His 
farm then had 160 acres with but very little 
improvements. There was a small shanty, in 
which he lived a4)out two years, and then built 



his present house on the ridge. There were no 
fences; there were some old ditches, and now 
and then a post stuck in the ground with a few 
nails in it. At present the place comprises 140 
acres, under the best of improvements. Nine 
acres are in a good vineyard, and there are about 
500 good fruit trees four years old, in full bear- 
ing. Off of four acres of four-year-old Zinfan- 
dels he sold forty-seven tons, and there were two 
tons besides wasted, which is about as good a 
showing as can be made in Sacramento County. 
Mr. Harlow is a member of the Masonic order, 
and of the Reorganized Church of the Latter- 
day Saints in Sacramento; he has been a mem- 
ber of this church thirty years. Since the 
outbreak of the Rebellion he has been a Repub- 
lican. The Republican County Convention in 
1887 nominated him for the office of Public 
Administrator, and he was elected by a majority 
of 507, when, to administer the duties of the 
office, he changed his residence to the city. He 
was married February 4, 1848, to Ann Lee, in 
Wisconsin; she is a native of Norway. They 
have five children: John Marion, Justus, Jacob 
Jesse, Frances Matilda and Ida Laodicea. They 
lost three — Obadiah, Mary Docia and Dora Ann, 
all of whom died in the East. 



tOUIS GERBER, wholesale butcher, of 
Sutter Township, was born in 1854, in 
Buffalo, New York. His parents, Pan- 
talion and Sybil Gerber, were natives of Ger- 
many, and came to the United States in 1837; 
they lived twenty-three years in BuflPalo, where 
Mr. Gerber was engaged in the butcher busi- 
ness, to which he had been brought up in the 
old country. In April, 1860, he came to Cali- 
fornia, by way of New York and the Isthmus, 
and located in Sacramento; and here he fol- 
lowed his favorite calling until his death in 
1878, in Germany, whither he had gone on ac- 
count of ill health. His widow is still living, 
at the age of seventy-five years, with her sons, 
on the ranch. In their family were four sons 



UISrOKT OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



and one daughter: John, Henry, William E., 
Louis and Anna M., — all residents of this 
conntj. William E. is a director in the Oali- 
I'ornia State Bank in Sacramento, where he is 
einploj-ed; Henry is in the hutchering business 
and in the hop trade; and John and Louis have 
their cattle ranch in Klamath County, Oregon. 
In the home ranch here, two miles from Sacra- 
mento, they have 110 acres; and they also have 
800 acres near Florin. It is all very fine prop- 
erty. Mr. Louis Gerber is a member of lodge 
JN'o. 42, K. of P., of Sacramento. He and his 
brothers, John and Henj-y, are yet unmarried. 

...^|.^„f<^..« 



SAAC GREATHOUSE HALL was born in 
Spencer County, Indiana, October 22, 1828- 
^ his parents being Shadrac and Mary (see 
sketch of R. B. Hall). I. G. Hall came to the 
Pacific Coast in 1852 by the Oregon route, ar- 
riving in Portland, September 3, without a 
cent. He first went to work in a saw-mill, but 
after one month of that drudgery he started on 
foot for the mines in northern Oregon, and 
made the journey of 300 miles, carrying his 
blankets, provisions and gun. Counting tlie 
2,700 miles, more or less, across the plains, 
nearly all of which was also made afoot, his six 
months of almost steady travel, antedating the 
era of walking matches and tramps, pi-obably 
beat the record, but as will be seen presently it 
was only an .nitial spurt in the walking career 
of the subject of this sketch. He did some 
mining, but more prospecting, in Oregon, 
north, east and south, and in 1853 crossed into 
California. Here he mined for fonr or five 
years on Scott and Klamath Rivers, accuniulat, 
ing about $4,000. In 1858 he went into the 
business of freighting from Crescent City, Del 
Norte County, to the mities, whicli he followed 
two years, and then went to mining in Placer 
County for ten months. In the autumn of 1801 
he came down to tlie Sacramento River and 
bought the ranch of 100 acres which he now 
owns on Grand Island, about twenty-five miles 



below Sacramento. Early in September of that 
3'ear he made an arrangement with his brother, 
R. B., to take charge of the place and be half 
owner, leaving himself free to follow his bent 
for traveling, mining and prospecting. Ac- 
cordingly by the middle of the month he was 
ready for the road, and was not again seen by 
his brother for more than fourteen years. He 
first went to Idaho, where he mined a year and 
" f)-eighted " several years, w-ith a net result of 
losing in one great storm all he had made in 
six years. He then went to mining again, and 
soon again to freighting in Montana and Ore- 
gon, and afterward to working for another in 
the same line for a few months. Finally, in 
company with some others, he set out for the 
far north. Wintering in 1-869 on the head- 
waters of the Missouri, they traveled in the 
spring across the country to the head of the 
Columbia, then to the Eraser, which they crossed 
at the mouth of the Kanawl, then along the 
Russian telegraph line to Stewart Lake, then up 
the lake by boat to Lake Tattler, and again by 
land across the Rocky Mountains to Peace 
River, which they followed to Great Slave Lake, 
about 200 miles short of the shore of the Arc- 
tic Ocean. Here Mr. Hall spent two years 
prospecting, and then returned across Alaska, 
walking 250 miles over the snow to the head of 
Skene River, where the party, then about fif- 
teen in number, built a boat and came down 
that river to F^ort Essington at its mouth. In 
the spring of 1872 they came by a British 
steamer to Victoria, Vancouver Island, and 
thence to Puget Sound. Here Mr. Hall re- 
mained two years, and entered 160 acres, wliich 
he sold for $1,200, and returned to his home on 
Grand Island in 1876. Off again in 1879 he 
went to mining in Montana for three months, 
and afterward superintended the construction of 
a stage road from Bonanza (]ity to Blackford 
city, Ujah, for ten months, and once more re- 
turned to Grand Island in the autumn of 1880, 
by way of Salt Lake City and Sacramento. 
Concluding to spend ihe remainder of his years 
iinrler his own vine and tig-tree, he 1)ought his 



UlSTUIiY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



brother's half-interest in tlie ranch, and has since 
devoted his attention to its management. He 
has thirty acres in orchard and five in vineyard. 
He also raises some blooded stock, keeping 
eight or ten brood-mares and halt" as many short- 
horn Diirhams. Besides the extensive land 
travels already mentioned Mr. Hall has made a 
trip to Nevada, and half a dozen or more voy- 
ages from San Francisco to Fiiget Sound, on 
two of which he went as far as Alaska. In fact 
he has been a land and sea rover, with brief in- 
termissions, from 1852 to 1880, and may be 
said to liave some claim to be regarded as the 
great American traveler of the third quarter of 
this century. He carries as a memorial of his 
mining days a $220 gold watch, the heavy cases 
of which he had made in San Francisco of the 
gold he had first gathered nearly forty years ago. 



tLEXANDER GOLDBERG, farmer and 
orohardist, near Sacramento, was born in 
Berlin, Prussia, March 18, 1833, and re- 
mained with his parents until he was eighteen 
years of age. From the age of fourteen he 
worked at the baker's trade. After visiting 
Hamburg, London and Liverpool, in 1850, lie 
sailed for New York, arriving in December. 
First he was employed for four months in a 
brick-yard in New Jersey, near Washington; 
ne.xt, was engaged in a bakery in Washington 
eight months; then for two years he was cook for 
seveuty-five men employed in the brick-yard 
where he formerly worked; for the next nine 
months he was proprietor of a bakery on Mont- 
rose avenue, in Williamsburg, during whicii 
time he was married to Margaret Morn; and 
finally he came to California by the Nicaragua 
route, landing at San Francisco July 3. P'or 
the first three months he was employed in 
Winn's confectionery and ice-cream saloon, on 
Kearny street, that city; next he was employed 
in mining three weeks on Gutcher's Bar, on the 
Yuba River; then nine months at the Metro- 
politan Restaurant and ice-cream saloon, on 



Montgomery street, in San Francisco; mined 
awhile at Omega, Nevada. County, where he 
erected a building for a hotel, restaurant and 
bakery. A year and a half afterward he sold 
out this establishment, came to Sacramento and 
kept a saloon on Third street for a time. Sell- 
ing out this, lie entered a quarter-section of land 
in Yolo County, near Buckeye, now Winters. 
Followed farming there about ten years, sold 
out, went to New York and to Europe on a visit 
to his old home. Returned to Sacramento in 
1867 and bought 640 acres four miles east of 
Elk Grove, and followed agriculture thereabout 
eighteen years. In 1880 he again visited Eu- 
rope. A year and a half after returning he sold 
his farm and moved into Sacramento and re- 
sided here one year. Then, in 1885, he bought 
Swiss Station, on the upper Stockton road, about 
a mile and a quarter from the city limits, and 
this is his present residence. The ranch con- 
tains 119 acres, and is devoted to fruit and 
grain; twenty acres are in grapes. Considering 
what little he liad to start with, and the expenses 
he has incurred in visiting distant countries, 
etc., it is indeed a wonder how well he has man- 
aged. He is a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 
105, I. (). (). F., of Sacramento. His children 
are: Fritz, Emma, Amelia and Gustavo. 



fOHN GOSLIN, a rancher, was born in Eng- 
land, September 20, 1830, a son of William 
and Jane (Tyler) Goslin, also natives of that 
coimtry, who left England about 1834 and set- 
tled in Oakland County, Michigan, near Pon- 
tiac, purchasing land there and following 
agricultural pursuits until their death, — he at 
the age of about fifty years, and she about forty. 
John left the old home in 1852 and started for 
California with a party of twenty-one, and in 
five months reached this State, after a compara- 
tively pleasant journey. Asiatic cholera was 
the principal disaster, but they were well equip- 
ped, having among them a doctor, a carpenter 
and a blacksmith; but the doctor was the only 



HItjTORY OF SACBAMENTO COUNTY. 



member of tlie party who died with the cholera, 
as he was peculiarly exposed. His death was 
greatly mourned. Arriving in Sacramento in 
September, Mr. Goslin immediately began work 
for wages, on Griffith's ranch, continuing about 
nine months. Then he took 163 acres of land 
where his home now is and cultivated it ten 
years. Leaving it, but not selling it, he went to 
teaming in the mountains. In 1861-'62 he 
lost everything by the floods excepting the land 
itself; the loss was estimated at $10,000. He 
resumed work upon his ranch and there he has 
since remained, improving it until he has made 
it a model home. Two and a half acres are in 
vineyard and small orchard for family use. He 
has 200 acres of tine land, and on the place is 
a good school, five miles from the center of Sac- 
ramento, on the lower Stockton road. He has 
seen his share of pioneer life in California, but 
feels well paid for his endurance. He was mar- 
ried in 1868 to Miss Cordelia, daughter of La- 
fayette Sheplar, a re.eident of Illinois, and pre- 
viously of Ohio. She came to California about 
1858. Mr. and Mrs. Goslin have two sons and 
two daughters: Ida May, Bertha G., Norman 
E. and Howard L. George W. died at the age 
of live years. 



:YMAN MoMITCHELL, son of John 
and Zilpa (Eaton) McMitchell, both 
natives of Fairfield, Herkimer County, 
New York, was born September 20, 1820, at 
Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York. In 
1849 he came to this coast, sailing on the 
brig Empire, Captain Baxter, on Sunday, Feb- 
ruary 16, 1849, from New York for Vera Cruz, 
came across Mexico to San Bias, from there by 
schooner to San Francisco, reaching there tlie 
last day of May. He came up to Sacramento 
from San Francisco in June, 1849, and engaged 
witli the Union line of steamers in lS51-'54. 
The river trafiic at tliat time was immense; with 
the C. S. N. Com|)aiiy might be mentioned the 
steamers Senator, New World, Wilson G. 



LIunt, the Confidence, and later the Bragdon, 
Grilda, which ran through to Marysville, and 
others. With this company and its successors, 
the Central Pacific Railroad, he has been all 
these years, having charge of the freight de- 
partment. October 11, 1859, he was married 
to Harriet Upegraff, now deceased, daughter of 
Captain James Upegraff, who came across the 
plains in 1849. He has one daughter living. 



fHE GLANN FAMILY.— The given name 
of the first progenitor of this family in 
America is not preserved in their tradi- 
tions. About a generation before the Eevolu- 
tion, a Scotch sailor, who was also part owner 
of the vessel in which he sailed, came to Turk 
Island for a cargo of rock-salt for the Liverpool 
market. He is said to have been also possessed 
of a title to an island named Yincent Island, in 
the ocean; the name thereof may have been 
changed. Be this as it may, the risks of the 
great deep soon swept away not only his pros- 
pective lordship of an island, but also his actual 
property, which was all aboard his vessel, and 
seriously jeopardized his life. While engaged 
in shipping the cargo, and when the vessel was 
almost fully laden, Mr. Glann was taken sick 
with a fever and became delirious. Then a 
terrific storm arose which wrenched the sliip 
from her moorings, and compelled the throwing 
overboard of the cargo. Every sail and mast 
and spar was swept away, and only the hull of 
the vessel and the lives of the crew were saved. 
They drifted about for many weeks, when they 
were finally picked up by a vessel bound for 
New York, and when they landed in that city 
Mr. Glann found himself in possession of a 
single groat! Then and there he soon came to 
the conclusion that he had seen enough of the 
vicissitudes of a seafaring life, and investing his 
groat in biscuits he puslied toward the country 
in quest of work. At Kingsbridge he fell in 
with a Dutch farmer who set him to threshing, 
and he wielded the flail with such energy and 



HllSTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNT y. 



success that lie got a permanent job. After 
three years he married a daughter of hio em- 
ployer, and continued to work for his father-in- 
law until he was able to run a farm on his own 
account. He lived and died near Kingsbridge. 
Of his ofl'spring, the branch of his family with 
which the history of Sacramento County is con- 
cerned, have knowledge only of two sons, — 
James, their grandfather, and John, his brother. 
James and John Glann (or Glenn, as the name, 
it is thought, was then written) were young 
men when the war of the Revolution broke out, 
and both enlisted, serving under Generals 
Greene and Washington. They were in the 
battle of Long Island, and there John was 
killed, and buried in the sand. James fought 
through the war, and took up a "soldier's 
right" on the line wliich divides Sussex County, 
Xew Jersey, from Orange County, New York, 
as the chief market town of the district. This 
was the homestead, and on this lie settled per- 
manently after the war. He married into a 
German family named Catlin. It was he, as is 
thought most probable, that changed tiie name 
to Glann, as the Kingsbridge branch still write 
it Glenn. His son, Nathaniel, learned from 
him that he was induced by an old Scotch 
schoolmaster to make the change, as being 
more in accord witli the old Scotch or Gaelic 
tongue. Glann is, in fact, the exact equivalent 
of the English Glenn, from the common name 
glen, a narrow detile or valley. A iiero of the 
Revolution would naturally be glad to iind a 
reason so legitimate for breaking off all associa- 
tion of his name with his late enemy and the 
subjugator of his race as well. lie died at 
about the age of eight}', and liis wife at about 
100. Mr. and Mrs. James Glann were the 
parents of nine children: William, James, John, 
who became a school-teacher and lived to a good 
age; Nathaniel (see below); Vincent, who died 
in 1885, aged about eighty-eight years; Nancy, 
wlio married Ralph Van Flouten, a farmer of 
Steuben County, New York; Jennie married 
James C. Rowley, a blacksmith, near the old 
homestead; Hannah married David Mercerean, 



owner of one of the largest farms on the Sus- 
quehanna, near Oswego, New York; Rhoda 
married Martin Wilson, a farmer, who after- 
ward became the owner of the old soldier's 
homestead. Nathaniel Glann, the third son of 
James, was born in 1793, and remained with 
his father until he was of age. He received a 
good district-school education, partly under his 
brother John. He then went to work on his 
own account, and at about the age of twenty- 
two settled on a farm adjoining that of his 
brother John, in Steuben County, near Ham- 
mondsport. New York. While on a visit to his 
uncle, Natlianiel Catlin, at Oswego, he became 
acquainted with the Mercerean family, and in 
1817 he was married to Miss Catherine Merce- 
rean, daughter of one of the well-known New 
York families of that name. He was a black- 
smith by trade, and was living on Staten Island 
at the time of the Revolution. He afterward 
moved to Oswego, and was over ninety years 
old when he died. His wife, who was English 
by birth or descent, lived to the age of 106 
years. About 1832 Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel 
Glann, with six children, left Hammondsport, 
in the Indian-summer time, with the accompani- 
ment of the hrst flurry of snow, for the great 
West, by way of Penn Yan, Dausville and 
Buffalo. There tiiey engaged passage for fam- 
ily and wagon on the steamer Henry Clay. At 
the moment of departure, Mr. Glann, with his 
horses and one boy, were refused passage on tlie 
claim that the steamer was already too heavily 
laden. With the rest of his family and goods 
aboard, he and his boy were compelled to go by 
land. The family was put ashore at Port 
Huron, where they were soon rejoined by the 
father and son, but too late in the season to 
reach their intended destination in Illinois. He 
concluded to proceed to Tiffin, Seneca County, 
Ohio, where Thomas Raker, formerly of Ham- 
mondsport, had settled some time before. Ar- 
rived there, lie rented a house and obtained 
work for himself and two of his boys, from Mr. 
Baker. In 1833 he moved to one of Mr. 
Baker's farms, and there raised a crop. Mean- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



while Mrs. Glann's brothers, Henry and Cor- 
neille Mercereau, had inoved from Oswego, 
New York, to Toledo, Ohio, where Mr. Glann 
visited them, and being pleased with the loca- 
tion he also bought land there. In the spring 
of 1834: he moved to Toledo, traveling over the 
forty miles of black swamp, rendered almost 
impassable by the movements of the Ohio 
militia, then engaged in the "Ohio and Michi- 
gan war." Arrived in Toledo, he fitted up an 
old vacant honse on the farm of Henry Merce- 
reau, for a temporary home, and put in a crop 
on his own farm of eighty acres. He also rented 
the farm of Corneille Mercereau, who had gone 
into business in Toledo, w-hich he kept for two 
years. In 1834 he bought forty acres about a 
mile away, and 160 acres some twentj' miles 
distant. In 1835 he built a house on his 
original eighty acres. In 1844 he bought 160 
acres across the road from his place, and in i 
1850 he built a larger and better home. Mrs. 
Glann died in 1S58, aged sixty-one. Mr. Glann 
died Xovember 27, 1875, aged eighty-two. Mr. 
and Mrs. Xathaniel Glann were the parents of 
ten children, of whom seven were born near I 
Hammondsport: James, born about 1818, was | 
first married to Miss Chloe Ann Lewis, who 
died without issue; his second wife was Susan 
Poseland, a native of England, by whom he had 
two boys, William and Archibald. Ann Eliza- 
beth, born about 1820, married William Cheney, 
a carpenter and builder of Toledo; they were j 
the parents of Calferna and Elizabeth Cheney, [ 
both married. Tiieir mother died in 1852. 
Henry, born about 1823, was married to Miss 
Eliza Layburn, an American of English parent- 
age. They are the parents of Nathaniel P., of 
the firm of Bick & Glann, boot and shoe deal- 
ers, of Toledo; and of Alice, who was married 
to Ferd Haughteti, a fanner, and who have sons \ 
and daughters. Vincent (see below). Calphur- i 
nia died about 1830, aged three years. David, j 
born about 1829, was married to Ann Poseland, I 
a sister of Mrs. James (ilann. They are the 
parents of one son and one daughter. Daniel 
(see below). William, born in 1833, near Tiffin, 



Ohio, was accidentally killed with his own gun, 
while hunting, aged about twenty. Peter (see 
below). Catherine, born about 1838, married 
David Upton. They were for many years resi- 
dents of this county, but are now living in 
Monterey. Their children are: Mary, William 
Cassius and Myrtle. Alary is now Mrs. William 
Nelms, and the mother of two daughters; Will- 
iam C. is married to Miss Minnie Garrett, and 
they have one daughter. All the children of 
Nathaniel Glann received the limited district- 
school education usual in their school days. 



fINCENT, DANIEL and PETER 
GLANN. — These three sons of Nathaniel 
and Catharine (Mercereau) Glann, having 
been closely associated in business in this county, 
their lives and labors and the results will be 
treated conjointly in this sketch. Vincent 
Glann was born July 10, 1825, and lived with 
his parents until 1846, working successively on 
the farms in Hammondsport, Tiffin and Toledo 
from the time he was able to render any assist- 
ance until he reached his majority. Promptly 
thereupon he demanded wages and received $1 
a day from his father for the first week after he 
had arrived at legal manhood. He then went 
to work for his uncle, Henry Mercereau, and 
a Mr. Ketchum. In 1847 he worked on a sec- 
tion of the railroad; in 1848 he worked for 
Doctor Miner as a farm hand; in 1849 for Ed- 
ward Upton. As a farm laborer he received 
$12 a month and board, and his engagement 
always closed with the opening of the deer- 
hunting season, he being an e.xpert deer-stalker. 
From his youth up he has had a passion for 
hunting, seldom going to school without taking 
his gun, which he concealed in some convenient 
thicket. In 1850 he and his brother Henry 
rented the farm of their uncle, Henry Mercer- 
eau, and held it three years at §300 a year. 
They have ever since remained closely associated. 



'a sort ot moral partnership. 



their Toledo 



interests. In 1853 they bought the Doctor 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Miner farm of 96.48 acres, and afterward some 
other farms. Vincent Glaiin left his home, 
November 5, and New York, November 15, 

1855, for ('alifornia by the Panama route, ar- 
riving in San Francisco, December 10. His 
father had preceded him in the spring to visit 
his sons, Daniel and David, at Elk Grove in 
tliat county, where Vincent and Lis cousin, 
Peter Mercereau, who had accompanied him, 
spent two weeks visiting their relatives and 
hunting. With his father and cousin he started 
for the American Eiver, by stage from Sacra- 
mento to Hangtown, afoot to Georgetown, 
across the Middle Fork at Gray Eagle and 
thence by Sage Hill to Michigan Bluffs. Stayed 
there fourteen days. Father and he then pro^ 
ceeded to Last Chance, and there he hired out 
as a miner at $75 a month. The winter soon 
broke and so did his employei'. Mr. Glann 
had meanwhile taken up a claim in January, 

1856, and this he proceeded to work. Alone 
he dug a ditch to bring water to his claim, and 
with his brother Daniel, who had preceded him 
to the mines, he built a cabin. Working with 
his whip-saw he constructed sluices and took up 
a hydraulic, claim of seventy-five feet frontage 
and extending hack to the center of the hill. 
He added two other claims of equal dimensions, 
representing the three by his own work, two 
days a week to each. Then with two partners 
he tried Miller's Defeat farther up, which proved 
also a defeat to him, as on settling up on August 
1, 1856, his partners reported no assets. Con- 
cluding to try the lower country for a season, 
he traveled back to his cabin where he left, his 
blankets, and pushed forward in light marching 
order for the plains looking for farm-work. 
After a weary tramp he reached Elk Grove and 
went to work for Norman Woodbeck, on the 
Cosiimnes, pressing hay, at $55 a month. His 
brother Daniel having also returned from the 
mines they worked together pressing hay for 
various parties, and in building a dam. This 
brought them to November 1, when they re- 
turned to the mines, having accumulated enough 
to buy the necessary provisions and other supplies 



forawinter'scampaign. Daniel went to mining at 
Keokuk Point, and Vincent went to Last Chance. 
In the spring he sold two shares of his claim 
to two Swedes. After a time, desiring to find 
some diggings that could be worked in sumnitr, 
he went on alone to Miller's Defeat. Here he 
struck a good spot in 1857. In the winter of 
1857-'58 he again worked with his partners at 
Last Chance. In the spring of 1858, the three 
partners bought a half interest in the Canada- 
Hill claim. The four owners worked both claims 
and did a good business; the fourth partner re- 
turned to Sweden, having " made enough." 
Mr. Glann sold iiis interest to two Danes who 
were acceptable to liis partners, and came down 
to Sage Hill, where he bought a claim, his 
brother Daniel being still at Keokuk Point. In 
his new claim he took a partner, L. Morse; and 
they worked it together. Peter Glann arrived 
in the mines in November, 1858, and worked 
with his brother Daniel. The water gave out 
late in the spring of 1859, and Vincent Glann 
went on a sporting tour, while Peter Glann 
came down to Bird's Valley. Meanwhile Vin- 
cent and Daniel bought an interest in the old 
Specimen claim, and the formei' went to work 
there, Daniel and Peter coming down to the 
Sacraynento Valley, where the former, in part- 
nership with his brother-in-law, David Upton, 
had bought 1,130 acres on the Mokelumne. In 
December, 1859, Vincent bought out Upton's 
half interest in the ranch, and also 320 acres 
near Elk Grove. In 1860 Vincent and Daniel 
went back to the mines, and worked there till 
water failed, when Daniel returned to the ranch. 
Vincent went to -Auburn, Placer County, and 
was there engaged as an assistant or guide to a 
surveying party, occupied witii laying out a road 
from Auburn, Placer County, to Virginia City, 
Nevada. He was able to render good service as 
guide, from his experience as prospector and 
hunter while enjoying an exceptional chance on 
Lake Tahoe and elsewhere on the road, to in- 



dulge 



)f huntincr. In 1861 Peter 



Glann enlisted as a volunteer, Daniel attended 
to the ranch, and Vincent still woi-ked the old 




A-^.A €J^a^'uyLn-. 




a. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



Specimen claim. In 1862, Peter returned after 
eighteen months' service in tlie army, having 
been wounded in the left arm and partially dis- 
abled. He rejoined his brother Daniel on the 
ranch, while Vincent still kept on raining in the 
old Specimen claim until 1868, returning every 
summer to the ranch, when tiie water failed at 
the mines. From the profits of mine and farm, 
"by slow and steady accumulation," the three 
brothers continued to buy land at intervals for 
nineteen years longer. Seventeen distinct par- 
cels of land were thus united into one compact 
ranch of 5,310 acres, making with ninety-eight 
acres owned across the Mokelumne a grand total 
of 5,408 acres, all earned by their joint labor. 
It is devoted to general farming, to the raising 
of horses and cattle and the running of a dairy 
of 150 cows or more. They also buy and sell 
stock of others' raising, and run a bee ranch. 
Vincent still owns land in Toledo, a farm abut- 
ting on Darr street, of which he deeded an acre 
a year ago for a church site, never asking by 
what sect of the Christian name the church was 
to be erected. 0^' the three brothers, Vincent 
and Peter are bachelor.-. The former "kept 
bach" even before he was of an age to marry, 
hunting in the winter and farming in the sum- 
mer. He is by nature a veritable Nimrod — a 
mighty hunter. Even now his eye gleams 
brightly as he tells of his hunting exploits in 
by-gone years; nor has he entirely given up the 
line or gun. Daniel Glann was married June 
7, 1884, to Miss Annie Gertrude Keema, a 
daughter of Frederick Karl Keema and Anna 
(Koch) Keema, his neighbors. He died March 
14, 1887, aged fifty-three years, leaving a widow 
and one child: Annie Catharine Glann, born 
January 29, 1885. 



fUDGE H. A. MAYHEAV— The life of some 
men would, if properly told, fill a volume, 
and carry with it a lesson which in after 
years would be of exceeding value and absorb- 
ing interest. Among the men of this class we 



may mention the name of Judge H. A. May- 
hew, the subject of this sketch, a brief page 
from the unwritten history of whose life finds a 
welcome place in the history of this county, 
which he has selected as his abiding place while 
resting from the labors of a very active life. 
He was born in Summerset (afterward Franklin) 
County, Maine, December 13, 1821, son of James 
Mayhew, a New England farmer and a deacon 
in the Presbyterian Church, a man who left the 
impress of sterling characteristics in a marked 
degree as a heritage to his son. The Judge was 
educated at the Farmington Academy, which 
was at that time in charge of Jacob Abbott, an 
author and literateur of eminence. He grad- 
uated at the Gorhaui Seminary in the class of 
'40, read law in the office of Hon. Robert Good- 
now (afterward Congressman from the Farm- 
ington district), was admitted to practice before 
the Supreme Court of Maine in 1844, and at 
once began the practice of his profession in 
Farmington. At this period of his life, 'So- 
vember 7, 1844, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary J. Pike. Three years later he emi- 
grated to Ripley County, Indiana, where he re- 
mained engrossed in his professional duties for 
over thirteen j'ears. He took an active interest 
in politics, making a personal canvass of the 
State upon several different occasions, notably 
in the campaign of 1852, as a Whig; later on 
he became closely identified with the Republi- 
can party. He held the responsible office of 
District Attorney for several terms. Finally, 
his health having become seriously impaired, 
he, through the advice of his friends, sought 
relief in the highlands of Minnesota, going to 
Austin, where he resided for four years, but 
without experiencing the relief which had been 
hoped for. Prior to that, as far back as 1858 
(at which time he became an active member of 
the Presbyterian Church), he was deeply in- 
terested in ministerial work; and in 1860, having 
passed the requisite examination, he was given 
the charge of a church at Rensselaer, Jasper 
County, Indiana. From this charge, as above 
stated, he went to Austin, Minnesota, where he 



IIISTOKY OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



continued liis miiiisterial labors. In 1871 lie 
came to lied Bluff, Tehama County, Calif'oinia, 
as pastor of the First Preshyteiian Church, and 
here it was that the effects of the balmy atmos- 
phere of glorious California brought relief for 
the distressing affliction of twenty years' stand- 
ing. In 1875 he was elected to the county 
judgeshi]! of Tehama County, serving for four 
years in tliat capacity, until January, 1880, 
when the new constitution went into effect. He 
was immediately appointed Superior Judge by 
Governor Perkins, and took his seat in the 
spring of 1881. During the two years of his 
incumbency of that office, many cases of im- 
portance came before him for adjudication, 
notably tliat of Frank Kessler, the Tehama 
murderer, now serving a life sentence in the 
penitentiary; and the ease of Winans vs. The 
Sierra Lumber Company, a lengthy suit, in- 
volving a large sum of money. Mrs. Mayhevv 
is a native of Norway, Oxford County, Maine, 
a daughter of Charles Pike, and granddaughter 
of Grandfather "Woods, wlio was a Kevolution- 
ary officer, and served on the staff" of General 
Washington. With such a lineal inheritance 
we cannot be surprised that in association with 
her husband, the Judge, she has been equally 
prominent, and that together they have stood 
side by side in all good works. She, as well as 
the Judge, has always been prominent in church 
work. As an illustration of her earnestness, 
while in Aui-tiii, Minnesota, where her husband 
was pastor of the Presbyterian Church, her 
father presented her with $500, with which to 
build a home. She not only gave it to the 
church for the purpose of erecting a suitable 
building in which to hold services, but went to 
Minneapolis, bought the lumber, and secured 
the money with which to pay freight. All the 
lumber that went into the church, pulpit and 
pews was purchased by lier with her money and 
the money she raised. Later she made pulpit 
cushions, and cleaned the church, with the aid 
tif her boys. She was one of the first sub- 
scribers for the tii'st issue of bonds hy the 
Government at the beginning uf the war. 



Prompted by motives of patriotism, she carried 
her money to the First National Bank of In- 
dianapolis and subscribed for the bonds, her 
money being deposited several months before 
the bonds were ready for issue. Thirty-seven 
years ago, Schuyler Colfax (who was an intimate 
personal friend of Judge and Mrs. Mayhew), 
widely known not only as a statesman and Vice- 
President of the United States, but as author of 
•the Rebekah Degree of Oddfellowship, conferred 
this degree upon Judge and Mrs. Mayhew, and 
they are without doubt the oldest members of 
this degree in the State. The Judge was made 
an Odd Fellow in 1845. He held the position 
of Grand Master in 1870. Mrs. Mayhew is 
Past Noble Grand of the Rebekah Degree 
Lodge. Both Mrs. Mayhew and the Judge are 
active members of the Eastern Star degree of 
Masonry (the Judge already being a Knight 
Templar), which was conferred upon tliem by 
the eminent Dr. Robert Morris, the author of 
the degree, both having held the highest offices 
in the Eastern Star chapter. Mrs. Mayhew is 
Past Associate Grand Matron of the order, and 
has been frequently urged to accept the position 
of Grand Matron. Slie was chosen Superin- 
tendent of Finance of the State Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union one year ago, and is 
prominent in the deliberations of the Independ- 
ent Order of Good Templars. Mrs. Mayhew 
has served as Grand Vice-Templar in two differ- 
ent States, and has also been a representative to 
the Right Worth}' Grand Lodge from two differ- 
ent States For five years she has been a mem- 
ber of the Board of Managers of the Vallejo 
Orphan Asylum, and was chosen its president. 
For three years she was its financial secretary, 
and for three years chairman of the Purchasing 
Committee, filling these offices with distinguished 
ability. She was president of the Daughters of 
Temperance, a co-worker with Mrs. Amanda M. 
Way and Miss Eliza Richmond, of Indianapolis, 
whose reputation has been world-wide. She is 
withal a lady pre-eminently fitted to shine in 
the domestic circle. Four children, one daugh- 
ter and three sons, have clustered around the 



HISTORY OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



family altar, and live to cheer and comfort tlieir 
declining years, and to rise up and call them 
blessed. In 1887 they removed from lied Blnif 
and purchased property on P street, above 
Eighteenth, in the city of Sacramento, where 
we tin I them surrounded by a large circle of 
loving friends and ac(j^aaintances, enjoying the 
repose so richly merited. 



tEV. THOMAS GRACE, pastor of St. 
Rose's Cluircli, Catiiolic, was born in 
County Wexford, Ireland, about 1842; 
educated in the private schools of his native 
ydace, and at St. Peter's, Wexford, under the in- 
struction of Bishop Furlong, and also at All 
Hallows College, Dublin; was ordained to the 
priestliood in 1867, and in September, that 
year, came to California. In this State he first 
had charge of the parish at Red Bluff, being the 
first pastor there; built the Convent of Mercy; 
was subsequently at Grass Valley, Marysville, 
and finally came to Sacramento in July, 1881. 
His father, James Grace, was of Norman ex- 
traction, being a descendant of the famous Ray- 
mond le Gros in the twelfth century. 

— ^€(i::®»-# — 

fAVlD McLANAHAN was ijorn in Indi- 
ana County, Pennsylvania, in 1825, his 
parents being James and Susan (Blacley) 
McLanalian, both natives of that section of 
Pennsylvania. Grandfather John McLanahan 
settled there, and was married to Miss Nancy 
Farris, a native of that State, who lived to the 
age of eighty. The parents of D. McLanahan 
moved to Ohio, near Masillon, about 1837, and 
owned a farm there. The son received but little 
schooling before or after removal, but learned 
farming pretty thoroughly for his age. He 
also learned the trade of carpenter, and worked 
at it som; years. In 1852 he came to Cali- 
fornia and went to mining in Mosquito canon, 
above Coloma, about nine months, scarcely mak- 



ing wages. Worked some at his trade, getting 
six or seven dollars a day, Ijut could not get 
enough work-. In 1857 he went into the busi- 
ness of buying and selling cattle and hordes, 
continuing until about 1864. He then maue a 
visit East, not doing much of anything for two 
years, except the one most important act of 
life. In 1864 Mr. McLanahan was married to 
Miss Jennie Harkins, a native of Wisconsin, 
daughter of William and Kate (McAuley) Har- 
kins, both of whom are now deceased. Return- 
ing to California Mr. McLanahan, in 1866, 
bought 640 acres on the Mokelumne, a mile 
and a half below his present home. He in- 
creased his acreage from ti.me to time until it 
reached 2,000, in 1879. Since then he has 
been more occujiied with building and beautify- 
ing a home and grounds. The house was 
erected in 1881. On his ranch he raises wheat, 
hay and barley, cattle and horses, — about thirty 
horses and 200 head of cattle, besides a dairy 
business of ninety cow^. Mr. McLanahan's 
mother died in 1882, and his father in 1886, 
aged eighty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. David 
McLanahan are the parents of four children: 
Mamie, born December 16, 1866, now Mrs. 
Thomas Elder, of Tempo, Arizona; Anna, Oc- 
tober 14, 1870; Katie, September 6, 1873; and 
James David, November 3, 1880. 



►>^ 



MSB^ILLIAM F. McCRAKEN was born 
in Waukegan, Illinois, August 28, 
1855, his parents being James G. and 
Jessie E. (Lovedayj McCraken. His mother 
died in 1857, and he was reared by his grand- 
parents Loveday, who lived in Chicago many 
j'ears. where tiie grandmother still survives at 
an advanced age. His mother was English by 
birth, and his father an American, of Scotch or 
Irish extraction. His early education was 
chiefly at Immanuel Hall, a military academy, 
under Episcopalian auspices, its rector being 
Rev. Roscoe Park, a graduate of West Point. 
Meanwhile his father, who was a stock-raiser. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



witli a special preference for horses, had come 
to California about 1860. He owned cattle 
ranches at three different points- before he 
finally settled on the Cosuinnes about 1868. 
Conjointly with Governor Booth and Colonel 
James as equal partners, he bought 2,700 acres. 
The ranch had at one time been owned by 
General W. T. Sherman, who had encamped on 
it years before with some troops at a point on 
the river banic, which has since been washed 
away. Mr. McCraken eventually bought out 
his partners, — first Governor Booth, and later 
Colonel James. The tract was reduced by 
Government to 1,734 acres. He rented his 
ranch and lived in Sacramento for several years 
before his death, which occurred in 1880. Mean- 
while William F., his son, was a clerk in San 
Francisco for several years, with various parties, 
insurance agents and money-brokers, and among 
others with Hutchinson and Mason. He thus 
acquired a good knowledge of business affairs. 
In 1880 he was married to Miss Mildred Sefi"- 
ens, who was born April 15, 1861, at Dutch 
Flats, where her parents resided for twenty five 
years, and kept a hotel. The father settled 
there in 1852, and when he brought his wife 
home in 1854 she was the first white woman in 
the place. After the railroad reached that point 
it lost much of its trade and travel, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Seffons removed to Santa Clara County, 
wiiere they purchased a nice ranch about two 
miles from San Jose, and lived there until their 
death, some eight years later. Upon the death 
of his father, in 1880, Mr. McCraken came to 
reside on his lialf of the estate, his sister, Mrs. 
J. L. McCord, of Sacramento, owning the other 
half. Most of the ranch is worked by renters, 
but Mr. McCraken retains, under his personal 
supervision, about 200 of his 867 acres. Ho 
gives special attention to fruit and alfalfa, and 
the raising of horses. Tliis last he recognizes 
as a trait inherited from his father, and perhaps 
reinforced from maternal ancestors, several of 
the Lovedays being distinguisiied in military 
lif'i, and tlie successful soldier usually loves a 
good horse. His ranch is all under cultivation, 



and will grow any crop without irrigation. 
Even oranges can be raised in the Cosumnes 
valley, or has been proved by a few experiments. 



^-3-.^- 



fHE McCUE BROS, have two quarries 
of fine foundation and cemetery granite 
near Folsom, to which place they liauled 
the stone by teams for shipment. As it is im- 
practicable to have a spur railroad run to their 
works, they intend soon to have a steam der- 
rick of ti)eir own to facilitate loading. Frank 
McCue was born in 1850, and Edward in 1863, 
in this county, and are sons of John McCue, 
wiio had these quarries up to 1876. Both are 
unmarried. 



fUDGE JOHN HEARD. — Prominent 
among those who early in the history of Sac- 
ramento County were most active botii as a 
citizen, a lawyer and a judge, was John Heard, the 
subject of this sketch, born in Garrard County, 
Kentucky, where his father was a farmer, on the 
15th of March, 1812. Upon the death of his 
father in 1815 his mother removed to Howard 
County, Missouri, here he was educated, having 
met with a rare chance in the person of a teacher 
named James Kearney, a great Greek and Latin 
scholar, who kept a small select school on the 
edge of Boone County, Missouri, whei-e he was 
permitted to attend. He afterward studied law 
with Judge Thomas Reynolds, who afterward 
became Governor of Missouri; he was four years 
in his office, and was admitted to the bar in 
December, 1833. He immediately removed to 
Paris, Monroe County, Missouri, and began the 
practice of his profession, where he continued to 
reside until 1841. In 1836 he was appointed 
to tlie position of Circuit Attorney, which office 
he resigned at the expiration of eigliteen months, 
and having been appointed Register of State 
lands he removed to Jefi'erson City, the cai)itai, 
where he continued to reside until 1846, when 



El STOUT 0]<' SAC HAM E^ TO COUNTY. 



ho went to Independence, and resutijed tlie prac- 
tice of his profession. In 1848 his health gave 
out, and he gave up the practice of law, he went 
to Santa Fe, Chihuahua, New Mexico, at a time 
when General Price, who was a personal friend 
of his, was stationed there. In the spring of 
1849, he found a party of 6i.\ young men to 
cross the plains with teams. They were tive 
and a half months on the journey. At first they 
joined a large party, but finding there was but 
little danger to be apprehended from hostile In- 
dians, and that forage, of which there was a 
scarcity, could be more easily obtained for small 
parties than for large ones, they left the main 
train and struck out by themselves. They 
came via Salt Lake and the Carson River, and 
stopped at Weaver Creek, three miles south of 
Placerville, where some of the party remained, 
but Heard came on to Sacramento, and began 
the practice of law with Judge William C. Wal- 
lace, — now of Aubnrn, — in 1853, and was with 
him until he was elected County Judge. This 
ottice he held during the building of the court 
house, which was occupied for a time as the 
State house, and it was largely through his 
personal efforts that the building was erected, 
and the capital secured to this city. In 1858 
he resigned the office of County Judge, to re- 
sume the practice of his profession. In 1860, he 
became interested in silver mining in Chihua- 
hua, New Mexico, and during the ne.xt five 
years he was personally engaged in superintend- 
ing these operations. In 1866 he again returned 
to Sacramento, resumed the practice of law, 
making a speciality of land titles, in which he 
was eminently successful. The Judge was mar- 
ried in 1836, at Palmyra, Missouri, to Miss Lucy 
Thornton Buckner, daughter of Charles Buckner, 
Esq., a Virginian. She came to the coast in 
1854, coming across the plains. They have 
four children, all of whom are daughters. The 
Judge became a Mason in 1835, is a member of 
Paris Lodge, Missouri, and he was a charter 
member of the Sacramento Society of California 
Pioneers. The Judge who at this writing is in 
his seventy-eighth year, retains his faculties to 



a most wonderful degree, and his relation of the 
events of the early days of Sacramento are both 
interesting and instructive. 



fAMUEL H. PUGH, of Brighton Town- 
ship, was born in Owen County, Indiana, 
August 21, 1832, son of James and Nancy 
(Sikes) Pugh, natives of Virginia; the father 
was born in Charlotte County, that State, and the 
mother in Halifax County. His paternal grand- 
father, a native of France, came to America as 
a soldier under Lafayette; was a corporal in tlie 
Revolutionary War, and remained throughout 
the struggle, being present even at the siege and 
surrender of Yorktown. His maternal grand- 
father also served in the same war. Samuel's 
mother's first husband was named Scott, who 
was of the same lineage as General Winfield 
Scott. He wintered at Valley Forge and died 
there after the war of the Revolution had closed. 
On his mother's side Mr. Pugh's ancestry were 
Scotch and English. James Pugh was born in 
1790, and in the War of 1812 was in the first 
regiment that volunteered from Virginia. He 
marched to Norfolk under Captain Carter and 
Colonel Henderson. At Fort Norfolk he served 
first in heavy artillery, and was afterward trans- 
ferred to different points where the fighting was 
in progress. After the close of the war he con- 
tinued to live in Virginia, married there, moved 
to Tennessee, and then to Indiana, settling on 
White River, seven miles below Spencer, in 
1827 or 1828, being one of the first settlers 
in Owen County. There were then ten times 
as many Indians as white inhabitants. Wild 
game was so plentiful that a feast of fresh meat 
could be obtained at any hour on any day. 
When Samuel was eight years old the family 
located three and a half miles southeast of Ne- 
osho, Missouri. As they passed through Neosho 
the first log store was in process of erection there. 
The first clerk employed in Anthonj's store 
there was "Jim" Raines, afterward General, who 
was killed in the Rebel army at Murfreesboro. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Mr. Pngli was reared in JMewton County, Missouri, 
froiii 1839 to 1854, learning the carpenters' 
trade from his father, who was about the tirst 
contractor and builder in tiiat locality. They 
built the tirst court-house for that county, a log 
structure with one door and one or two windows, 
for $143. They also built the Masonic Hall. 
Young Pugh also worked on the new court- 
house, under Martin Garrison. He followed 
carpentering until he was seventeen years of age 
and then learned blacksmithing, under Hendrick 
& McKee, at Neosho, and afterward he remained 
a year with his father, building houses. No- 
vember 4, 1854, Mr. Pugh started with another 
man to Texas, with a small stock of dry goods 
and notions, and 2,000 apple trees, which they 
took to Austin. They traveled through thirty- 
seven different counties of Texas that winter and 
forty-seven towns. In January Mr. Pugh re- 
turned to Austin and accepted the superintend- 
ency of Judge Sneed's ranch, remained with 
him till June 17 and returned to Missouri, 
where he wound up his affairs, and on the 24th 
of September moved with his family to Te.xas, 
locating four miles south of Austin, where he 
had 100 acres of land. There he followed black- 
smithing for iive years. In 1859 he started for 
Pike's Peak with a team, passing through In- 
dian Territory, Kansas and Nebraska, to find 
a train going there, and failing, he abandoned 
the trip. He then settled in Salem, Richardson 
County, Nebraska, and worked there at black- 
smithing and gunsmithing. While there lie 
held the offices of City Marshal, Deputy Sheriff 
and Deputy United States Marslial, and was 
holding all these offices when he left. He raised 
the tirst military company that volunteered in 
that county, and was elected its captain. The 
company was raised to garrison Western forts. 
He also served in tlie Home Guards one and a 
half years, and was in the tight with the Jay- 
hawkers at Falls City. Between thirty and 
fifty shots were fired, two men killed and sev- 
eral wounded. Mr. Pugh lost some blood and 
a small piece of his ear. May 11, 1862, a train 
was made up, of which he was captain, and each 



started with four oxen and a number of cows 
for California. Mr. Pugh caine by mail and 
stage route up the Platte by way of tiie Hig 
Blue, Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie, cross- 
ing the South Platte at Julesburg, the North 
Platte at Louis Bernard's bridge, camped at 
Independence Kock on tlie night of July 8, and 
celebrated the Fourth there the next day. On- 
ward he came by way of Fort Bridger to Salt 
Lake and the overland stage route to Reese 
River and the sink of tlie Carson River to Car- 
son City, and by way of Placerville to Sacra- 
mento, passing directly by his present place of 
residence. When he reached Placerville lie was 
out of money, and he sold a $100 rifle at the 
Kingsley House for $10, paid $7.50 for expenses 
and $2.50 for crossing the bridge at Saciamento! 
He then worked for Mr. Crocker, superinten- 
dent of the Steam Navigation Company, in their 
yard, until he could earn money enough to go 
to his brother's in Sonoma County. There he re- 
mained till March 1863; returning then to Sacra- 
mento, he worked in the ship-yard there until 
the middle of May. Next he followed black- 
smithing at Carson City, Nevada, about two 
years, and then bought a ranch upon Carson 
River, fifty-five miles from Carson. He built 
a hotel and blacksmith shop upon that place, 
moulding the brick, laying them and doing all 
the carpenter work himself. When the Central 
Pacific Railroad was built to Wadsworth, it 
drew the travel from his place and he had to 
leave it, losing all. Then, November 1, 1866, 
helocated on theMcCarthy ranch, in this county, 
until 1869, following farming and blacksmith- 
ing, and also hauling some for building the 
levee. During the year just mentioned he 
bought a piece of land in San Joaquin Town- 
ship, two miles east of Florin, and continued 
farming and blacksmithing for five years, and 
finally purchased a half acre which he now oc- 
cupies as a residence. Here he built a black- 
smith's shop, house, barn, etc., all with his own 
hands. In his political views Mr. Pugh is a 
Democrat. He has served many years as in- 
spector of elections, and one term as school 



HISTORY OF SACRAMKNTO COUNTY 



6f>3 



trustee. He was admitted into Sacramento 
Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M. in 1868, and is still 
a member of that lodge, and he, as well as his 
family, are members of the Gratige. lie was 
married in McDonald County, Missouri, Febru- 
ary 19, 1852, to Miss Mary Ann Greer, a native 
of Clarksville, Pike County, Missouri, and 
daughter of William and Ann (Jones) Greer. 
Her father was of Scotch descent and the tnotiier 
of Frencli. She was a child when her parents 
moved to Jasper County, Missouri, and subse- 
quently they moved to McDonald County, two 
and a half miles from Pierceville. Her mother 
died in Carson City and her father in Sonoma 
County, California. Mr. and Mrs. Pugh have 
nine children^ as follows: L. M., born December 
15, 1852, in Missouri, three miles from Neosho, 
and now living in Lewis, near Battle Mountain; 
he was made a Mason at Elk Grove on the night 
that he was twenty -one years old, at the youngest 
age known in the United Slates; Mary Mareilla, 
now the wife of R. J. Brown, and living in San 
Joaquin Township; Nancy Ann, the wife of 
Peter Chrisman, and living at Gonzales, Mon- 
terey County; Samuel A., residing in Lander 
County, Nevada; Parmelia Belle, now the wife 
of Frank H. Raulet, of San Francisco; Ethan 
Franklin, a resident of El Dorado County, near 
Shingle Springs; Joseph A., near Gonzales; 
Charles Lorenzo, who lives in Lander County, 
Nevada; and James Nathan, with his parents. 



fAPTAIN THOMAS DWYEK, president 
of the Sacramento Transportation Com- 
pany, was born in 18B1, in County Wex- 
ford. Ireland, — next to the youngest in a family 
of eight children, — his parents being Frank and 
Ellen (O'Neal) Dwyer. His father was a small 
farmer, who lived and died a poor man; his 
death took place in 1885. Nature had endowed 
young Dwyer with a spirit of enterprise, and 
when, in 1848, some acquaintances tried to per- 
suade him to go with them to the New World, 
he readily consented. Young, hearty, robust. 



he came to Toronto in all the vigor of his young 
manhood, and commenced the battle of life. 
He at once engaged in the lumber trade, wt)rk- 
ing at that during the winter, and on a farm 
during the summer. \n 1852 he came to the 
United States, going into Maumee County, 
Ohio, and there he obtained his first contract 
work, which consisted in the gettitig out of a 
certain number of railroad ties. After this he 
went to Lake County, Illinois, and again became 
a " farm-hand " in the summer, going to the 
pine woods of Wisconsin in the winter, where 
sometimes for six weeks continuously the sun 
never melted the snow from the sides of the 
j trees nor from the roof of the shanty which 
served as their only shelter. In 1859, during 
the Pike's Peak excitement, in company with a 
party of friends, he started for the gold dig- 
gings; on reaching the Missouri River at 
Council Bluffs, they learned that Pike's Peak 
was a humbug, some of the party turned back, 
but the subject of this sketch and his partner 
struck out boldly for California, the land of gold 
and sunshine. They came with ox teams, via 
Lander's cut-off, Raft Creek, and the Honey Lake 
Valley to Susanvijle, where they arrived on the 
3d of Se-^tember, after a journey of five months. 
He spent a year in the mines of Shasta County, 
and went to Chico during the following sum- 
mer and ran a threshing-machine there and in 
Colusa County. When the season for farm 
work was over he bought some timber land on 
the Sacramento River in Colusa County, and 
commenced cutting the wood; he got together 
about 2,500 cords, taking in a partner to share 
the expense, bought a wood barge and brought 
the wood down to Sacramento, where he could 
dispose of it to the schooners in the river. This 
was the origin of what is to-day known as the Sac- 
ramento Transportation Company. He afterward 
bt)Ught a small steamer to tow his barges. About 
this time, 1866, J. II. Roberts, II. L. Miller, 
Michael Rigney, N. McNear and C. Clots were 
added to the firm, which was then known as the 
Sacramento Wood Company. In 1879 the 
name was changed to the Sacramento Transpor- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tation Coin pan J, and the firm was incorporated 
under the laws of the State. Notwithstanding 
the California Steam Navigation Company was 
running in opposition to them, tlieir business 
grew and flourished. Increased towing facili- 
ties being required, the Vei'ona was added to 
their fleet in 1873; the San Joaquin, No. 2, in 
1877; the San Joaquin, No. 4, in 1882; the 
Governor Dana, Dover, and Flora, in 1883; and 
they are now (1889) building another steamer 
which lias not yet been named. In addition to 
these steamers they have a fleet of twenty 
bulges. In 1881 they engaged in the manufact- 
ure of brick, erecting kilns on the Riverside 
road, five miles below Sacramento, where they 
now iiave the most approved appliances. In 
18S8 they introduced the new patent system 
called the continuous kiln, with a capacity of 
50,000 pressed biick per diem; they also have 
in operation four Quaker brick machines, with 
a capacity of 140,000 daily. The busy life of 
Captain Dwyer has left him but scant time to 
devote to jioiitics or the fraternal societies. He 
was married in 1868 to Ellen Flannigan, a na- 
tive of Ireland. They have five children, viz.: 
Frances Thomas, Mary Ellen, John Jefi'rey, 
William Patrick and Thomas Edward. 



tMcNEAL, a California pioneer, was born 
in a place called Three Springs, Hunting- 
* don County, Pennsylvania, his parents 
being Robert, a farmer, and Catharine (Camp- 
bell) McNeal, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
The family, as the name indicates, is of Scotch- 
Irish descent. Our subject was one of a family 
of seven children, four of whom were boys. He 
was born in May, 1815, and was reared upon 
his father's farm until he reached his majority 
in 1838, when, starting out in life for himself, 
he went first to Clinton County, Indiana, where 
his brother, Alexander, resided, then to Madi- 
son County, AVisconsin, and afterward to Galena, 
Illinois, where he learned the carpenter's trade 
and resided until 1840; during that year he 



went to Mobile, Alabama, where he worked at 
his trade for seven years; he then secured a posi- 
tion at the United States navy yard at Peiisa- 
cola, Florida, where he remained until coming 
to California in 1849. He came with a party 
on board the schooner Crescent City to Chagres, 
crossed the Isthmus, and paid $300 for passage 
to San Francisco in the brig Solidad, Captain 
John Van Houton, who will be remembered as 
captain on one of the Sacramento River boats 
for many years, and who afterward kept the 
Crescent City Flotel. The old Solidad was after- 
ward brought to Sacramento and now lies high 
and dry at the foot of I street between Third and 
Fourth. The party arrived in San Francisco 
August 4, 1849, and, coming to Sacramento, 
packed to the mines on the Yuba River, where 
they remained till December, when Boyd and 
Davis (two of the party) came to Sacramento. 
McNeal followed mining for a greater portion 
of the time till 1852, when he came here and 
settled down to his trade. He eaily became a 
member of the Society of California Pioneers, 
in which organization he takes great interest. 
Mr. McNeal has been twice married, first in 
1859, to Mary Alice Alexander, who died in 
1862; and again in 1866 to Lucretia Kennedy, 
a native of Ft. Madison, Iowa, who died on the 
14tli of June, 1868, leaving an only daughter, 
Minnie, who is the wife of Hiram Z. Johnson 
of this citv. 



fHRlSTOPHER GREEN was born in Ire- 
land, December 25, 1830, and when he 
was a little more than thirteen years of 
age he left his native country and came on the 
vessel Shenandoah to New York city, where he 
entered himself as an apprentice to the carpen- 
ters' trade, in which relation he worked by the 
month. In 1844 he went down to Washington 
Market and obtained employment from Joseph 
Churchill, beginning to work for him for $5 a 
month, at his up-town house, near University 
place. After remaining with him for si.\ years 



HISTORY OF SACIiAMENTO COUNTY. 



lie went to Chicago, and for sixty days was in 
tiie employment of Byer, Wadswortb & Chapin, 
at $2.50 :i day. After a sojourn of twenty-three 
weeks in Chicago he returned toXew York and 
at once embarked on the Daniel Webster for 
California, January 5, 1852, coming by the 
Nicaragua route. On the Paciiic side he took 
the steamer Pacific, upon which he reached 
San Francisco. There he went to work at the 
old Pacific Market for George W. Green. Eight 
months afterward he came to Sacramento and 
passed on to Nevada City to observe the 
methods pursued in mining. Eeturning to Sac- 
ramento in August, 1852, he engaged himself 
in the City Market at the time of the fair of 
that year. During the autumn, that year, he 
entered the butchering business on J" street, be- 
tween Front and Second. In 1853 he and H. 
C. Trainor became partners in the Empire Mar- 
ket, which relation has ever since continued. Mr. 
Green has always taken an active interest in poli- 
tics, in public improvements and in the public 
welfare generally. Was an old-time Whig, and is 
now a leading Republican, being a member and 
the treasurer of the Republican county central 
committee. He was elected mayor of the city 
of Sacramento in 1872 by a handsome majority, 
on the issue raised by the railroad company 
concerning the filling up of China slough, he 
being in favor of the railroad company's propo- 
sition. In this ofiice he served two terms of 
three years each. Ne.xt he was appointed Post- 
master, to fill out the unexpired term of Mr. 
Hopping; was re-appointed for the second term, 
and was succeeded by the present incumbent, 
R. D. Stephens. For the last sixteen years Mr. 
Green has been a member of the State Board of 
Agriculture, being now a Director, and he has 
been Superintendent of the Grounds. Decem- 
ber 9, 1858, Mr. Green married Alice Tolan, a 
native of Ireland, who came to Massachusetts 
when young. They have six children, named 
Tessie, Mamie, Belle, Christopher, Jr., Mar 
cella and Samuel. In his social relations Mr. 
Green has been a member of the I. O. O. F. 
since 1857, — of El Dorado Lodge, No. 8, in | 



which he has passed the chairs, and is also 
member of Sacramento Lodge, A. O. U. W. 



SAAC LEA, farmer, Brighton Township, 
was bonr in Yorkshire, England, April 22, 
1827, son of John and Harriet Lea. In 
1847 John Lea died in New York, while on his 
way to the West. The next year his wife died, 
in England. Mr. Lea was a nurseryman all his 
life, on a large scale, and became a man of com- 
fortable circumstances. He had six sous and 
one daughter: Thomas has been a resident of 
San Francisco for thirty years, is wealthy and 
retired from business; John ran a ferry for nearly 
thirty years, and is now bridge-tetTder for the 
Central Pacific Railroad Company at Tehama, 
Tehama County, this State; Charles is a farmer 
at Florin, this county; Sidney is a merchant in 
Australia, whither he went from California in 
1857; and Mrs. Joseph Scholfield, who came 
by water in 1863 and is now living in Brighton 
Township. Mr. Isaac Lea, the subject of this 
outline, was approaching seventeen years of age 
when he left old England all alone in 1844, and 
located in Kane County, Illinois; Rhodes, now 
deceased, came in 1848; Sidney and John in 
1849; Thomas in 1852; Charles in 1855. All 
the living sons except Charles came to California 
in 1852 and made homes here. On arrival in 
Illinois, Isaac worked on a farm, then in a 
printing-ofiice two years during the Mexican 
war, and then bought ten acres of ground and 
commenced farming; afterward he purchased 
forty acres more, and did not sell the farm until 
1860, several years after he came to California. 
On coming to this State he had six horses and 
two light spring wagons, into which he put 
everything he might need; and when about half 
way here he sold one of the wagons, .as about 
one wagon-load of provisions and provender was 
consumed. The wagon-boxes were made water- 
tight, so that they would float in crossing 
streams. Mr. Lea had an enjoyable trip. On 
reaching Carson Valley he sold four of the 



HISTOliT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



horses, for more than they cost. Directly after 
arriving at Hangtown he worked for two months 
on the Hangtown canal, and as soon as the rains 
set in he resorted to mining, working a year 
there. The next year, in June, 1853, lie came 
down into the valley and was employed by A. D. 
Patterson, then sheriff, on his ranch. On the 
17th of September he went down into what is 
called "The Pocket," lietween the Sacramento 
and Cosiimnes rivers, and bought land, and after 
that time of the year cut fifty tons of hay, haul- 
ing twenty tons for Patterson and selling it to 
him for $20 a ton. November 15 he put in a 
crop of vegetables; and on the first of May, 
1854, he took a load of potatoes to Sacramento, 
the first new potatoes brought in that year, and 
sold them at twenty-five cents a pound. That 
year he bought some peach trees in San Fran- 
cisco, shipped from New Jersey, set them out, 
and also some apple trees from Oregon, which 
were sold at auction in San Francisco. He lived 
on that place two years, and then removed to 
his pre.-^ent ranch, bringing along with him a 
large number of hogs, which class of animals he 
had commenced raising on the first farm. To 
his present place he has hauled 100,000 feet of 
lumber in making the improvements. In this 
county he now has 720 acres of land, and 1,275 
acres at Napa Junction, Napa County, a stock 
farm. On his Florin place there are about 
seventeen acres in fruit trees and si.x in vines; 
twenty orange trees, some of them over thirty 
years old; 100 bearing olive trees, four varieties, 
the largest number in Sacramento County that 
are bearing; also citron and lemon trees, pome- 
granates, dates, plums, camphor trees, sweet bay 
and 100 tig-trees, some of them twenty years 
old and eighteen inches in diameter. He was 
the tirst to plant fruit trees in his section, and 
the tirst to put in olives, oranges, etc. In 1883 
he erectpd his fine residence, which he and three 
hired men put up in ten weeks, from digging 
the cellar to cotnpleting the roof Mr. Lea has 
always been a Kepublican. He was married in 
1866 to Mary Murgatroyd, a native of England, 
and they have seven children: John Ward, Ida 



Mary, Sarah Kate, Maltel, Harriet, Louisa, 
Isaac Arthur. 



fHARLES LEA was born February 26, 
1833, at Sworby Bridge, nefir Halifax, 
England, son of John and Harriet (Dyson) 
Lea. He left home at the age of twenty years 
and was employed by the Milne Bros, in the 
manufacture of wines and liquors. He was 
given charge of the vaults, packing, keeping up 
stores, etc. He remained with them until 1853, 
when he went to Manchester, England, and en- 
gaged in the same business. He stayed there a 
year, having charge of the entire business. In 
1855 he sailed from Liverpool to America on 
the steamer John Kutledge. He remained in 
New York till the steamer Star of the West was 
ready to sail, then took passage for California, 
coming via Grey town and Nicaragua, and land- 
ing in San Francisco July 28, 1855. The voyage 
was prolonged on account of the cholera being 
prevalent on board, they stopping to bury their 
dead until they became so numerous that they 
at last shoved them overboard wifh a piece of 
iron grating or anything that would keep them 
from floating. In San Francisco he went to 
work for his brother Thomas, who was engaged 
in the manufacture of malt, he being the first 
man to start a malt house in San Francisco. 
Charles remained there only a few months, then 
came to Sacramento and at once located 160 
acres of land in this county. He now owns 220 
acres of choice farming land, under a fine state 
of cultivation. He himself has made all the 
improvements. He does a general farming 
business, raises hay, grain and stock, and has 
fifteen acres of vineyard in a most promising 
condition. Like most other Californians, he 
tried mining, at Greenwood and Georgetown, 
but was not successful. He was married, Nov- 
ember 6, 1860, to Miss Johanna Percell, a native 
of Ireland, who came to California in 1858, in 
company with her brother and sister. After a 
few years of happy married life she was called 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



607 



away, leaving her husband with six children, 
four of whom are now living: Harriet, wife of 
Fred Smith; Emma, wife of Charles Biiell ; Dora 
and Charley. Mr. Lea was again married, 
September, 1876, to Miss Anna Digman, a na- 
tive of Ireland, who came to America in 1864, 
at the age of twentj- one. 



tOUDALPH LAUPPE, farmer, was born 
in Sacramento, January 12, 18 — . His 
father, also named Roudalph, was born in 
Germany, and owned and occupied the farm upon 
which the son is now residing; he is now work- 
ing for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. 
The farm is devoted principally to grain. Four 
acres are in orchard, which is one of the finest 
in this part of the country. Mr. Lanppe, the 
subject of this paragraph, married Rehina 
Shafer, who was born in Switzerland, and they 
have five children: Roudalph, John D., Anna, 
Edward J. and Louise. 



fEORGE EDMUND DUDEX, farmer and 
blacksmith, Sutter Township, was born in 
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, Sep- 
tember 26, 1832, a son of David and Anna 
(Barrick) Duden, both natives of Pennsylvania, 
and of German descent. Both his grandfathers, 
Daniel Duden and William Barrick, came from 
Germany, and both families also moved to 
Licking County, Ohio, in 1833, and there passed 
the remainder of their lives. In Daniel Duden's 
family were two daughters and four sons, viz.: 
William, David, Jacob, George, Elizabeth and 
Betsey. The only member of the family now 
living is George, of San Francisco. In Will- 
iam Barrick's family were twelve childre i, viz.: 
Henry, James, Samuel, Elizabeth, Anna, Re- 
becca, Polly, Sainantha, Catharine, and three 
others. Of these there are three daughters and 
three sons living. All of them lived to a good 
old age, and brought up children. David Duden 



lived in Ohio, where he followed farming and 
blacksmithing, and died there about fourteen 
years ago. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, 
died in Missouri. In their family were nine 
children, as follows: William, who resides in 
Monroe County, Iowa; George E., the subject 
of this sketch; Adolphus D., who resides in 
Iowa; Daniel D., in Henry County, Missouri; 
James B., in Iowa; John Fletcher, in southern 
Missouri; Charles W., in Henry County, Mis- 
souri; Anna, in Licking County, Ohio, and 
Lewis, in Henry County. Missouri. Mr. Duden, 
our subject, was brought up in Licking County, 
Ohio, most of the time of his youth near New- 
ark, the county seat. At the age of sixteen 
years he made a trip West, through Illinois, 
etc., and worked at his trade in Canton, Fulton 
County, that State. In 1849 he returned to 
Ohio and worked a year and a half in a shop in 
Sylvania, Licking County; next, in partnership 
with another man, he carried on a shop at Ga- 
lena, Delaware County, Ohio, until the fall of 
1852. Starting then to California, he stopped 
at Booneville, Missouri, and took a job of iron- 
iiig a number of wagons. The next spring he 
came on, in a party of thirty-two, starting from 
Howard County, Missouri, with a drove of cat- 
tle and mules, and corning by what was called 
the northern route. After halting for the night, 
on one occasion, and hitching their horses, on 
Salt River, they discovered the remains of a 
portion of 200 emigrants who died there the 
year before, of cholera. The corpses, although 
they had been buried, had been exhumed by the 
coyotes, and, being exposed and in a slate of de- 
composition, constituted such a sickening and 
repulsive sight that the party immediately 
hitched up again and moved on, not finding a 
decent camping-ground until midnight. An- 
other incident might be mentioned. At one 
time they were surrounded by several hundred 
Indians. The wagon train was in charge of an 
old Santa Fe man named Frank Broudar, who 
told his men that they must put on a bold front 
and not permit the Indians to think that they 
were afraid; also to see that their fire-arms were 



UISTOliY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



in good order. The result was, tlie Indians left 
without molesting them. In the train were some 
very nice race-horses, valuable cattle, mules, etc. 
The party arrived at Sacramento August 26. 
Mr. Duden found work at his trade until Feb- 
ruary, then until the 1st of October following 
was engaged at mining at Clarkville, El Dorado 
County. Returning then to Sacramento, he 
purchased a shop on Ninth street, between J 
and K. In 1859 he sold out this place and 
bought a shop at the corner of Ninth and X, 
and prosecuted his trade there until 1864. In 
the autumn of this year he ])urchased his present 
place in Sutter Township, on the upper Stock- 
tun road, five miles from Sacramento, where he 
has ever since resided. This farm contains 
eighty acres of good land, in a fine state of cul- 
tivation. When he entered upon it, it was en- 
tirely unimproved. The place is now well 
stocked with a great variety of fruit and orna- 
mental trees. The farm generally is devoted to 
hay, grain, etc.; and ever since he located there 
Mr. Duden has carried on a blacksmith shop 
upon the premises, also carriage building and 
painting, etc. He is also the proprietor of the 
Sacramento Thoroughbred Poultry Yard, and is 
an importer of thoroughbred poultry, having on 
hand all the leading varieties. This industry 
he started here only two years ago, but it has 
already proved a success. Orders are coming 
in faster than he can fill them. His ambition 
is soon to have a poultry yard second to none in 
the State. Mr. Duden was married December 
31, 1857, to Emma P. Burke, who was born in 
St. Louis, Missouri, January 6, 1842, and was 
brought by her parents, in 1853, in their emi- 
gration, to this State. They settled in Sacra- 
mento city, on L street, between Tenth and 
Eleventh. Her father was William W. Burke. 
Mr. and Mrs. Duden have brought up ten chil- 
dren: WilliamL., born August 26, 1860; Edith 
L., April 4, 1862; Ellsworth Fred, July 5, 1864; 
Frank H., July 16, 1866; Alice O., March 25, 
1868; Florence A., May 6, 1870; Mabel V., 
March 3, 1872; Lillian L., July 21, 1874; 
Leona A., October 31, 1877, and Ethel A., No- 



vember 17, 1879. Ellsworth is an excellent 
stenographer and caligraph operator, in the 
office of Hon. W. J. Davis, court reporter, Sac- 
ramento. Mr. Duden is a veteran Odd Fellow, 
belonging to Sacramento Lodge, No. 2. 



,OSES M. DREW.— In New Hampshire, 
under the shadows of Mount Washing- 
ton on, the east and nestling close to 
the river which forms its western boundary, lies 
Grafton County, where on the loth of March, 
1830, was born to Zaccheus Drew, a farmer, and 
to Nancy (Kimball) Drew, a son, — the youngest 
of five children in a good old-fashioned family of 
eleven children. There he lived, breathing the 
free mountain air and developing a physique 
well calculated to endure the hardships of a re- 
markably active life, until fifteen years of age, 
when he with his parents removed to Boston, 
Massachusetts. Five years later, in the spring 
of 1851, he came to California. He engaged 
in mining at dififerent points, notably at Mormon 
Island, where he worked a claim with Judge Cat- 
lin and others; in 1855, he went to the Kern 
River district with Joe Comstock, where they 
met with excellent success. For two years, with 
Levi D. Leeds, he was prospecting and mining 
in Sierra County; in 1858, during the Fraser 
River excitement, he went there, and later on 
to Pine Grove in Placer County. lie finally 
came to Sacramento and bought out the saloon 
on the corner of Sixth and K streets, which was 
then, and afterward, headquarters for the promi- 
nent men of this city. There he remained un- 
til 1875, when he was elected sherift", which 
office he held for two terms. It was during his 
administration that Dye, the public adminis- 
trator of this county, was apprehended, tried, 
convicted of murder and hanged. In 1879 he 
was a member of the State Board of Equal- 
ization, which ofiice he resigned after two years 
to become United States Marshal in 1881, under 
President .\rtliur, with headquarters at San 
Francisco, and fille 1 tiiu important position four 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



years. Upon returning to Sacramento he was 
once more taken up by his friends as their can- 
didate for sheriff, was elected and served three 
terms. Mr. Drew has been, and still is, a very 
prominent man; it is safe to say that no man 
stands higher in the regard of all classes of the 
citizens of Sacramento County, pre eminently 
of a social disposition, he is the center of a 
large circle of friends. 

fHILAXDER H. DODGE, manufacturer 
of gloves, 1017 Ninth street, Sacramento, 
was born May 2, 1847, at Monroe, Waldo 
County, Maine, and was educated in the public 
schools, graduating at the high school. In 
September, 1864, being then only seventeen 
years of age, he enlisted in Conipany G, Ninth 
Maine Regiment of Infantry, for a period of 
one year or during the war. His father, who 
had been in the army and discharged for dis- 
abilit}', sought to dissuade him from going, but 
finding hitn determined reluctantly gave his 
consent. His regiment was ordered to Chapin's 
Farm, on the James River, in front of Rich- 
mond, and assigned to the division comnjanded 
by General B. F. Butler. His regiment took 
part in an engagement, in which it lost about 
ninety men. Soon after the fight he was 
stricken with rheumatic fever and sent to the 
hospital at Portsmouth, Virginia, where he re 
mained about seven weeks. In the meantime 
his regiment had been ordered to Fort Fisher, 
where he rejoined it, arriving two days belore 
tliat battle was fought a id in which with his 
regiment he took part. • After the fight the 
brigade under General Terry marched to Wil- 
mington, Nortli Carolina, and thence to Raleigh. 
On the way it was learned that General Schofield 
was fighting with General Joe Johnston, and in 
order to render him assistance a forced march 
of forty-four miles was made in one da^'. On 
arriving at the scene of battle, material aid was 
given General Scliofielil and victory crowned tiie 
Union forces. This was the last battle in which 



General Johnston's army took part during the 
war. On arriving at Raleigh, General Terry 
established his headquarters, and Dodge was 
detailed with others for duty at the General's 
headquarters, where he remained until the sur- 
render of Lee, when he was ordered to report 
to his regiment to be mustered out. On re- 
turning to his home in Maine, he attended 
school for one term, then bought an interest in 
the firm of J. B. Morse & Co., manufacturers 
of edge tools, located at Dixmont, Maine. But, 
not liking the business, he remained only six 
months, when he sold his interest to his part- 
ners and engaged as traveling salesman for a 
Boston grocery house, with whom he stayed till 
1868. In April of that year, he started for 
California, coming across the Isthmus and ar- 
riving in San Francisco in May. At this time 
the Central Pacific Railroad was in course of 
construction and the work in need of men and 
Mr. Dodge being willing to do anything to af- 
ford an honest living, hired as teamster and was 
engaged in hauling railroad iron. At the end 
of six weeks an opportunity ofiered for him to 
go to Emigrant Gap; thither he went and for 
four months was engaged in logging, with S. 
Putnam of that place. In the fall of the year 
he went to Yolo County and obtained employ- 
ment on a ranch, where he spent the winter. In 
the spring of 1869 he went to San Joaquin 
County, purchased a lot of wild horses and en- 
gaged in teaming, chiefly in hauling grain. In 
the autumn he disposed of the team and went 
to Roseville, Placer County, where he took a con- 
tract for cutting wood, in which he employed a 
considerable number of men. In the spring of 
1870 he went to Colusa County and engaged in 
raising sheep. In the fall he sold his band, 
and during the winter taught school at Colusa. 
In the spring of 1871 he went to Nevada and 
again bought sheep, spending tiie remainder of 
the year in that State, wintering his band at 
Pueblo Valley near tiie Oregon line. Early in 
1872 he sold his sheep and returned tc Califor- 
nia, and after s|)ending some time in the mount 
ains he went to Red BlufiP, Tehama County, and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



engaged as foreman for Phillips & Chandler, 
the largest stock-raisers in the county, remain- 
ing with them till December, when he paid a 
visit to his home in Maine, spending about two 
months there. On his return to California he 
went to Colusa, and during the season gave his 
time to shearing sheep, traveling from Colusa 
to the State of Nevada. At the end of the 
shearing season, and nntil early in 1875, he op- 
erated a stage line and kept a hotel in the 
mountains. In 1875 he came to Sacramento 
and engaged as a salesman for Horace Briggs, 
who was manufacturing a patent spring bed, 
and also sold furniture for W. 1). Comstock 
and others. At the expiration of his contract 
with these parties, he opened a wood-yard in 
Sacramento, which he operated during the win- 
ter. In the spring of 1877 he disposed of this, 
and removed to Butte Meadows, Butte County, 
where he built a hotel, remaining as "mine 
host" for about four years, when he sold out, re- 
turned to Sacramento and engaged in his present 
line of business, the manufucture of gloves. 
He has been very successful, and has a repu- 
tation second to none in his line. His business 
relations are quite extended, his goods being 
sold not only in California but also in Nevada, 
Oregon and most of the Territories. Mr. Dodge's 
thorough knowledge of the requirements of his 
trade, and the fact that all skins used in the 
manufacture of his gloves are tanned at his own 
tannery and under his own personal supervision, 
enables him to place his goods on tiie market 
with the positive assurance that no competitor 
can excel him. In the operations of his factory 
and tannery, he employs twenty girls and six 
men. In the business he is highly regarded, 
and enjoys to the fullest extent their confidence 
and esteem. During his visit East in 1872 he 
was married to Miss Emma Sunderland, a 
daughter of Major Henry Sunderland, of the 
I5ritish army at Montreal, Canada. Mr. Dodge 
is active in the Grand Army of the Republic, 
being a member of Sumner Post, No. 3, also of 
Lelaiid Stanford Camp, No. 11, Sons of Vet- 
erans. Of the last named organization he has 



been Captain. Is also prominent in the Odd 
Fellows order, being a member of Capital 
Lodge, and the Occidental Encampment of Pa- 
triarchs Militant. He also belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias, and is now Chancellor Com- 
mander of Capital Lodge. In politics Mr. 
Dodge is a "dyed-in-the-wool" Republican, and 
uses all his energies to further the interests of 
his party both locally and nationally. 



-^^i 



fOSHUA P'OUNTAIN was born in Mary- 
land, February 27, 1811, his parents being 
Andrew and Rebecca (Barwick) Fountain. 
His maternal grandparents were James and 
Mary (Fisher) Barwick. Grandmother Barwick 
lived to be over seventy. The Barwicks are 
Marylanders for several generations. His grand- 
father Fountain bore the name of Andrew, and 
lived to be nearly seventy. Joshua Fountain's 
great-grandfather, who is believed to have been 
also named Andrew, was one of three brothers 
who had come to America from- France before 
the middle of the last century. One settled in 
Maryland, one in Long Island, and the third 
went South, but afterward returned to France, 
where he died, leaving, it is said, a large for- 
tune to his indirect heirs in America. A 
grand-uncle was a Colonel Fountain in the 
French-Indian wars, about 1760, serving on the 
side of the British colonies; and is said to have 
received the grant of one or two sections of land 
over which the city of Baltimore has since 
spread. Whether the alleged $8,000,000 of 
Fountain's inheritance includes this as well as 
the foreign claim, or whether one is confounded 
with the other, or whether either is genuine, 
Mr. Joshua Fountain is unable to say, and 
meanwhile is little concerned about the pros- 
pective inillions which perhaps is little better 
than a law3'er's lure to gather a handsome re- 
tainer from American Fountains. Joshua Foun- 
t.iin was brought up on a Maryland farm near 
the Delaware line; and was married in 1834 to 
Miss Prudence Rebecca, a daughter of Solomon 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO OOUNTT. 



and Anvibater Fountain, born June 15, 1815. 
He rented a farm for the first year after his mar- 
riage, and in 1835 moved to Michigan, where 
be bought a farm in Cass County. In 1838 he 
moved to Iowa, buying a farm near Farming- 
ton; and then moved into Lee County, where 
he farmed for seven years. In 1850 he came to 
California, across the plains, accompanied bj his 
oldest son, then a boy of fourteen. Arriving in 
Grass Valley on September 15, 1850, he went 
to mining there that winter, assisted by his boy. 
In the spring he went to prospecting for three 
months, and again settled down to work at Big 
Rich Bar, on the north fork of Feather River. 
Coming down to Oregon Gnlch, below Oroville, 
he there mined in the winter of 1851 and the 
spring of 1852. In the summer he camu down 
to Sacramento seeking a location, having ac- 
cumulated about $3,000, and bought a place at 
Eighth and O streets. The son followed in No- 
vember with $1,000 which he had won from the 
mines at the age of sixteen. He went into his 
old business of brick-making, which he carried 
on from 1852 to 1861 in Sacramento. August 
20, 1855, Mr. Fountain returned to Iowa to 
bring out his wife and family of four children, 
leaving his son in charge of the business and 
twenty men. In 1857 he bought the ranch of 
240 acres in the northeast corner of Franklin 
Township, which he still owns, and on which he 
came to reside in 1859. During his brick- 
making career in Sacramento he went to Grass 
Valley in 1857, and there made brick for the 
Catholic Church of that place; and in 1859 to 
Suisun ("ity, where he made brick for the court- 
house and jail. On his farm he raises grain, 
though it is well adapted for fruit-raising with 
proper irrigation. Mrs. Fountain died Decem- 
ber 13, 1871, liaving borne the following chil- 
dren: William Andrew, born June 9, 1836; 
James Barwick, July 11, 1838; Ann Eliza, 
January 13, 1841; George Walton, January 19, 
1844; Sarah Jane, December 17, 1847, deceased 
in 1849; Mary Marion and an unnamed twin 
sister, who died soon after birth, were born 
March 17, 1849. Mary Marlon died in 1851. 



Of these, William A. was born in Michigan, and 
the others in Iowa. The following were born 



in Sacramento: Joshua, Jr., Ai 



1857; 



unnamed child, born March 31, 1861, died 
April 12, 1861; Charles Henry, born April 6, 
1862; died February 12, 1884. The two oldest 
carry on a brick business in Sacramento as 
Fountain Brothers. Ann Eliza is the wife of F. 
S. Hotchkiss of the same city. George W. is 
in the dairy business on the Locke and Levin, 
son place, below Courtland. He supplies half 
the stock, the firm the other half and the land, 
the product being owned in equal shares. He 
is married to Louisa Hollman. Joshua, Jr., is 
a traveling salesman for the hardware house of 
Hillburn Brothers, of Sacramento, and is mar- 
ried to Clara Hoyt. December 30, 1874, Mr. 
Fountain was married to Miss Mary Myers, 
born in Dade County, Missouri, in 1855, a 
daughter of Garrett Laure and Delina (Robert- 
son) Myers, the father being of French and the 
mother of English descent, both now living in 
Sacramento. 

»g^. 0^(. ,^^» - 

PAVID TILESTON LUFKIN was born in 
Cumberland County, Maine, August 31, 
1817, his parents being Jacob Butler B. 
and Elizabeth (Ludden) Lufkin. Grandfather 
Ludden, a native of Scotland, fought at Bunker 
Hill in the patriot army. The Lufkins trace 
lineage to the early Puritan stock of Plymouth 
colony. David's grandfather, Nathaniel Luf- 
kin, was an early settler, large landholder, ship- 
owner and merchant at Yarmouth, and lost 
heavily through the embargo act, in the war 
of 1812. His grandmother Lufkin was of a 
Butler family, of Massachusetts. The father of 
D. T., besides carrying on the usual routine of 
his farm, bought and drove cattle and sheup, 
selling thein in Portland. The subject of this 
sketch attended, the district school till lie was 
thirteen, when he went to driving a six-o.\ team 
in a logging camp. Obtained the gift of his 
time at sixteen years and nine months. Spent 



UISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



three months in an academy to enable him to 
teach a district school, and was afterward 
teacher and pupil alternativel}' until he reached 
his majority. His healtli becoininfij impaired 
by over-study he went West in 1838, by way of 
Boston, Netv York, Buffalo and Chicago to 
Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he spent a year 
and recovered his health. He then went into 
the pine-cutting business as an employe and 
"rafted" to St. Louis in 1840, afterward work- 
ing during tlie summer on the Mississippi. 
His healtii again gave way, and he went north 
to Galena, where he taught school in 1841 at 
$35 a month and board. In the spring of 1842 
he went into the -grocery business, which he 
closed out two years later, and in 1844 moved 
to Boone County, Illinois, where he had a farm, 
and built a saw-mill, which he conducted for 
iive years. Renting farm and mill in 1849 he 
came to California by way of St. Louis, New 
Orleans, and a sailing vessel to Chagres, and on 
the Pacific side by the barque "Palmetto," on 
which he was employed as "captain of the 
steerage," — charged with the oversight of 116 
passengers, — to San Franci^^co, arriving in the 
spring of 1850. He was thus enabled to secure 
the passage uf two sick and penniless comrades 
from Panama to San Francisco. He went to 
mining in April, and kept at it steadily for 
about live months, his last field of operation be- 
ing on Feather Kiver. He had turned Nelson 
Creek from its bed, but high water soon put an 
embargo on his proceedings. His liealth, too, 
was none too good, and he concluded to seek for 
a season some more congenial climate and oc- 
cupation than mining in the mountains, but 
with the intention of returning when the water 
subsided on his claim. He had made about 
$2,000, and invested in some cattle, renting 
from a mining comrade a place on the Sacra- 
mento, on which tiiere was a rude log-cabin. 
Here he proposed to devote tlie interval until 
spring to feeding his cattle, and^ he reached the 
place on October 30, 1850. After a few weeks' 
residence he found his health so mucli improved 
that he bought the place, and it has been his 



home ever since. Besides taking care of his 
stock he ran the Grapevine Ferry in the winter 
of l851-'52, and found the climate so genial 
that he abandoned the idea of returning to the 
mines. In the lall of 1851 he brought his fam- 
ily to share his comforts and enhance his own. 
He increased his ranch by other purchases to 
400 acres, but has since reduced it by sale to 100 
acres, which are devoted almost entirely to 
fruit-raising, for which nature has admirably 
adapted it. Had he the designing of it and the 
power to achieve the desired result, he could 
not have made it more suitable for such pur- 
pose. He raises pears, peaclies, apricots, plums 
and cherries, which he ships principally to San 
Francisco from a landing near at hand. He 
shipped 2,000 boxes East in 1888. Raises some 
alfalfa for his colts. He raised cattle and ran a 
dairy for some years, but found that nature had 
adapted his ranch for the raising of stone-fruits, 
and he has learned not to contravene the de- 
cision of that bounteous mother. In 1854 he 
burned a kiln of brick, and built a residence of 
that material, which after thirty-five years is 
still in excellent condition, besides enhancing 
tiie comfort and promoting the health of its oc- 
cupants for all those years. He continued to 
prosper in his business for twelve years, when 
the flood of 1862 created discontent with the 
banks of Sacramento as a permanent home, and 
he offered to sell cheap, but fortunately could 
find no purchaser. In an evil hour he embarked 
in what seemed a promising venture, — the mill- 
ing and crushing of quartz, near Aurora, Ne- 
vada, only to sink the bulk of his accumulations 
and lose foui- and a-half years, — 1863 to 1867, — 
in that disastrous enterprise. Returning to his 
old pursuits on his unsalable ranch a sadder but 
wiser man, he has learned to be content with 
the less dazzling vision of a competence from 
the fruits of his orchard, and is now enjoying a 
serene old age in the quiet pursuits of hus- 
bandry. He has been a justice of the peace al- 
most continuously when living in Franklin 
Township. Mr. Lufkin was married in 1843 at 
Elkhorn (Trove, Illinois, to Miss Ann E. Dal- 



nisronY OF saoramento county. 



ton, a native of North Carolina. Her maternal 
grandfather was of the Scales family, of which 
the present Governor of that State is a distin. 
tinguished member. She died in 1876, leaving 
four children: Sarah Hortense, now the widow 
of James S. Moore, with four bojs and two 
girls; Mary, the widow of Elijah Giles Downer 
with two boys and two girls; Harry Tileston^ 
in business at Walnut Grove, and married to 
Louisa Wise, with two children: Roscoe C, 
born in 1882, and a baby girl; Clara, now Mrs. 
Daniel Striker, of Sacramento. Mr. Liifkiri was 
again married in 1879 to Mrs. Sarah H. (Mor- 
rison) Weber, born in Maine of a Scotch father 
and an American mother. 



rplZRA W. FOSTER, farmer, Sutter Town. 
[■' ship, was born December 4, 1828, in Ver- 

"^' mont. His father, William T. Foster, 
was a native of Ireland, a stone-cutter by trade, 
and came to America at the age of seventeen 
years. His wife, the mother of Ezra W., was a 
native of Vermont; her maiden name was Char- 
lotte Cliilson. From early boyhood, the sub- 
ject of our sketch has made his own way in the 
world. He lived with his grand-parents until 
about the age of seventeen years, when he found 
that he was not to receive under their care &\\y 
education. He then resolved to travel out into 
the world for himself. He began to exhibit a 
desire tor an education at the age of fourteen, 
and by the time he was seventeen he liad re- 
ceived but eighteen months' schooling. At the 
tender age mentioned he went to Michigan, 
where he lived most of the time in Cass and 
Berrien Counties, working on a farm and clerk- 
ing in various stores. In April, 1850, having 
accumulated a little money by hard labor and 
rigid economy, he started for California over- 
land, came by way of Council Bluffs, Salt Lake 
City and arrived in Weavertown, this State, 
July 17, with fifty-tive people in the train, after 
a live months' journey. Only one of the party 
■was lost on the way by sickness. For the first 



year Mr. Foster followed mining; then he 
started a small grocery with his uncle, which 
arrangement continued but a short time. Out 
of $5,000 invested they obtained but $50 in re- 
turn, and that was in a mining claim. The 
next year he was employed in a sale and feed 
stable in Sacramento. Selling it, in February, 
1852, be located a quarter-section of land in 
Franklin Township. The following spring he 
sold this and purchased his present property of 
365 acres, six miles from Sacramento, between 
the upper and lower Stockton roads; and then 
began teaming and speculating in horses and cat- 
tle. In 1855 he put in the tirst crop on the 
ranch, and from that time he has improved the 
place until he has made it a fine residence. Hay, 
grain and live-stock are within the domain of 
his energies. He still " has a fancy for a good 
horse;" and of this class of animals he has a 
number. He also has a ranch of 237 acres six 
miles south of Sacramento. Mr. Foster has 
seen his share of the " ups and downs " of Cali- 
fornia life. August 6, 1856, he married Miss 
Letitia, daughter of J. Goslin, and a native of 
England. She died January 2, 1862. By this 
marriage there were two sons: Adrian, whu died 
at the age of three years and six months; and 
Harry W., born December 10, 1861. 



i^ARRY TILESTON LUFKIN was born 
irjl^ October 3L, 1856, in "the brick house," 
*=S(s about midway between Richland and Free- 
port, on the Sacramento, his parents being 
David Tileston (see sketch) and Mary Ann 
(Dalton) Lufkin. He attended high-school and 
a preparatory school in Sacramento, but instead 
of going to the university he went to teaching 
school in Solano County, near Vallejo, at the age 
of twenty. He followed that avocation for 
seven years, and in 1883 went into business at 
Walnut Grove, where he still conducts a general 
store and a public hall, built in 1885. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, and of the Native 
Sons of the Golden West, and was a school 



HISTORY OF SAOMAMENTO COUNTY. 



trustee for three years. Mr. Lufkiii was mar- 
ried July 16, 1879, to Miss Louisa Jane Wise, 
a native of this county, a daugliter of Joseph 
(see sketch) and Nancy Jane (Phipps) Wise. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lufkin are the parents of three 
living children: Harry Iloscoe, born June 3, 
1880; Stella Grace, born October 30, 1886; 
and Irene Tileta, born November 27, 1889. 



fULIUS EVERSON, merchant at Elk Grove, 
was born in Cayuga County, New York, 
fourteen miles from Auburn, the county 
seat, and about two miles from where Millard 
Fillmore was at the time working at tie black- 
smith's trade, June 9, 1833, son of William and 
Catharine Evcrson, the former a native of New 
Jersey and the latter of New York. He was 
brought up as a farmer's son, remaining on the 
farm until he was twenty years of age; at- 
tended an academy for a time. In 1853 he went 
to Michigan and located at Kalamazoo, entering 
the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad 
Comjiany, who commissioned him to buy and 
cut wood along the line of the road, his section 
being from Kalamazoo to Lake Michigan. He 
had an engine and machine for cutting the wood, 
and a gang of men: occupied this position for 
about two years. In 1856 he sailed from New 
York for California on the old steamer George 
Law, which afterward was lost at sea. While 
crossing the Isthmus on the railroad, an accident 
happened to the train causing the loss of sixty 
lives. His steamer on this side the Isthmus 
was the Golden Gate, which also went down 
afterward. He landed in San Francisco May 23 
or 24, 1856, the day Casey and Cora were hung 
by the Vigilance Committee. The times were 
so exciting that Mr. Everson was tempted im- 
mediately to return to the East. On arriving in 
Sacramento he entered the w-ood business on 
Ninth and K streets, and conducted a wood-yard 
about a year; then he bought a farm near Elk 
Grove and conducted it until 1875, when he 
originated the Elk Grove Building Company, 



which put u[) the first business building in the 
place; and he, in partnership with W. A. Chit- 
tenden, under the firm name of Chittenden & 
Everson, put in a stock of goods, the first in the 
embryo village; and ever since that date he has 
been in business at that point, carrying a gen- 
eral stock of goods for an agricultural com- 
munity. In 1877, in company with II. S. Hill, 
he bought a tract of land and erected two build- 
ings upon it, one for a drug store and one for a 
harness shop. Thus was the business history of 
Elk Grove started. At the end of the first six- 
teen months Mr. Everson bought out Mr. Chit- 
tenden's interest and admitted into partnership 
his nephew, W. E. Everson, wlio was then one 
of the firm of Everson & Co. for eight years. 
Mr. Everson bought him out and since that time 
he has been alone. As has already been proven t 
he is a public-spirited man, anxious for the 
prosperity of his communityj and successful 
both in business and in helping on all good 
local enterprises. He was married in 1873 to 
Miss Alvira Treat, a native of Cass County, 
Michigan, and daughter of Sullivan Treat, an 
old settler of this locality. They have two 
children, Lester Treat and Walter Terry, both 
born in Elk Grove. 



IfSAAC FIEL, merchant and real-estate dealer, 
II Folsom. The father of this gentleman, Jo- 
^ seph Fiel, was a native of Prussia, born in 
1822, ^nd was a tailor by occupation. In 1849, 
during the gold exciteuieiit in California, he 
came direct to Folsom, which had just iieen laid 
out, and bought property. When the railroad 
was built to that place, passengers and freight 
were carried across the mountains by wagons to 
Virginia City, during the Washoe, Gold Hill 
and White Pine excitement. He commenced 
the manufacture of wagon covers and made 
quite a business out of it. Afterward he en- 
tered the dry-goods trade in Folsom, being one 
of the first merchants, and followed this business 
about six years. Subsequently he became in- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



675 



terested in two or three mines in the neighbor-- 
hood, and devoted his attention to that about 
three years. At the time ot" the completion of 
the railroad to Latrobe, which was then sup- 
posed to be the terminus of the route, he went 
there and erected seven large stores, wliich he 
rented. The stores cost a great deal of money, 
Latrobe went down, and he was offered only 
$200 for the property. He moved the buildings 
to Folsom, where they are still standing. At 
one time he had considerable property in the 
lower part of the town, which was then the 
principal business portion. He was once offered 
86,000 or $7,000 for property which he after- 
ward sold for $300. The same property to-day 
is worth many thousand dollars. His next 
move was to open a variety store a few doors 
above where his son now is, and he continued 
in this business until his death, October 16, 
1876. He always had the good of his chosen 
town at heart, was active in business and every 
way a worthy citizen. He was foremost in 
securing the branch State Prison at this point. 
He was married in Sacramento, to Rosa Kirsky, 
who became the mother of two children, and is 
now a resident of Folsoin. Her son Irwin is 
not living. Isaac Fiel, the other son, was born 
in Folsom April 22, 1861. At the age of fif- 
teen years he went to Woodland, but at the 
death of his father he returned to Folsom to 
take charge of his well-known variety store, and 
since then he has been prominently identified with 
the thorough business men of the place. Four 
years ago he took charge of Firemen's Hall, 
which had well nigh run down, repaired it, and 
got theatrical companies to exhibit there, which 
has been a great help to the town. He still has 
charge of tlie iiall. His variety store is one of 
the principal attractions of Folsom, being one 
of the largest outside of San Francisco. He 
has the agency of all the San Franci.sco, Sacra- 
mento and Stockton papers, as well as the other 
princi|>al papers of the State. He and his 
mother own considerable real estate in and 
around Folsom, some of which is valuable busi- 
ness property. For ten months Mr. Fiel was 



editor and proprietor of the Folsom WeeJcly 
2e^e^mj9/i, -and during that time built the paper 
up to a standard that places it among the lead- 
ing newspapers of the State. When he sold it 
it was on a good paying basis. For a year and 
a half he was Deputy Postmaster of Folsom, and 
during that time was instrumental in putting 
in new boxes and fitting up the office to be one 
of the finest in the State. During the skating 
rink excitement he had charge of three skating 
rinks, — one each in Folsom, Elk Grove and 
Gait, — and they were a paying investment. In 
connection with his variety store he also is en- 
gaged in the real-estate business. December 
27, 1887, is the date of Mr. Fiel's marriage to 
Miss Gertie Sartain, a native of Missouri. 



I^ON. LEWIS H. FASSETT, deceased, was 
IW) a son of Truman N. and Lydia (Hyller) 
"^fii Fassett. His father, a native of Vermont, 
emigrated to Ohio when a small boy, and his 
father, Elias, also a farmer, emigrated to Ohio 
in 1810, and was therefore one of the earliest 
pioneers of that State. Truman N. was reared 
and married in Ohio to an Ohio lady whose 
father, Mr. Hyller, made his home there until 
he came to California in 1852. In Ohio he fol- 
lowed farming and also had charge of mail 
routes, stage lines, etc. Ho came to the coast 
by the Nicaragua route, sailing from New York, 
and was one those who were retained at Grey- 
town, having to wait nearly three months on 
the Isthmus before he could procure passage on 
the Pacific coast. The ship that finally came 
along was the George Lewis. On arrivintr here 
he mined at Mormon Islatid and elsewhere, and 
also hauled freight from Marysvilte to the min- 
ing camps. He mijied one year and then was 
on a farm one season, and then followed freight- 
ing again. In 1855, his family, consisting of 
wife and four children, arrived here, and they 
all then located in Sacramento. He afterward 
purchased land and settled upon it, and died in 
1881, at the age of seventy-five years. The 



IIISTOHY OF SACRAMENTO GOUNTT. 



widow is still livinjr, aged seventy-eight years. 
Tiie four children were Lucy N. Kellogg, in 
Tulare City; Henry li., in Sacramento; L. H., 
our subject, and Mrs. Julia E. Andrews, who 
died June 4, 1873. Mr. Fassett was born 
March 23, 1837, in Ohio, came to California in 
1855 and went into the mines. He left a good 
situation of $100 a month in Sacramento, fol- 
lowed mining fourteen months and returned 
with just $1-1:! Then he was employed by O. 
C. Wheeler half a year, at $60 a month. Pres- 
ently his father and brother bought a ranch on 
tiie Folsoni grant, and they all followed farming 
there together for several years; but the title 
was found to be clouded with a Mexican claim 
and they abandoned the place. Then, during 
18r)2-"63, Mr. Fassett followed teaming, and 
next tried mining again (!), this time putting 
up a quartz mill on the Carson River, in Carson 
County, Nevada. Unfortunately, just before 
Christmas it burned down; and, not having 
much to fall back upon, he came to this county 
:uh1 commenced fanning on the Sacramento 
River, near Freeport, remaining there two years. 
He then, in 1867, purchased the present home- 
stead, nine miles from Sacramento and one and 
three-fourths miles from Florin, where he paid 
considerable attention to fruit, such as straw- 
berries, blackberries and grapes for Eastern 
shipment. There are thirty acres in vineyard. 
Mr. Fassett was well posted in the art of fruit- 
growing, and was actively instrumental in estab- 
lishing the Fruit-Growing Association, and also 
the Grange, the result of which has been a 
great beneiit to the community. He was a Re- 
publican; was a tneinber of the Board of Super- 
visors, and chairman of the lioard for two years, 
at the close of which term he was presented 
with a handsome gold-headed cane. July 26, 
1888, he received from the Republicans of the 
Twentieth Assembly District, the nomination 
for member of the Assembly without opposi- 
tion, and November 4 was elected. During the 
session he was a member of the Committee on 
Agriculture, on Swamp and Overflowed Lamls, 
on the State Prison, and on Homestead and Land 



Monopolies. He was a man of indomitable en- 
ergy and extraordinary ability. He died De- 
cember 16, 1889. In 1861 he married Miss 
Ellen A. Anderson, daughter of Andrew and 
Harriet A. Anderson, and they had three sons 
and two daughters: Ada L., now the wife of 
Francis A. Tibbitts in San Francisco; Ella M., 
now wife of C. S. Patton ; George E., Charles 
H., Truman L., and Sarah U., who died in 1878, 
at the age of two years. 



I^ICHARD STANLEY LOCKETT, de- 
f^ ceased, was born near Somerset, Kentucky, 
^ February 13, 1818. From 1839 to 1843 
he was a ship carpenter in Missouri, and thence 
until 1850 he worked at his trade in Louisiana, 
spending most of his time in New Orleans. For 
four years he was a pilot on the Mississippi 
River. In 1850 he came to California by 
water, and worked at his trade in San Francisco 
a few weeks, building a schooner. Coming to 
Sacramento, he opened up a restaurant and 
saloon on the corner of Third and K streets. 
Having bought the southwest and southeast cor- 
ners there he erected a building, but the great 
fire succeeding occasioned him great loss. In 
186- he entered a quarter- section of Govern- 
ment land, and purchased another quarter-sec- 
tion, a part of which is now within the limits 
of the city of Sacramento. The estate, now con- 
ducted by his widow, in conjunction with an 
adopted son, is seven miles from Sacramento, in 
Brighton Township, and consists of eighty acres, 
thirty acres of which are in vines and other 
small fruits. Some of the vines are over twenty 
years old. ]\Ir. Lockett was one of the charter 
members of the Sacramento Grange, and took 
great interest in the cause of the Patrons of 
Husbandry dnring his life. In 1883 he was 
nominated by the Republicans for tlie Assem- 
bly, but was defeated, along with the whole 
ticket. He was a very popular man, on account 
of his good qualities of character and intelligent 
understanding of the principles 



lIlSTony OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ship, especially as understood by his party. 
Mr. jAickett was married in 1871 to Mary Lock- 
ard, a native of Columbus, Ohio, and daughter 
of John and Alary McLain, both her parents of 
Scotch descent. She was a child when her par- 
ents died, and was brought up near Columbus 
by persons who were not relatives. Her mother, 
by her tirst husband, Mr. Charlton, had had five 
children, and by her second husband si.\ chil- 
dren, and Mrs. Lockett is the unly member of 
the family now living so far as she knows. She 
came to California in 1868. 



tMAIUNGO, a tanner of Dry Creek Town- 
ship, was born in Italy in 1828, a son of 
* Peter and Mary Maringo, both of whom 
died in that classic land. His father was a 
farmer. Mr. Maringo, our subject, emigrated 
to California in 1869, first settling in Stockton. 
In 1879 he purchased from the railroad com- 
pany the present property of 624 acres, two and 
a half miles from Gait and twenty-five miles 
from Stockton; and on this place he has made 
all the improvements now witnessed there. His 
barn and other outbuildings are very good 
structures. On this ranch he carries on general 
farming, and has a small vineyard and garden, 
in tine trim. In 1857 he married Teresa Ma- 
ringo, a native of Italy, and they have four 
children, namely: Melita, Mary, Virginia and 
Alessandria. 

■ '^■^■^ 

fLE OLSON LOVDAL, a hop-raiser of 
Sutter Township, was born in Gramstadt, 
Norway, Marcii 25, 1825, a son of George 
and Christina Lovdal. At the age of fifteen 
years he began to learn his trade, and since that 
time he has made his own way in the world. 
July 12, 1850, he sailed from Gramstadt for the 
United States, and landed at New York, after a 
voyage of ten unpleasant weeks. He finally 
purchased a place from liis brother-in-law, An- 



ton Olsen, which now contains about thirty 
acres, situated at Riverside, about half a mile 
below the city limits, and is devoted entirely to 
hop-raising. Mr. Lovdal has another ranch of 
130 acres about three miles further below, de- 
voted to hops, fruit, hay and pasture. On that 
place there is a young orchard of twenty acres, 
mostly of Bartlett pears. In all this business 
he has been very successful. Socially he is a 
pleasant, genial gentleman. 



^^' 



tRCHIBALD LOGAN, of Sacramento, was 
born in Edinburgh, Scotland, November 
30, 1830. His father, John Logan, a native 
of Trennent, Midlothian, was a merchant of 
Edinburgh, and died when the subject of this 
sketch was a child. His mother, nee Jessie 
Steele, was also a native of the same section of 
Scotland. Young Logan received his school 
education in Edinburgh. At the age of four- 
teen years he shipped as a cabin boy on the 
bark Elizabeth, Captain Gale, for New York. 
Returning to Scotland, he made a second trip 
to the American city, and two years afterward 
he made a voyage to Portugal and the "West 
Indies. He left New York for California Feb- 
ruary 1, 1849, as a sailor before the mast, on 
the bark Cornelia, Caj)tain Parker, and arrived 
at San Francisco July 18, following. Coming 
by way of Sacramento directly to the American 
River Bar mining district, he obtained employ- 
ment at a point called Lacy Bar, at $16 a day 
and board. In March, 1853, during the Aus- 
tralian gold excitement, he sailed to the Sand- 
wich Islands, and thence to Australia, w'hence 
he returtied in the following year. During this 
absence he retained his mining interests at 
Lacy's Bar, and also his mercantile interests 



there and at Dalton's Bar. In 1859, di 



mg 



the Salmon River gold excitement, he went to 
Idaho and spent a year. Returning to Sacra- 
mento, he again made a trip to Scotland to visit 
friends and to bring his mother to the new EI 
Dorado. Landing again in this country, he 



678 



HI8T0BY OF SACMAMENTO OOVNTY. 



spent the next two years or more at Dalton's 
liar, in business partnership with Gr. L. Greeley, 
who died about 1869 or 1870, while holding the 
office of collector for Placer County. Mr. Logan 
was eleettd to till the vacancy for the unexpired 
term. July 4, 1865, he married Mrs. Lydia 
Greeley, nee Morse, a native of Wisconsin, who 
came to this State during the spring of the pre- 
ceding year. They have had nine children, six 
of whom are living, namely: Jennie Greeley, 
now Mrs. E. Katzenstein; Charles; Lester; Jes- 
sie, who died your.g; Mary, now Mrs. Dr. B. 
StoU; Archie, who died when eight years of age; 
Francis, Jessie, Daisy, Robbie and Bessie Cluich. 
After marriage Mr. Logan became a resident of 
Sacramento, where he has been engaged in dray- 
ing for the last fifteen years. For many years 
he has been a member of the Pioneer Associa- 
tion, and Marshal of that organization for the 
past three years. He is also a member of the 
Caledonian Club, of which he has been Chief 
for two years; and he is a member of Sacra- 
mento Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., and of Pacific 
Encampment, No. 2, of the same order. 

fRANK T. LYMAN, of the firm of Crouch 
& Lyman, plumbers and gas-fitters, 511 J 
street, Sacramento, was born in Sacramento 
in January, 1857, a son of P. H. Lyman, who 
will be remembered by all the old settlers in 
the county as the proprietor of the Sutterville 
Brewery. He is now, however a resident of 
San Francisco. Frank T. received his educa- 
tion in the public schools of Sacramento and at 
Hunt's Academy. In 1873 his parents removed 
to San Francisco, and soon after apprenticed 
him to the plumbing business. After learning 
his trade he came to Sacramento, and was en- 
gaged as foreman by Georue T. Bush, then one 
of the most prominent plumbers in Sacramento, 
with whom he remained till Mr. Bush discon- 
tinued business, when he went to work for Tom 
Scott in the capacity of foreman. In August, 
1>^S7. he formed a partnership with Harrison 



R. Crouch, locating at 511 J street. Mr. Ly- 
man is recognized as one of the most ])rHctical 
plumbers in the city, and on-matters of sanitary 
engineering is considered an authority. To this 
branch of plumbing he has given a great deal of 
time and study. For a firm of young men they 
may justly feel proud of their standing, having 
been awarded some very large contracts. Mr. 
Lyman was married to Miss Maiy J. Maloy, of 
Sacramento, in February, 1888. Politically he 
is Democratic, and, like his pai'tner, displays 
quite an ambitious interest in local matters. 

fACOB HYMAN, merchant at Folsom, was 
born in Poland, March 9, 1830. In 1850 
he sailed from Hamburg, and landed at 
New Orleans August 10. He began to work 
for a farmer, who also sent him to school a little 
while. Remaining in the State of Mississippi 
until 1854, he came to California by the Pana- 
ma route, landing at San Francisco on the 
steamer John L. Stephens, July 2. After clerk- 
ing a year in the store of Mr. Levy at Mormon 
Island, he bought him out and continued the 
business there four years longer. He then came 
to Folsom, and in 1860 opened^ out where a 
blacksmith's shop now stands, near the Ameri- 
can Exchange Hotel. Afterward lie moved into 
the American Exchange Hotel building, before 
it was opened as a hotel, and prosecuted his 
business there until 1870. Then he moved fur- 
ther up the street and took a corner store now 
kept by Isaac Fiel. In 1872 he purchased the 
property where he is now located, and has since 
occupied it. He has made good use of the little 
capital he brought with him to this State, by 
industry and perseverance. He is public-spirited, 
a Republican since he voted for Lincoln in 1860, 
a member of the Republican County Central 
Committee, and has always taken a great inter- 
est in public education. He has been a mem- 
ber of .the Masonic order since 1860, of the Odd 
Fellows since 1872, and a charter member of 
1878 of the A. O. U. W. Has held ottices in 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT 



some of the lodges. In 1865 he married Bella 
Staaiper, a native of New York, and tliej- have 
two sons and two daughters, viz.: Isaac, Rosa, 
Walter and Laura. 



'-^••^ 



flERRE A. HUMBERT, civil engineer at 
Folsom, was born in the city of New York 
in 1853, studied in the University of Vi- 
enna, Clausth'al, and graduated at the University 
at Berlin in 1874, taking the general engineer- 
ing conrse. He was engineer two years for the 
Yielle Montague, and two years for the Com- 
pagnie Rsal Asturiana, of Belgium. He re- 
turned to the United States in 1876, and came 
to California, and from that time to the present 
has been engaged in various pursuits on the 
coast, connected with mining and civil engineer- 
ing; and since May 21, 1888, he has been chief 
"engineer of the Folsom Water- Power Company. 
In his chosen profession he ranks with the best 
civil engineers in the country. He was married 
in 1881 to Mary A. Anglon, a native of Rock- 
land, Maine, and a sister of Mrs. Charles Anil, 
whose husband is the warden of the State Prison 
at Folsom. 



®»^ 



t FISHER & CO., confectionery manufact- 
urers and agents for the American Bis- 
' cuit Company, have built up their present 
immense business from the smallest beginning. 
The firm is composed of Henry and Herman 
Fisher, father and son. The father was born in 
Holstein, Germany, April 3, 1838, and at the 
age of seventeen years entered upon a seafaring 
life, engaging first in fishing in the North Sea. 
He engaged in merchandise a little while, and 
the second year he was on a schooner which 
made three trips to England, and one trip 
through the Holstein canal to the Baltic, etc. 
The ne.xt year he went on the Christina from 
Hamburg to Buenos Ayres and to Java, and re- 
turned to Hamburg, being absent fourteen 



months; next was a trip to the West Indies, re- 
turning with a Crirgo of tob:i03o, rics, gum, etc. 
Ne.Kt he came on the p^ssenger vessel Bavaria to 
New York, and after making a flying visit by 
rail to Mobile he was one of the crew of the 
Ocean Express to come by way of Cape Horn to 
this coast, arriving at San Francisco August 5, 
j 1859. Mr. F'isher tried mining on Weaver 
I Creek, but with littlesuccess,aiid he went to work 
in the neighiiorhood for $3 a day; then he was 
i employed.at " Jayhawker," and next in the vine- 
{ yard of AlhofF at Colotna, until the latter part 
of 1860. Coming thence to Sacramento, he ob- 
tained work as a threshing-machine hand for a 
season. Then he was employed by a farmer 
named Gregory nine months; next, in partner- 
i ship with Frederick Harms, he embarked ii; 
I ranching on a twenty-acre tract alono- the river; 
but the floods of 1861-'62 ruined his crop and 
I he was left without a dollar except two horses 
! Meeting with a former shipmate, he went to 
San Francisco, and for three months was engaged 
j in boating to Sacramento, Stockton, JN"apa, etc. 
I He was sick for some months. From the sprino- 
j of 1863 until the fall he worked for James Mille" 
at the San Francisco House on the Carson road. 
Next he was employed in Sacramento by Peter 
I Tietjens, brother of the famous singer. Julv 
10, 1865, be bought out the confectionery busi- 
ness of Henry Schroeder, on K street, where 
' now is the small candy store, in the Metropoli- 
I tan Block. After a time he took in Mr. Schroe- 
I der as a partner, and later another partner, 
Albrecht; the firm name then became Fisher, 
Schroeder & Co. In the spring of 1868 the place 
of business was changed to its present location, 
and during the same year Mr. Fisher bought 
out his partner, and then carried on the business 
alone until he admitted his son Herman, form- 
ing the present firm. In 1874: he bought the 
ground now occupied by the business and 
erected a substantial brick building. He was 
married in this State to Miss Jeanette Helwitr, 
and their children are Herman, Lizzie, Henry 
and Nellie. Mr. Fisher is a member of Con - 
cord Lodge. No. 17. F. &, A. M.; of Sacra- 



U I STORY OF SAGHAMENTO (JOUHTY. 



iiieiito Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F.; of the Knights 
of Honor; of tlie American Legion of Honor, 
and of the A. O. U. W. Herman Fisher, the 
eider son, was edncated at tlie public schools 
and at the private scliool of Professor Goethe; 
at tlie age of fourteen lie entered his father's 
store, and two years afterward commenced at- 
tending Professor Atkinson's Commercial Col- 
lege, where he graduated in half the time usuaily 
taken. Since then he has been a partner with 
iiis father and business manager. He ps a mem- 
ber of the A. O. F., and is a director in the 
Sacramento Board of Trade. He was married 
October 11, 1887, to Miss Ida Louisa Bragg, a 
native of this city. The liusiness of this firm 
is now almost altogether wholesale, their trade 
extending throughout the length and breadth of 
tlie Pacific coast; and twice a year their travel- 
ing salesmen extend their trips into Texas, New 
Mexico. Utah and Montana, where they have a 
large trade. In their manufactory here, from 
forty-eight to seventy employes are kept 
steadily at work, according to the season. They 
take special pains to have all ingredients used 
absolutely pure, and all the work neatly done. 
To run the machinery a sixteen-horse-power 
engine is used. A novelty introduced by them 
is a neat little bucket in which packages of 
imxed candies are shipped and delivered with- 
out change of position from the original ar- 
rangement. 

'^■^^■'^ 

l^ENRY FREY was born in Hanover, Ger- 
^®i many, in 1839, his parents being Abel and 
^Mi GeseneorGescha(Bluhm)Frey. The father 
died in 1879, and the mother in 1881, both hav- 
ing reached just about the allotted three score 
yearsandten. Grandmother AntjiFrey also lived 
to a good old age, having survived her husband, 
Henry, many years. The subject of this sketch 
went to school until fourteen, under the law of 
compulsory education, and afterward worked on 
his father's farm, and for others also after he was 
twenty-one. He came to California by way of 



New York and the Pacific Railroad in 1870, 
settling in Sacramento County. For three years 
he worked on a ranch about four miles south of 
his place, and in 1875 he rented 540 acres on 
the Mokelumne. He bought forty cows, did a 
dairy business, raised barley, wheat, and some 
cattle, continuing in that place five years. In 
1880 he bought his present place, 260 acres, 
about one mile west of Franklin, on the road to 
the Sacramento River; and in 1889, 300 acres 
one mile farther towards the river. He has 100 
acres sown to wheat, which is his chief crop, 
and to which he is inclined to give almost undi- 
vided attention in the future, as a staple and 
reliable industry. He has several acres in vine- 
yard, but has found the results more uncertain. 
Mr. Frey was married in 1868 to Miss Bertha 
Sprock, who died four days after the birth of her 
child — Bertha, born April 5, 1869. Her ma- 
ternal grandparents, Johannes and Anna (Jo- 
hanni) Sprock, are living in this township, hale 
and hearty at the advanced age of eighty-three, 
the latter having been born March 9, and the 
former March 15, 1806. In 1875 Mr. Frey 
was married in Sacramento to Miss Elizabeth 
Herzog, a native of Germany, a daughter of 
Johann and Julia (Swartz) Herzog, both now 
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Frey are the parents 
of six children: Henry Abel, born October 16, 
1878; Frederick John, August 15, 1880; Julia, 
July 31, 1882; Elizabeth Gesene, September 18, 
1884; John, July 25, 1886; Gesene, March 25, 
1888. 



fHARLES ALDEN HULL was born in 
Vermont in 1824, his parents being 
Sewell and Lucy (Ray) Hull. The mother 
died at the age of forty -five; the father, who 
was born in 1794, is still living. Grandfather 
J'oseph Hull lived to be ninety; Grandfather 
Ray, about seventy, and both grandmothers 
reached a good old age. The father is living in 
Michigan with his oldest son, George, born in 
1822. There are two sisters, Sarah, born in 



HUSTOHY OF SAVRAMENTO COUNTY. 



1829, and Samantha, born in 1834. C. A. Hull 
received the usual schooling of the early part of 
this century, three months in the year, until he 
was twelve. His parents being in poor circum- 
stances, he hired out with a neighboring farmer 
at four and a half dollars a month. In 1844 he 
moved with his parents to Berrien County, 
Michigan, near JS'iles. He bought a small farm 
there in 1847, and raised one crop in 1848, when 
the gold fever struck him, and he sold out his 
place. He arrived in California, across the 
plains, August 14, 1849, and went to mining 
for nearly one year, chiefly on liear Kiver and 
at Goodyear's Bar on the Yuba, the net result 
being about 82,000. In July, 1850, he came 
to Sacramento, where he worked into the busi- 
ness of teaming besides keeping a haj-jard as 
well as a grain and feed stable, employing 
drivers for his teams. He made a trip to the 
Sandwich Islands and there spent the winter of 
1850-'51, but did not find it a promising field 
for business. In 1851 he made his first pur- 
chase of land in California, being the 160 acres 
immediately surrounding his home. In 1863 
he bought the 320 acres adjoining on the north, 
giving a frontage of about three-quarters of a 
mile on the lower Stockton road, eight miles 
south of Sacramento. The land for the Prairie 
district school-house, on the southeast corner of 
his ranch, was donated by him for that purpose. 
About 240 acres are meadow land and 240 are 
good grain land. He also raises an average of 
forty head of cattle and twenty horses. In 1861 
he was married in Sacramento to Miss D. 
Delany Ridley, born in Maine in 1835, a daugh- 
ter of Matthias and Nancy (Pratt) Ridley. Her 
father, who had served in the war of 1812, lived 
to be eighty-eight, and her mother, eighty-seven. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hull are the parents of four living 
children: Minnie L., born March 5, 1862, now 
Mrs. Christopher A. Wagner, of Sacramento, is 
the mother of three girls: Rose L., born Jung 
20, 1863, was married in 1888 to Henry Neu- 
haus, also of Sacramento; Charles L., born April 
30, 1864; and Elliott Isaac, April 24, 1872. 
Charles L. took a full commercial course at the 



Napa Collegiate Institute; and Elliott I. is at 
present pursuing his studies at Bainbridge's 
Business College in Sacramento. Mr. Hull is 
a member of Sacramento Grange, No. 12, and 
has held all the offices, being Secretary three 
years and Master one term. He was the first 
Master of Sacramento Pomona Grange, No. 2. 
He owns stock in the Sacramento Valley 
Grangers' Business Co-operative Association, of 
which he has been a director for eight years. 



giLLlAM F. FRAZER, the proprietor of 
one of the leading lumber yards of Sacra- 
mento, oeoupying two lots on the cor- 
ner of Fifth and L streets, was born in Ireland 
in 1821, came t.) New York in 1846, and to 
California in 1851. He followed mining three 
years, and ever since then has been engaged in 
the lumber trade. He married Frances Reed, a 
native of New York State, and they have one 
son — Edward, now book-keeper for his father. 



fOHN SOTO FREITAS, usually called John 
Soto, was born in one of the Azores, a sub- 
ject of Portugal, in January, 1823, being 
a son of Manuel and Vittoria Louisa Soto Frei- 
tas. At the age of nineteen John Soto went to 
sea in an American whaler, which arrived in 
New Bedford, Massachusetts, after a four years, 
cruise. He went on a second whaling voyage 
lasting also four years. After eight years thus 
spent he was engaged about a year in coasting 
voyages between Boston and New York, and in 
1853 sailed from New York around the Horn 
to San Francisco, where he was discharged. He 
then went to mining at Nigger Hill above Fol- 
som, and continued in that business eight years, 
with a net result in cash of S2,000. In 1862 
he bought a ranch in Yolo County, which he 
sold in 1878; and in October, 1878, he bought 
his present place of 131 acres about nine miles 
south of Sacramento on the river road. He 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



raises vegetables and barley for the market and 
also a. few colts, besides fruit and other necessa- 
ries, inclurling a few cows and poultry for family 
use. In February, 1863, Mr. Soto was married 
in Sacramento to Francisca Amelia, also a 
native of the Azores, a daughter of Francis and 
Margareta Teresa Dutra. Her father is still 
living, aged seventy-seven. Mr. Soto's father 
died at the age of sixty-six, but his mother 
lived to be eighty-six. Mr. and Mrs. Soto have 
iiad sixteen children, of whom they lost only tlie 
first born, at tlie age of twenty months. The 
'survivors in the order of tiieir birth are as fol. 
lows: Mary, John, Amelia, Frances, Nancy, 
Manuel, Antonio, Rosie, Minnie, Annie, Vic- 
toria, Belle, Joseph, Gloria, Clara. Mary Soto 
is the wife of Anton Ferande^, living in Yolo 
County, and has three children: Mary, Antonio, 
and a girl baby. Frances Soto is married to 
Joses Pereira — "Joe Perry" of Marysville. They 
have one son, John Joseph. With this large 
family, Mr. and Mrs. Soto, with a magnanimity 
truly admirable, extend hospitality to other de- 
pendent kindred, of whom one or more ma}^ 
alwa^'s l)e tbntid on the Soto ranch. 



fAMUEL GARRETT, rancher, San Joa- 
quin Township, was born in Canada 
West, July 31, 1826. His father, Jacob 
Garrett, a native of Schenectady County, New 
York, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and 
served under Benedict Arnold until that officer 
surrendered his men to the British. For a time 
he resided on Hay Bay, near Kingston, and 
then at Thurlow, where he cleared a large farm 
and commenced raising grain. On account of 
becoming security for a failing friend he was so 
reduced in means at command that he was 
obliged to sell that place; and he moved to 
Whigby, about thirty-si.x miles east of Toronto. 
He afterward removed to Illinois, and finally 
died in Jones County, Iowa, about 1869. His 
widow, Catharine, also a native of Schenectady 
County, died in May, 1888, at the residence of 



her son, Samuel, in this county, at the age of 
ninety-six years. In that family live children 
died in infancy and five grew up. The subject 
of this sketch remained in Canada with his 
parents until he was twenty-one. years of age; 
and about that time, in September, 1848, he 
married Silvia Malinda Gillett, a native of Can- 
ada, and her parents also from New York State. 
Being the eldest of the children, he had to con- 
tribute a large share of his earnings to the sup- 
port of the family. During the month of 
March after his marriage he started for Illinois, 
with only $25, and on arrival had but one 
(Mexican) dollar left. He began work hoeing 
corn, at seventy-five cents a day, in Cook County, 
about twenty miles from Chicago. Tl)ree years 
afterward he moved to Livingston County, that 
State, with iiis wife and two children, and only 
two yoke of oxen, a breaking plow, pitchfork, 
cradle, hoe, ax, rifle and hog; but this was sport 
for him, being hale and stout. At any time he 
could go out and kill a deer without consider- 
able trouble. He bought a soldier's warrant for 
eighty acres, on which he locate.d. There he 
built a log cabin, with timbers he cut and hewed 
with his ax. His land, heavily covered with 
timber, had to be cleared. He went energeti- 
cally to work, but at the end of fifteen months, 
having poor success in finding water on the 
premises, he sold the place and moved upon an- 
other of eighty-two acres in the same county, for 
which he paid $60 an acre. There he resided 
for ten years, when he came to California by 
way of New York and the Isthmus, sailing on 
the steamer Ariel, which had oti board 1,150 
passengers, and on the Golden City from the 
Isthmus to San Francisco, landing there May 21, 
1864. Purchasing a quarter-section of land in 
San Joaquin Township, lie commenced farming 
there. In the spring of 1865 he bought another 
quarter-section. His land is all of flrst quality. 
For the past thirteen years he has also been in 
the sheep business, in which line he confines all 
his operations to Martin County, Texas. After 
his arrival here in California, his mother and 
other members of tlie family have also come to 



HISTOIiT OF SACRA3IENT0 CQUNTT. 



join him; also Mrs. Garrett's mother, whose 
sons died in Santa Barbara County. Her father, 
Jeremiah Gillett, died in Blue Earth County, 
Minnesota. Mr. Garrett has been a member of 
the Metliodist Church for the past thirty-eight 
years, and his wife also has been a member of 
the same since her childhood. Mr. and Mrs. 
Garrett liave had iive sons and three daughters, 
and they have also lost three sons and two 
daughters. The living are Herman M., James 
Munroe, Albert D., Emma M., Minnie Belle, 
Ulysses J., Francis J. and Addie Ma^'. 



-^*m 



m 



fETH H. GAUFIELD, pioneer miller of 
the '> Pioneer Mill," the man wiio has 
been the longest identified with mills and 
milling interests in Sacramento, came to Cali- 
ifornia from Xew England in the spring of 
1850. He is the youngest son of Colonel Alvis 
Garfield, a soldier of the war of 1812, and 
Susan Maynard, of Concord, whose father, Josiah 
Maynard, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war, fighting in the battle of Lexington. Born 
in the city of Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1831, 
he received a common-school education, and at 
the age of nineteen came to California to join 
his elder brother, Maynard J. Garfield, who 
was by trade a stair builder, and an expert at 
the business, and in 1845 was sent to Chili, 
South America, to superintend tlie erection of 
the grand stair- way in the Cathedral at Yal- 
paraiso; when that was completed he came to 
California, and here he was joined by his 
brother Seth, as was already stated. Setii Gar-. 
field, like so many of New England's sons, was 
something of a sailor, and upon his arrival at 
San Francisco, and after a visit to Benicia, we 
find him engaged as pilot on the '• Lucy Long," 
and receiving twelve dollars per day; but his 
brother came down from the mines and together 
they came to Sacramento; upon their arrival — 
it was during the cliolera epidemic — they 
camped out on the spot where the St. George 
building now is, until tliey could secure ;m ox 



team and outfit for the mines; then they went to 
Bear River; mining district, where his brother 
had a cabin and a claim; this was in the winter 
of '50; later they went to Scott's Bar. on the 
Scott River near the State line, where tliey 
traded or sold merchandise, and when the high 
water came they went to Portland to purchase 
goods, and set out for Yreka; it was on this trip 
and while in the Rouge liiver country, that they 
were surrounded by hostile Indians and only es- 
caped by joining another party and securing the 
protection of Major Kearny, who liad a three 
days' fight. Captain Stewart being killed. The 
fall of 1851 he came to Sacramento, and soon 
after became identified with the " Old Bay 
State" mill, located on M street, and from that 
to the present time he has been actively en- 
gaged in milling in this city. Mr. Garfield is 
of a most genial disposition, a man of excellent 
judgment and great ability, and authority on all 
mill matters, thoroughly conversant with the 
details of his business. The " Pioneer Mill" 
company are largely indebted to him for the 
position which they occupy. Married in 1859 
to Sarah Smith, his home on M street is a 
model of "old-time" hospitality. 



fHARLES DICKSOX was born July 2, 
1818, in Brunswick, Germany, a son of 
Anton and Catherine Dickson. He was 
raised on a farm in Germany, where he made 
his home until 1850, when he came to America, 
sailing on the 1st of July, landing in Baltimore; 
he went to Pittsburg, thence to St. Louis, then 
to Hlinois, where he was engaged in farming 
and gardening for a year. He then came over- 
land with ox teams and stock to California, land- 
ing in San Joaquin County, where he remained 
eighteen months. From there he came to 
Sacramento County, and in 1856 purchased his 
present property of 160 acres, situated about 
fifteen miles from Stockton and three miles from 
Elk Grove on the upper Stockton road. It is 
choice land under a fine state of cultivation. 



HISTOBT OF SAVRAMENro COUNTY. 



He is a practical farmer and gardener. His 
farm is devoted principally to wheat and stock. 
His buildings are of the most substantial. He 
was married in 1850 to Miss Frederika Staples, 
a native of Germany. They have six children 
living, three deceased. The living are: George, 
Charley, Frederika, Henry, Anna and Fred. 

jAJOR C. H. HUBBARD, manager for 
tiie well-known lirm of Baker & Ham- 
ilton, established in Sacramento in the 
year 1858, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, 
February 22, 1841. His father, Henry Hub- 
bard, was a native of Berlin, Connecticut, and 
moved to Ohio in 1830, and was engaged in the 
business of hardware, manufacturer of tin-ware, 
stoves; etc. Colonel Hubbard's mother, Eliza 
Ann Robinson, was also a native of Connecticut 
and belonged to one of the old Connecticut 
families. The subject of this sketch was reared 
in Ohio and went into business with his father, 
until the inauguration of the civil war, which 
aroused the patriotism of all the young men in 
that section of country, when he enlisted with 
a company organized in Mahoning County. The 
company reported at Camp Chase and was as- 
signed to the Twenty-third Regiment, under the 
command of Colonel W. S. Rosecrans, after- 
ward commanded by Colonel E. P. Scammon 
and R. B. Hayes; the regiment was immediately 
ordered to the front in the mountains of West 
Virginia. Their first engagement was at Carn- 
ifex Ferry, being then a part of Rosecrans' com- 
mand, who fought General Floyd at that point 
and caused him to retreat across the Gauley 
River. He served in the battles of South 
Mountain, Antietam, Floyd Mountain, Lynch- 
burgh and the two battles of Winchester; in one 
battle he was captured while on the skirmish 
line, and was held as a prisoner of war some 
thirty days, when he with two others escaped, 
took to the mountains, and after eight days' 
struggling over mountain paths with only ber- 
ries to eat regained our lines on the upper Po- 



tomac; he was also in the battles of Fisher Hill 
and Cedar Creek. After four years and three 
months of active service he was mustered out 
in August, 1865. During his term of service 
he was promoted several times; going into the 
ranks as a private he was made Sergeant, Or- 
derly Sergeant, Second and First Lieutenant, and 
at one time was on the staff of General I. H. 
Duvall, and when the regiment was discharged 
was Quartermaster. Immediately after the close 
of the war Colonel Hubbard came to California 
by the way of Panama, and having relatives in 
Sacramento located there, where he was first em- 
ployed by Holbrook; Merrill & Stetson for 
about a year; since that time he has been withtiie 
well-known firm of Baker & Hamilton, most 
of the time as general manager of their exten- 
sive business in Sacramento. The business ex- 
tends throughout the entire coast and Territories, 
it is prosperous and growing all the time, and 
Mr. Hubbard has capacity and business ex- 
perience sufficient to keep abreast with it. He 
is a gentleman of easy manner and noble nature 
whose influence and co-operation are desired by 
all parties. He is a member of the Masonic 
order, Tehama Lodge, and the R .A. M., of this 
city, also of the G. A. R., Sumner Post, and 
was representative at the National Encamp- 
ment at St. Louis and Columbus during the 
past two years. For the past eight years he 
has been connected with the National Guard of 
California, and at the present time is Adjutant 
on the staff of General T. W. Sheehan, command- 
ing the Fourth Brigade, previous to that time 
he served as staff officer to Generals Sheehan, 
Tozer and Carey, commanding the same Brigade. 



IfHADDEUS C. McCONNELL, formerly 
a rancher of San Joaquin Township, who 
died April 27, 1863, was born in 1833, 
in Tlutland County, Vermont. A sketch of his 
people is given in this work under Ihe name of 
Thomas McConnell, a brother. At the age of nine- 
teen years he came from Vermont to California 



HISTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



with his brother Samuel, across Mexico, in 1849; 
followed mining for one year and then started a 
garden in the mining region at a place now called 
Garden Valley, and with his vegetables, so rare 
then, he furnished dollar dinners to the miners. 
In 1850, the next year, his brother Thomas 
joined him. (See sketch for further particulars.) 
Eeturning to Vermont in 1856, he bought the 
sheep mentioned in that sketch, in partnership 
with his brother Thomas. His brother-in-law, 
Emmett Curtis, bought out Thomas in 1858, 
the tirm being McConnell & Curtis, and 
brought them to California by steamer, costing 
them $85 a head for freight for transportation. 
These slieep were the first ever imported to this 
coast from the East; and from these they began 
to raise high grade and thoroughbred sheep. 
He had a perfect title to two qiiarter-sections of 
land, besides a title to other large tracts, on 
which they could range their sheep. Curtis 
died in 1861 and the property was so divided 
that each party had 700 slieep, those belonging 
to Mr. Curtis going to his heirs, and Mr. Mc- 
CoJinell continued the business to the end of his 
life in 1863. His widow then came in posses- 
sion of the 700 sheep and 320 acres of land 
paid for and 500 acres not paid for. She kept 
all this property in her possession, finally liqui- 
dating all indebtedness. Siie personally took the 
management of her husband's business, in- 
creased the luimber of sheep, keeping about 
2,000 head for a inimbur of years, until she found 
her land was of more value for farming, when she 
had the band of sheep din)inished in number to 
1,200: but the extent of lier lands she has even 
increased until she has 7,000 acres, the greater 
portion of which is in Sacramento County. The 
soil is rich and very productive. At present 
she is raising a great deal of grain, farming a 
portion herself and renting the remainder. Be- 
sides managing all her household work she also 
superintends all the out-door business, even 
participating in the manual labor, such as pump- 
ing water when a windmill fails to work. She 
was left with only 320 acres of land and 700 
sheep and no money, and all these immense 



possessions she has made out of the business 
left her by her husband. How few women in the 
world have so great courage and endurance! 
Her maiden name was Ellen Flanegan. She was 
born April 7, 1837, in Clarendon, Vermont; her 
father, James Flanegan, was a native of Ireland, 
and married in Ireland Mary Quillan, and about 
1834 settled in the city of Clarendon, Rutland 
County, Vermont. He died in 1850, and his 
wife in 1882, the parents of nine children, of 
whom one died when a little girl; the others, 
live sons and three daughters grew up to years 
of maturity. The sons were: Patrick, Martin, 
Daniel, John and James, all of whom are dead 
except John, who now resides in Michigan. 
The daughters are: Jane, wife of M. B. Doolit- 
tle of Cresco, Howard County, Iowa; Hannah, 
the wife of George Hart, Rutland County, Ver- 
mont; and Ellen the subject of this sketch. 
The last mentioned married Mr. McConnell 
March 2, 1861, and they came by sail from New 
York, by way of the Isthmus to San Francisco, 
landing. there in November, that year; but be- 
fore two years had passed she was left a widow. 
Her only son, Thaddeus C. McConnell, was 
born November 10, 1864, after his father's 
death. 



^•^ 



fHOMAS McCONNELL, sheep-raiser, San 
Joaquin Township, was bjrn in Pittsford, 
,r Rutland County, Vermont, January 30, 
1827, the son of Thomas and Clarissa (Curtis) 
McConnell. The history of the McConnell 
family can be traced back to the Highlands of 
Scotland, the earliest reminiscence preserved 
being that of an Orangeman in Prince William's 
army, who participated in the war and afterward 
settled in the North of Ireland. One of the 
sons, probably named Thomas, emigrated to 
America and settled in New Hampshire. All 
his three sons — William, John and Samuel — 
settled in Rutland County, Vermont. Of these 
Samuel was the grandfather of Thomas, whose 
name beads this sketch. This family consisted 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



of two sons, Thomas and Barnard. The latter 
emigrated West, became a land speculator, and 
died at Lima, near Qnincj, Illinois. Thomas 
continued to make his home in Rutland County, 
Vermont, where he died in 1854. In his family 
were six sons and three daughters, who grew 
up, besides two children who died in infancy. 
After his death his widow and all the children, 
in 1863, came to California, where she died, as 
also four of the sons and two daughters. Two 
of the sons — Samuel and Tiiaddeus, both now 
deceased — came here in 1849; Thomas, our sub- 
ject, came in 1850; George in 1853, and has 
since died; Frank was here in 1851, returned 
East, studied law in Poughkeepsie, New York, 
admitted to the bar in all the courts of that 
State, came again to California, practiced his 
profession in Saci-amento, and finally was killed 
by accident in the mountains in 1864. The 
younge.'it son, Charles, is now in Nevada, en- 
gaged in the sheep business; is a prominent 
man there, iiaving served in the State Senate, 
from Humboldt County, two terms. The Cur- 
tis family were of English origin, and moved 
from Connecticut to Vermont in an early day. 
Mrs. McConnell was born in Rutland County, 
the daughter of Thaddeus Curtis. Two daugh- 
ters — Mrs. Clara Curtis and Anna — are deceased, 
and Mary, a tiiird daughter, is living in the 
East. Mr. McConnell, the subject of this 
biography, passed his boyhood days on liis 
father's farm until he was of age, and then for 
two terms attended a military school at Nor- 
wich, Vermont, commanded by Alden Parridge, 
a prominent man in the history of this Govern- 
ment. Young McConnell had quite a taste for 
military instruction and military affairs. In 
illustration of the economy with which he was 
brought up, he says that on a certain general 
training day he indulged in ginger-bread, mo- 
lasses candy and hard candy to the extent of 14 
cents' worth during the day, and on his return 
home his parents told him that he had been very 
extravagant. This he considers to have been 
his "biggest spree." When he was nineteen 
years ol age, and before going to the military 



school, he commenced teaching a small school, 
receiving at first only $11.50 per month; and 
after he left the military academy he taught a 
village school in Rutland and in Clarendon, re- 
ceiving as high as $18. In the spring of 1850 
he sailed from New York in the steamer Geor- 
gia for the Isthmus, and thence in the bark 
Sarah to San Francisco, landing there at the 
close of August, after a journey of seventy-six 
days; and, strange to say, the steamer Republic 
— the one which his original ticket called for, 
and which he surrendered at the Isthmus on 
hearing that it had not then left New York — 
sailed into the port of San Francisco, having 
come around Cape Horn! Then he came to 
Sacramento on the steamer Gold Hunter, paying 
$20 for deck passage, leaving $118 in purse, 
while owing $300 in the East, money which he 
borrowed to bring him to California. He walked 
up to the mines above Coloma, to a place now 
called Garden Valley, where his brother Thad- 
deus was at that time, who had started a small 
garden, and sold potatoes for 30 cents a pound, 
and tomatoes for 75 cents a pound. Apples 
could not be had at any price until a little later, 
when they were brought down from Oregon. 
These two brothers and Samuel carried on this 
garden, and soon got into the grocery and gen- 
eral supply trade, from the small circumstance 
of getting a barrel of vinegar froni San Fran- 
cisco and selling it at half the price that another 
man had been selling it at previously. The 
miners, finding that he sold his vinegar so much 
cheaper, asked him if he had other articles; and 
this led him to procure other commodities until 
he became fully stocked with groceries and other 
mercantile goods, many of which were imported 
from the East. Buying a team of recent immi- 
grants, they did their own hauling to and from 
Sacramento. Thus they prospered until 1857. 
when they were burned out. In connection 
with the store they also ran a saw-mill, where 
they sawed out over 1,000,000 feet of lumber 
per year. In 1853 he made a trip to the East, 
carrying safely to the mint at Philadelphia 
$25,000 in gold dust. In 1856 he bought his 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



present place, where he has ever since made his 
home. The same year he located here, he, with 
his brother Thaddens, brought seven Spanisli 
Merino sheep from Addison County, Yermont, 
which were the first importations of that class 
of sheep into the State of California. This led 
to other importations by the neighbors, so that 
the enterprise has been worth thonsands of dol- 
lars to the people of this county. Ever since 
then fine sheep have been Mr. McConnell's 
specialty. Since 1870 this business has been 
prosecuted by himself and his brother Charles, 
of Nevada. They have at present 16,000 head. 
Last year they sheared 12,000 head, obtaining 
86,000 ])ounds of wool, which was sliipped to 
Boston. The highest shipment they ever made 
was 100,000 pounds. Mr. McCoiinell has over 
3,000 acres in northeastern Oregon, and his 
brother 1,400 acres in the same neighborhood, 
some of which is very productive. His home 
place consists of about 1,500 acres, half of which 
is bottom land bordering along the Cosumnes 
River. He also has 700 acres in El Dorado 
County, about ten miles from Foisom. Politi- 
cally Mr. McCunnell has been a Republican 
since 1860; previously he had been what is 
called a Douglas Democrat, and now expresses 
his views earnestly in favor of "protection" of 
American industries. In 1854 he was a mem- 
ber of the Democratic State Convention held in 
the Baptist Church in Sacramento, of which an 
interesting account is given elsewhere in this 
volume, lie was in the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1879, in Sacramento, when the present 
constitution was adopted. Besides these, he 
has served in other conventions, and has always 
taken an active part in the public welfare. He 
has been remarkably successful in business, and 
in the advocacy of measures in the civil govern- 
ment. He is a director in the Grangers' Bank 
of San Francisco, having held that position 
since the organization of the bank, in April, 
1874. He has been a member of the Masonic 
order since 1854, being made a Mason in 
Georgetown, El Dorado County. He is now 
tlie only charter member of Elk Grove Lodge, 



No. 173. Mr. McConnell was married in Rut- 
land, Vermont, June 19, 1856, to Miss Louisa 
Chaplin, daughter of George W. Chaplin. She 
was born in the same place (Pittsford) in which 
Mr. McConnell was, April 29, 1827, there being 
only a few months' difference in their ages. 
They have three daughters and one son: Anna, 
Mary, George W. and Jennie. Mary is the wife 
of Homer Bostwick, in New York city. The 
other members of the family are residents of 
this county. 



f LI J AH COMSTOCK, of Sacramento, is a 
descendant from two well-known families 
of Massachusetts, the Comstock and the 
Rice families. Hepsiba Rice, his mother, born in 
Massachusetts, came to Ohio in the early days 
with her parents; there she met and was mar- 
ried to Mr. Comstock, who had also come from 
Massachusetts, and the subject of this biographi- 
cal notice remembers hearing his father relate 
the many incidents of the journey by ox teams 
from Massachusetts to the " far West," as Ohio 
was then termed. In 1823 the family emigrated 
to Wheeling, West Virginia, where Elijah was 
born June 29, 1824, the youngest of five chil- 
dren. When he was two years old his mother 
returned to Ohio to live, and there he was brought 
up. In the spring of 1850, John O. Garrett, 
who had come to California in 1849 and returned 
to Ohio on a visit, made up a party of about 
200, mostly from Richfield, Summit County, 
and young Comstock was one of them. They 
crossed the Missouri River at St. Joseph, and 
kept together until they reached Fort Kearney, 
when they had a disagreement, and nine of the 
party broke away and came on by themselves, 
by the northern route above Salt Lake and via 
Fort Hall to Placerville, where they arrived on 
the 9th of July. They remained in that vicinity 
for about a year and then went farther north, to 
Fort Hill, where he engaged in butchering until 
the spring of 1852, and also in buying cattle 
from immigrants far out upon the plains and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNT}-. 



bringing them in. Here he made some money, 
and in the fall of 1852 he bought a ranch on the 
other side of the Sacramento River, eight miles 
above Washinj^ton, now known as the Merch 
Place, and engaged in raising fine stock and in 
the dairy business. He raised Durham cattle 
and Norman horses. In 1881 he sold his ranch 
and removed his family to Sacramento, and in- 
vested in property here. Mr. Comstock was 
married in 1848, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, to 
Catherine Entrican, a most estimable lady, whose 
people came from New York. They have had 
one child, a son, who died when lie was one and 
a half years old. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock are 
spending the evening of their lives calmly — 
enjoying the rest to which they are so justly 
entitled. 



tR. DEVIN was born November 28,1860, 
son of John 0. and Maudy F. (Berry) 
** Devin. The father was a native of Ten- 
nessee, and went to Pike County, Missouri, when 
a mere child, with his parents, who were among 
the early settlers of that county. Upon becom- 
ing of age he engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness, and remained in it until 185G, when he 
came to California, overland, bringing his wife 
and five children, also his brother, who was 
killed on the plains by the Indians. They 
reached Sacramento County in the fall of 1856, 
and in 1857 went to Sacramento city, where he 
was employed as a night watchman. In 1859 he 
removed to El Dorado County, and remained until 
1868, when he purchased the ranch on which 
Ills son, the subject of this sketcii, now resides. 
He died there December 22, 1873, leaving his 
wife and eight children. His wife died October 
13, 1888. The children are as follows: William 
D, James II., Susan R., Eliza J., Charles E., 
Euena A., H. R. and Alvin L., all of whom are 
still living (1888). A. R. Devin, the subject 
of this sketch, still resides on the home place, 
which is in a tine state of cultivation. It is 
situated about three miles from Elk Grove. Mr. 



Devin does a general farming business, and the 
condition of everything shows him to be an ex- 
perienced and practical farmer. 



fEORGE DANIEL CONNER was born 
on the Sandy River, in Greenup County, 
Kentucky, December 20, 1827, his parents 
being William and Sidney (Davis) Conner. 
His grandfather Conner, who was born in Ire- 
land, built the first blast furnace in Kentucky, 
on tiie Licking River, in Bath County. The 
father of George D. was a member of the Legis- 
lature for sixteen years, serving successively in 
both branches. A great-grandfather on the 
mother's side was the Captain Bragg, of Wash- 
ington's time, who was married in the home of 
Washington, and afterward rose to the rank of 
General in the war of 1812. General Bragg, 
of the Civil War, is also a great-grandson of 
the same. Mr. Conner's maternal grandfather 
was George N. Davis, a member of Congress, 
and previously was sheriff of the county for 
many years. An uncle, Alfred Davis, was a 
graduate of West Point, and served in the Mex- 
ican war; another. Colonel J. W^. Davis, was 
engaged in the late war, on the Confederate 
side. He moved to Virginia after the war, and 
was there elected to Congress. The two broth- 
ers married sisters of the Stewart family, resid- 
ing near Sulphur Springs. A third brother, 
Alexander, was mixed up iu the Kansas dif- 
ficulty, on the Southern side. He afterward 
became a lawyer in St. Louis, and was elected 
to the Legislature of Missouri. Mr. Conner 
first came to California in 1849, and went to 
mining in Auburn, Placer County, in the win- 
ter of that year. In the spring of 1850 he en- 
in teaming and trading to and from the 



mines, and afterward fitted up teams and w 



ons, selling 



up 
the outfits complete. In less tha 



two years he had accumulated about $15,000. 
On December 5, 1851, he sailed from San 
Francisco for New Orleans, and thence went up 
the Mississippi and Ohio to his home in Ken- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUJSTT. 



tiicky. After a short stay there he went to 
Missouri, and bought cattle, which he drove 
across the plains in 1852. He sold 100 liead 
for $10,000 in Sacramento, and though he suf- 
fered loss by fire and flood in that city lie sailed 
from San Francisco, June 3, 1853, witli"|30,000, 
for New York, whence he went to Kentucky. 
November 22, 1853, he was married in Livinijs- 
ton County, Kentucky, to Miss Sarah J. Welsh, 
a daughter of Thomas G. Welsh, proprietor of 
the Oakwell Iron Works, situated on the Cum- 
beiland, about twelve miles from its mouth. 
She was then in her twenty-first year, having 
been born in Davidson County, Tennessee, 
about twelve miles from Charlotte, and only ! 
one mile from where her parents had been mar- ! 
ried. Her mother, Eliza J. Thomson, was a 
daughter of William and Jane (Brewer) Thom- 
son. On her father's side siie is of mi.xed Eng- 
lish and Irish stock, and related to the Welsh 
family of Philadelphia, one of whom was our 
minister to England some years ago. Her 
grandmother. Brewer, was a sister of Sterling 
Brewer, a member of Congress from Tennessee, 
a man of considerable wealth for the time in 
which lie lived. Her grandparents, Thomas, 
were also of the wealthiest families of Raleigh, 
North Carolina. Her father was born near 
Baltimore, Maryland, in September, 1805. His 
parents afterward lived near Philadelphia for a 
time, and later, moved into the iron region of 
Pennsylvania, the father being a skilled work- 
man in some branch of the iron industry, and 
was usually engaged as foreman. The son 
learned the special trade of hammerer. In time 
he moved to Kentucky, and worked at a forge 
on the Little Sandy, two miles from the Ohio. 
He then went successively to Tennessee and 
Alabama, working at his trade. Returning to 
Tennessee lie bought of Neblett Bros, the 
Blooming Grove forge on the Cumberla td, 
about twelve miles from Clarksville, with Will- 
iam Phillips as partner. He bought four slaves 
and taught them his trade, and while they 
manufactured the household goods for the local j 
trade, he peddled them around and made I 



money. Afterward he purchased the Rougli 
and Ready Iron Works, also on the Cumber- 
land, in Stewart County, keeping it only one 
year. He had two partners in that enterprise, — 
Dr. Cobb, of Clarksville, and Captain Sam 
Cook. Selling his interest he moved to Ken- 
tucky in the fall of 1852, investing his money 
in the Hopewell Iron Works, which were burnt 
down in 1851, with heavy loss. He had in- 
vested largely in improvements only a short 
time before. He rebuilt, and his son-in-law, 
George D. Conner, became partner in 1856. 
under the style of Conner & Welsh; but iron 
had meanwhile fallen from S'lO to $22 a ton, 
leaving but a very narrow margin for the manu- 
facturers. Having met a series of reverses, 
coincident with the depression, they surrendered 
the business to their creditors, Gibbon and 
Haynes, in 1859, and both families started 
across the plains for California. After a four 
months' trip they arrived in the Golden State, 
August 3, 1859, and settled on the Cosumnes. 
Two years later they purchased 1,000 acres in 
the Ilartnel Grant, with a frontage of half a 
mile on the river. x\.bout 1870 Mr. Conner 
bought out Mr. Welsh's half interest, and at dif- 
ferent times made other purchases, until he 
now owns about 4,000 acres, in one body. Mr 
Welsh and his son, Charles R., moved to Hill's 
Ferry, in San Joaquin County, investing some 
$3,000 in Government land and improvements. 
Disheartened by drouths they abandoned it a 
few years later, and lost their time and invest- 
ment, being unable to sell. They then moved 
to Tulare County, near Visalia, where they pur- 
chased 400 acres of good land. After lour 
years of joint occupancy the father sold his half 
interest to Mr. Conner, and came to reside with 
him. He has made his home with Mr. and 
Mrs. Conner for many years, with the excep- 
tion of the five or si.x years mentioned. Mr. 
and Mrs. Conner are the parents of the follow- 
ing children, of whom the three oldest were 
born in Kentucky, and the others in this State: 
Alma, in 1854, now Mrs. L. F. Ward, of 
Fresno, and the mother of a boy and girl; 



HISTORY OF BAC'MAMENTO COUNTY. 



George T., in 1857, married and living in Tu- 
lare City, in tlie real estate business with his 
uncle, J. B. Welsh, since 1886; William W., 
in 1859, was just six months old on his arrival 
in California; Robert Lee, in 1861, now farm- 
ing in Fresno County, is married, and the father 
of one boy; Sallie W., died in August, 1886, 
aged twenty-one years; Alfred S., in 1869; 
Eugene, in 1S75; Pauline, in 1878. William 
W. and the three younger children are living at 
home. 



~<-V'^»-^'^^-°" 

ip^ENRY COOK was born in Schleswig- 
IM Holstein, December 15, 1822, his parents 
^Mi being Peter and Mary (Stephens) Cook. 
Receiving an ordinary education he went to sea 
at the age of iifteen and served in various capa- 
cities as a sailor boy until the age of twenty. 
He then learned the trade of ship-carpenter and 
made many voyages in that capacity for nine 
years, among others to India and China three 
times. In his earlier seafaring life he visited 
England several times. In the fourteen years 
that he s^pent on the sea he has been in nearly 
all the great seaports and in a large number of 
the minor ones. In one of those voyages from 
Europe he came around Cape Horn to California 
in 1854, arriving in San Francisco on June 10. 
He went to trading on the Sacramento River 
and around the bay for about two years, being 
lialf-owner of a trading sloop of thirty-two tons. 
In 1856 he sold out his interest in the sloop and 
went to Tuolumne County, where he took up 
some land, in partnership with his brother, 
Peter, and there remained about eighteen 
jnonths. October 6, 1858. he came down to 
the Sacramento River and bought 200 acres on 
Grand Island, of which eight or ten were bank 
land and the rest tule. He was flooded out in 
1862, but being an old sailor he " would not 
give up the ship." In 1865 Mr. Cook paid a 
visit to his native land, remaining four months, 
and was there married, in August, to Miss 
Christina Carstensen, a native of Germany. 



Returning with his wife to Grand Island, he 
had the great misfortune to lose her after a few 
years. She died February 2, 1869, leaving two 
children: Peter, born June 6, 1860; John W., 
born October 6, 1867. The older boy died in 
1876, leaving Mr. Cook with only One child. 
Jolm W., besides the usual district-school educa- 
tion, took a course in 1886 in Heald's Business 
College in San Francisco. In 1872 Mr. Cook 
sold his place on Grand Island and bought the 
ranch of eigiity-eight acres he now owns on 
Sutter Island. He first did a dairy business 
with fourteen cows, but in 1878 he began to 
jjlant an orchard. Struck by the flood of that 
season before they had rooted, he went around 
in his boat and took up the 1,000 trees he had 
just set out, stored them away until the flood 
subsided and replanted them. He has now about 
fifteen acres in orchard, and the remainder is 
tule land. October 3, 1883, Mr. Cook was again 
married, in San Francisco, to Mrs. Sophia (Puis) 
Bergholt, a native of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 
born August 17, 1837, daughter of Joliann and 
Sophia (Peto) Puis. The residence of Mr. and 
Mrs. Cook is a very neat and commodious one, 
well supplied with the conveniences and com- 
forts of a home, and with an exceptionally flne 
flower-garden in front, exhibiting internally and 
externally the excellent taste of Mrs. Cook, and 
l.er instinctive compliance with that excellent 
commandment— make home beautiful. 



flMOX COIIN, senior member of tlie Arm 
of S. Colin & Co., grocers, Folsoin, was 
born in Poland in March, 1830. At tiie 
age of eleven or twelve years he left home and 
went to Prussia, living there Ave or six years as 
journeyman tailor. In 1852 he embarked on 
the sailing vessel Samuel Lawrence for New 
York, landing in the fall after a voyage of eight 
weeks. After working at his trade a year, 
he came to California by the Nicaragua route, 
leaving New York on the steamer Star of the 
West, and coming on the Pacific side on the 



IIISTOKY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



steamer Curtis, landing at San Francisco. He 
was employed by a man named Krichavski in 
San Francisco, at $50 a month, remaining with 
him until he had saved up $1,800, in slugs, and 
then, in company with a Mr. Fischer, he bought 
stock and was ready to open out in business in 
the old St. Charles Hotel on Davis Street, when 
a fire during the night burnt up all their goods! 
This left Mr. Cohn without anything. He 
worked for his former employer again until he 
had saved about $2,000, when liB concluded to 
try his luck again, this time in the country. In 
company with Mr. Frankee he opened out in 
business at Live Oak City, near Michigan Bar, 
Sacramento County, and was soon burnt out 
again! Although a second time completely 
broken up, he undaunted put his shoulder to the 
wheel and started in again, at Folsom, in 1856, 
where he has been ever since. His present 
business is the trade in groceries and provisions, 
in which he is successful. He is public-spirited, 
a Republican, but not radical. Is a member of 
Natoma Lodge, No. 64, F. & A. M.; an Odd 
Fellow; A. O. U. Workman; and B'nai B'rith. 
In 1862 he married Henrietta Alexander, a 
native of Prussia, and they have two daughters: 
Rosa, wife of N. L. Kohn, of Placerville; and 
Alice, wife of Philip C. Cohn, formerly of 
Sacramento and now of Folsom, a partner in the 
firm of S. Cohn & Co. 



I^OBERT CHRISTESEN was born in 
VmL North Schleswig, now in the Grerman 
^=^ Empire, April 24, 1842, his parents being 
Hans and Seeiiet H. (Wayback) Christesen. 
They came lo live with their son, Robert, in Sep- 
tember, 1877. The father died in 1882, aged 
seventy-four, and the mother in 1884, aged 
sixty-eight. Robert Christesen received a lim- 
ited education, and worked on his father's farm, 
from boyhood. He came to California in 1868, 
and worked first in Sonoma County, driving 
team for the owner of a saw-mill there, for one 
year. He worked six months in a butcher shop 



and learned tlie business, but did not follow it 
further. In 1870-'71 he worked for Mr. Henry 
Ehrhardt one year. Mr. Christesen was married 
in Georgetown, now Franklin, Djcember 13, 
1871, to Miss Paulina Christesen, a daughter of 
Paul and Abilena (Boyesen) Christesen, to 
whom he had been engaged for seven years. 
Her father was a grain dealer at Flausburg in 
Schleswig. The two families, though bearing 
the same name, are not relatives by blood in any 
traceable degree of consanguinity. They were 
married in a month after her arrival. In 1872 
Mr. Christesen rented 320 acres for one year; in 
1873, another 320 acres, on both of which he 
raised cattle chiefly. He also bought and sold 
cattle of others' raising. In 1874 he moved 
across the Cosumnes, where he rented 500 acres. 
In 1875 he bought the place he now occupies 
in Franklin Township, containing 480 acres. 
About 1877 he bought 160 acres, and in 1879, 
200 acres, which with 280 bought in 1884, he 
sold in 1889 for $15,000. He traded the 160 
acres for a blacksmith sliop, leaving him at pres- 
ent the owner of the 480 acres he bought in 
1875. He raises wheat, horses, cattle and hogs 
and the necessary feed for his stock. Mr. and 
Mrs. Christesen are the parents of four sons and 
four daughters: Abilena and Louis, twins, 
born October 12, 1872; Fernando, March 30, 
1874; Mary, April 19, 1876; Tesha, October 11, 
1877; Emma, January 17, 1880; Robert, No- 
vember 13, 1882; Henry, October 21, 1885. Mr. 
Christesen has been a school trustee, and is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. 



tBNER BALDWIN BURNS, orchardist, 
Sutter Township, was born in Randolph 
County, North Carolina, January 29, 1833, 
son of James and Sarah Burns, both natives of 
that State. Mrs. Burns' father, Silas Cooper, 
served seven years in tlie Revolutionary War, 
being engaged in one fight which took place 
precisely on his home land. Abner was born 
on the Galpiu battle-ground. The Burns family 



HISTORY OF HACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



trace tlieir history to Scotland. In James 
Burns' family were fifteen children, seven sons 
and eight daughters, all of whom were living 
and were at home just before the war. Three 
sons entered the Union army, and two of them 
were killed at Arkansas Post, when General 
Sherman was commanding there. In 1844 the 
family emigrated to Putnam County, Indiana. 
At the age of seventeen or eighteen years Mr. 
Burns, the subject of this sketch, left home, and 
for ten or twelve years followed Hatboating on 
tiie Mississippi River, during whicli time he 
passed through many e.Kciting experiences, many 
of them romantic or otherwise pleasant. He 
then remained in Indiana until he came to Cali- 
fornia in 1856, sailing from New York June 
24 on the old Northern Light to Nicaragua. 
Was delayed on the Isthmus by the lighting 
that was in progress there during the revolu- 
tion in that country. At length, obtaining pas- 
sage on the Nevada, he landed in San Francisco 
February 22. The first two months he worked 
at mining in the Indian diggings, in company 
with a friend named McCoy. While then;, 
Messrs. Frink i^: Alsip, of Sacramento, offered 
him employment, which he accepted; but in 
two months was taken sick and he passed six 
weeks at Dr. Sullivan's Hospital. After recov- 
ery, he followed teaming with two teams be- 
tween Sacramento and Nevada City, witli 
considerable profit. A week before Ciiristmas 
he ([uit this and went upon a ranch in Sutter 
Township on the lower Stockton road, about 
four miles from Sacramento, in partnership with 
Benjamin Stoops. A year afterward he went to 
the mountains, and during his absence Mr. 
Stoops sold the ranch and ran away with the 
money, leaving Mr. Burns about $1,000 in debt. 
In the fall of 1858 he moved upon the ground 
which now constitutes a portion of his present 
place, where he bought of the State eighty acres 
of school land. In 1861-T)2 the water covered 
his land, and he was for a time engaged in ulin- 
iui' in Nevada and among the copper mines in 
El Dorado County, which business proved a 
total loss to him. He consideis ranching, espe- 



cially in Sacramento County, the safest employ- 
ment and the best investment one can make in 
the United States. His land, which is well 
adapted to fruit, especially grapes and peaches, 
is in a fine state of cultivation. He has taken 
first premiums at State fairs on peaches and 
other fruits. He has been active in fruit inter- 
ests. The organization of the Fruit Union in 
this part of the county might be accredited to 
him. Mr. Burns has always been an active 
politician. He was one of the few who organ- 
ized the Pepublican party in this county and 
adhered to that party until 1884, when he sup- 
ported the National Greenback party. His first 
nomination for public office was for the Legis- 
lature in 1883, on the National ticket. In 1885 
he was nominated by the same party for Con- 
gress. He is a National man in every good 
sense of that word, that is, simply patriotic. He 
is now serving his fifteenth term as school direc- 
tor of Cai)ital district. Mr. Burns was married 
July 4, 1870, to Mrs. Sarah Slocum, nee Bal- 
lard, a native of Shelby County, Indiana. The 
three children are all dead. 



tSAHEL BRADLEY DAVIS was born 
January 27, 1836, in St. Thomas (county 
seat), Elgin County, Canada, his parents 
being Joel and Amy (Lewis) Davis. The former 
was a native of Montgomery County, New 
York, and the latter was a native of Vermont, 
born at a place not far from Whitehall, being 
near the New York State line. AVhen a mere 
child her father, Barnabas Lewis, emigrated to 
Canada with his family, which consisted of six 
sons and two daughters; all of whom were the 



heads 



pro 



minent families in that localitv. 



One son, Joel Lewis, was very enterprising in 
the establishment of public schools; Asahel, an- 
other son, was the first to establish a liberal or re- 
form paper in St. Thomas during the exciting 
times of the rebellion of 1836-'37. Joel Davis, 
the father, died in July, 1836, when the subject 
of this sketch was but six months old. His 



IIISTOHY OJi' SACHAMESTO COUNTY. 



widow afterward married Liiidley Moore, who 
figured very prominently in the liistory of that 
country. His father, Elias Moore, was a mem- 
ber of Parliament during or just after tlie Re- 
bellion. Mrs. Moore made her home in Canada 
until iier death, which occurred about twelve 
years ago. By her first marriage there were 
three children, Lewis and Adelia, both of whom 
are residents of Canada, living at the old home- 
stead, and A. R. By her second marriage there 
was one daughter, who is now dead; she was 
married and left one child at her death. The 
subject of this sketch was reared in Canada, and 
there received his education in the public schools. 
In October, 1859, he left his native country and 
started for California. He went by way of New 
York, thence to Panama, and arrived in San 
Francisco about the middle of November. He 
went directly to Sacramento and from there to 
the mines at the town of Hough and Ready in 
Nevada County. The lirst few month he 
worked for wages, but after that he mined for 
himself; he worked, off" and on, at mining for 
about fifteen years. In 186S he went on a visit 
to Canada and remainod until the spring of 
1870, when he returned to this valley and stayed 
until the spring of 1871; then went to work on 
the Amador (^anal, bsing in charge of a divis- 
ion of men, and remained in that capacity for 
about seven months, when the company 
"busted," and work was suspended. Mr. Davis 
was cheated out of his wages to the amount of 
$400. A new company was afterward organ- 
ized and Mr. Davis again souglit to take charge 
of a gang of men; he served this company until 
the completion of the canal in 1875. Mr. Davis 
again came to this valley and has made his home 
liere ever since. Mr. Davis' career in this com- 
munity has bsen such as to elevate him to the 
highest degree of esteem, as he has been a use- 
ful citizen, a man of deliberate judgment, and 
one Who desires the best welfare of the people; 
he therefore has principles for all his conduct as 
a citizen and neighbor, etc., and deserves all he 
has attained, and even more In the year 1860 
he bouglit a squatter's right to 160 acres of land 



situa'ed in Brighton Township; and afterward 
got the title from the Government. The land 
is still in his possession. He also owns 270 
acres of improved land in Brighton Township, 
and 110 acres iti Sutter Township. 



-|->^ 



ARTI.Nf DART, deceased. In the com- 
pilation of a work such as this there is 
no part of more value than that which 
relates to perso lal histories. In making men- 
tion of these honored veterans of pioneer time 
and in many instances departed, there is no 
one more worthy of notice and of the attributes 
paid him than the late Martin Dart, whose name 
heads this sketch, and, on account of long resi- 
dence in this county, is familiar to every one. 
Mr. Dart was born February 23, 1811, in New 
London, Connecticut, a son of Joshua and Su- 
san (Sabin) Dart. The line of his ancestry is 
traceable to the English and French. In 1840 
Joshua Dart emigrated to Genesee County, 
Michigan. His wife died about 1844, and he 
survived a few years. They have three sons 
and three daughters, only two of whom are now 
living. As a boy Martin was raised on a farm, 
and was in Michigan twelve years. In 1862 he 
came overland to California, with on? horse and one 
mule, which he rodealternately when not walking. 
He was in company with a train which left Coun- 
cil Bluffs May 3, the journey being a pleasant 
one considering the usual circumstances. They 
rested some time both at Salt Lake and in 
Carson Valley. Mr. Dart began mining on the 
north branch of Stephens Creek and at Grizzly 
Flats, and followed that pursuit in various lo- 
calities for about two years, until the money 
gave out. Then he followed teaming and sell- 
ing goods for about si.\- years in the raining 
region. In this business he had to sell on 
credit so much that he failed to make it very 
profitable. In 1858 he took his wife in a lum- 
ber wagon and moved down into San Joaquin 
Township, this county, and as soon as the land 
caine into market he purchased the present cs- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



tate three miles from Elk Grove. The place, 
now comprising IGO acres, is so neatly arranged, 
equipped and cultivated as to attract the atten- 
tion of all passers by. Twenty-tive acres are in 
vineyard; and Mr. Dart devoted his attention 
almost exclusively to the vineyard and orchard, 
being as "smart as a cricket" up to the time of 
his death, which occurred May 15, 1889, when 
he had passed the age of seventy-seven years. 
He was married in 1835 to Miss Elme Stewart, 
a native of Connecticut. She died in 1844, 
leaving three children: Livy S., Franklin S.. in 
the State of New York, and Maria, who returned 
to Connecticut, and died there. 



fEORGK W. DAKLIXG, agriculturist, was 
born in the city of Dublin, Ireland. Ilis 
parents, John and Margaret (Satterweight) 
Darling, emigrated to America and resided in 
this country the remainder of their lives; the 
father, who was a machinist by trade, dying in 
1872, at the age of sixty- five years, and the 
mother in 184-, at the age of forty-iive. In 
their family were nine children: James, John, 
William, Charles, George W., Frederick, Mary, 
Margaret and Eliza. All are now dead except 
Charles and George AV. The latter came to 
America in 1850, by the way of Cape Horn, 
landing in San Francisco, being six months on 
the voyage, on a vessel also named Cape Horn. 
He followed mining on Mississippi Bar four 
years, with good success, and then located on a 
ranch on the Auburn road and pursued the call- 
ing of agriculture, etc., until 1860; next he 
kept hotel, the California House, five months in 
Carson City; selling that property, he returned 
to this county and purchased his present ranch 
of 400 acres, eighteen miles from the county 
seat, and four miles from Folsom. Grain-rais- 
ing is his specialty.. He came to California with 
but little means, and has seen his siiare of the 
ups and downs of a pioneer's life. He has 
made his way by hard work, industry and econ- 
omy. He is a man of energy and perseverance, 



and retains his youthful appearance and vigor 
in a marked degree. When he purchased his 
present place it was unimproved, perfectly wild 
and covered with oak; he was one of the first 
in this settlement. In January, 1888, he was 
burned out, when he sustained a loss of about 
$6,000; but he is already on the rapid road to 
full recovery. He kept a diary from 1865 to 
the time of the iire, in M-liich he recorded all 
the changes in the weather and events worthy 
of note; but that conflagration consumed it. 
Its loss is greatly regretted, tor it liad been of 
considerable service -to him as well as his neigh- 
bors. His brother John, the only brother he 
had at the time, died at New Orleans. Mr. 
Darling was ^married in 1858, to Miss Ellen, 
daughter of Katherine Mullen. She died June 
14, 1874, leaving three children, one son and 
two daughters: William T., who was born July 
11, 1859, and married Ettie Allen, a native of 
Placer County; Ida May, born May 1. 1862, is 
the wife of Thomas W. Ward of this county; 
and Margaret E., born March 19, 1864, died 
April 27, 1883. 



fWEN THOMAS DAVIES, farmer, 
Brigliton Township, was born Cefancoidy- 
cymar, within two miles of Merthyr Tyd- 
vil, Wales, February 7, 1820, a son of Thomas 
and Mary Davies. In that family were four 
sons and five daughters, who grew up and were 
married. Four of the sons came to Amer- 
ica; David came in 1840 and died in Illinois, 
in the coal mines; Owen came in the fall of 
1850; and John and James came nearly at the 
same time, 1855-'60, John settling in Pennsyl- 
vania and James in Utah, near Salt Lake City; 
Jane Williams came to America and died in 
Illinois, December 20, 1884; the other children 
died in Wales. When Mr. Davies, the subject 
of this sketch, was a man grown, he was em- 
ployed at the Gyfarthfa Iron Works, where he 
was engaged in wheeling puddling iron from 
the rolls twelve liours a day every other week, 



HISTORY OF SAC RAM UNTO COUNTY. 



at what in United States money would be $2.52 
cents per week. His ne.xt task was the iiiling 
of wheelbarrows with puddling iron and wheel- 
ing it to the mill, where it was rolled into rails, 
etc. For this his wages was $2.88 a week. 
Sometimes he would wheel as much as iifty tons 
a day. Next he \yeighed and sheared merchant 
iron at the tirst steam mill, at $2.36 a week. 
After the Pandy mill was built he was eni- 
])l()yed there to weigh metal iron, till it into 
wheelbarrows from the drains and wheel it to 
the stall, weigh it into 450-pound charges for the 
paddling furnaces and pile it up. Of course he 
liad to keep an exact account of all this work; 
and his wages now iiad become $5.04 a week. 
In this he was engaged from 1846 to September, 
1850 At that time the Pandy was the largest 
steam mill in Wales. It was on the east side 
of the Taff River. Six iron rolling mills were 
run by water power on the west side, besides 
one by steam. All these eight mills were within 
one mile of Merthyr Tydvil. In October, 1846, 
Mr. Davies married Ann William Morgan, 
daughter of William Morgan and born in the 
same place. October 15, 1850, they, with two 
children, sailed from Liverpool and landed in 
New Orleans November 22. (xoing to Illinois, 
Mr. Davies worked in the coal mines there from 
the spring of 1851 to April, 1854, when he 
went to Utah, overland, with two yoke of oxen, 
arriving at Salt Lake September 26. In the 
spring of 1856 he came on to California, ar- 
riving in Brighton, this county, July 4. Until 
September 19 he lived in the wagon, and then 
settled where he has since resided. There he 
bought a squatter's claim to a quarter-section of 
land, and afterward purchased the place from 
the Government. When he first entered it there 
was only a shanty there, and all the country 
around was a naked plain. He subsequently 
bought more land, so that at one time he owned 
over 500 acres. A portion of this has been 
deeded to his children and to his wife. She 
died October 6, 1880, the mother of four chil- 
dren: Anne and Thomas, John and William. 
Anne is tlie wife of Edmund Lewis, a resident 



of San Joaquin Township, near Sheldon; the 
sons are all in this township, and have families. 
November 21, 1881, Mr. Davies, in Sacramento, 
married Louisa Haux, a German lady and a. 
widow at the time, her lirst husband having 
died five years jireviously. She died February 
11. 1883, and Mr. Da/ies. December 1, 1884, 
married his present wife, Mrs. Friedrika Kern. 



;ILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, the pioneer 
jeweler of Sacramento, was born in the 
city of Brotherly Love, March 21, 1821, 
the son of Thomas Cunningham, a coppersmitli 
by trade. He learned the trade of silversmith 
of William Rapp, after which he went to Boston, 
where he resided for a year; returning again to 
Philadelphia he found employment with Bailey 



& Kitchen for three 



years. 



When, dnrin<r the 



gold excitement of 1849, the William Penn Min- 
ing Companj' was organized, a man by the name 
of L. K. Brooman, one of the shareholders, was 
unable ^ come and his place was given to Mr. 
Cunningham, he paying $200. They left on 
the Crescent City for Chagres, on the 5th of 
February, were five or six weeks on the Isthmus 
and finally came up the coast on the whale ship 
Niantic, arriving outside the Golden Gate just 
in time to celebrate the Fourth of July, 1849. 
After spending two or three days in San Fran- 
cisco, they came to Sacramento via schooner, 
went up the north fork of the American River 
to Willow Bar and began mining, but, being 
unsuccessful, disbanded and the Penn Mining 
Company collapsed. Our subject came to 
Sacramento and, on arriving here, had about 
$50 with which to start in life. He soon made 
the acquaintance of a man named Hastings who 
was working for Pillow, a jeweler, on J Street. 
Going to the quay, from among the collected 
debris, he fished out an ordinary crucible and 
with some tools, loaned by Hastings, made a 
gold ring, the first work he ever did in the 
Capital City. Finding that he could do good 
work he was employe! by Pillow, but after ten 



HISrORT OF SACliAMBNTO COUNTY. 



days he and Hastings formed a co-partnership 
and, renting a room from Plowett & Ells for 
which they paid $75 a month, they began busi- 
ness on their own account. They continued 
together for about two years, when Mr. Cunning- 
ham bought out his partner, crossed the street 
to 408 J Street, where more commodious quar- 
ters were secured, and there he continued busi- 
ness for over eighteen years. Mr. Cunningham 
was married in the city of Philadelphia, De- 
cember 31, 1839, to Eebecca Byrley, daughter 
of George Byrley, a German farmer, at that 
time in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Mr. 
Cunningham came to California in 1852. They 
have had a family of ten children, only three of 
whom survive, namely: William, Louis and 
Benjamin; all of whom are jewelers in the city 
of San Francisco. 



fOHN F. CROSS, farmer, was born in the 
State of Maine, in Waldo County, February 
13, 1828; in 1848-52 he was a carpenter 
in Massachusetts, and then he embarked on the 
steamer Old North America for California, and 
left the Isthmus, on the steamer Winiield Scott, 
on its first trip. Landing at Sacramento April 
1, he engaged to a Mr. Bragg for a month; next 
he went to Shasta City and built two houses; 
and then, in company with others, went to raft- 
ing timbers down the Sacramento River, the first 
ever sent down this stream. They sold their 
lumber to the man who built the first saw-mill 
in Sacramento. Next he was in the employ of 
the Government at Fort Redding, where he 
built the lirst house in the place: Captain 
Miller was the quartermaster at tliat time. 
Returning East, he was married, in March, 
1854. The next winter he was again employed 
by the Government, in Benicia, and in the 
spring he came to this county, where he has 
ever since resided. April 1, 1857, he moved 
into the country six miles from town, where he 
remained for a year; next was at Mormon Is- 
land a year, and finally he settled on the place 



where he now is. This ranch contains 320 acres; 
and he also owns 480 acres two and a half iniles 
away, and 310 acres adjoining Orange Vale. 
Hay and grain are his specialties as an agricult- 
urist. Sarah Jane, nee Miss Meservey, Mr. 
Cross compai.ion in life, was born in Mor- 
rill, Maine, March 12, 1835. Joseph Cross, the 
father of J. F., was born in Exeter, New 
Hampshire, and died in Morrill, Maine. He 
brought up twelve children, — all married and 
having families. Mr. John F. Cross has had 
six children: Nettie, Alice, Lilian, Francis, de- 
ceased, Herbert, and Charles. 



fAMES COYLE, a farmer, was born in 
County Cuvan, North Ireland, in 1825, 
son of Charles and Bridget (Flynn) Coyle; 
both parents remained in the old country until 
their death. Of their four sons and four daugh- 
ters the only one living in the United States is 
the subject of this sketch. He was brought up 
in Ireland on a farm. In 1851 he sailed from 
Liverpool on an old steamer, which went down 
during the second trip after that. In twenty- 
four days he landed in New Orleans, thus mak- 
ing the second best trip that had ever been made 
to that city. After spending two months there 
he went to Memphis, Tennessee, for three or 
four months; during the ensuing summer sea- 
son he was in Cincinnati and vicinity; then he 
resided in Clay County, Missouri, until he came 
to California in 1853, overland, with a train be- 
longing to Miller & Arthur. In this train were 
forty persons, with 500 head of horses and 
mules, and a thousand head of cattle. Between 
400 and 500 head of cattle were lost on the 
way; the horses and mules were brought 
through all right. They crossed the Missouri 
River at Council Bluffs on a steamboat, even 
taking the live-stock across in that way, as they 
found that driving the cattle across by fording 
was too slow. Of the party, however, only seven 
or eight came through together. Two days af- 
ter passing Fort Laramie they met a large num- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ber of Indians mixed up witli travelers, and, 
after this train had passed, a tight ensued be- 
tween them and the soldiers. A number were 
killed on both sides, including all the soldiers 
who sided with the emigrants. Stopping a 
week or more at Salt Lake to recruit, Mr. 
Coyle's party completed their journey' by the 
usual route, arriving in this county in just six 
months from the time they started. The stock 
was quartered at the mouth of Cache Creek. 
Mr. Coyle's first work was on the cfmstruction 
of the levee here at Sacramento, which was then 
completed as far as Sutter's fort. Next he spent 
two montlis in the gold mines on the Cosumues 
River, in El Dorado County, during the highest 
period of excitement there. He mined at 
Placerville, and worked on the canal there for 
about six months. Settling down in this county 
he bought from a Frenchman a claim in Sutter 
Township, three miles from Sacramento, on the 
lower Stockton road. It was then a place of 
very desolate appearance, with a small cabin 
and a i'ev: improvements upon it. lie bought 
it in the spring, spent the summer in the mines, 
and returnitig in the fall he did not like his pur- 
chase, and he offered the land for $300, although 
he had paid $600 for it. Not finding a pur- 
chaser he concluded to go upon it and make the 
best of it. This ranch now contains 155 acres, 
and is one of the finest in the county! Mr. 
Coyle erected his handsome residence here in 
the spring of 1885, Mnd it is indeed a credit to 
the community. He has paid considerable at- 
tention to the rearing of live-stock, mostly 
horses and particularly roadsters. Commenc- 
ing here with nothing, he has made a comfort- 
able home, and is well to do. He was one of 
the first who started farming on the Haggin 
grant, which is now coming so fast into culti- 
vation. He is a genial gentleman, liberal and 
public-spirited, and the citizens are glad to see 
him able to enjoy the fruits of his many years 
of toil. He was married in May, 1858, to 
Julia Leary, a native of County Cork, Ire- 
land. They have six children, all sons, viz.: 
James, Jr., and Charles, twins; John, Thomas, 



Edward and Joseph, — all residing in this 
county. 

^.AliRISON" R. CROUCH, of the firm of 
iM| Crouch & Lyman, plumbers, 511 J street; 
^(g Sacramento, was born in Sacramento, Sep- 
tember 10, 1865, and is the son of the late W. 
T. Crouch, who came from Ohio to California 



th 



e same year. 



Harrison R. was educated 



at St. Matthew's Hall, San Mateo. His first 
business experience was in the capacity of book- 
keeper, whicli occupation he followed for three 
years. In August, 1887, ho formed a partner- 
ship with Frank T. Lyman, and opened in their 
location as plumbers and gas-fitters. Mr. Crouch 
is the financier of the firm, and in the conduct- 
ing of this department of the business has 
shown marked ability. l?eing a Californian by 
birth Mr. Crouch has identified himself with 
the Native Sons of the Golden West, and is a 
member of Sunset Parlor, No. 26, of which he 
has been treasurer for three consecutive terms. 
For some years he was an active member of the 
Sacramento Hussars, and was elected by his 
comrades as Second Lieutenpnt. Since the ex- 
piration of his commission he has remained 
with the company as a passive member. He is 
a nephew of Mrs. E. B. Crocker, the well-known 
philanthropic lady of Sacramento. In politics 
Mr. Crouch is an ardent Republican, and in 
matters especially concerning the city and 
county is quite active. 

fENNIS D ALTON was born in Ireland in 
1848, his parents beitig James and Brid- 
get (Sullivan) Dalton. He was brought 
to the United States in 1850, and taken to 
Cheshire, Massachusetts, where his parents 
settled, and where he lived until the age of 
fourteen. From that time he was variously 
occupied, but mostly in farm work, until May 
1, 1869, when he came to California, at the age 



HISTORY OF SAGHAMKNTO COUNTY. 



of twonty-oiio. Tlcrc, as there, lie cliieflv i'ol- 
lowed his old occ'ii])ation of farm work. in 
May, 1872, he was married to Mrs. CJatlieriiie F. 
Mahotie. lie owns a ranch of about 700 acres, 
238 of which are bottom lands on the Cosum- 
nes River. lie is here engaged in buying and 
selling sheep and cattle, and he also raises corn 
and hay, which he feeds his^stock. Mr. Dalton's 
parents died a few years ago, leaving nine chil- 
dren, of whom only live are now living. Mr. 
and Mrs. Daltoii are the parents of one child: 
Edward F., born January 5, 1874-. He has 
made marked progress in his studies in the dis- 
trict school, and will soon be sent to some col- 
lege or nniver.'^ity to complete his education. 
Mrs. Dennis Dalton, by birth Catherine Foster 
Klioads, was born in Edgar County, Illinois, in 
1832, her parents being Thomas and Elizabeth 
(Foster) lllioads. Her parents, with their four- 
teen living children and some grandchildren, 
came to California in 1846. Catherine F. was 
first married in 1847 to Jared D. Sheldon, of 
whom and their offspring mention is elsewhere 
mad(! in this work. J5y her second marriage, in 
1853, to John U. T. Mahone, a soldier of the 
Me.xican war. She is the mother of two chil- 
dren, both living: Robert, born in 1854; and 
Mary Ellen, in 1855, now Mrs. Vanglian, and 
the mother of four living 
and one boy. 



•hil.lr 



irirls 



fENAS LINCOLN COY, a j.rominent 
agriculturist of Brighton Township, was 
born in New Brunswick, on the St. John 
River, near the city of Fredericton, August 25, 
1884. Mr. Coy's ancestors settled in Maine 
and Massachusetts before the Revolution. His 
father, "William T., was a native of the same 
place, a shoemaker in his earlier days, a farmer 
the most of his life, and died in 1858. Ilis 
mother, nee Fannie Lincoln, was born in the 
city of Fredericton in 1811, and is still a resi- 
dent on the old homestead. In their family were 
three daughters and four sons: Sarah Catha- 



rine, married and living in New Brunswick; 
Zenas L., the subject; Edward Bradford, living 
in Massachusetts: Adeline Adelia, who died 
young; William Frederick, living in Boston, 
Massachusetts; F'rances, residing in Nova Sco- 
tia when last heard from; and John Henry, liv- 
ing still on the old homestead. Zenas was with 
his parents until the fall of 1868, engaged in 
farming and Imnhering,- -the latter principally 
during the winter. In 1854 he married Miss 
Sarah Catharine Eastabi'ooks, also a native of 
New Brunswick, and a member of a large fam- 
ily on the St. John River; her ancestry were 
Americans. October 27, 1858, Mr. Coy left 
New York city, via the Panama route, for Cali- 
fornia, arriving November 27, precisely one 
month afterward. While spending a week in 
San F'rancisco an earthquake occurred, which 
was the occasion of his emigrating in a direc- 
tion from the center of that great seismic move- 
ment, and he accordingly came to Sacramento 
and looked for work. His iirst job was four 
da^'s' work as a carpenter, at the corner of Sixth 
and K streets, at $4 a day. Next he was en- 
gaged on the freight depot, now superseded, of 
the railroad company on the wharf; then lie 
was employed on the railroad bridge, and trestle 
work in the San Joaquin valley, below Stockton, 
and was present there when the last spike was 
driven. He next rented a ranch, now occupied 
by Mr. Buell, between his present residence and 
Elk Grove, and then Bright's ranch, in Yolo 
County, a year; then one year near his present 
place; next the Twelve-Mile ranch two miles 
east, where he lived most of the time for fifteen 
years, and finally, in 1886, he settled upon his 
present homestead of 184 acres, which he had 
purchased in 1875. All the fine improvements 
now witnessed here he has made himself. The 
residence was built in 1882, at a cost of $2,500, 
when lumber was cheap. The products of his 
ranch are principally the small grains. His 
land, as well as other tracts in its vicinity, has 
risen from $10 to $40 an acre in value within 
the last fifteen years. Mr. Coy has two children 
living: William Arthur, born November 12, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



1874, and Nellie Frances, in October, 1876. 
He has always been a Republican in liis politi- 
cal views, lias been a member of the order of 
Patrons of Husbandry for the last fifteen years, 
and is also connected with the orders of Odd 
Fellows and Red Men, — in all these relations 
liolding his membership in Sacramento lodges. 



fHOMAS BENTON EAGLE, M. D., phy- 
sician to the State Prison at Folsom, was 
born in the town of Loudonville, Ashland 
County, Ohio, July 24, 1841, son of Edward 
and Eliza Eagle, the former a native of Ashland 
County, Ohio, and the latter of Tioga County, 
New York. They now reside in Franklin County, 
Kansas. Edward Eagle has most of his life 
occupied some public position, i)eing a member 
of the State Board of Equalization, of the board 
of county commissioner.-, etc. Dr. Eagle was 
reared in his native town, on a farm until he 
was of sufficient age to attend high school, and he 
took a course at the academy at Loudonville. 
In 1859 he commenced the study of medicine in 
the office of Drs. Fuller & Scott, his preceptors. 
After reniaining with them a little over three 
years, he completed his course in the medical 
department of the University of Bufl'alo, New 
York, graduating in March, 1862. He went 
before the State Medical E.\amining Board of 
Ohio, passed examination and was commissioned 
by the Governor of the State as Assistant Sur- 
geon. He was first sent to the army of the 
Potomac and then promoted as Surgeon, being 
first attached to the command of General Lew 
Wallace, who at that time had his headquartei's 
at Baltimore; after that he was transferred to 
Fort Delaware, about thirty miles back of Phil- 
adelphia, where he did guard duty for a number 
of prisoners. Thence he was ordered to Hilton 
Head, South Carolina, and was at the headquar- 
ters of General Fo.ster. From there the detach- 
ment with which he was connected was 
transferred across the country to Jacksonville, 
Florida, and then in succession to Washington, 



New York, Columbus, Ohio, New Orleans, 
Madison, Indiana, Franklin, Tennessee (for the 
battle there), and finally to Columbus, Ohio, 
a.^ain, where he was mustered out, in July, 
1865. When his term of service expired he 
went before the regular army board, passed ex- 
amination and was assigned to duty in the 
Fourth Artillery, stationed at Vicksburg. This 
commission, however, the Doctor refuse 1, and 
he returned to iiis home in Ohio and engaged 
in private practice, residing there three years. 
He then went to Dakota Territory and received 
the appointment of physician to the Yankton 
Indian Agency, and in that capacity was 
stationed at different posts along the Missouri 
River until 1876. Coming then to California, 
he practiced four years at Princeton, Colusa 
County. In 1883 he received the appointment 
as physician at the San Quentin Prison, filled 
that position four years, and since then he has 
had his present place. He has also considerable 
private practice. He is a member of the State 
Medical Society; of Colusa Lodge, No. 142, F. 
& A. M.; of Springfield Lodge, No. 7, I. O. O. 
F., in Dakota; he was the first noble grand 
of the first lodge chartered by the Grand Lodge 
of Dakota; was also grand marshal of the Grand 
Lodge when he left that Territory; and he also 
belongs to Folsom Lodge No. 109, A. O. II. W. 
Dr. Eagle was married in 1865 to Miss Emma 
C. Stont, a native of Dansville, Livingston 
County, New York, and they have one daugh- 
ter, named Stella E. 

fOIIN H. COX, orchardist, and bolt and rivet 
maker, near Sacramento, was born in Wor- 
cestershire, England, seven miles from 
Birmingham, June 21, 1839. At the age of 
eight years he commenced to work in a bolt and 
rivet shop, preparing to learn the trade, and he 
continued until lie thoroughly mastered it. At 
the age of eighteen he was able to command the 
wages of a journeyman, and he continued in his 
calling there until 1865. In 1858 he mar- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ried Honnor Hackett, at the age of six- 
teen, a native of tlie same locality. In 
1865 he emigrated to the United States, land- 
ing in New York in July. He was a resi- 
dent of New York State and Illinois until 1873, 
when became to California locating in this city. 
Here he prosecuted the bolt and rivet trade 
until 1877, when he moved upon bis present 
tine fruit ranch of iive and a half acres, on the 
river road south of town. Some of the trees iu 
his orchard are twenty-five years old, and he has 
set out a great many since his purchase of the 
place. He also has a shop here where be does 
work in the line of bolts and rivets. He is also 
interested in a bop farm on the Oosumnes 
River for the past seven years. In the spring 
of 1885 be visited bis native country, taking 
with bim five car-loads of bops. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cox have six children, four sons and two daugh- 
ters: Alice, the eldest, born in England, is 
now the widow of Charles H. Young; Harvey, 
the second child, born in England, and George 
W., the third child, born in New York, are 
blacksmiths in Palermo, Butte County; John 
E., the fourth child, was born in Illinois, now 
manufacturing cement chimney pipe; and 
C. and Ethel B. are natives of this county. 



fOLLY CAMPBELL, of San Joaquin Town- 
ship, was born October 29, 1825, daughter 
of Jonathan (1 and Phebe (Stites) Tice, 
who emigrated from their native State, Pennsyl- 
vania, in an early day to New York State, and 
from there to Michigan, where they died. Her 
father, a farmer, died in 1850, at the age of 
forty-six years. Mrs. Campbell was married in 
1842, in New York State, within eight miles of 
Havana, lived there three years, and in 1846 
moved to Iowa, and remained there until 1852; 
then she resided in Utah for a time and finally 
came to California by wagon, the journey being 
very pleasant, excepting that they lost a great 
deal of live-stock. They finished their journey 
with a cow and horse in the yoke. They came 



through Dutch Flat, and camped just beyond 
the American River. Mr. Campbell made bis 
first purchase of land in Brighton Township, 
buying about 500 acres in all. Mrs. Campbell 
now resides on a quarter-section of land in San 
Joaquin Township, about fourteen miles from 
Sacramento. At this place she has a nice little 
home. She has only two children living, — 
George G. and Garret L. The latter is in Idaho. 



fR. JAMES CAPLES, an bonoj-ed pioneer, 
who may truthfully be called one of the 
Argonauts, having come here in 1849, and 
making this bis home ever since, has seen many 
and varied experiences of early life, and no doubt 
is as well informed in the history of his com- 
munity as any other mat). A great-grandfather 
of the Doctor was William Caples, who lived in 
the city of Baltimore and bad three sons,- — 
Robert, William and Andrew. William, born 
in that city, emigrated to Tuscarawas County, 
Ohio, in 1804. His brother Robert moved to 
the Western Reserve, on the border of Lake 
Erie; and Andrew went to Tennessee, and bis 
descendants spell their name Cable, one of whom 
is George W. Cable, the distinguished author of 
the present day. The Doctor's grandfather sup- 
posed that the name was of German origin. 
William remained in Tnscarawas County until 
his death, in April, 1837. He bad six sons 
and three daughters, — Robert, Charles, Joseph, 
William, Kenzie, Jacob, Mary, Anna and Susan. 
About 1839 they began to emigrate West. All 
the sons went to Oregon except CJharles, the 
father of Dr. Caples, who settled in Andrew 
County, Missouri, and remained there until bis 
death in 1884, at the age of eighty-eight years. 
He married his wife in Ohio, whose maiden 
name was Matilda Tracy. She was a native of 
Culpeper County, Virginia, and died in 1838. 
In Charles Caples' family were five children: 
William, James, Wesley, Matilda and Elizabeth. 
None of the children were grown when the 
family moved to Missouri; they are all now de- 



HISTOny OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



\Q\ 



ceased except James, our subject. The latter 
was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Novem- 
ber 29, 1823, and was a lad of fifteen years 
when bis father, a merchant, moved to Andrew 
County, Missouri. Of course he worked for bis 
father some, but at the age of nineteen years he 
began the study of medicine, under tiie precep- 
torship of his father's youngest brother, Jacob. 
In the spring of 1847 he moved to Hancock 
County, Illinois, and practiced his profession 
there two yea/s, during which time, in October, 
1847, he married Miss Mary Jane, daughter of 
George Walker, of that county. She was born 
in Campbell County, Kentucky, near Covington, 
January 10. 1831. In the winter of 1848-'49 
the Doctor bade adieu to pill-bags and began 
making preparations for coming to California; 
accordingly, March 21, 1849, with a wagon and 
three yoke of oxen, he started on the long jour- 
ne}', but found it comparatively pleasant. He 
had to cross some rivers by taking his wagons 
to pieces and carrying them across a piece at a 
time. His principal hardship was experienced 
in the country west of Bear River. At Salt 
Lake City they obtained a guide-book which the 
Morn:ons had just published, and it was this 
book that lead them into trouble. They de- 
pended upon it to show them where they could 
get good water, they having kegs for carrying a 
quantity of it. The book represented Bear 
River as bad water, which is true; but not so 
bad as some; and it would have been a great 
luxury to them during their subsequent priva- 
tions. The creek just this side of Bear River 
was indicated in the book, but the quality of the 
water not being referred to the Doctor and his 
party inferred that it was good water, and they 
depended upon that inference. It proved to be 
unfit for either man or beast, and they had to 
drive on without any water. The weather was 
extremely hot, and they had men in advance 
looking for water. One night one of their men 
returned to the camp witli jugs upon his horse, 
and the travelers felt gladdened; but on sam- 
pling tiieir contents the water was found alto- 
gether too salty to drink. The man who brought 



it knew that it was salty, but hoped it was bet- 
ter than nothing. The Doctor happened to have 
some corn-meal, with which and the water they 
made a gruel that they could eat and thus some- 
what relieve their sufierings. They found no 
water until nearly night on the following day, 
which day was a little cooler; had it been as hot 
as the preceding day they might have perished. 
They suffered for water again after they passed 
the sink of the Humboldt. On drinking some 
very bad water from a boiling spring in the 
desert, the Doctor was taken sick, — so severely 

! indeed that he " lost his senses." The next 
morning he woke up on the bank of the Trnckee 
River, where all had plenty of fresh water. The 

j Humboldt was lower than usual that season. In 
1853 the Doctor was along there again and saw 
the "water in that river six feet deep. The party 
remained on the Truckee three or four days re- 
cruiting themselves and their animals. In 

! traveling through the Carson Cafion, which re- 
quired a day, they had a great deal of trouble. 
Mrs. Caples had to walk and clim-b over bowld- 
ers, etc., carrying her little babe in her arm.-! 
It was the roughest road on the whole route. 
They arrived at Hangtown August 28, 1849. 

I After a few days the Doctor purchased a little 
store and did very well in business until he sold 
oiit a few weeks afterward and went to mining; 
but he was soon attacked with bloody dysentery, 

I which disabled him from work until the last of 
February. Only faithful nursing rendered by 
his wife saved him. Being a physician he knew 

' it best to abstain from the common food of the 
miners, and lie confined himself to milk until 
the supply failed, and then he limited himself 
to rice. Hundreds of others in that vicinity 
died with the disease. The hospitality of the 
miners was exhibited with the marked charac- 
teristics of a pioneer surprise when they saw Mrs. 

I Caples laboriously picking up wood in the wilds, 

1 by cutting and hauling to the Doctor's place a 
pile of wood as high as his house. After recov- 
ering from his illness the Doctor purchased a 

1 store in Hangtown; but just then the miners 

i began moving*away to other fields. Then the 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



merchants there generally wanted to sell out 
and follow the miners; and Doctor Caples 
bought them out and thus obtained control of 
all the mercantile business at Hangtown and 
vicinity, and made money. Tiie early Califor- 
nians, rough though they were, were neither 
sneaks nor thieves, and nothing was ever stolen 
from the Doctor's tent-store or from his house. 
The miners often asked credit at the store, and 
were never refused. In 1850 other mercantile 
establishments were started by way of compe- 
tition and seriously reduced the Doctor's busi- 
ness. He then located a ranch at the junction 
of the Deer and Carson creeks and began to 
stock it up, so that when trade gave out in the 
mines he settled upon it, and remained there 
thirty-two years. It comprises an area of 4,000 
acres, and is in fine condition. Up to about 
four years ago he was extensively engaged in the 
live-stock business; he is now raising more 
grain. In the rearing of sheep and horses, he 
was very successful; but in the cattle business 
he actually lost money, as competitors grazed so 
much upon free range. In 1882 the Doctor 
moved upon his present place, of 500 acres, on 
the Cosumnes Eiver, three miles from Elk 
Grove. D(jctor Caples is a member of the Pio- 
neer Society of Sacramento County, and also of 
the order of Patrons of Husbandry. He was a 
member of the State Constitutional Convention 
in Sacramento in 1879, and thus was one of the 
framers of the present State Constitution. With 
this exception he has never been before the pub- 
lic in an otKcial capacity; on the contrary, he 
has always been a hard-working man, devoting 
his time to liisown private aflairs. Even after a 
long life of hardship and toil, he is still healthy 
and strong; and this [good physical condition 
is due to the intelligent care he has taken of his 
health. Of his family there are nine living 
children,— five sons and four daughters, viz.: 
Isabella, wife of Dr. Frederick Durant, of San 
Quentln; Kosa E., wife of J. W. Haynes, an 
honored citizen of Genoa, Carson Valley, Ne- 
vada; Charles A.; Frank W.; JohnW., turnkey 
at the Folsom State Prison; Geoi-ge W., post 



master at Folsom; Hattie L., Maud L. and 
James W. 



^W ^ 't'cu 



^ESSRS. CARLE & CROLY, contract- 
ors and builders, formed their part- 
nership in 1870, and have ever since 
been prominently identified with the improve- 
ments of Sacramento, and indeed of a large 
portion of the State. Among the prominent 
buildings erected by them are the residence of 
Charles McCreary, Tenth and L streets; the res- 
idence of L. Williams, on Tenth and H streets; 
L. Tozer's residence at Fifteenth and H; the 
dwelling of F. J. StauflFer, Fourteenth and I; of 
L. B. Mohr, Twelfth and L; of George Merkel, 
L. Frazier, C. A. Yoerck, Judges McFarland 
and McKune, etc. In 1880 they built the addi- 
tion to the Insane Asylum at Stockton, and the 
b.usiness houses of Austin Bros., and the resi- 
dence of Judge Patterson at that place: in 
1886-'87 they built the Stoneman House in the 
Yosemite Valley, and their bid for building it 
was selected against seven competing firms, by 
a difi'erence of only $125 from one of them; the 
cost of tlie building was about $40,000. During 
the years 1884 and 1885, they built the Santa 
Rosa court-house, in 1886 and 1887 they built 
the Masonic Hall and Hughes' Hotel at Fresno, 
the latter at a cost of about $120,000. They 
also built the Masonic Temple at Stockton, and 
at Sacramento the Beet Sugar Manufactory; in 
1871-72, the AVestern Hotel, the Sutter Block, 
the County Hospital, the Hall of Records, and 
rebuilt the Wells & Fargo Express Block, etc., 
and the court-house at Colusa. An incident 
worthy of special note in connection with this 
well-known firm, as illustrating not only their abil- 
ity, but also the readiness and skill with which 
they undertake responsible and arduous duties, 
should here be related. During the high water 
in the spring of 1878 a serious break occurred 
in the levee on the east bank of the Sacramento 
River two miles below the city. The results 
were disastrous in the extreme, involving a loss 



HISTORV OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



to the adjacent property-holders of their crop 
for the season. The Levee Commissioners and 
city authorities were baffled in their attempts to 
repair the break, and after spending a large 
amount of money, the project was abandoned. 
After some delay the property owners called for 
proposals for repairing the break, and the con- 
tract was awarded to Messrs. Carle & Croly. 
Their plan contemplated the building of a sack- 
dam, — that is, grain sacks tilled with sand and 
gravel, temporarily across the break; and this 
was successfully accomplished, although 40,000 
sacks had to be used to check the tlowing waters 
until the levee could be substantially rebuilt, 
and the entire work was completed within six- 
teen days, much to the gratification of all parties 
interested, notwithstanding that during the pro 
gress of the work a severe storm arose, with a 
strong north wind, adding greatly to the peril 
of the task and entailing a loss of 10,000 sacks, 
which were washed away; and it was only by 
keeping a large force at work night and day that 
the work was finally biought to a successful ter- 
mination. In May, 1887, they began, and in 
September, 1888, iinished, the San Diego flume, 
for bringing water from a distance of forty 
miles into the city of San Diego. The construc- 
tion of this immense flume required 9,000,000 
feet of lumber, and 600 head of mules and 
horses to haul it. This is said to be tlie large-t 
structure of the kind in the world. Other build- 
ings erected by Messrs. Carle & Croly are the 
residence of L. M. Hickman, in Stanislaus 
County, the Byron Springs Hotel, and Mr. Ship- 
pee's Agricultural works at Stockton. Silas Carle 
was born in the town ot Waterborough, Maine, 
December 13, 1883, where he was also educated 
at the high school. When eighteen years of age 
he started out for himself,going to North Bridge- 
water, Mass., and becoming an apprentice to the 
carpenter and joiners' trade, under the supervis- 
ion of II. Perkins, and serving three years. Next 
he worked for three years as journeyman and 
contractor in Boston and different parts of the 
State, and in the fall of 1858, in company with 
his elder brother, lie came by steamer from New 



York, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, to 
California, arriving in San Francisco September 
28, 1858. His brother died in that city, in 
April, 1859. There he worked at his trade as 
journeyman and contracting. Two years after- 
ward he came to Sacramento, arriving here Sep- 
tember 4, 1860, and engaged in farming and 
stock-raising upon a farm on the upper Stock- 
ton road, which he had previously purchased. 
After the great flood of 1861-'62 he was engaged, 
much of his time, in contracting and building 
levees around the city, also in tilling of streets 
to the high grade. In 1868 he formed a part- 
nership with E. J. Croly, as above mentioned. 
In 1864 he sold out his ranch and stock, and 
again went to work at his trade, which he has 
since continually followed. Mr. Carle's father, 
Jeremiah, was a native also of Waterborough, 
Maine, and learned in early life the trade of ship 
carpenter and builder at Portland, that State, 
but was a farmer the remainder of his days. He 
died January 2, 1889, aged eighty-seven years. 
The'maiden name of his mother was Mary Pitts, 
and she also was a native of Maine; she died in 
1871. Mr. Carle was married April 10, 1856, 
at Lowell, Massachusetts, to Melissa M. Smith, 
daughter of Elijah and Nancy B. Smith, of 
Bristol, Vermont. In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Carle 
made a visit to the scenes of early life, visiting 
all principal places in New England. In his po- 
litical sympathies he is a Republican; and in his 
social relations he affiliates with the El Dorado 
Lodge, No. 8, I. O. (). F. 

E. J. Ckoly was born in the Province of 
Canada, near Toronto, October 20, 1836. His 
paternal ancestors were French Huguenots, 
and his mother, a descendant of the De 
Puy family, was born in London about 1798, 
and in 1826 his parents emigrated to Toronto 
(then called York), where his father was a 
builder, contractor and farmer. Mr. Croly 's 
mother, nee Ann Supple, was a daughter of 
John Supple, a native of Ireland, and a de- 
scendant of the Baldwin family, of Cork. The 
latter was an eminent lawyer, and at one time 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



was Prime Minister of Canada, where he re- 
sided until his death in 1843. Mr. Croly was 
the fifth in a family of six sons. lie attended 
school at Cleveland, Ohio, and at Oberlin Col- 
lege, same State. At the age of seventeen 
years he began business for himself as a carpen- 
ter in his native town. Having met with a 
painful accident, which for a time disabled him 
from pursuing his trade, he taught school for a 
year, and then became interested in the natural- 
oil wells of the Tilsonburg district, in which he 
was engaged for three years. In 1865 he 
moved to Chicago, and during the winter of 
1867-'68, soon after the railroad was built, he 
came to California and engaged at once in his 
trade of carpenter and builder. In 1879 he 
married Bertha R. Van Norman, a daughter of 
Johnson Van Norman. He- is a Republican in 
his political principles, but is liberal in his 
sympathies. Becoming in early life connected 
with the Masonic fraternity, he is still faithful 
to the order, being as a Knight Templar a 
member of Sacramento Commandery, No. 2, 
and is also a member of Sacramento Chapter, 
No. 3, and Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, F. & A- 
M. ; is also a member of Capital Lodge, No. 87i 

1. O. O. F., and of Paciiic Encampment, No. 

2, same order. 



■^s=^-^s 



i-.^3— 



fOIlN B. CALIO, farmer of Sutter Town- 
ship, was born January 24, 1808, in Mis- 
souri, and was a son of Anthony and Felicia 
Calio, natives of Randolph County, Illinois. The 
grandparents of John B. were of French ances- 
try, and were among the tirst settlers of Illinois. 
All the earliest settlers of Illinois, specially in 
that section, were French. Anthony Calio was 
brought up in Illinois, upon a farm. Arriving 
at the years of majority, he married and moved 
into Missouri, at the head of St. Francis River, 
lli.s nearest neighbor was forty miles distant, 
ami he and his family subsisted mostly on wild 
game. At the end of about fourteen years they 
returned to his father's place, taking charge of 



the same, during the days when the farmers 
raised their own sheep, flax and cotton, and 
made their own clothes. He remained there 
until his death in 1814; his wife survived until 
1852. After his death, John B. remained with 
his mother until he was twelve years of age, 
when she again married, this time a man named 
Plassette, a Frenchman. Then he went to live 
with an elder sister, and was there four years, 
when he struck out into the wide world for him- 
self, going first to Galena, Illinois, where he 
went on board a keel-boat on the Fevre River, 
at $15 a month, but made only two trips. In 
1829 he started for the Rocky Mountains, for 
the old American Fur Company, and operated 
among the Pawnee, Cheyenne, Mandan, Crow 
and Arapahoe Indians. He became an excellenc 
"shot" with the rifle. Was two years in the 
Black Hills country, and three years in the 
mountains. He built the first log house in 
Keokuk, Iowa, for Captain Culdver. It was 
15 X 18 feet in dimensions. There were no in- 
habitants there at that time excepting Indians. 
Returning home in 1834, he married, and tlie 
very next day entered forty acres of land, erect- 
ing at once a log house. Both hitnself and his 
wife went to work with determination, and in a 
year or so were in comfortable circumstances. 
After a residence there until 1850, he rented 
the farm and started with his family to Califor- 
nia, overland. Ninety days brought them from 
St. Louis to Sacramento, with every animal they 
started with! The next day he went to the 
mines, and the first day he worked he netted 
$60. His first claim was on French Creek. 
November 1 he returned to Sacramento with 
the intention of going home to Illinois, but was 
persuaded by a friend to remain until spring. 
Building a duck-boat, on November 1, 1850, he 
went and camped where Beach's Grove now is, 
paid a man $5 for hauling his boat down there, 
and went out and killed a boat-load of ducks 
the first afternoon. He hired a horse and took 
the game to market, realizing $75 for it. Am- 
munition, however, was very costly, powder 
being $1.50 a pound, and shot $1. He kept up 



lIlSTOHy OF SAVRAMKNTO COUNTY. 



this sport until March 1, following. Taking in 
a boy as a partner, he employed him to sell the 
game. In that time he cleared $2,900! On 
the 1st of March he started for the East, em- 
barking from San Francisco on a sail vessel 
called the Old Belfast. Was forty days reach- 
ing the Istlimus, whence he took a steamer for 
Xew Orleans, and landed at St. Louis May 10. 
Going home, he sold his place, and February 1 
following (1852) he started with his family for 
California, to make this his permanent home. 
Coming again by way of the Isthmus, he landed 
at San Francisco May 25. The same evening 
he took steamer for Sacramento. His wife 
being very sick, lie found great difficulty in ob- 
taining a place for them to remain. lie finally 
rented a house where the intersection of Eighth 
and L streets is now, but at the time Mr.s. Calio 
recovered he liad no money, and he had to do 
his own cooking and washing. The flood came, 
and he had neither money nor credit, except so 
far as to obtain a little powder and shot, with 
which he went out and killed §40 worth of 
ducks the first afternoon! This business he 
therefore kept up, and by spring he had cleared 
$800. With this money he built a two-story 
house on the old lot at the corner of Eighth and 
]., streets, and started a boarding-house, and by j 
the proceeds of this enterprise he obtained a 
substantial footing. The sciiooling of his chil- 
dren cost §15 a month. In 1875 he sold out | 
and purchased his present ranch of 155 acres, i 
six miles from Sacramento, on the Freeport | 
road. It is known by the name of Willow 
Slough ranch. This place he has improved [ 
with good buildings, orchards, etc., and he 
carries on general farming. He has seen his 
share of pioneer life, is now eighty-one years of I 
age, and still active; his wife is seventy-one 
years of age, and also in good health. They 
have been married fifty-four years, the wedding 
taking place November 25, 1834. She was a 
Miss Marie Buesseau, a native of Lorraine, | 
France. Her father came to Illinois with twelve 
children. Mr. and Mrs. Calio have had ten 
children, but have brought up only one son and 



two daughters, viz.: Phillomen is the wife of 
0. AV. Clark, of Sacramento; Mary E. is the 
wife of Hamilton Light, of San Francisco, and 
John is still on the home ranch. Mr. Calio is 
a member of El Dorado Lodge, No. 8, I. O. 
O. F. 



JiP|ETER BURNS, one of the most successfu 
f^ farmers in Sutter Township, and also one 
^X of the oldest settlers in this section of the 
country, was born in Ireland in 1827. In 1837 
his parents emigrated with him to America, on 
the steamer Stephen Whitney, landing in New 
York after a seven -weeks voyage. At that 
time the cry was "California" from everbody 
In 1840 they came to this coast, being seven 
months on the way. A short time after land- 
ing in San Francisco he came to Sacramento, 
remained for some time, and then spent a year 
in mining on Mormon Island; then resided in 
Sacramento two years, and finally bought the 
present dairy farm of 150 acres. Mr. Burns 
married Ann Boyle, who was born in Ireland in 
1830, and came to this country in 1851. Mr. 
and Mrs. Burns have seven children and eleven 
grandchildren. The names of the children are: 
Mary E., Catherine A., Sarah M., Nellie C, 
Agnes F., Anna B. and Louisa J. 



^ON. JOSEPH ROUTIER, fruit-raiser, ten 
f^ miles east of Sacrimento, was born in the 
T^ Department of Somme, in the north of 
France March 4, 1825. When he was twelve 
years of age his parents moved into Belgium', 
where he received the most of his education, re- 
maining there si.icteen years, of which ten years 
were spent in school. Then, in 1846, he entered 
the ein|)loy of the Valst Lambert, a large glass 
establishment near the city of Liege. Two 
years later he moved to Paris and lived there 
until he came to California. Sailing from Havre 
he came by way of Cape Horn, landing in San 



hJtiTOHY OF SACRAMEHTO COVKTy. 



Francisco May 31, 1853; and he came directly 
to Sacramento for the purpose of superintending 
the planting of a large vineyard and orcliard for 
Captain Folsoni, wlio at that timed owned a 
large Spanish grant, namely the Taterson, above 
the town of Folsom, containing six leagues of 
land. The trees and vines he had ordered from 
P" ranee, and when ihey arrived at San Francisco 
they were all found to be dead. Notwith- 
standing, he expected to plant largely tlie next 
year, but Folsom died and the project was aban- 
doned. Mr. Eoutier, however, remained ou the 
grant and planted a number of trees for the 
benefit of the place, which resulted in making 
one of the first orchards in this locality. Ten 
years later he bought eighty-two acres of the 
grant. At present he has 120 acres, all in one 
body and well improved; it is ten miles from 
Sacramento. He has eighty-five acres in or- 
chard and thirty in vineyard. During the 
twenty-five years he has been raising fruit, his 
orchard has been entirely free from insects and 
pests of all kinds. He has a great many French 
prunes and plums, a staple article in which he 
has had experience for man}' years. His expe- 
rience and advice have been the means of others 
entering the same business. In 1886 he was 
awarded a gold medal for an exhibit he made 
to the Citrus Fair Association of Sacramento. 
In 1888 he had forty tons of dried prunes. Of 
French prunes he has twelve acres. One acre 
in full bearing will bring in an ordinary season 
five tons of dried fruit, which at five cents a 
pound yields $500. He raises also apricots, 
peaches, almonds, etc.; has a dozen orange trees 
in full bearing and iu a healthy condition. In 
the vineyard most of the grapes are of wine va- 
rieties, from which he manufactures the wine 
himself. One ton of grapes will yield on the 
average 150 gallons of wine. His business has 
been large enough to justify the establishment, 
in 1870, of a railroad station near him, on the 
Sacramento & Placerville Railroad, which is 
called Routier Station; and the postufiice at this 
place, established about 1887, is also called Roii- 
tior. Politically Mr. Routier was a strong Re- 



publican until about two years ago, when tlie 
American party loomed up so strongly, and then 
he joined the Democratic party. In 1877 he 
was elected to the Assembly; a few years later 
he was elected to the Senate on the Republican 
ticket, and was a member of that body four 
years, 1882-'86; and during that time there 
were two extra sessions. He has also been 
elected a justice of the peace three or four times, 
and is now holding that office. In 1886 he was 
appointed by Governor Bartlett upon the State 
Board of Fish Commissioners, and was elected 
president of the board, which position also he 
now holds. Mr. Routier was married in 1852, 
to Leonide Jadin, a native of France. They 
have had three children, two of whom died 
young. George, who was born April 20, 1859, 
grew up, and married Deborah Rodman. They 
had two children: Lucie, born March 7, 1878, 
and Louis, January 17, 1880. 

fl M. LINDLEY. — It is with pleasure in 
k. this history of Sacramento County that 
' * we make mention not only of one of the 
most prominent, but one of the pioneer mer- 
chants of the Pacific coast, Mr. Thomas Morton 
Lindley, Sr., proprietor of the old-established 
firm of Lindley & Co., of Sacramento city. Al- 
though the scope of this work permits only a 
brief glance at the stoi'y of his busy life, yet 
even this page, taken from the many which 
would be necessary to relate in full the history 
of his career, will be found interesting to those 
who shared the dangers and privations incident 
to the early pioneer days of California, as well 
as the friends and associates of later years. A 
few short years and the story of pioneer days 
will have passed from the memory of living 
men, and will only be known only by sucli 
records as the pen of the historian shall have 
inscribed upon the tablets of such volumes as 
these, to be cherished with loving care by the 
generatiotis that will follow. The subject of this 
sketch is a native of the State of Indiana, and 



HISTOliY OF SAOR.UfENTO COUNTY. 



was born near the Kentucky State line, August 
19, 1819, only three years subsequent to the 
admission of that State into tlie federal Union. 
His parents were Thomas Lindley, a native of 
North Carolina, and Jane (Hoops) Lindley, a 
native of Chester County, Pennsylvania. Like 
so many other men who in after life have be- 
come prominent, the early years of Mr. Lind- 
ley's life were passed upon a larm, and his 
preliminary education acquired at the common- 
schools. As lie grew to man's estate his aspi- 
rations for a wider field of usefulness prompted 
him at the early age of eighteen to return to his 
native State, and he accepted a clerkship in the 
mercantile house of Lindley, Patterson & Ray, 
Terre Haute, and in this way securing for himself 
a practical education in those fundamental princi- 
ples upon which the superstructure of evei-y suc- 
cessful business career must be based. When tlie 
attention of tlie whole country was attracted by 
the discovery of gold in California, young Lind- 
ley was among the first to make the venturesome 
trip and became one of a party of eight wiio, 
leaving Terre )ifttiXe March 4. 1849, turned 
their faces resolutely towards the land of golden 
promise. One of the pai'ty was L. A. Booth, 
now of San Francisco; he and Mr. Lind.ley 
having bought a supply of mei'chandise to ship 
out liere, upon arriving at Xew Orleans, Mr. 
Booth decided t» come via Cape Horn, and Mr. 
Lindley and his party secured passage on the 
old steamer Globe to Brazos, and thence to 
Brownsville, where they secured their outfit, and 
crossed over to Matamoras and came across the 
country via Monterey and Durango to Mazatlan, 
and arrived safely in San Francisco June 9, 
1849. Their journey was uneventful. They 
did not see any Indians, and were not disturbed 
by the Mexicans; it being just after tiie Mexi- 
can war the latter had a wholesome regard for 
Americans. Very soon after his arrival Mr. 
Lindley came to Sacramento and went at once 
to the mines at Little Horse-Shoe Bar, on the 
north fork of the American River. After a 
few weeks he began teaming witii an ox team 
belonging to a Mr. Merrill, a gentleman from 



Oregon, hauling emigrants to the mining camps. 
This was remunerative for a short time, and 
wlien Mr. Lindley returned to Sacramento and 
began to build a log house on L street between 
Seventh and Eighth, he could find only three 
trees long enough, and had to give it up, and cut 
poles and hewed them out and in this way con- 
structed a frame building for the merchandise 
owned by himself and Mr. Bootli, soon to ar- 
rive, and this was one of the early mercantile 
houses in wliat was soon to be tiie capital city 
of the great State of California. The firm was 
Lindley & Booth, and continued until the flood 
of 1849 swept away all they had. One year 
later Mr. Lindley began keeping a store at 
Murderer's Bar, and such were the vicissitudes 
in the early days that he was engaged in team- 
ing, hauling goods to the mountains, alternat- 
ing this arduous but remunerative occupation 
with the more agreeable avocation of buying 
and selling cattle and shipping barley. After 
the floods of the winter of 1852-'53 he again 
engaged in business and became a member of 
the firm of Fry, Hoops &. Co., corner of Seventh 
and J streets, and a few years later became sole 
proprietor and continued the business alone un- 
til 1858, when the firm of Lindley, Worcester & 
Weaver was organized, and continued until the 
flood of 1861. Recovering from this disaster, 
Mr. Lindley bought his partners' interest, and 
soon afterward the firm became Lindley, Hull & 
Lohman, and later Lindley & Lohinan. About 
1869 Mr. Lindley, having bought out the in- 
terest of Mr. Lohman, admitted two young men 
as partners and the firm became Lindley & Co., 
and since then for the past twenty. years the 
firm name has remained unchanged, though in 
a few years Mr. Lindley became sole proprietor 
and carried on the business alone for some years. 
Li 1886 D. A. Lindley, his eldest son, was ad- 
mitted a member of the firm. The subject of 
our sketch gives their extensive business bis act- 
ive attention. He enjoys an enviable reputation 
in the trade, and the old-established house of 
Lindley & Co. is said to hold the distinction of 
being one of the oldest in the trade on the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



coast, and is certainly one of tlie most favorably 
and widely known. The ups and downs of busi- 
ness life incident to a new and rapidly develop- 
ing country have left little time to be devoted 
to matters political. Mr. Lindley has never 
sought or been willing to accept political prefer- 
ment, although as a member of the Board of 
School Commissioners, and also as a member of 
the Board of Levee Commissioners, in 1863-'64 
-'65, he contributed his share toward the public 
weal; and he is an old and honored member of 
the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers. 
In 1857 Mr. Lindley w^as united in marriage to 
Miss Isabel V. Arrington, a native of North 
Carolina. The death of this estimable lady oc- 
curred June 22, 1880, leaving eight children, 
seven of whom survive. Of his private life 
and home associations it is not our province to 
speak. Their bea\itiful, commodious home, 1314 
II street, is one of the most attractive in the 
Capital City, and here surrounded by the loving 
care of affectionate children, the subject of this 
sketch is enjoying a well earned repose. 



mUFUSBUTTERFIELD, a pioneer of Sacra- 
||« men to, was born in Rodan, Jefferson County^ 
^ New York, November 13, 1827. He was 
twenty-two years old when his father died, and 
when in 1829 tlie family removed to Rochester, 
New York, young Rufus had already received 
all the schooling which he was destined to have. 
He learned the carpenter's trade, but at the age 
of nineteen he went to New Orleans, where he 
entraged ii^ mercantile pursuits, until 1846. In 
1847 he removed to Nashville, Tennessee, and 
there engaged in business. When the discovery 
of gold in California in 1848 caused the great- 
est excitement, thousands flocked to the new 
country, and the subject of this sketch was not 
to be left behind. He closed his business on 
the 1st of January, 1849, and left Nashville for 
the "land of promise." Making a short stop in 
New Orleans, he sailed by way of Panama, ar- 
riving at San Francisco on the 5th of July, 1849, 



in the ship Niantic. He entered into business 
co-partnership with Edward Hicks, a companion 
of his voyage, and, coming to Sacramento, they 
opened a store for the sale of goods which they 
had the forethought to bring with them from 
New Orleans. Mr. Hicks assumed charge 
of the business here while Mr. Butterfield 



pu 



shed on to the mines at the North and Mid- 



dle forks of the American River. When in 
December the rainy season set in, -he sold out 
his interest in the mines and returned to Ten- 
nessee, for his family. Returning again in 
March, 1850, he located first in San Francisco, 
corner of Washington and Montgomery streets, 
and here he was burned out in the big lire of 
the following year, losing everything. He then 
came to Sacramento and started a small store on 
J street, where he remained until 1852, when 
he went to Nevada City and for the second time 
engaged in mining. His wife died there, and 
he returned East with his two daughters, that 
tliey might have at least the advantages of an 
education. Returning to Sacramento, he be- 
came interested in building opprations, and has 
continued in that business up to the present 
time. Mr. Butterfield has been twice married. 
His first wife was Melinda Loveland, a native 
of Egg Harbor, New Jersey. He has been a 
prominent member of the society of California 
Pioneers, a director and trustee of that organ- 
ization, and his connection with the Masonic 
order dates back to 1861, when he was a mem- 
ber of Murray Lodge, No. 380, State of New 
York. 

— ^€®::@»''¥— 

fAMES ANDERSON, deceased. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was born in Pettis 
County, Missouri, July 28, 1828, his par- 
ents being William and Margaret (Davis) 
Anderson, both deceased in Missouri. James 
was brought up on his father's farm until he 
was eighteen, and received the usual district- 
school education of the period. Fift}' years ago 
in Missouri it was not very broad or deep, and 



UlSToHr OF HACHAMEHTU COUM'Y. 



was limited to a few montlis in tlie year, but it 
laid the necessary foundation. In after life Mr. 
Anderson was fond of reading, and kept well 
posted in matters of public interest, and evinced 
superior talents, especially in mathematics, 
llis tirst position after leaving home was at a 
Government station among the Omahas and 
I'awnees, where he spent a year or two. Soon 
after his return to his home he set out for Cali- 
fornia, across the plains, arriving in Sacra- 
mento in September, 1849. He then went to 
mining on Feather River for about one year, 
and was fairly successful, often making $100 a 
day. He accumulated several thousand dollars, 
but his health and that of his two comrades had 
been impaired by bad water and poor fare on the 
overland trip, and Mr. Anderson found himself 
unlit for the rough life of a miner. Returning 
to the plains he traded in cattle for a time, and 
in the spring of 1851 he settled on the River 
Road, about eighteen miles below Sacramento, 
where he bought a ranch. Preferring gen 
farming, stock-raising and dairying, he bought, 
in January, 1855, the upland ranch of 880 
acres occupied by his family, two or three miles 
farther from the river, and in 1856 he sold his 
river ranch. Mr. Anderson was married, Feb- 
ruary 15, 1855, to Miss B. E. Dillon, born in 
Illinois in 1833, daughter of Laban and Jane 
(Holaday) Dillon, both now deceased. Mrs. 
Anderson's grandparents on bjth sides lived to a 
good old age. The Holadays were Quakers. Mr. 
and Mrs. Anderson became the parents of five chil- 
dren: Margaret Jane, born November 14, 1855; 
Sarah Eliza, February 7, 1857; James William, 
September 4, 1858; Ida Ellen, .June 23, 1860; 
George Buckner, February 7, 1862. All the 
children have had the advantage of a good edu- 
cation, and are all fond of reading and self-im- 
provement. Sarah Eliza was married November 
10, 1880, at the home of her parents, to Fred 
F. Thompson, of Sacramento. They are the 
parents of four children: Eva; born in 1881; 
Edith, in 1882; Roxy, in 1884; Fred. F., Jr., 
in 1889. The subject of this sketch was a 
school trustee almost continuously for twenty 



years or more before his death, which occurred 
March 25, 1889, in San Francisco, where he had 
gone for medical treatment. His health had 
been poor for a year, and for the last six months 
of his life he was quite feeble. lie had no hope 
of recovery, and concluded to come home to die 
in the bosom of his family, but was taken off on 
the very eve of his return. His remains were 
brought home and buried in Franklin amid the 
regrets of the whole community, by whom he 
was universally regarded as a very estimable 
man in all the relations of life, an e.xcellent 
neighbor and upright citizen, straightforward 
and eminently reliable, honorable and kindly to 
everybody. Possessed of an admirable char- 
acter and gentle disposition, he went through 
life without making an enemy, leaving to his 
bereaved wife and children a legacy more pre- 
cious than gold. 



fOSEPH BAILEY, mason, contractor and 
builder. A few years after the second war, 
namelj', June 6. 1823, there was born to 
Levi Bailey, mechanic, of the goodly city of 
Portland, Maine, and to his wife, Mary Win- 
ship, a son, the fourth in a family of six chil- 
dren. This son was Joseph Bailey, the subject 
of this sketch. The homely surroundings of 
his childhood did not prevent his receiving the 
rudiments of a substantial education, nor did it 
interfere with that essential to the life of every 
New Englander, — a trade; that was a part of 
their religion, and for seven long years he 
served his master as an apprentice, at the expi- 
ration of which period, as can be readily under- 
stood, he was an expert mason. For two years 
he continued to work as a journeyman in his 
native city, and then removed to the " Hub," as 
the Bostonians are wont to term their metropo- 
lis. It is proverbial that the real live Yankee 
must see the world, and the subject of this 
sketch was no exception to the rule, for he spent 
two years in traveling, after which he returned 
to his native State, lured by who shall say what 



HISTOHY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



memories! suffice it, tlint the records show tliat 
in May, 1848, in the liitle country town of 
Westbrook, in Cumberland County, Maine, were 
married, Joseph Eailey to Miss Juliet M. Trott, 
who for over forty years since that May morn- 
in_<i; has been his companion, sharing the disap 
pointments and enjoying the triumphs of nearly 
half a century; of her qualities of head and 
heart, of her housekeeping, and of her piety can 
more be said than that she had a New England 
mother! Mr. Bailey continued to reside in 
AVestbrook until 1853, at which time became to 
California, where he arrived with his family on 
the 24th of March. The first bricks that he laid 
here were in the construction of what is now the 
Bee office, Third street, between J and K 
streets. And the first plastering was on the 
southwest of Third and K streets, owned by P. 
Sclield, Third and K streets; he had a contract 
on tlie Western Hotel, Reed's Block, Sacramento 
Bank building, No. 3 Engine house, Second 
street, the Clnnie building, which was first oc- 
cupied as a cari'iage factory by the late William 
Pritchard, and during the administration of 
Governor Booth he superintended the finishing 
of the Stale Capitol building. For thirty-two 
years Mr. Bailey has resided on O street, in his 
commodious brick residence; liere his children, 
Joseph W. Bailey and Mattie E. Bailey, wife of 
F. L. Southack, of San Francisco, grew up about 
him, and here he is spending the declining 
years of a well-spent life, respected and honored 
by his acquaintances and luved by his friends. 



fEORGE O. BATES, Supervisor of Sacra- 
mento County, began the responsibilities 
of life with no school education whatever, 
born May 13, 1829, at Milford, Otsego County, 
New York, during the pioneer period of that 
part of the country. His father was a shoemaker 
by occupation. When he was ten yeai-s of age 
the family removed to Herkimer County, and 
afterward to Pineville, Oswego County, New 
York, where young George peddled candy and 



apples on the line of the Erie Canal. At the 
1 age of sixteen he was apprenticed to L. B. 
Thomas, of Pulaski, to learn the trade of black- 
smithing, and he became an expert wagon 
ironer. He then went to Rome, New York, 
where he worked two years as a journeyman 
blacksmith for Deacon Peggs. In 1848 he went 
to Sandy Creek and started business for himself 
in a small shop, wliere he continued until the 
fall of 1852, when he set out lor California. 
The year previous he married Sarah Dennison, 
a native of New York, and a daughter of Robert 
Dennison. His brother, J. J., had come to 
California in 1849, and when George 0. arrived 
on the coast in January, 1853, he went imme- 
diately to join him in the San Joaquin Valley, 
and remained there about two years. The grass- 
hoppers of 1855 drove them out, and they went 
to Atnador County and engaged in the butcher 
business until 1858. This year they moved to 
the Laguna, Sacramento County, and engaged 
in cattle-ranching. In 1859 Mr. George O. 
Bates w-ent East for his family, going and re- 
turning overland. Retnrning, he bought at 
Salt Lake a herd of o.xen, and drove them across 
the mountains, reaching Sacramento in safety. 
He continued farming on the Cosumnes som.e 
thirteen years, and engaged somewhat in specu- 
lating until 1873. He and his brother were 
engaged in speculating in live-stock, being to- 
gether twenty-three years. Their parents came 
West in 1859, and were in George's care, and 
he moved his family from the rauch into the 
city. His mother died in 1874, and his father 
in 1883. While he has not been a politician, 
Mr. Bates was induced by his friends in 1885, 
to accept the nomination for County Supervisor, 
and was elected; he served four years, and in the 
fall of 1889 was re-elected for another term ; he 
now holds his office. In 1882 he became inter- 
ested in the trading steamers El Dorado and 
Clara Belle. Three years ago he bought the 
steamer Neponset No. 2, and is now running her 
as a trading boat. Mr. Bates has a wife and 
three children. One of the latter is the widow 
of Mr. Devine, of Gait; the name of the second 



UIsrORY OF .SACRAMENTO COUNT): 



daughter is Matie, and that of the son is Egbert 
W. Mr. Bates' residence is No. 2229 O street. 



tNDREW CARBLY BLOOM was born 
November 13, 1849, near Bonaparte, Iowa, 
his parents being William Henry Harri- 
son and Deliia D. (Dye) Bloom. The grand- 
parents were Christopher and Elizabeth Bloom. 
The children of these in the order of their birth 
were Lewis, Anna, Emma, William H. H. and 
Samuel. " Harrison " was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, February 25, 1815, and was married at 
Windsor, Indiana. April 29, 1839, to Miss De- 
liia D. Dye, born in Miami County, Indiana, 
Angnst27, 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Bloom, 
with the children they then had, left Bonaparte, 
Iowa, March 31, 1850, and arrived at Diamond 
Spring, California, September 12, where they 
remained about eighteen months. Mr. Bloom 
built the second house that was erected at that 
place, and there kept a hotel and bakery. In 
the spring of 1852 he bought a claim of 480 
acres on the Hubbs ranch on the Cosutnnes, but 
the title proved worthless, and in 1854 he re- 
turned to Diamond Spring, where he resumed 
bis old business, with the addition of a dairy, 
hay-yard and general store. March 25, 1855, 
he sold out and moved to the Pioneer House on 
the Lower Jackson River, nine miles east of 
Sacramento. Here he bought a half interest 
in the hotel and 320 acres of the Norris Grant, 
only to lose both when the land came to be sur- 
veyed a few months later. He then rented the 
Keystone House, seven miles from Sacramento, 
for two months. October 25, 1855, Mr. Bloom 
bought 480 acres, since known by his name, and 
where the subject of this sketch now resides, 
about two und a half miles southwest of Frank- 
lin. Later on he bought some more land in the 
neighborhood, aiid afterward sold some, the 
present ranch being about 340 acres. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Bloom, who 
reached their majority are: Hetty, born in Iowa, 
July 1, 1842, was married to Joseph Morrow, 



and died March 17, 1863; Arsinve M., born in 
Iowa, July 26, 1841, was married M irch 22, 
1862, to Stephen J. Dillon, who died in Sicra- 
mento. May 29, 1879, leaving two children. 
Albert L. and Stephen J. Mrs. Dillon was 
married to Thomas P. Taylor; they are the 
parents of one boy, Arthur Bloom Taylor, bom 
June 7, 1882. Adaline, now Mrs. Solomon 
Runyon (see sketch of Mr. Runyon); Andrew 
C, the subject of this sketch; Sierra Nevada, 
born at Diamond Spring, California, Novem- 
ber 12, 1854, by marriage, Mrs. William Lock- 
liart, of Richland, in this county; Pacific Ellen, 
born also at Diamond Spring, August 29, 1854, 
by marriage, Mrs. James Riley, of Sacramento; 
Eliza Oceana, born in Franklin Township in this 
county, July 10, 1856, by marriage Mrs. A. M. 
Cain, died April 23, 1888. Harrison Bloom 
died March 10, 1881, at his home near Franklin, 
and was buried in the Franklin cemetery, after 
a residence of over twenty-five years. He had 
been constable for many years, and was a deputy 
sheriff at the time of his death. He enjoyed 
the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends, 
and was universally regarded as an estimable 
citizen and kindly neighbor. His widow is now 
living in Sacramento. Andn-w C. Bloom, the 
only sou, was married April 15, 1872, to Miss 
Sarah Ellen Vannatta, a native of Grant County, 
Wisconsin, where she was born June 23, 1853, 
daughter of George Phillip and Mary Elizabeth 
(McCormack) Vannatta. Herfathercame to (Cali- 
fornia in 1857, and settled at Placerville. The 
father was born January 8, 1825; the mother, Jan- 
uary 29, 1883; were married September 20, 1852. 
The mother died in 1865; the father is living 
near Stockton. The grandfather, Henry Van- 
natta, a farmer in Wisconsin, died in 1884, at 
an advanced age. Grmdmother McCormack 
came to California with the Vannatta family, 
and died at Placerville, aged about si.\ty-five. 
Mrs. A. C. Bloom has one living sister, Susan 
M., a native of this State, now Mrs. Tharon 
Hollenbeck, of O'Neals, Fresno County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Andrew C. Bloom are the parents of 
three living children: William Harrison, born 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



February 26, 1878; Andrew Carbly, February 
25, 1877; Clarence Laurel, September 1, 1879. 



fBESAGNO was born in Italy March 21, 
1852. His father, Thomas John Be- 
® sagno, was a farmer by occupation. Our 
subject was brought up on a farm, and in 1873 
came to California. After residing nine months 
in San Francisco he came to Dry Creek Town- 
ship, this county, and rented his present place, 
which in 1882 he purchased, and which he has 
greatly improved. It is two and a half miles 
from Gait. Here he follows general farming 
and also raises some vegetables; and he has a 
thrifty orchard and vineyard. In 1880, in Stock- 
ton, he married Miss Mary Maringo, and they 
have two sons and four daughters, whose names 
are Johnnie, Andy, Amelia, Ida, Tersa and Pal- 
ineda. Mr. Besagno has no other relatives in 
this country. 



<^ 



IILLIAM FLETCHER BRYAN, the 
youngest son of Hon.AVilliam E. Bryan, 
was born in El Dorado County. When 
he was about six years old he began to work on 
his father's farm, driving teams long before he 
was able to harness them, and doing all sorts of 
farm work. From that time to the present he 
has made his home on the ranch. He has in 
former years been largely interested in sheep- 
raising, having, in company with other mem- 
bers of the family, about 3.000 sheep to start 
with. He carried on this enterprise for about 
eight years, but is now devoting his attention 
to farming principally. He has in his own 
name 1,322 acres of choice land, well improved. 
He was married November 30, 1879, to Miss 
Annie A. Criswell, a native of Santa Clara 
County, born November 30, 1855, and daughter 
of A. F. Criswell. Mrs. Bryan lived in her 
native place till she was about nine years old, 
and in the fall of 18fi4 came to Sacramento 



County, where she has since made her home. 
They have one child, Macie Mabel, boi'n De- 
cember 28, 1882. They have lost two children: 
Clinton Evermont, born April 18, 1881, and 
died March 29, 1888: Nellie M., born August 
7, 1887, died January 4, 1889. 



fETER BOHL, real estate and insurance 
agent, 325 J street, Sacramento, is one of 
the most substantial citizens of the State, 
inheriting as he does the highest qualities of the 
German-American character. His father, George 
Bohl, was a Bavarian by nativity, and came with 
his family to this country in the early days, set- 
tling first in Pennsylvania and afterward in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch 
wifs born, October 23, 1830, the fourth of live 
sons and the first American born in the family. 
Subsequently the father moved to Brown County, 
near Georgetown, on a farm, where he reared his 
family, and finally to Covington, Kentucky, 
where he died at the advanced age of eighty- 
eight years. It is a conspicuous fact that a 
large proportion — perhaps the large.'-t propor- 
tion — of men who achieve success in life are 
born and reared upon 'he farm, spending their 
early life only amid rural scenes. Mr. Bohl 
was twenty years of age when he left the farm 
and started out in commercial life for himself, 
engaging in Peoria, Illinois, as a clerk in a 
mercantile house. An older brother having 
come to California in 1851, and located in Sac- 
ramento as a baker, and afterward as a merchant, 
Mr. Bohl followed his example in 1853. Em- 
barking on the Oregon, he had a narrow escape 
from the yellow fever, which prevailed on board. 
Arriving in San Francisco on February 6, he 
came at once to Sacramento, clerked a few 
months for his brother, and then bought an in- 
terest in a stable and hay yard on J street, be- 
tween Tenth and Eleventh streets, known as the 
Central Hay Yard. Shortly after he purchased 
his brother's interest in the bakery, and was en- 
gaged there for a period of eight years. For the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



next five j'ears he was a dealer in groceries and 
grain. Early in 1873 he embarked in the real 
estate and insurance business, associated with 
the honse of W. P. Coleman, the banker, and in 
this relation he has operated up to the present 
time. His connection with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church began twenty- three years ago, 
since which time he has occupied many posi- 
tiims of trust and responsibility in the society, 
lending in all local measures of the church for 
the advancement of Christianity. First, in 1867, 
he was elected steward and trustee. Subse- 
quently, in 1876, he was a delegate to the Gen- 
eral Conference of his church, held in Balti- 
more, Maryland, during which season he also 
visited the Centennial Exhibition at Philadel- 
phia; and he was an alternate to the General 
Conference of May, 1888, held in New York 
city. He was active in the establishment of the 



Y. M. C. A. in Sacramento. For fifteen 



year 



he has been a trustee of the University of the 
Pacific in Santa Clara County, being re-elected 
every four years. This institution of learning 
has grown to large proportions, so that it now 
contains between 500 and 600 students, and has 
magnificent buildings, including an observatory 
with all its appliances. The money used tor 
the erection of all these magnificent buildings 
was donated by liberal and generous-hearted 
men and women. It is now the most extensive 
institution of Christian education on this coast. 
Mr. Bohl's residence on N street, opposite the 
State Capitol, is one of the tnost commodious 
and tasteful in the city, and here he is spending 
the golden years of his life. 



fAMES S. BOWLES, deceased, formerly a 
farmer of Brighton Township, was born 
March 20, 1822, in Hanover County, Vir- 
ginia, and was reared to manhood in Richmond, 
that State. His parents were William S. and 
Mary Bowles. In 1849 he went to New York 
and thence sailed by way of Cape Horn to San 
Francisco, arriving in September. He spent 



the ensuing winter in the El Dorado County 
mines, and in the spring came down to Sacra- 
mento. On the last day of February he mar- 
ried Martha A. Winters, who was born June 
14, 1825, a native of Perry County, and daugh- 
ter of John and Elizabeth AVinters, the former 
a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ken- 
tucky. When she was two years old her par- 
ents moved to the small town of Elizabeth, near 
Galena, in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. In Ai)ril, 
1849, they came to California with horses and 
oxen across the plains, arriving at Lassen's on 
the 13th 01- 14th of September, and the next 
month in Sacramento. For a while they resided 
six miles above Marysville, then worked at Cox's 
Bar for a time, and then kept hotel at Forest 
City in Sierra County. Being a millwright by 
trade, Mr. Winters built a mill at Forest City 
and ran it three or four years. In the course 
of a number of years he became blind, and was 
taken by one of his sons to San Jose. After a 
time he went to Stockton, where he died Janu- 
ary 15, 1870. His widow afterward died at the 
residence of her daughter, Mrs. Bowles, March 
14, 1875. In their family were five children, 
all of whom are living, namely: Theodore, now 
residing at Washoe, Nevada; John D., in Car- 
son City, Nevada; Joseph, at Los Angeles; 
Mrs. Harriet Reede, Washoe, Nevada, and Mrs. 
Bowles. After his marriage Mr. James S. 
Bowles settled on 160 acres of fine productive 
land in Brighton Township, where he made his 
home until he died, January 16, 1865. He had 
seven children, as follows: Emma, born January 
14, 1851; William E., September 80, 1852; 
Sarah E.. September 21, 1854; Arthur W., June 
20, 1856, and died July 27, 1882; John D., 
January 10, 1859, and died July 21, 1878; 
Hattie E., born December 10, 1860, and died 
November 10, 1880; and Theodore S., Febru- 
ary 8, 1863, and died February 5, 1881. Emma 
married George Baker, and resides in Brighton 
Township; William E. lives on the home place, 
and Sarah E. married T. C. Dolan, and resides 
in San Francisco. William E. was married 
May 6, 1880, to Katie McDonald, daughter of 



IIISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Joseph and Mary McDonald, born in New 
Haven, Connecticut, and they liavc one son, 
William E., Jr., who was born January 24, 
1881. 

fAMES BASCOM BRADFORD, San Joa- 
quin Township, was born in Washington. 
Daviess County, Indiana, in 1826. His 
father, George Bradford, was born in Middlese.x 
County, Connecticut, in 1787. He left home at 
an earh' a>^e, went West, and upon reaching 
manhood settled in Washington, Indiana, and 
engaged in merchandising; he, like other 
pioneers of the West, engaged in fiat-boating to 
New Orleans, making his first trip in 1818. 
The Bradfords are of New England stock for 
several generations. James' mother, nee Mary 
F. Bruce, was born in Mason County, Ken- 
tucky, in 1793. The Bruces were among the 
early settlers of that State. James Brnce's 
paternal grandparents were Charles and Diana 
Bradford, and their children were Lucretia, 
George, Robert, Charles, William and James. 
The grandmother's maiden name was Diana 
Stevens, whose brother was Colonel of a cav- 
alry regiment in the Revolutionary war, and. fed 
and clothed his regiment at his own expense 
during one winter. James Bruce's maternal 
grandparents were Alexander and Sarah Brace, 
and their children were John, Charity, Joseph, 
Catharine, Mary F., Squire, Sarah, Kiziah 
Alexander, William and Rachel. James B. re- 
ceived the usual district-school education of the 
period; came to California in 1850 and engaged 
in mining for about a year in Placer and Shasta. 
counties. He then established a trading- post 
at Yankee Jim's, a flourishing mining camp in 
Placer County. He put up his buildings and 
kept a general supply of all things needed by 
miners, keeping six or seven mules to make 
daily trips to the claims, delivering goods with- 
in a radius of ten miles. He continued in that 
business for two years. In 1855, with his 
brother, William B., went into business in Sac- 



ramento, keeping a feed and sale stable, in 
1858 he resumed the mercantile business at 
Michigan Bkiffs, Placer County. In 1860 he 
moved to Downieville, Sierra County, furnish- 
ing supplies as before. In 1862 he went to 
Aurora, Nevada, where lie engaged in trading 
and mining for several years. In April, 1866, 
he located 160 acres of Government land, and 
built a house on it where he still lives. His 
brothers, W. B. and P. B., occupy adjoining 
farms, all devoted to vineyards, for which they 
are found to be well adapted. J. B. Bradford 
was married to Miss Sarah G. Kilbourne, Sep- 
tember 20, 1871, at Danville, Illinois, by Rev. 
A. L. Brooks. Mrs. S. G. Bradford was born in 
Venice, Ohio, in 1842, and was the daughter of 
Jonathan and Susan M. Kilbourne, both of 
whom are still living in 1890, aged respectively 
seventy-three and seventy. Mrs. Bradford's 
paternal grandparents were Joseph and Rebecca 
Kilbourne, of Vermont. Her maternal grand- 
parents were Isaac and Elizabeth Johnson Lutes, 
of New Jersey. Grandmother Lutes is ninety- 
four years old, and loves to hold reunions of her 
descendants on the anniversary of her birth, at 
her home near Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bradford are the parents of two boys: Perley 
Kilbourne born July 8, 1872, and George 
Bruce, born April 5, 1875. 



fAPTAIN WILLIAM H. BRADLEY. 
The lives of some men are peculiarly rich 
in incident, and especially is this the case 
with those who in early life have followed the 
sea. To write the history of such lives would 
be to fill volumes. The subject of this sketch 
has a life history well worth writing; but in a 
work of this character, where only a limited 
spice is allowed to each individual, the question 
is not what to include, but what to leave out of 
the interesting narrative. Captain Bradley was 
born in Yorkshire, in the north of England, in 
1847. He received a common-school education, 
and at the age of fourteen years entered upon 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



his sailor's apprenticesliip of three years, under 
Captain Harrison, of the brig Daring, of 
Wliitby. Finishing his term of apprenticeship, 
he made two short voyages before the mast; 
then a voyage to tiie Black Sea, as second mate 
of the Ariel, of Stockton; and on tlie re- 
turn voyage he was wrecked. " Xever shall I 
forget the peril of that time," says the gallant 
Captain. '• We were going throngh the Bay of 
Biscay, our vessel laden with grain, and in a 
gale, and in order to avoid a collision with an- 
other vessel the Ariel was ' brought to ' sud- 
denly', shifting the cargo and springing a leak; 
for three nights and two days we manned the 
pumps, but our utmost efforts were not sufficient. 
Inch by incn our doom approached, and alter 
many weary hours a sail was descried to wind- 
ward. She bore down upon us. Hope became 
a certainty; but alas! siie proved to be an Italian 
trader, and seeing our signal of distress — ihe 
reversed Union Jack — she, with heartless 
cruelty, passed us by on the other side. The 
sea was running high, but we had no other 
choice — we must leave the sinking ship. First 
one and then another of our boats' were 
swamped, in attempting to launch them, but the 
life-boat was successfully launched by cutting 
away the bulwark and rail, and in it our fifteen 
men were crowded, at the mercy of the raging 
sea. Happily a Welsh schooner bore down 
upon us and threw out a life-buoy with 100 fath- 
oms of line attached, and we were drawn safely 
to her deck. In that moment of safety, look! 
the gallant Ariel, poised for one moment upon 
the crest of a mighty wave, the next gone for 
ever!" Such is life on the sea. The wrecked 
crew was well treated by the strangers, and on 
the following day they were landed safe at 
Queenstown. After a few weeks rest at his 
home in Yorkshire, the young sailor shipped 
once more before the mast, in the ship Manfred, 
Captain Scott, bound with a cargo of coal for 
Colombo, Ceylon, and to Burinah, in British 
India, for a cargo of rice for Rotterdam, Hol- 
land, and home. The English merchant marine 
service has no equal in the world, its efficiency 



being due largely to her system of thorough ex- 
aminations instituted by Government. When 
the subject of this sketch finished the voyage 
above described, he went to Sunderland and 
passed his examination before the Board of Gov- 
ernment Examiners, both as to seamanship and 
navigation, receiving a certificate which en- 
titled him to the position of second mate, on 
any English vessel. And he at once secured 
such a position on the Kegina, a sister vessel to 
the Ariel, and sailed away on a voyage to the 
Black Sea. After twelve months' service, came 
another examination before the Board, and again 
he passed with credit, securing this time a cer- 
tificate as chief mate, and secured a position on 
the new bark Hannah Hodgson. Eighteen 
months later he was passed as Captain. Thus 
step by stepwellnd him gradually rising, steadily 
onward and upward, until he is in command of 
tije bark Dorathea, engaged in the Mediter- 
ranean trade; later on he was transferred to the 
steamers Polino, Aagean and Nio, and was chief 
mate on these vessels, making his first trip to the 
United States in the latter with Captain Turn- 
bull Potts — now a shipowner — as master. After 
two more trips in the Nio, to the Mediterranean, 
he came again to Xew York, as Captain of the 
steamer Charles Townsend Hook, when one of 
those experiences befell him, which can be best 
related in his own words: "We had come to 



New York, in ballast, tak 



ing on a general cargo. 



I remember that sixteen vessels left New York 



and Baltimore on that da 



On the 2ith of 



December we ran into a cyclone. My exper- 
ience and observations of the laws governing 
storms enabled me to ascertain that we were 
running into the center of the cyclone, and that 
by 'going about' we could steer clear of its 
greatest violence; in doing this, however, we 
' shipped-a-sea,' and were very nearly lost. But 
the air-compartments, or water ballast tanks in 
the bottom of the ship, witii which she was pro- 
vided, brought her afloat, as I knew they would, 
the only question being, would she be riglit side 
up. That she did come right side up, the sequel 
shows, for she came riding safe into London, 



HISTORY OF SAGUAMENTO COUNTY. 



twelve days from New York, being the second 
to arrive out of tlie sixteen to start, eight of 
which were never heard froni." After a shor* 
rest he was again afloat, this time on a voyage 
to tiie White Sea — the northernmost point o^ 
Russia — wliere he first learned that the latitude 
could be found by an altitude of the sun at 
midnight. On his next voyage he took com. 
nunid of the Silbury, the finest steamer of the 
Ciiapman's fleet of ten vessels, running from 
London to Havre, Hayti and Jamaica, a voyage 
of three montiis' duration. When tiie Charles 
Townsend Hook, their new steamer, was com- 
pleted, he was complimented by being trans" 
ferred to her, extending the line from Jamica to 
New Orleans, where they took a cargo of cotton 
for Rotterdam. Afterward the C. T. Hook was 
chartered for two years in tiio China trade, by 
Katz Brothers, Singapore, running with passen- 
gers and freight from Hong Kong to Saigon, 
Cochin China, Bankok and Manilla. Later on, 
and while at home recruiting for another voyage i 
he was sent to Glasgow to superintend the load- 
ing of vessels for the West Indies, and upon liis 
return to Sunderland, he was to look at the 
steamer Madras, then lying at Shields, with a 
view of her purchase for the China trade. She 
was a 3,000-ton vessel, of which he was afterward 
commander. In 1883, being then in the China 
coasting trade, he left Hong Kong, with 600 
Chinamen, a crew of thirty men and twelve 
China doctors. On tiie eightli day out chicken- 
pox was reported, which was later found to be 
the dread small-pox, and for sixty-four days they 
were detained by the Hawaiian Government 
officials before being allowed to discharge tiieir 
cargo at Honolulu and proceed to Vancouver's 
Island. For fourteen days more they were de- 
tained there before being allowed to dock and 
discharge cargo. He then steamed away for 
Tacoma, Tuget Sound, for coal; but finding they 
would be delayed, he went to Seattle, and so on 
to San Francisco, where they arrived in August, 
1883. Tiie Captain left the steamer there, de- 
termined to take no more chaucas on the sea^ 
but to build a home, and to enjoy a" least some 



of the rewards so richly earned, to live with his 
family hencefortli and to enjoy tlie society of 
his children; for, out of the entire fourteen 
years of married life in which he had followed the 
sea, only about six months iiad been spent on 
shore. He purchased a farm near lone, sent for 
his family, disposed of his interest in the va- 
rious vessels which he had acquired by patient 
industry, and in tlie following February he be- 
came a fanner in tiie golden State of California. 
Here he remained until March 1, 1888, when he 
moved his family to the city of Sacramento and 
engaged in the grain business on J street. The 
Bradley family is an old one, his father, John 
Bradley, having been master mechanic for Will- 
iam Lund, of Keiglitley, for twenty-five years. 
Mrs. Bradley is a laJy of culture and refine- 
ment, the daughter of Captain John Openshaw 
Cormack, of Sunderland, England. 

tLFRED BRIGGS, rancher, was born in the 
town of Skaneateles, Onondaga County, 
New York, September 11, 1820, son of 
Samuel and Anna (Wilkie) Briggs, both natives 
also of that State. Ills grandfather, John Briggs, 
was a a native of Vermont, and, after his daugh- 
ter Betsey was born, emigrated in pioneer times 
to the frontier in New York State, locating at a 
place called New Albany, where a number of 
his children were born, among whom was Sam- 
uel, the next to the eldest. A few years later 
he returned to Vermont, and in 1800 to New 
York again. He was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War. Samuel Briggs was born in 1789. 
When grown up he received a piece of land 
from his father, and afterward bought other 
tracts. This farm contained 110 acres, and was 
about half a mile from the foot of Skaneateles 
Lake, the town of the same name being situated 
on both sides of the lake at the outlet. It is 
now in the possession of Conrtland Briggs, the 
youngest son. In early days the family were 
surrounded by friendly Indians of several tribes, 
and here Samuel brought up his family. His 



HISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



house fionted on the old Genesee road running 
from Albany to Bnfi'alo, wliich was the first 
made through the country, a distance of about 
300 miles. Along this I'owd were a number of 
" taverns," some of them kept by Indians- 
When thirty years of age Mr. Samuel Briggs 
married Miss Anna Wilkie. Her mother was 
born in New Amsterdam, of Mohawk Dutch 
descent. She died in 1841, and her luisband 
survived till about 1867. They had four chil- 
di'en, all sons, namely: Alfred, Frederick, 
Charles and Courtland, of whom the eldest and 
youngest only are living. Alfred Briggs lived 
with his parents and in the vicinity of his liome 
until he was twenty-five years of age, working 
on his father's farm and clerking for his uncle 
in a flouring mill and distillery. That mill in 
those days turned out about 100 barrels of fiour 
a day. In the distillery high wines exclusively 
were manufactured, which were shipped to New 
York. In 1845 Mr. Briggs went to Chicago 
and different places in Indiana. His brother 
Frederick was keeping a store at Rochester, In- 
diana, with whom he remained for a time, re- 
turning in the fall to New York. In July, 
1846, he again went to Rochester, Indiana, and 
engaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store three 
months, or until November, when he went to 
the lead mines in La Fayette County, Wiscon- 
sin, which is in the southwest corner of the 
State. He followed mining there about eight- 
een months, then entered the store at Sliulls- 
burg as clerk, where he shortly afterward took 
an interest in the business, under the firm name 
of Briggs & McNulty. At the end of four 
years the gold excitement of California carried 
him away with the rushing crowd toward the 
£1 Dorado. Having seen some '49ers who had 
been here and returned, bringing the news 
direct, in April, 1850, he and a cousin, William 
Billings, started by way of St. Joseph, Missouri, 
and came through on the Salt Lake route. At 
St. Joseph they found many old acquaintances, 
that point being a great rendezvous for Western 
travel, and the final point of j)reparation and 
departure through the unknown wilds that 



stretched inimitably before the eager gold hunt- 
ers. They joined a train of six or seven wagons, 
commanded by Abi'am Woodard, an old settler 
in this county whose sketch appears in this 
work. Mr. Briggs celebrated the 4th of July in 
Salt Lake City, at agrand dinner furnished by the 
Mormons, who niade a business of feeding im- 
migrants. Here the party rested a few days. 
They left the valley July 10, taking the Mor- 
mon route, and using the Mormon guide book, 
which was the best one published at that time. 
They soon met two men from the Woodard 
train returning to Salt Lake for provisions. The 
company were suffering considerably on the 
route of the Sublette cut-off, and these two men 
announced their intention to go with this com- 
pany instead of pursuing the cut-off any further. 
Flour at that time was $50 a hundred weight, 
and cornmeal $25; a pint of brandy would buy 
fifty pounds of flour. Brandy, coffee and sugar 
commanded almost any price in Salt Lake City. 
The Mormons had made considerable money 
from returning Californians and money was 
scarcely an object with them. On reaching the 
Sink of the Humboldt they loaded Mr. Briggs' 
wagon with hay and water, leaving the other 
wagons there and packing the other animals 
Each one on his horse, they thus reached Rag- 
town, where they recruited, paying a " bit " a 
pound for hay. Crossing the mountains through 
the Carson Canon they reached Johnson's ranch, 
where they sold their horses, saddles, etc., and 
commenced mining. Mr. Briggs' mining ex- 
perience would be a history of itself. He was 
generally lucky — indeed so much so that others 
used to say, -'Wherever Briggs goes it will pay 
you to follow." Altogether he took out of the 
mines probably about $150,000. Being of a 
free-hearted tiature, he has been very liberal 
with his fortune. He followed the business 
about fourteen years in El Dorado Countj', dur- 
ing which time he was married, and for five or 
shx years lived on a ranch; but this being nearly 
all mining laud, he paid but little attention to 
farming. In the spring of 1864 he came to 
Sacramento County, and a year afterward pur- 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNT T. 



chased his present place in Sutter and Brighton 
townships. It contains 185 acres, well improved 
and in a good state of cultivation. Politically 
Mr. Briggs was in former years a Democrat. 
In 1853 he was elected to the Assembly from 
El Dorado County, and in 1858 he was again 
elected, on the auti-LeconipLton ticket (anti- 
slavery) to the same position. He has accord- 
ingly been a supporter of the Republican party 
ever since it was organized. In 1864, through 
the influence of John Conness, of El Dorado 
County, then United States Senator, Mr. Briggs 
received from Abraham Lincoln the appoint- 
ment of Collector of Internal Revenue for the 
Fourth District of California, which position he 
held nine years, having his oflice in Sacramento. 
For the past twenty-one years Mr. Briggs has 
been a member of Tehama Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. 
M., of Sacra:mento. October 18, 1854, is the 
date of Mr. Briggs' marriage to Mary A. Lucas, 
who died July 15, 1870, the mother of six chil- 
dren, namely: Helen M., Charles W., Anna E., 
John C, George F., and Alfred, Jr. The three 
youngest are deceased, and the living are all 
residents of this State. Mr. Briggs was again 
married October 28, 1873, to Mary E. Dough- 
erty, and by this marriage there are three chil- 
dren,— Bertha, Alfred and Clara. 



JPSlRAM CHASE, a faruier of Dry Creek 
Wm\ Township, was born November 16, 1824, 
^Ig in Saratoga County, New York. His 
father, Abner Ciiase, was a native of Vermont, 
was in early years engaged in the manufacture 
of clothing, and afterward was a lumber mer- 
chant most of the time during the remainder of 
his life. He died in Cattaraagus County, New 
York, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. 
He was an energetic man in business, much in- 
terested in politics but never aspiring to office. 
For his wife he had married Mary Cox, also a 
native of New York; she died at the age of 
seventy-two years. There were live sons and 
two daughters in their family. The sons were 



C. C, Homer, Hiram, Henry and Charles. All 
except Charles are still living, and in the East- 
ern States. Hiram was brought up on a farm 
in New York and also trained in the lumber 
business, following this until he was twenty- 
eight years of age, then, in 1852, came to Cali- 
fornia. Starting for the coast he was at first in a 
large train, but afterward he and two others came 
on with one mule. After stopping in Placerville 
for a short time he came into Dry Creek Town- 
ship and rented a ranch of William L. Mclntyre 
on shares. Ono year afterward he took a farm 
in San Joaquin. Selling this, he entered into 
partnership with a son of Mclntyre in a ranch 
on his land, and remained there until 1857 when 
he went East, by way of Panama, and visited in 
New York State; and there he was married, in 
1859, to Miss Amanda, daughter of Simon and 
Fanny (Flagg) Frazer. Her grandfather was a 
soldier in the British arm}'. Both her parents 
were natives of Vermont. In 1869 Mr. Chase 
returned to California, by way of the Union and 
Central Pacific railroads, intending to settle at 
Los Angeles; but, finding so many of his old 
friends in Sacramento County beseeching him 
to remain here, he yielded to their persuasive 
arguments. Accordingly he purchased his pres- 
ent ranch of 160 acres, from John McFarland, 
then a part of the Sharon grant. This farm he 
has improved until he has made it one of the 
best in the country, it being a model of comfort 
and neatness. He is now gradually converting 
it into vineyard and orchard. Mr. Chase has 
been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1848, 
being now connected with the Phoenix Lodge at 
Gait. Of his four children only two are living: 
Fanny, wife of S. M. Fulton, and John C, liv- 
ing on the home place. 

^-^--^ 

fAMES H. COSTELO wa^ born in Phila- 
delphia, October 9, 1837, sou of John and 
Mary (Costelo) Costelo. He worked at the 
blacksmith trade in his native State until 1855, 
when he went to Linn County, Iowa, where he 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



remained five years. In 1860 he moved to Den- 
ver, Colorado, where he remained two years and 
eight months employed at bis trade. In 1862 
he started for California with mule teams. He 
was accompanied by his family, father and 
mother and two hired men. The trip occupied 
only sixty- two days. They arrived in Sacra- 
mento September 21, 1862, just before the State 
iair of that year. James Costelo remained in 
Sacramento three months working at his trade, 
then leased the Daylor ranch on the Cosumnes 
Kiver, where he remained two years. He then 
leased a ranch in Napa County and lost $4,000 
during the year he stayed there. In 1865 he 
moved to Sacramento and purchased a ranch 
located fourteen miles from Sacramento at old 
Elk Grove. He also runs a blacksmith shop. 
He was married, in January, 1862, to Miss 
Sarah L. Shockley, a native of Ohio, whose 
parents came to California in 1862 with Mr. 
Costelo. Mrs. Costelo's mother resides with 
them, aged seventy-four years. In their family 
are eight children: Hatlie B., George L., Levy 
S., Raymond Y., deceased, Clarence, Nellie, 
Edna and Walter. Mr. Costelo is now paying 
his attention to the raising of fine horses, and he 
has some splendid specimens of the noble animal 
on his ranch. The ranch is in a fine state of 
cultivation. He belongs to the Elk Grove 
I. O. O. F., No. 274, Grange, and Occidental 
Encampment, of Sacramento. 

'^■^■^ 

fINCENTO CASELLl, orchardist, was 
born in Tuscany, Italy, August 16, 1835, 
a son of Pasquale Caselli, who died Nov- 
ember 21, 1888, at the age of eighty-seven years. 
His mother died October 19, 1887, at the age of 
seventy-eight years. When seventeen years old 
he sailed for America and spent the first year in 
New York, manufacturing images from plaster 
of Paris. Next year he came to California by 
the Nicaragua route, landing in San Francisco 
in August, and on the coast he spent the first 
year among the mines in Sonora. Then he 



raised vegetables three years at San Francisco, 
and then engaged in farming in this county. 
He was five years on rented land on the Sacra- 
mento River in Sutter Township, and then 
bought seventy-two acres about two miles below 
the Riverside House and there carried on farm- 
ing and vegetable gardening about ten years. 
Selling this place, he returned to Italy to visit, 
his parents. After thirteen months of absence 
he rented a place below Sutterville, where the 
old brewery was, and remained there two years; 
and finally, in 1876, he purchased his present 
place between the upper and lower Stockton 
roads, consisting of sixty acres and devoted 
mostly to fruit; twenty-three acres are in vine- 
yard, three acres in orchard of ditTerent kinds of 
fruit, especially the small fruits. Much credit 
is due Mr. Caselli for the industry and economy 
by which he has increased his worldly posses- 
sions from nothing to the comfortable home 
which he now enjoys. His family are all indus- 
trious laborers. Mr. Caselli was married, in 
1861, to Mary Nevis, a native of Portugal, who 
died September 20, 1877, at the age of thirty- 
five years. Mr. Caselli has had six children, 
named Alfred, Maggie, Albert, Emanuel, Belle 
and Flora. Belle was born in Italy and the 
others in this county. 



ILLIAM CARROLL, an enterprising 
and successful farmer of Lee Township, 
was born in 1833, in Canada East, 
ab(nit forty-five miles from Montreal, in a settle- 
ment almost entirely Catholic, known as St. 
Coluinban. His parents, William and Cather- 
ine (Cunningham) Carroll, were both Irish, the 
father being a native of Fermanagh, and the 
mother of Longford. They were married in 
New York State about 1828, and their oldest 
child was born there, being about two years old 
when they settled at St. Columban's in 1831. 
They were the parents of ten sons and two 
daughters, all living in 1889, except one, who 
died at the age of fourteen. William received 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



the usual education of what was the equivalent 
of our district schools, but with a certain fee or 
contribution attachment. At the age of nine- 
teen or twenty he hired out as a steamboat 
hand, and worked at different lines of work 
until he was twenty-five. In the fall of 1858 
he set out for California by tiie way of New 
York and Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco 
in March, 1859, after a voyage of 133 days 
from New York, in tlie clipper ship Gray 
Feather. He engaged in the sheep-raisinsf 
business on Government land, free to all, until 
he bought a possessory right in 1863, part 
homestead and part purchased from the rail- 
road, which he increased by further purchase at 
intervals until he owned 720 acres. About 
1881 he sold 320 acres, making his present 
holding about 400 acres, on which he raises the 
usual grain crops. He was married in 1878 to 
Mrs. Lucy (Scanlan) Kavauaugh, a native of 
Kerry, Ireland. They have no living children, 
but Mrs. Carroll is the mother, by her previous 
marriage, of two, a son and daughter, the latter 
now being Mrs. Louis K. Callison, of San Jose. 



4''i^. 



■se)S 



fHARLES TRAVER.— Among those who, 
coming to California in the early days, 
have amassed a fortune and become promi- 
nent as representative men in this "the land of 
golden promise," the subject of this sketch 
ranks among the most widely and favorably 
known. The story of his life carries with it a 
lesson fully illustrating what may be accom- 
plished, even under adverse circumstances, by 
perseverance and well-directed energy. He was 
born at Cincinnati, Oiiio, and was but a child 
wlien taken to South Bend, Indiana, where he 
was raised in the family of a cousiti,and worked 
in a brick j'ard, receiving little or no rudiment- 
ary education. At the age of si.xteen years he 
ran away from home and found employment 
upon the river and elsewhere; this was in 1841. 
In 1844 his cousin, starting for Oregon, desired 
him to accoinp-tny him, but he decided to re- 



main in South Bend, and was there united in 
marriage to Miss Dillie Day, a daughter of Cap- 
tain Lot Day, a farmer. As he grew up he be- 
came acquainted with Charles Crocker (since 
noted), who came from the same place, South 
Bend, and they were friends prior to coming to 
California, as well as since. In 1850, in com- 
pany with his wife and a party made up at 
Suuth Bend, he started out for California, over- 
land. Schuyler Colfax, afterward Vice-Presi- 
dent of the United States, being then a warm 
personal friend, made them a farewell speech as 
they started on the then long journey. Their 
train, consisting of thirty-two ox teams, made 
quite an imposing array. On this, his first 
jf)urney across the plains (he has made three 
altogether), Mr. Traver walked every step of the 
way and carried his rifle on his shoulders. 
Crossing the Missouri River at Council Bluffs, 
the party proceeded up on the north side of the 
Platte, to Salt Lake, and by way of Goose Creek, 
the head of the Humboldt, etc., to Hangtown, 
arriving August 12, having been something over 
four months on the road. During the follow- 
ing year (1851) his father-in-law, Captain Day, 
came across the plains and settled at Stockton, 
San Joaquin County, where Mr. Traver and 
wife joined him. Remaining there till the fall 
of that year, they went to the Cosumnes and 
rented the Slough House, which had been kept 
by Daley & Sheldon. Daley had died in the 
fall of 1850, of cholera, and Sheldon, a man of 
irascible temper, had made himself unpopular 
and was shot during the following spring. Mr. 
Traver kept the Slough House till the winter of 
1853, when he crossed over into i'olo County 
and took up a homestead, where for fourteen 
years he made his home, until he took up his 
residence permanently in the Capital City. Mr. 
Traver was one of the first in the State to raise 
grain. In 1852 he paid sixteen cents a pound 
for seed barley, sowed i^ cut it all himself with 
a cradle, and hired Indians to rake and bind it, 
and in this primitive and laborious manner 
secured the first crop. When in 1800, upon 
the completion of the Masonic Temple, the 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



county court-rooms were removed from the 
building at the corner of Ninth and K streets 
to that edifice, Mr. Toll remodeled his building 
and fitted it up as a hotel, and in doing so be- 
came involved. The property came into the 
possession of L. M. Curtis and Mr. Traver, and 
after the floods of 1861-'62, when the water 
stood on the first floor of the building as high 
as the bar. they refitted and refurnished it for 
one Judy, who kept it for a time. It was after- 
ward kept by James Shoemaker for two years. 
Curtis & Traver then bought the lot, forty feet 
on K street and 120 feet on Seventh, inaking 
altogether 100x120 feet. In 1868 the entire 
building was remodeled, and has since been 
known as the Capitol Hotel, one of the finest in 
the city. When in 1864 Mr. Traver moved in 
from the ranch, he did so in order to take 
charge of tiie hotel; but he soon leased the 
property to Mr. Day, a brother-in-law, who ran 
the house until he was succeeded a few years 
later by Messrs. Blessing & Guthrie, the present 
proprietors. Of the later enterprises which 
have engaged the attention of Mr. Traver, the 
"Seventy-six Land and Water Company" of 
Fresno County, and building of the town of 
Traver on the Southern Pacific road, must re- 
ceive at least a passing notice. Having pur- 
chased a large tract of land in Fresno County, 
midway between the city of Fresno and Tulare, 
he conceived the idea of bringing the water of 
King's River, thirty-two miles distant, for pur- 
poses of irrigation, and a ditch 100 feet wide at 
the hottom was constructed and proved a per- 
fect success. In 1884 the town of Traver was 
laid out, a station and other buildings erected, 
and at the first day's sale of town lots in April 
that year $27,000 was realized; and such was 
the rapid development of this section, due to the 
abundant supply of water, that in 1885 more 
wheat was shipped from Traver station than 
from any other point on the Southern Pacific 
liailroad. Mr. Traver has been a Freemason 
since 1849, being a cliarter member of Castwcll 
Lodge, of South Bend, Indiana, and an Odd 
Fellow since 1886, being a member of Eureka 



Lodge, No. 4, and of Encampment No. 2, of 
this city. Such in brief is the outline of the 
history of one of Sacramento's most successful 
and honored citizens, who began life without a 
dollar, and who arrived on this coast forty years 
ago without a business acquaintance or a friend; 
yet such has been the success of his life that it 
is with pleasure that we accord to him a promi- 
nent place in this historic volume of a county 
with which he has been so closely identified for 
so many years. 

^.(^^.^ 

fHOMAS HOLDER, proprietor of the City 
Hotel, Sacramento, is a native of Eng- 
land, born at Bath, Somersetshire, on the 
28th of August, 1832, his parents being John 
and Ann (Challenger) Holder. The name origi- 
nates from the Tower Holders of London (time 
of the great fire of 1666). Thomas Holder was 
reared and educated at Bath, and served two 
years at the confectionery business. He then 
went to London, where he was for four years 
under the noted Sawyer, of the Reform Club. 
He then went to Australia, under engagement 
with the Melbourne Club, of Melbourne, where 
he was given charge, though only twenty years 
of age. In the meantime his father, who was 
on his way to Australia, went down with the 
George Tayleur in the Irish Channel, and our 
subject went back to England to take his 
mother to Australia. He took her to Geelong, 
Victoria, where he opened a large confectionery 
establishment. There his mother died. He 
closed out the business, and accepted a commis- 
sion to travel in the interests of the Govern- 
ment. During his service in this capacity he 
had some adventures which he will never for- 
get. He started with the ill-fated Burke and 
Wills' scientific expedition in 1860, to explore 
the continent of Australia in a line from its 
southern to its northern borders. When they 
arrived at the Barcoo, on Cooper Creek, a depot 
was formed, and Mr. Holder and others were 
left there, while Robert O'Hara Burke, William 



HISTORY OF HAGRAMENTO COUNTY. 



John Wills (of the Melbourne Observatory) and 
two others, named Gray and King, proceeded on 
across the desert, leaving the rest, on the 16th 
of December, taking a horse and six camels. 
They accomplished their task, and started back. 
Gray died on the way, on the 16th of April. 
Five days later the others reached the Barcoo. j 
But as misfortune would have it, they had been j 
given up for lost by Mr. Holder, and those with 
him, who had taken their departure only a few 
hours before the three reached there. They 
wandei'ed about; Burke and Wills died of star- 
vation, and King fell in with some friendly 
blacks, with whom he was found by a relief ex- 
pedition. On another occasion Mr. Holder had 
a terrible experience on the west coast of New 
Zealand. With a party of sixty he was landed 
at Bruce's Bay by the ship William Misken, for 
the purposeof exploring and prospecting. There 
is a promontory there, running well out into the 
sea, and this was supposed to be the end of the 
gold diggings. They met with disaster in many 
respects. Most of them started to return by 
land, but that way there were nine snow rivers 
to cross. A whale boat had been left them, 
and Mr. Holder and eight others took the 
boat, and four out of that number manned it. 
They ran out of provisions and water, and were 
eight days and nine nights at sea in the open 
boat, when they were iinally picked up by tlie 
bteamer "Claude Hamilton," off Cape Foul- 
weather, and taken to Nelson. Mr. Holder 
then engaged in trading between Nelson atid 
Okitiki. Fie was so engaged for about five 
months when he went to Melbourne, and was 
then called to Sydney to take the position of 
manager of the Australian Club. He held that 
position for six years, and gave it up to take the 
Pier Hotel at Manley Beach, nine miles from 
Sydney. When he closed there lie left Aus- 
tralia witli the intention of visiting England 
with his wife and family, but arriving at San 
Francisco concluded to remain there. He opened 
the City Bouffe on Kearny street, one of the 
greatest oyster-houses and restaurants of the 
day. He next went to Portland, Oregon, and 



opened theMaison Dore, but afterward returned 
to San Francisco, and opened the large London 
and Glasgow pie establishment, wholesale and 
retail, oVi Valencia street, where he himself sold 
as high as 1,000 pies on the street per night. 
He )iext leased the Neptune Gardens, Alameda, 
from the railroad company, and conducted 
them one season. Following this, in 1886, he 
came to Sacramento, and opened the City Hotel 
and had it ready for the accommodation of fair 
visitors, a big undertaking, for the small amount 
of time he had. His great experience as a 
caterer gives him an immense advantage in the 
operation of a hotel, and he has built up the 
trade of his house from nothing to its present 
large proportions. Mr. Holder was married in 
Australia, ApFil 11, 1871, to Miss Minnie Shay, 
a native of Australia. They have had eight 
children, of whom four are living, viz.: Thomas 
Percival, Ernest John, Ellen Louise and William 
Oscar. Mr. Holder is an enterprising man, 
and in his business has made a name for him- 
self in more than one country. He has had an 
eventful life, and one well worth the writing. 



supervisor of Sacra- 
n the Union, indeed 



tENKY C. BOSS, 
men to. No State 
1.0 country in the world, can equal Cali- 
fornia in the history of her sons, who from 
small beginnings have, by enterprise and good 
judgment, advanced to positions of eminence 
and atfluence. A good illustration of this re- 
mark is the life of the subject of this sketch, 
who was born in the little village of Camden, 
Preble County, Ohio, December 28, 1834. 
When he was a child his father, Charles Ross, 
a native of Pennsylvania, died. His mother, 
Lois (Ladd) Boss, also a Pennsylvanian, after- 
ward was again married. His opportunities for 
a school education were greatly limited, as he 
had but the winter seasons for a few years in 
which to attend school. With the noble pluck 
characteristic of the Scotch ancestry, from which 
he sprang, he determined to leurn some useful 



HISTORr OF HACUAMENTO COUNTY. 



trade with which to tight the battle of life. Ac- 
cordingly, he entered as an apprentice with 
Wysold & Pierce, a tirin of masons, served his 
time and became an expert bricklayer. Early 
in 1850 his half-brother, C. W. Pierce, had 
come to California, and, in connection with B. 
F. Alexander, established the firm of Pierce & 
Alexander, contractors and builders, in the city 
of Sacramento. In 1852 Mr. Pierce returned 
to Ohio on a visit, and his account of the 
"golden" opportunities to be had in this lo- 
cality induced Mr. Ross to accompany him back 
to this State. Coming by way of the Nicaragua 
route, they arrived here in April, 1853. Mr. 
Ross, being a skilled workman, readily found 
employment at $12 a day. But as money could 
be made much more rapidly in the cattle trade, 
Mr. Ross, in company with his half-brother, en- 
gaged in that business, buying their stock in 
t.ie lower counties of the State and driving 
them across the country to Sacramento, to sup- 
ply the demand occasioned by the mining ope- 
rations upon the Sacramento River and other 
mining districts, whose base of supply was at 
this point. In this business lie continued until 
1859, when, having accumulated a handsome 
sum and become weary of the arduous duties 
connected witli the cattle trade, he went to the 
Cosumnes River, in what is now Lee Toivnship, 
and purchased a ranch of 600 acres; and it was 
during this time, October 3, 1859, that he was 
married to Miss Rachel A. Bailey, daughter of 
Joshua T. Bailey, a pioneer wlio crossed the 
plains from Wisconsin in 1849, and settled in 
Brighton Township, where he died. Mr. Ross 
has continued to live upon this ranch for nearly 
thirty years, peaceful, happy and prosperous. 
Trials come, it is true, for none escape them. 
His first son, Augustus, after gladdening their 
hearts for six brief years, died and was buried 
here. Four other sons and four daughters have 
been born in this family. On the 16th of No- 
vember, 1887, their mother passed to her eter- 
nal rest, leaving a record of a well-spent life in 
the hearts of those who knew lier. Mr. Ross 
has been, and is, an outspoken Democrat in his 



political sympathies; and the fact that his sup- 
porters in public office are also derived largely 
from the Republican ranks speaks volumes in 
his favor. His district is strongly Republican; 
but when in 1885 he received the nomination of 
his party for the responsible position of super- 
visor of Sacramento County, in the election that 
followed he was complimented with the hand- 
some majority of 150 votes. During his term 
of service he was the only Democratic member 
of the Board. He is a member of the order of 
Patrons of Husbandry, and of Gait Encamp- 
ment, No. 289, I. O. O. F. ; and is also a member 
of the Caledonian Club. 



fRANK MECKFESSEL, of Sacramento, is 
a native of Germany, born ten miles from 
Bremen, Hanover, on the 8th day of De- 
cember, 1888, his parents being Frederick and 
Gretchen Meckfessel. He was reared at his 
native place until he had finished his education, 
at the age of fourteen, and, his mother having 
died when he was only ten years, he came to 
the United States in 1852. He sailed from 
Bremen to New Orleans on the German vessel 
"Rebecca," then proceeded to St. Louis, when 
he again commenced attendance at school, this 
time for something over a year. He then served 
an apprenticeship with Weston & Hei'rish, hat- 
ters, at the corner of Third street and Wash- 
ington avenue. He remained with them until 
1861, when he came out to California, via New 
York, which city he left in April, on the steamer 
"Champion." Crossing the Isthmus of Pan- 
ama, he resumed his sea voyage on the steamer 
•' Golden Gate," aiid lauded at San Francisco 
April 26, 1861. He came at once to Sacramento 
and has resided here ever since. Since 1869 he 
has been engaged in trucking and by fair and 
lionest dealing and prompt attention to the calls 
of business, he has built up a large and perma- 
nent trade, and a solid and lasting reputation. 
Mr. Meckfessel was married in this city on the 
25th of January, 1865, to Miss Eliphalet Skel- 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



ton, a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Meck- 
fessel have reared one son— Frank, Jr., a young 
man of much promise, now engaged with Hunt- 
ington, Hopkins & Co., as stenographer. Mr. 
Meckfessel is a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 
105, I. O. O. F. 

»^.^^5^.^.t^ - 

fACOB M. NIELSEN, one of the most 
prominent representatives of the black- 
smithing business in Sacramento, and 
brother of C. Nielson, whoso sketch appears else- 
where, is a native of Denmark, born at Gudj- 
berg, near Svendborg, on the 22d of September, 
1855. He was reared there, and attended school 
from his seventh year until he had reached the 
age of fourteen years. He then commenced the 
trade of blacksinithing, and served an appren- 
ticeship of four years. He also attended the 
King's Veterinary College, at Copenhagen, and 
there learned the trade of horse-healing in all 
its fine points, having been sent there by the 
Agricultural Society. "When he was six months 
past his twenty-first birthday he entered an 
engineer regiment, in the army, composed of 
mechanics. He served with his regiment fifteen 
consecutij-e months, and in the fall of the follow- 
in" year went back for a short term. In the 
spring of 1878 he came to this country with 
his brother, C. Nielsen. Proceeding by rail to 
Hamburg, they took steamer to Grimsley, Eng- 
land, thence went to Liverpool, and from there 
made the voyage to Halifax on the steamer 
" Caspian." They left home on the 3d of April, 
and left Hamburg on the 4th. They were two 
days on the North Sea, in Liverpool five days, 
and eleven days from there to Halifax. From 
there they proceeded to Montreal, thence to 
Chicago, and from there to Sacramento. He 
went to work here for Holzman, Anderson & 
Co., Eleventh and J streets, and remained with 
them seven or eight months. He then went to 
Yuba City, and after vvorking a short time there 
returned to Sacramento, and engaged with M. 
L. Wise, with whom he remained until he went 



in partnership with his brother in business, in 
May, 1880. Since the partnership was dis- 
solved, in 1883, he has been in business alone. 
In 1888 he put up his present substantial brick 
building at 1011 Tenth street. It is 28x40 
feet in ground area, and affords the best facili- 
ties for liis business. He employs two skilled 
workmen, besides himself. In the horseshoe- 
ing line he makes a specialty of the shoeing of 
race-horses and fine animals generally. Among 
his patrons may be mentioned Wilbur Smith, 
Dr. Hicks, Matt Storms, and many other own- 
ers and handlers of fine horses. None but the 
most skillful operators can command this trade, 
but Mr. Nielsen's thorough scientific training 
especially fits him for this difiicult clas-s of 
work. In him Sacramento has one of the mas- 
ters of his profession. Mr. Nielsen was married 
in Sacramento, March 8, 1882, to Miss Ida 



Boudeson, 



ative of Sweden. 



Th 



ey tiav( 



three children, viz.: Niels Elvvood, Jacob lioy 
and Eda Elbertina. Mr. Nielsen is a popular 
man, and well deserves the success that has at- 
tended him in business. The parents of the 
Nielteu brothers are now living in Denmark, 
but the business formerly carried on by the father 
is now conducted by his son Nicolai. Another 
son besides those mentioned here is a resident 
of Sacramento, viz.: Corfitz Nielsen, of the firm 
of Westwick & Nielsen, grocers and manufact- 
urers of the Danish Viking Bitters. 



ILLIAM MELVIN (now deceased) was 
for many years one of the best-known 
residents of Sacramento, having been 
identified with the city from the mining days 
until the time of his death. He was a native 
of Belfast, Ireland, born in 1819, who came to 
this country with his parents when he was 
twelve years of age. The family located at 
Kochester, New York, where the father con- 
ducted a blacksinithing, wagon and carriage- 
making shop, and there William Melvin learned 
his trade on arriving at a suitable age. In 



HISTORY OF SACUAMESTO COUNTY. 



725 



1854 he came to California via New York and 
Panama, footing it across the Isthimis. Land- 
ing at San Francisco, he came at once to Sacra- 
mento, and obtained emph)yment with the stage 
company, at tlieir shops, on tlie corner of Fifth 
and L streets. Leading them, he went with the 
firm of Pike &, Young, corner of Fourth and L, 
witii wiiom he remained until 1857. He then 
went back to Rochester, New York, and in the 
folio .ving year brought his family out to Sacra- 
mento. He went into business for himself on 
Fourth street, between I and J, afterward re- 
moving to the corner of Fourth and I, and 
removing to the present location of the shop in 
1881. In 1884 he took his son Herbert G. 
Melvin into partnership, and the firm so con- 
tinued until his death. He was married in 
Rochester, New York, to Miss Honora Ann 
Geegan, who died in 1865. By that marriage 
there were four children, of whom three are 
living, viz.: Herbert G., Margaret, wife of Da- 
vid Faulkner, of Sacramento, and Nettie J. 
The deceased child, William Montgomery, was 
aged about twenty-one at the time of his death. 
Mr. Melvin wasa member of the American Prot- 
estant Association. He was one of the oldest 
members of the Neptune Hose Company, in the 
volunteerfire department; was for a long time its 
foreman, and was a prominent member of the Ex- 
empt Firemen's Association. He was a stanch Re- 
publican in his political afiiliations, but after 
the celebrated " Short-Hair Convention," as it 
was facetiously called, to which he was a dele- 
gate, he never took an active part in party or- 
ganization. His death occurred on the let of 
June, 1887, and was mourned by a large circle 
of friends. 

tERBERT G. MELVIN, now the proprie- 
tor of the business still conducted under 
the firm name of William Melvin & Son, 
is a native of Rochester, New York, born Au- 
gust 26, 1852. He was reared in Sacramento. 
and received his education in the public schools 



of this city. He learned his trsde in his father's 
shops, and in 1884 became a partner in the 
business. Since his father's death the business 
has fallen into his hands entirely, and hiS" man- 
agement of it shows his excellent business quali- 
fications. He employs, on an average, eight 
skilled workmen, and does all kinds of wagon 
and truck manufacturing, general blacksmith- 
ing, horse shoeing etc., but makes a specialty of 
the manufacture of heavy trucks, in which this 
shop btands unequalled. The demand for these 
trucks extends to a considerable distance from 
this city. Mr. Melvin was married in this city, 
in September, 1878, to Miss Nettie J. Russell, 
a native of Sacramento County. He is a mem- 
ber of Columbia Lodge, K. of P., and of Eureka 
Lodge, L O. O. F. He was for seven years a 
member of the City Guard of Sacramento, and 
rose from the ranks to the rank of First Ser- 
geant. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. 
Melvin is one of the most active and enterpris- 
ing young men of business in Sacramento, and 
well deserves the success with which he is 
meeting. 



fHARLES WILKE, manufacturing jeweler, 
Sacramento, is a native of Germany, born 
at Hoff, Bavaria, on the 31st of July, 1841, 
his parents being John and Elizabeth (Zinn) 
Wilke, the father a musician by profession, and 
leader of a military band. The subject of this 
sketch was reared at his native place, received 
the education afforded by the public schools of 
Hoff, and was graduated at the Lower Polytech- 
nic School, which he attended for three years 
after leaving the common schools, being one of 
the successful candidates, although forty-eight 
out of a class of sixty-four were rejected. He 
served an apprenticeship at the jeweler's trade 
with John Laupmann, then traveled to polish 
up his knowledge of the trade, being engaged 
in all five and a half years in Europe, including 
his apprenticeship. He worked at Prague and 
Vienna, thence wont to the frontier. He do- 



BJlSTOIir OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



cided to go to America, and on tlie 3d of Sep- 
tember, 1863, he sailed from Bremen on the 
oUl sail ship Atlantic, and landed at New York 
011 the 25tli of October. He remained there 
until the 1st of December, working in his own 
room, then went to Pittsburg. There he en- 
gaged with Charles Terhuyten, with whom he 
remained three years. He then worked in his 
own shop for the firm of McP'adden &'Co.. In 
1870 he started for himself, and later worked 
some six or seven months for the leading firm 
of Pittsburg (now James R. Reed & Co.). In 
1876 he came to California, locating at Sacra- 
mento, and soon commenced business on the 
corner of Fifth and J streets, up stairs. , He 
manufactured work for the trade there nearly 
seven years, and in January, 1883, established 
himself at his present location on Seventh 
street, between J and K. Mr. Wilke was mar- 
ried in December, 1863, to Miss Louisa Diet- 
rich, a native of Bohemia. They have had 
eight children, of whom six are living, viz.: 
Chris, who married Emma Schwann; Emma, 
wife of Seaman Wilde, of Sacramento, and 
Martha, George, Nellie and Charles. Mr. 
Wilke is a member of California Lodge, K. of 
P.; of Harmony Lodge, K. & L. of II.; of 
Walhalla Grove, No. 6, A. O. D., and of the 
Verein-Eintracht. He is a pushing man of 
business, and has earned his success by his own 
efforts. 



fDIERSSEN & Co.— Probably no firm in 
Sacramento offers an instance of such 
** rapid rise to a place among the leading 
business houses, as does that of D. Dierssen & 
Co., wholesale and retail grocers, corner of 
Ninth and L streets. Therefore a personal 
sketch of the gentlemen who have been identi- 
fied with the firm becomes necessary in this 
connection. D. Dierssen is a native of Prussia, 
born near Bremen, on the 5th of February, 
1852, his parents being John and Anna Eliza 
(Ikoqnit) Dierssen, the father a merchant. He 



spent his early boyhood days at his native place, 
and there received his schooling. In 1865 he 
came to the United States, locating at Brooklyn, 
where he remained three years. The following 
year he was in New York, and in 1869 he came 
to California, locating in Sacramento. He was 
but a mere boy in years yet, was an entire 
stranger, and had bnt $4 in his pocket. After 
he had been here a few days, he got out of 
funds, and meeting Charles Fleisen, obtained 
employment tending bar for him at his place 
on Seventh and I streets. Eight months later 
he formed a partnership with Mr. Lammermann, 
corner of Eighth and L streets, but after about 
two weeks Mr. Lamermann was taken sick, and 
sold his interest to Mr. Heisen. One month 
later Mr. Heisen sold out to Fred. Koster, 
and the latter and Mr. Dierssen remained in 
business about eleveti months, when Claus Feld- 
liusen purchased Mr. Dierssen's interest for 
$625. The latter then rested for three or four 
weeks, and he then went in partnership with 
D. Kohler, and they engaged in business on I 
street, between Sixth and Seventh. The interest 
of Mr. Dierssen v\as estimated at $1,000, and 
he paid on it $625 in cash. After they had 
been in business six months, Mr. Kohler said 
he wanted to go back to Switzerland, and would 
buy or sell for $250. So Mr. Dierssen bought 
him out, and continued the business alone. 
Then a fire burned the building and stock, and 
the Occidental Insurance Company, in which 
he was insured, paid but forty cents on the dol- 
lar, having been crippled by the great Chicago 
fire of six months before. Mr. Dierssen lost 
even all his extra clothing by the fire, and with 
his $400 insurance money paid up his debts. 
Thus, after three years of hard work, he was 
left to start over again from the very last round 
of the ladder. He obtained employment with 
John Batcher, on Third and M streets, and after 
working for him two years had saved up $163. 
One day, as he was passing a store on the corner 
of Twelfth and O streets, then in charge of 
Charles Lnhrs, an acquaintance, that gentleman 
told him if he would buy the place, he would 



HISTORY OF SACllAMENTO COUNTY. 



see him tlirouwh. Mr. Dierssen consiilered the 
proposition, accepted the offer, and then gave 
up his position witii Mr. Batcher. Tiiere was 
but the sliuiinest kind of a stoci< in his new 
store, and he commenced business there with an 
actual capital of only $163, and a debt of 
$400. There was a little room back of the 
store-room, and in it lie boarded himself. He 
cleaned up the place, and put the small stock in 
good order, and commenced to build up a trade. 
He had no one to assist him, and he delivered 
goods after nine o'clock at night, when the store 
was closed. In six months he had money 
enough to pay off his indebtedness. He kept 
improving gradually, and after he had been in 
business four years and a half at Twelfth and O, 
he removed to the southeast corner of Ninth 
and L, across the street from the present store. 
In 1884 the fine building now occupied by the 
store was erected, and is now the seat of a mag- 
nificent trade. Mr. Dierssen was married in 
this city, on the Tth of P'ebruary, 1875, to Miss 
Sophia Lauken, a native of California, born in 
Yolo County, and educated in Sacramento. 
They have four ciiildren, viz.: Addie, Laura, 
Willie and Richard. In 1887, Mr. Dierssen 
purchased a rancii in Yolo County, and sold it 
in 1889, for $8,100. In the latter year he pur- 
chased 2,160 acres of land in Kings County, 
Washington, stretching between points from 
one and a half to nine miles from Seattle. This 
land is eligibly situated, and must prove a great 
investment. He has an interest in a hop ranch 
near McConnell Station, in Sacramento County, 
which he purchased in 1881. In 1877, Mr. 
Dierssen took a trip to Europe for pleasure and 
recreation, having well earned a vacation from 
business cares. Mr. Dierssen's ease certainly 
presents an edifying example for young men. 
Commencing work in this city when his pocket 
was literally empty, he began the battle with 
fortune amid the most adverse circumstances, 
and he has fought his way to the front until he 
is now a capitalist, able to retire, though still a 
young man, in the prime and vigor of life. He 
will, however, attend personally to his invest- 



ments, and is destined to make his mark in yet 
brighter fields. His rank in tiuaucial circles has 
always been of the highest, and since he com- 
menced in business on the corner of Twelfth 
and O streets, he has never contracted a debt, 
but paid cash as he went. In social circles his 
standing is equally high, and he is an esteemed 
and honored member of the coinnninity in 
which he resides. 



fE(3RGE E. A. DIERSSEN, now control- 
ling the business of D. Dierssen & Co., 
is a brother of D. Dierssen, whose sketch 
appears above, and was born July 31, 1863. He 
was educated at Bremen between the ages of six 
and fourteen years, and in 1877 came to America 
with his brother (then home on a visit), and 
came on to Sacramento, after spending a week 
in New York. After reaching this city he en- 
gaged with his brother in the store, meantime 
attending night school with Mr. Goethe, corner 
of Twelfth and K streets. In 1884 he became 
a member of the firm, and is now the proprietor 
of the business. He was married on the 11th 
of April, 1889, to Miss Edith Ernst, who was 
reared in Sacramento. Mr.- Dierssen is a mem- 
ber of lodge No. 40, A. F. & A. M., and of 
Sacramento Chapter No. 3, R. A. M. His store 
on the corner of Ninth and L streets, is one of 
the most complete in point of volume and 
variety of stock, and completeness of equip- 
ments, to be found in central California. The 
store is handsome in appearance, everything is 
in its place and in the neatest of order, while 
the whole place is light and dry, and exceedingly 
attractive in appearance. The large circular 
display stand, at the great corner windows, is a 
fine and novel feature. All the details of con- 
struction about the store are of the latest and 
most convenient patterns, affording unusual 
facilities for rapid handling of goods. The 
house does an extensive wholesale and retail 
business, and both departments are constantly 
increasing, so that this store, started on such a 



HISTORY OF SACUAMENTO COUNTY. 



small scale, is getting to be one of the most 
prominent factors in the commercial circles of 
Sacramento. Mr. Dierssen is one of the bright- 
est and most active young business men in the 
city, is genial and courteous in his manner, and 
has a host of friends. 



t LEXIS JOSEPH DANIS, merchant, of 
Sacramento, is a native of Lower Canada, 
born at Montreal, September 17, 1832, 
his parents being Alexis and Ursula (Etchier) 
Danis. His father, who was born in France 
March 17, 1800, is yet living; while his mother, 
a native of Canada, of French descent, died in 
1854, aged forty-nine year,~. A. J. Danis was 
reared at St. Eustace, twenty-one miles from 
iMontreal, where his father, a potter by trade, 
had a pottery and blacksmith shop. He was 
educated at the French College at St. Eustace, 
and graduated there at the age of sixteen years. 
He obtained employment in the wholesale 
house of John Thompson, at Montreal, going to 
work at $2 a month, and having his wages in- 
creased until they reached $12 a month at the 
end of one year, including board, etc. He was 
next employed by -Tifiine & Elliott, Montreal, 
and from there went to St. Eustace, where he 
opened a general country store. In 185G he 
sold out his business for the purpose of re- 
moving to California. Going to New York, lie 
took passage on the steamer Golden Age, on the 
2d of June, and after crossing the Isthmus of 
Panama, came to San Francisco on the steamer 
New West, landing June 28. With him had 
come his brother Ozias (now in San Francisco), 
and a brother-in-law, Israel Millard. They met 
a Frenchman named Lachance, who said, " Boys, 
if you go to Oroville with me, there is a flume 
being built on the Feather River, where you can 
have employment." Mr. Danis had" started 
with $2,200, and consequently had plenty of 
money. His oflTer was accepted, and the four 
started for San Francisco by boat, and getting 
into Sacramento at 2 a. m., spent the night at 



the Free Swiss Hotel, where Baker & Hamilton 
now do business. They went by boat to Marys- 
ville, and thence by stage to Oroville. After 
three or four days, with mules, they took the 
trail to their destination, on Feather River. 
There they found the bosa to be a Franch Cina- 
dian, and Mr. Danis, who was the only one of 
his party who could speak English, applied for 
work. The boss asked him where they were from, 
and when he answered "from Canada," he im- 
mediately gave them work, which continued for 
sixty-tive days at $4 per day, with board. Then 
the flume was sold to a Ciiinaman, and Mr. Da- 
nis and his party returned to Sacramento. He 
obtained a situation with Lindley, Wooster & 
Weaver, at Seventh and J streets, atid afterward 
with Shreet & Arnold. He was next with Dis- 
petcher & Field, on J, between Second and Third 
streets, where he became head porter, and when 
Mr. Dispetcher went to France he left Field in 
partnership with LeRoy. Field, after his mar- 
riage, went to France, and LeRoy closed out the 
business, Mr. Danis being thus thrown out of a 
situation. He next went to work in the store 
of A. Wolf, with whom he remainetl until 18G4. 
Just previous to the flood of 1861 he started on 
horseback toward the levee, to see how it stood 
at the old tannery. Arriving there, he saw 
water breaking through, and hurried back to 
give the alarm to all whom he knew. When he 
got to Eighth and K streets, and told Mr. Cheva- 
lier, the latter laughed at him, but Mr. Danis 
told him he would have to be astir, or he would 
lose his goods. When he got to his own resi- 
dence, he found there was already from eighteen to 
twenty-two inches of water on the ground. Tiie 
flood of the 9th of December, 1861, liad already 
commenced its workof destruction. He hastened 
to the store and saved everything he could, and 
when he got back home to see how things were 
getting along, he found four feet of water there, 
and constantly rising. By 4 o'clock p. m. there 
was from Ave to six feet of water on K, L and 
M streets, and four feet on J, but in the morn- 
ing it receded on account of the break on the 
R street levee. On the lOtii of January, 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



1862, the flood came again, much heavier than 
before, and the water remained nine or ten days 
all over tlie city, so deep tliat one could get 
alioiit only with canoes or boats. Mr. Danis and 
his brother (the latter being a good carpenter), 
built two boats, and they would call on their 
friends in the second stories of houses. Mr. 
Danis' present wife, with her parents and sister, 
had to seek safety in the Stanford House, at 
Eighthand N streets, obtainingentrance through 
the second-story windows, their own house being 
only one-story in height. During the first night 
a horse swam right into the second-story of the 
house, and was saved. After the flood Mr. Da- 
nis recommenced work for his former employ- 
ers. In 1864 he engaged with L. Parsons & 
Co., witli whom he remained three years, in the 
capacity of salesman and manager. He next 
went with Chevalier & Co.. with whom he re- 
mained until they removed to San Francisco. 
He then went to the city and obtained employ- 
ment as a salesman. He opened up Ebner Bros', 
place on Fourth street, in the St. George build- 
ing, in the winter of 1863-'64, buying all the 
goods for their stock. In 1865 he again re- 
turned to the employ of Chevalier. His next 
employer was Jones, with whom he remained 
two years, and then went with G. W. Chesley, 
taking charge of his cigar department, which 
had just been started, Mr. Danis buying all the 
goods. He next went with Harris & Cranor, 
and afterward went to Aurora with his two ten- 
n)ule teams loaded with liquors. On returning 
to Sacramento he went to work for Selden, 
and after a varied experience entered the employ 
of H. Weinreich. He next opened a shoe store 
on the corner of Sixth and J streets. After sev- 
eral months he closed up the store and went 
to work on commission. He commenced his 
present business in October, 1887. He was 
married to Catherine McCartliy, who was reared 
at Boston, Massachusetts. They have four 
children living, viz.: Lena, a graduate of the 
high school, now a teacher; Ella, a writer in the 
Mechanics' Store; Belle and Mabel. Mr. Danis 
has been a member of Capital Lodge, No. 87, L 



O. O. F., since 1865, and also belongs to Co- 
sumnes Tribe, No. 14, Ked Men, of which he is 
a Past Sachem. He is an active Democrat po- 
litically, having cast his first vote in California 
for Stephen A. Douglas for president, and has 
represented his party in many city and county 
conventions. He was the candidate for recor- 
der on the unsuccessful Democratic ticket in 
1876. On his fifty-sixth birthday, in 1888, he 
had a brother aged eighty-six years, and two 
sisters aged respectively ninety-one and ninety- 
six years, and all sat down to one table together. 
Mr. Danis was the fourth in order of age of his 
father's children, and all the older ones aie yet 
living. 



i-^)-«S^— ^'^ 



,ENRY FORTMAN. 



the 



|rM| enterprising of the young business men of 
^Is Sacramento, and consequently worthy of 
mention in this work, is the gentleman with 
whose name this sketch commences. Henry 
Fortman, or " Harry," as he is generally known, 
is a native of Chicago, born on the south side of 
that great city, on the corner of Twelfth and State 
streets, August 25, 1860. His parents, Michael 
and Katie (Herbert) Fortman, are yet living, 
and reside in the vicinity of Downer's Grove, 
Illinois. Our subject received his schooling in 
the public schools of his native city, and when 
he was nine years old he went to work for his 
father in the latter's store, at 3446 State Street 
(new number.) At an early age he acquired an 
interest in the business, and so continued until 
1883, when he came out to California, and took 
a position with T. H. Cook & Co., Sacramento. 
He afterward changed to Christianson Bros., 
and was with that firm until May, 1889. On 
t!ie 16th of May he started in business for him- 
self on the northeast corner of Twentieth and J 
streets, in a building erected especially for him 
by Mr. J. M. Nielsen. It is 28 x 45 feet in 
ground dimensions, and two stories in height- 



Mr. Fortman was married at Cli 



Liago, May 



May 26, 



1883, to Miss Jennie Brody, a native of that 



730 



in STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



city. Mr. Fortinan was virtually reared to the 
grocery trade, and brings to his business here 
all the push and energy characteristic of the city 
of his birth and training. It has been only a 
few months since he started here for himself, 
and he has done everything on a cash basis. 
Yet, in that short time, he has built up a trade 
that many older houses could well afford to ex- 
cliange tor. ilis store is really already a busy 
place. Everything is in order and neat in appear- 
ance, and there is practically a wholesale stock 
to select from, as Mr. Fortman is building up a 
jobbing business with the surrounding country. 
Mr. Fortman's enterprise and clear business 
acumen make him worthy of the success with 
which he is meeting. 



JlLLIAM WILBUR WHITE, one of the 
most successful farmers^ of Brigiiton 
Township, was born in Iowa County, 
Wisconsin, January 18, 1852, the son of Will- 
iam and Elizabeth (Graham) White, the former 
a native of Virginia, and the latter of Maine. 
His father was a small boy when brought by 
his parents to Wisconsin, was married there 
when grown to manhood, and entered land from 
the Government about eight miles east of Min- 
eral Point. About 1862 he sold that place and 
moved to Atchison County, Kansas, twelve 
miles west of Atchison; but i.i 1875, as soon 
as the advantages of California became fully 
known to the observant class of people, he came 
to this State, and is now living near Monte 
Vista in this county, on a place of two and a 
half acres which he bought in the spring of 
1888. After coming to the coast he sold his 
Kansas property, then consisting of 160 acres; 
he had previously owned more than that. His 
wife died in February, 1877. There were ten 
children in this family, six sons and four daugh- 
ters, all of whom are living except one, and all 
the living are in this county except one brother 
in Missouri. The subject of this sketch first 
started in life for himself by working for vari- 



ous parties in this county. May 1, 1876, he 
began driving dray for E. M. Leitcli in Sacra- 
mento. Subsequently he worked at the depot 
for the railroad company six years and three 
months, during which time he laid up a portion 
of his earnings, $1,200 or $1,400. lie next 
entered partnership with Mr. Casselman in the 
cultivation of a large hop ranch, which they 
leased in Brighton Township, and Mr. White 
cleared in this operation about $11,000. Then, 
intending to live in the city, he purchased a lot 
from T. W. Sheehan, corner of Fifteenth and O 
streets, and built a fine residence upon it. Cost 
of house and lot, about $7,000. Finally he 
purchased from George W. Lott a rich tract of 
113 acres, three miles from the city, where he 
now resides, and on which he has all the equip- 
ments of a comfortable home. Being an in- 
genious and industrious mechanic, he is inde- 
pendent as a carpenter, blacksmith, etc. The 
deed is dated June 12, 1885. From this last 
purchase, however, he has sold oti'five and ten- 
acre lots until now he has a trifle less than 
thirty-five acres. His town ])roperty he sold a 
short time after removing into the country. 
When he bought his present place there was 
nothing upon it except old fences, two wells, 
and a saloon kept by "Coffee Brown;" but now 
it is furnished with everything necessary to 
make it an independent home — ^sunny, neat and 
cheerful. His residence is a splendid structure, 
costing $2,000. His barn and hot-house for 
drying hops cost about $3,000. In this im- 
mense building, 64 x 96 feet, are the horse 
stalls, hay and hop press, and a large hop dryer; 
and the second floor is prepared for a dancing 
area, whereon as many as twenty sets can do 
their honors to Terpsichore at one time. There 
are also on the place a good blacksmith shop 
and other buildings, wells, windmills, etc. Al- 
though it is only fourteen feet from the surface 
of tlie ground to the water stratum, one of the 
wells is seventy-five feet deep, and the other 
eighty-five, thus insuring an abundance of water. 
On this farm are 460 Bartlett pear trees, nearly 
500 peach-trees, apricots, etc., and about twenty 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



oranoje-trees. All of these are in tine bearing 
stage except a few of the pear trees, which also 
will soon reach the same stage. There are no 
scale-bngs in the orchard. The soil is a sandy 
sediment; twenty acres is tirst-class alfalfa land; 
about eight acres is sowed in alfalfa for seed) 
and in small grain for hay. The land is 
especially adapted to almond and apricot. Mr. 
White was married April 18, 1883, to Miss 
Maggie E. Foster, who was born in this county, 
September 26, 1861. Her father, William B. 
Foster, settled here in 1849, and died June 21, 
1877; her mother was born in Saxony, Ger- 
many, in 1809, and died in 1865. The children 
of Mr. and Mrs. White are: Pearl Agnes, born 
March 26, 1885; Ida May, May 13, 1886, and 
Ada Estelle, January 21, 1888. Mr. White is 
a member of the order of Foresters, Lodge No. 
6742, in Sacramento. 

fEORGE SMITH, baggagemaster at Sacra- 
mento for the Central Pacific Company, is 
one of the well-known old-time residents 
of the city. He is a native of Chautauqua 
County, New York, born at Barcelona (the 
harbor town on Lake Erie for Westtield), on the 
22d of February, 1838, his parents being Joel 
and Thankful (Holmes) Smith. The father 
came to that county when a mere child with his 
parents, and was reared there. He was a mer- 
chant at Barcelona. The mother of the subject 
came of one of the old families of northwestern 
New York, and was born in Chautauqua 
County. George Smith was a mere boy in 
years when his mother died, and when the 
California gold fever broke out the father 
decided to try his fortunes on the Pacific coast. 
He sailed around Cape Horn in 1849, arriving 
in California in 1850. He went into business 
in Sacramento on the corner of Third and J streets, 
in partnership with William T. Hines, who had 
come across the plains in 1849. The partner- 
ship between them continued only a year or so, 
but Mr. Smith carried on the business until 



about 1867. He died in Sacramento Jan 



uary 



18, 1876. George Smith, subject of this sketch, 
received his schooling at his native place, and 
then engaged as clerk in a general store. In 
the early part of 1854 he came to California; 
going to New York, he took passage on the old 
steamer "Georgia" on the 5th of February. 
There were 1,500 people aboard, and on the 
second day out a terrible storm arose, which 
continued with such violence as to make it seem 
highly probable that the vessel and all on board 
would be lost, and they were right in the wake 
of the " Central America," which had gone down 
the preceding year. The " Georgia's " bulwarks 
were smashed iti and she was otherwise dis- 
abled, but safely weathered the storm, after 
which she put into port at Norfolk, Virginia. 
They sent to New York for the " Empire City," 
which came and carried the passengers to Aspin- 
wall. The railroad was then completed about 
two-thirds of the way to Panama, and he rode 
to the end of it, then went on mule-back the 
rest of the distance, which requii'ed a tedious 
day and night. Taking a steamer for San Fran- 
cisco, he landed there on the 15th of March. 
He come to Sacramento, and went into his 
father's store. He was there engaged for two 
years, then went up near Grizzly Flat, El Dorado 
County, and mined there eight or ten months, 
with only moderate success. He then returned 
to Sacramento, aid again went into the store. 
About 1858 he was appointed on the police 
force. He resigned his position on the force 
afterward, and served four years as a clerk of 
the police court under Judge Foote. In 1869 
he was elected Chief of Police, and served two 
years in that capacity. At the expiration of his 
term, he entered the baggage department of 
the Central Pacific Railroad as baggagemaster 
at Sacramento, and has held that position ever 
since. Mr. Smith was married in this city in 
April, 1865, to Miss Mary E. Grinnell, who 
came to Sacramento at the age of two years, in 
1S52. They have three sons, viz. : William E., 
Fred Joel and George Herbert. Mr. Smith is 
a member of the Chosen Friends, and of the 



7a2 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Foresters, lie is a courteous, genial gentleman, 
is well iinowii far and near, and has a host of 
friends in Sacramento and elsewiiere throughout 
California. 



fl-IRIST. WAHL, proprietor of the Colum- 
bus Brewery, and one of the active, ener- 
getic business men of Sacramento, is a 
native of Wiirtemberg, Germany, born in Neuf- 
fen, on the 10th of May, 1850. his parents l)eing 
William and Katharine (Ladner) Wahl, his 
father being a hotel proprietor. He was reared 
at his native place, attending the Government 
.schools fur the customary length of time, and 
afterward learned the brewers' trade. After his 
apprenticeship he traveled throughout Germany 
for the purpose of obtaining a more thorough 
knowledge of the business. He came to the 
United States in 1869, landing at New York, but 
soon coming out to San Francisco, where he ob- 
tained employment in the John Wieland Brewery, 
which continued about one year. He next went 
to the Chicago Brewery, where he was engaged 
as cellerman for two months, and then promoted 
to foreman. In 1881 he bought out the Colum 
bus Brewery in Sacramento. This brewery is 
the oldest of those now in the city. It was 
established by E. & C. Gruhler in 1852, at the 
present location, and they continued its proprie- 
tors until the sale to Mr. Wahl. When he took 
hold, there were between 3,000 and 4,000 bar- 
rels of beer manufactured per year- lie set 
about making improvements, expended $30,000 
to the best advantage, and the capacity is now 
8ome20,000 barrels per annum. The trade, which 
extends throughout northern California and 
western Nevada, and is also extensive in San 
Francisco, is constantly increasing under his 
judicious management. As it stands to-day, 
with steam supplanting the old horse-power ar- 
rangement, the Columbus Brewery is an entirely 
new and tinely-e(juipped institution. Mr. Wahl 
was married in San Francisco to Miss Annie 
Bertsh, a native of Wiirtemberg. They iiave 



five children, viz.: Lora, Christ., Annie, Selina 
and Lydia. Mr. Wahl was formerly a member 
of Concord Lodge, I. O. O. F., San Francisco, 
but now belongs to Schiller Lodge. He is also 
a member of Sacramento Turn-Verein; of the 
Verein-Eintraclit, and of Germanic Lodge, 
No. 138, K. of H., San Francisco. Mr. Wahl 
is a public-spirited man, and takes an interest 
in everything pertaining to the welfare of Sac- 
ramento. 



-^^ ■ S - l- 



fHARLES VOGEL, proprietor of the Wash- 
ington Bakery, Sacramento, is a native 
of Germany, born atTuebingen. Wtirtem- 
burg, on the 17th day of August, 1837, his par- 
ents being Gottlieb and Frederika (Eagemann) 
Vogel, the father a portrait painter by ]>rofes- 
sion. Charles Yogel was reared at his native 
place, and there attended the Governmeut 
schools to the age of fourteen years, also receiv- 
ing instructions from private tutors, including 
French, etc. He then learned the bakers' trade. 
In 1854 he came to the United States, sailing 
from Havre to New York, where he arrived in 
May, after a voyage of twenty-eight days. He 
obtained employment at Yoerk's bakery, on 
Greenwich avenue. New York, and worked there 
three years. He then went thirty miles up the 
Hudson, near Tarrytown, and worked for Heiler 
about eight months. He then came to Cali- 
fornia, leaving New York on an opposition 
steamer, crossing the Isthmus of Panama, and 
proceeding by steamer to San Francisco, where 
he arrived in May, 1858. He remained there 
about four weeks, but not obtaining employ- 
ment came to Sacramento and went to work for 
Matt Karcher, who kept the City Bakery, on 
Sixth street, between I and J. One month later 
the place was closed up, and Mr. Vogel went to 
work for Adam Neubauer and Frederick Sin- 
kauer, on Third street, next door to where he 
himself is now in business. Six months later 
be bought into the business with Neubauer, and 
they, with J. F. W. Meyer, carried on the busi- 



HISTORY OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



iiess until Mr. Neiibaiierdied, in 1880. Messrs. 
Vogel and Meyer remained iti partnership until 
July, 1887, when Mr. Meyer died. Since that 
time Mr. Vogel has been sole proprietor. Mr. 
Vogel was married in Berlin, while on a visit to 
the old country in 1868, to Miss Teresa Wilsek, 
a native of Berlin. Eio;ht children have been 
born to them, of whom live are living, viz.: 
Charles, William, Adolph, Harry and Alice. 
Mr. Vogel is a member of Sacramento Stamm, 
Red Men. He has almost made his start in 
this city, and has become one of the substantial 
men of Sacramento. He erected his business 
building in 1859, and his handsome and sub- 
stantial residence in 1872. During the floods 
of 1861-'62 he had his share of experiences. 
He was on the corner of Tenth and M streets 
with his wagon when he heard that the water 
was coming, and he went to the store to pre- 
pare for the flood. The water came with a rush 
and a roar, and in less than ten minutes the 
whole basement was flooded, and the water still 
rising, though the building was on the highest 
grade. He baked bread for two months in two 
feet of water, and boats would come right up to 
the door for bread. Mr. Vogel is an active, 
pushing man, and withal has a h:)st of friends 
in the city and elsewhere. 

-^^€M^^-^ — 

fEORGE W. CHESLEY. — In the chron_ 
icle of events attending the growth of 
Sacramento, from an outpost of civilization 
to her present proud position, the gentleman 
whose name heads this sketch must always re- 
main a central figure. As an old-time mer- 
chant, yet in the front rank of commercial 
circles, as well as a citizen who has always taken 
a pride in the advancement of the city of his 
adoption, Mr. Chesley commands the respect, 
esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, in 
a degree, and to an extent, seldom observed. He 
is a native of Dover, New Hampshire, born 
February 3, 1822, his parents being Richard 
and Mary (Twombley) Chesley, both of whom 



came of old New England families. His father, 
who was a contractor, died when the subject of 
this sketch was a mere boy in years, and he, af- 
ter going to school at Lynn something over a 
year, went to Boston to live with a sister who 
had married and located in that city. There he 
commenced his first occupation in life, — that of 
clerkiTig in a dry-goods store. At the age of 
seventeen years he went to Providence, Rhode 
Island, and resided there until the 2d of Feb- 
ruary, 1849, when he went to New York, hav- 
ing determined to try his fortunes on the golden 
shores of California. On the 5th of February 
the "Crescent City" steamed out of New York 
harbor with Mr. Chesley as a passenger, and she 
was the second steamer to make the trip to 
Chagres, the "F'alcon" being the first. On the 
25th of May following, after having been en- 
gaged on the Isthmus in the auction and ticket 
brokerage business, Mr. Chesley resumed his 
journey to San Francisco on the steamer "Ore- 
gon," Captain Pierson. On the 13th of June, 
1849, the " Oregon " steamed through the 
Golden Gate, and Mr. Chesley landed on Cali- 
fornia soil. He at once embarked in the auc- 
tion and commission business in connection 
with John A. Clark, son of ex-Mayor Aaron 
Clark, of New York, and John Johnson, under 
the firm name of Johnson, Chesley & Clark. 
That firm continued until March, 1850, when it 
was dissolved, and Mr. Chesley came to Sacra- 
mento and engaged in the auction business, on 
the corner of Sixth and K streets, which was 
the center of the cattle and horse market, great 
droves of these animals being almost constantly 
about. He was burned out here in tiie great 
tire of 1852, and this decided him to return to 
San Francisco. There he was interested in real 
estate, having purchased some tifty and 100 
vara lots, and subdivided them. Tiiese yielded 
him $3,100. Chesley street was laid out, and 
took its name in his honor. In 1854 Mr. Ches- 
ley came back to Sacramento, and in the follow- 
ing year, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Bradley (now a retired capitalist of San Fran- 
cisco), and ex-Mayor Bryant, started the whole- 



HJ8T0BT OF SAOliAMENTO COUNTY. 



sale house of Chesley & Bryant, in the block 
below the present store on Front street. In 
1860, Mr. Bradley, who had previously sold out 
came back into the firm, w'hich then became 
Chesley & Bradley. In 1863 the latter's inter- 
est was purchased by Mr. Chesley, and the firm 
became G. W. Chesley & Co., which is the pres- 
ent style. In 1862 the business was removed to 
the present location (twenty-eight years ago), 
and now the house is well known and does 
a I extensive business throughout California and 
adjoining States and Territories. No house on 
the Pacific Coast enjoys a better reputation 
among its patrons than that of G. W. Chesley 
& Co. Mr. Chesley was married at Provi- 
dence, Rhode Island, in 1844, to Miss Alice 
Marie Whipple, a descendant of one of the sign- 
ers of the Declaration of Independence. Mrs. 
Chesley is a lady of rare gifts and accomplish- 
ments, and her letters, written from Paris dur- 
ing the P'ranco-Prussian war, afi^orded material 
of almost dramatic interest to her friends in 
California. She was in the French capital 
when it was besieged by the German hosts, and 
enduied with great fortitude all the horrors of 
the dark days of the celebrated siege. Mr. 
Chesley is a member of the San Francisco and 
Sacramento Societies of California Pioneers, and 
has been for three years president of the latter 
body, despite the unwritten law which confines 
any member to but a single term in the ex- 
ecutive oftice. He is a member of the Improve- 
ment Association, and of the Water Commission. 
In the days of the volunteer tire department he 
• was an active member of Engine Company No. 
3, and is prominently identified with the ex- 
empt firemen. Mr. Chesley has always been in 
the front rank in everything having a tendency 
to advance the interests of Sacramento, and to 
add to her reputation for hospitality. He was 
chairman, and an active manager for the com- 
mittee, having in charge the entertainment of 
the visiting members of the National Encamp- 
ment, G. A. R., and the marvelous success of 
that entertainment will always mark a brilliant 
page in the history of Sacramento. Mr. Chesley 



is a kind-hearted, hospitable gentleman of the 
old school, who has been an eye-witness and 
participant in the wonderful progress of Cali- 
fornia from the pioneer days; nevertheless he 
yet ranks among the most active and enterprising 
men of the capital city. His fund of information 
concerning the early days of California has a 
peculiar interest, and his anecdotes of those 
times, bringing together, as they do, scenes and 
incidents, both humorous and pathetic, have 
a charm which makes them always appreciated 
by his friends. 



fRED. BIEWENER. — Among the active 
business men of Sacramento is the gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch. He 
is a native of Hanover, Germany, born May 4, 
1847, his parents being Henry August and 
Elizabeth (Grothaus) Biewener. He comes of a 
mercantile family, his father, though retired, 
being still the head of a large mercantile house 
at Hoyel. Mr. Biewener attended the public 
schools at his native place from six to fourteen 
years of age, and afterward was instructed by 
private tutors until he had received a liberal 
education. He then entered his father's store 
as assistant, but in 1867 came to America, 
landing at New York, and thence proceeding 
via Nicaragua to California, landing at San 
Francisco, November 27, 1867. He came di- 
rectly to Sacramento, and commenced the 
butcher's trade with Heilbron Bros. After 
sixteen months they sold out, and during the 
ten months following he was with Reinhart & 
Dold. On the 3d of February, 1870, he em- 
barked in business at the Fulton market, in 
company with Christopher Doscher. A year 
and five months later the latter sold out to H. 
Hageman. In 1881 this partnership was dis- 
solved, and Mr. Biewener has since carried on 
the business alone. He was married in this city 
to Miss Henrietta Neuhaus, a native of Alden- 
burg, Germany. They have five children, viz.: 
Helena, Katie, August, Fred and Henry. Mr 



HI8T0HY OF' SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



Biewenei- became a ineinber of the Sacramento 
Turn-Verein in 1884. He was first elected 
trustee, and in 1888 was chosen president of the 
organization, taking the office in January, 1889. 
Jle is a trustee of Sacramento Stauim, No. 124, 
I. O. R. M., and a member of Sacramento 
Grove, No. 6861, A. O. F. He is also an of- 
ficer of the Chosen Friends, and is president of 
the Butchers' Protective Union since January, 
1889. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. 
Eiewener is a good representative of tlie 
younger and more pushing class of business 
men, and is a very popular man with a large 
circle of personal friends. 

A. BAXTER, general foreman of 
foundry and wheel departments, Cen- 
tral Pacific Railroad shops, Sacramento, 
is a native of Vermont, born at Norwich Plain, 
on the 17th day of October, 1836, his parents 
being Erastus and Lucy (Freeman) Baxter. 
When he was but seven years of age, his par- 
ents removed to Franklin County, New York, 
where he received his education, and assisted 
his fatiier on the farm. When he was si.xteen 
years of age he went to Manchester, New 
Hampshire, and learned the molder's trade at 
the Amoskeag Locomotive Works. He was em- 
ployed there four years, then went to Providence, 
and was engagea at the works of Collins & 
Nightingill, one of the largest establishments 
in New England. In 1858 he went to Chicago, 
and was for several years employed at the McCor- 
mick Reaper Works. In 1864 he went to Elgin, 
and in connection with a partner, opened a 
foundry there, which they operated until 1866. 
In 1867 Mr. Ba.xter came out to California. 
Going to New York, he took the steamer Ar- 
ago as far as the Isthmus, and proceeded to 
California on the America, landing at San Fran- 
cisco January 28, 1868. On the 80th he was 
in Sacramento, and he w'ent out on the Cosum- 
nes River to the ranch of his father-in-law, 
Tlieophilus Reiiwicke, who now has a fruit 



ranch at Florin. From there he went to Fol- 
soni, and, obtaining employment in the shops 
of the Central Pacific Railroad there, went to 
work on the 26th of March, 1868. When they 
bought out the I street foundry, in September 
of that year, he came to Sacramento, and went 
to work in the foundry here. When the shops 
were built, two years later, he went into the 
foundry department. He worked as a journey- 
man seven or eight years, then was given charge 
of the wheel department. In 1881 he was pro- 
moted to the position of general foreman of the 
foundry and wheel departments. In these de- 
partments between fifty and sixty tons of metal 
are melted per day, and 112 wheels is a day's 
work. Mr. Baxter was married at Elgin, Illi- 
nois, on the 8th of June, 1859, to Miss Julia 
Renwicke, a native of that city. They have 
one son, Charles (who is an engineer for the 
Central Pacific Company at Dunsmoor), and 
one daughter. Miss Bertha. Mr. Baxter is a 
member of Union Lodge, A. O. U. AV., and of 
Union Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He has been a 
Republican since the organization of that party, 
and cast his first presidential vote for John C. 
Fremont. Mr. Baxter is one of the old-time 
force of the railroad company, and is a popular 
man with the employes in his departments. 

— ^Ceni)*'^^ — 

fHARLES HEINRICH, deceased. Among 
the best known of the pioneers of Cali- 
fornia who have made their home in Sac- 
ramento, was Charles Heinrich, now deceased. 
He was born in Germany in 1826, but left 
theie when quite young and came to America, 
locating in New York. When Stevenson's 
regiment was organized for the Mexican war, he 
joined its ranks, and accompanied the command 
to California, arriving on the 6th of March, 
1847. He was among the first to come to Sac- 
ramento, and he opened the grocery store on 
the corner of Third and L streets which is still 
conducted in the family, and enjoys the dis- 
tinction of being the oldest store of any kind 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



in Sacramento. Mr. Henirich's courteous de- 
meanor and good business qualiiications made 
his store a paying investment, but he was 
burned out, like the rest, in the great tire of 
1852, and again suffered in the great floods of 
1861-'62. He conducted the business snccess- 
fuilj, in spite of all obstacles, until 1887, when 
he was succeeded by his son Emii. He was one 
of the organizers of the Sacramento Hussars, 
and has served as captain of the company. He 
was also an honored member of the Sacramento 
Society of California Pioneers. His death oc- 
curred July 27, 1888. His wife was also one of 
the early ones to come to California, making 
the trip across the plains from Missouri. Her 
maiden name was Sophia Neubauer. They were 
the parents of thirteen ciiildren, of whom five 
are living. The two oldest of them are twins, 
viz.: Albert, who is an engineer in the Sacra- 
mento lire department, at the Tenth street 
station, and Richard, who has been conr.ected 
with tiie fire department of San Diego, but is 
now a resident of Sacramento. The others are: 
Minnie, wife of Albert Meyer (firm of Meyer 
Brothers, of the Wigwam, San Francisco); Emil, 
subject of the following sketch, and Nellie. 

Emil Heinrich, son of Charles Heinrich, 
deceased, and now the proprietor of the pio- 
neer store of Sacramento, northeast corner 
of Third and L streets, was born in Sacra- 
mento, in January, 1863. He was educated 
in the public schools of the city, and after that 
clerked in his father's store. In 1885 he went 
to Portland, (Oregon, and afterward to San Fran- 
cisco, where he remained a year, then returned 
to Sacramento. He soon afterward, however, 
went to Los Angeles, where he took the position 
of manager of Brown's bakery and confection- 
ery business. Since taking charge of the busi- 
ness in Sacramento, he has given his entire 
attention to the details, and has maintained the 
reputation already established. Mr. Heinrich 
is a member of Sacramento Parlor, No. 3, Na- 
tive Sons of the Golden West, which he joined 
in 1880, and in which he has held the office of 
treasurer. He is an e.\tra fireman of No. 1 | 



Company, Second street. He is a Republican 
politically, as was his father. Mr. Heinrich is 
one of the enterprising young business men of 
Sacramento, and enjoys the confidence and es- 
teem of the community. 



*ir^^-*^ 



fR. F. W. HATCH, deceased.— No expo- 
nent of the medical profession in Sacra- 
mento ever occupied a higher place in the 
hearts of his brethren than did the late Dr. F. "W. 
Hatch. Though not a pioneer, yet he came to 
California during her early days, and his name 
was well known throughout the State. Dr. Hatch 
was a native of Virginia, born at Charlottesville, 
March 2, 1822. His boyhood days were passed 
in Washington, District Columbia, where his 
fath r, an Episcopal clergyman, was Chaplain of 
the United States Senate for twelve years. His 
literary and classical education were obtained at 
Union College, Schenectady, New ^ork, where 
he was graduated with honors at the age of nine- 
teen. Having determined to study medicine, 
he at once repaired to the metropolis, where the 
largest opportunities were presented for the 
furtherance of his purpose, and entered the 
medical department of the New York Univer- 
sity. Here he received the instructions of such 
men as Drs. Mott, Revere, Post, Payne and 
Bedford, and he was graduated M. D. March 
10, 1844. He was married to Sarah R. Bloom, 
in Charleston. South Carolina, June 12, 1844, 
and located almost immediately afterward for 
the practice of medicine at Beluit, Wisconsin. 
He afterward moved to Southpurt (now known 
as Kenosha), Wisconsin, where he soon acquired 
an extensive and lucrative practice, and was re- 
garded as being one of the most competent and 
reliable physicians. In 1851 he came to Cali- 
fornia, locating at Sacramento in the fall of tliat 
year. He at once engaged in the practice of 
his profession, and was in early days associated 
with the late Dr. J. F. Morse. But because of 
his attainments as a scholar and his love of edu- 
cation, he was soon singled out as a representa- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



tive, and was elected for several successive 
terms, both City and County Superintendent 
of Schools, and member of the Board of Edu- 
cation. He was elected Secretary of the State 
Board of Health March 3, 1876, and held the 
position until his death. His labors in. this 
capacity, and his reports to the Legislature, are 
the best evidences of the wisdom of the board 
in their selection. He was an active member 
of the City Board of Health for more than 
twenty years; was its president for several 
years, and its secretary for the eight years pre- 
ceding his death. For several years he was 
Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medi- 
cine in the medical department of the Univer- 
sity of California, and for the last four years of 
his life was Professor of Hygiene in the same 
institution. He was also an active contributing 
member of the American Medical Association 
for over a quarter of a century. He was a 
working member of the American Public 
Health Association, and shortly before his death, 
was appointed, at the meeting of the Associa- 
tion at St. Louis, a member of its advising 
council. He was the first president of the Sac- 
ramento Society for Medical Lnprovemeut, 
holding that office for live years, and being 
mainly instrumentd in giving to that society 
such a high rank that membership in it was re- 
garded throughout the State as a synonym of 
professional standing nowhere else to be ob- 
tained in California. His death occurred in 
1884, and from the address of that grand phy- 
sician. Dr. W. R. Cluness, on his old friend. 
Dr. Hatch, before the Sacramento Society for 
Medical Improvement, the material for this 
sketch is obtained. Dr. Hatch was an orna- 
ment to a noble profession, and his name will 
always live in the history of Sacramento. 



».&..t..dc. 



WSAAC JOSEPH, attorney at law, 531 J 
^ street, Sacramento, was born April 25, 1802. 
^ in this city; attended high school here and 
also pursued the literary course at the State 



University at Berkeley; studied law in the office 
of Judge J. H. McKune, and was admitted to 
the bar by the Supreme Court in 1884. Since 
1885 he has been engaged in general law prac- 
tice at the number given above. He is also a 
notary public. With the aid of D. E. Alexan- 
der, Esq., he compiled a work on probate prac- 
tice on the Pacific coast, published by tlie 
Bancroft-Whitney Co., of San Francisco. Mr. 
Joseph is a striking example of what the phy- 
siognomists call a "fine mental organization," 
and men of this character are always neat and 
tht>rough in their business and affable and un- 
pretentious in manner. He is a member of the 
order of Chosen Friends, and a Republican in 
his political principles. His father, Michael 
Joseph, a native of Poland, came to California 
prior to 1850 and worked a long time in the 
gold mines. In 1852 he located in Sacramento, 
engaging in mercantile business. He soon 
moved to Marysville, where he was one of the 
earliest business men, and was prominent as a 
merchant there for a number of years. He was 
likewise employed in San Francisco for a time, 
and finally settled again in Sacramento, where he 
was engaged in merchandising until his death 
in 1876. He was a remarkable man in respect 
to energy and good judgment. Although al- 
most completely burned out in Marysville and 
also in San Francisco, and suffered great losses 
by the fire of 1852 in Sacramento and the flood 
of 1862, he perseveringly recovered from them 
all. Mr. Joseph's mother, nee Cornelia Lamm, 
is a native of France, came to Sacramento in 
1852, and is now a resident here. 



^•i=- 



til. PETTIT, one of the popular business 
men of Sacramento, is a native of Eng- 
* land, born at London, December 18, 
1836, his parents being Joseph E. and Ann 
(Bennett) Pettit. Wiien he was a mere child, 
his parents came to Baltimore, in the United 
States, and from there removed to St. Louis, 
Missouri, and afterward to Wisconsin, and from 



UIHTOIiY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



there subsequently to Quincy, Illinois. In the 
latter city K. H. Fettit learned the cigar makers' 
trade with Henry Hind. After acquiring his 
trade, he woiked for a time at Canton, Illinois, 
and afterward at Keokuk, Iowa. He was in the 
latter city in 1859, when, with a man named 
John Stone, he decided to go to California. 
They proceeded to St. Joseph, Missouri, and 
thence to ISTebraska City, where they fitted out 
for their long journey, wliich was undertaken 
by them in the company of three others — young 
Frenchmen. The landmarks of their journey 
to California may be designated in a gene*-al 
way as Ft. Kearney, Ft. Laramie, Independence 
Kock, Echo Canon, Salt Lake City, Sink of 
Humboldt, Carson Elver and Genoa. They left 
Nebraska City on the 31st day of March, and 
arrived at Genoa on the 5th of August. Mr. 
Pettit went to work at Mono, where he was en- 
gaged until November. He then proceeded to 
Flacerville, and thence came to Sacramento, 
arriving about tlie 18th of November. He ob- 
tained work with Smith & Headman, on Fourth 
street, between J and K, opposite Odd Fellows' 
Building (formerly St. George Hotel), and re- 
mained with them until the flood of December, 
1861. He soon afterward started in business 
for himselt in the alley between L and M, Fourth 
and Fiith streets, and a year and a half later 
bought the property on K street where he now 
does business. He gave up manufacturing in 
1880, and now gives his entire attention to 
wholesaling and retailing tobacco, cigars and 
everything pertaining thereto. He does an ex- 
tensive business, which extends throughout all 
the territory tributary to Sacramento, and no 
business Arm in Sacramento enjoys a higher 
reputation among its customers than does R. H. 
Pettit. He has been twice married. His first 
wife, whom he married in December, 1864, was 
Miss Ellen Hickey, whose parents came to Sac- 
ramento in an early day. She died in 1868. 
His present wife was formerly Miss D. D. 
Iloagland, whose father^ John Iloagland, came 
to California in 1849, and was a member of 
the Pioneer Society. Mr. Pettit is a member 



of Eureka Lodge No. 4, I. 0. O. F., and of 
Occidental Encampment; of Columbia Lodge, 
K. of P.; of A. O. U. W.; of California Lodge, 
K. of H.; of Red Jacket Tribe No. 28, Red 
Men, and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. 
In the days of the volunteer fire department he 
was a member of Confidence Company, No. 1, 
which he joined in 1861. Mr. Pettit is an active 
and enterprising citizen, and a successful busi- 



fRED C. KNAUER, proprietorof the Pacific 
Brewery, Sacramento, is a native of Ger- 
many, born at Sonnenfeld, Saxe-Cobnrg, 
December 16, 1889, his parents being L. and 
Anna (Bnrkhardt) Knauer. L. Knauer, his 
father, came to America in 1847, locating in 
Chicago, where he conducted a liquor and cordial 
factory. In 1849 he came across the plains to 
California by team, with a party of six, among 
whom was Fred Werner, the journey requiring 
about seven months before they reached Sacra- 
mento. He went to Auburn, and there started 
a small bakery. He also mined on Feather 
River, and in the hitter part of 1850 went to 
Weaverville, Trinity County, and opened the 
Miners' Hotel. He did a big business, and in 
1853, having accumulated a great deal of money, 
decided to go back to Europe. Proceeding to 
San Francisco, he stopped at the Globe Hotel, 
and deposited a large shot bag full of gold in 
the hotel safe. When it was time to leave, he 
boarded the steamer, and deposited the sack with 
the purser. He opened it to show the purser 
the genuineness of the gold, when, to his 
amazement, he found the sack was tilled with 
lead! His feelings on the trip back to his old 
home in Germany can well be imagined, when, 
after working hard and accumulating a fortune 
on foreign shores, he must meet his family and 
friends deprived of all, on account of the theft 
and treachery of those in whose care he had de- 
posited his wealth. F. C. Knauer spent his 
boyhood days at his native place, and there 



HIlyTOnY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



attended the government schools from his sixth 
year until his fourteenth. About this time his 
mother died. In 1853, in company with his 
father, he came to the United States, sailing 
from Bremer Haven tlie latter part of October 
on the Sylphide, and landing at New York in 
December. After a few days he went to New 
Brooklyn, where he was eui^aged at various 
occupations. In 1855 he came to California, 
sailing from New York on the steamer Northern 
Liglit, and landing at San Francisco in February, 
from the steamer Cortez. In San Francisco he 
again joined his fatiier, who was foreman at tlie 
Lafayette Brewery. He was in the city at the 
time of the vigilance committee of 1856, and 
saw Casey and three others hung. Later in the 
same year ha went to French Bar, Stanislaus 
County, where his father had by this time 
opened a bre.very. The Fraser River excite- 
ment broke up mining and business in Stanis- 
laus County, and the senior Knaner came to 
Sacramento and took the position of foreman in 
Scheld'o brewery, and our subject came here and 
also went to work in the brewery. The spring 
of 1861 found him working in the Sutterville 
Brewerj', but lie left there and went up to Sal- 
mon River on horseback. Finding no prospects 
there, he returned to San Francisco afoot. liis 
father, who was a musician, was playing the 
piano in the city, but went in the spring of 
1868 to Idaho City, Idaho, where, in partner- 
ship with Henry Martz and Henry Boissellier, 
he started the Ohio Brewery and bakery. Fred 
C. Knauer worked for Mrs. Mueller in the Ohio 
Brewery until 1864, when he went up to Idaho 
to join his father. The property there was sold 
out on July 8, 1865. and the father went to San 
Francisco, but our subject remained there until 
December 16, when he started to Portland, 
Oregon. By this time all the rivers were frozen 
up, and snow had fallen so heavily that even the 
stage companies made little effort at travel. 
He went to Boise City, and from there proceeded 
as far as Straw Ranche, from which point on the 
road was blockaded. He remained there over a 
week, but got restless, and started for the next 



stage station afoot, with others. They got lost 
in a blinding snow storm, and after walking all 
day brought up at night just where they started 
from, and were glad to get back. They would 
surely have perished had it not been that, when 
more dead than alive, they found their own 
foot-prints in the snow. As soon as possible 
they proceeded on, and arriving at Umadilla, 
found the river frozen, and on the second day 
the stage line was opened. They reached the 
Chute by river, and then found it necessary to 
take the stage again to the Dalles. There they 
found the Columbia River frozen, and after 
waiting ten days, it thawed out, and they pro- 
ceeded on toward Salilo; when they got within 
live miles of the latter place, they found they 
could go no farther by water, and they footed it 
for that distance. The trip was also an expen- 
sive one. They got one meal a day, which cost 
$1, while a piece of bacon, a couple of crackers 
and an apple cost four bits. At the Lower Cas- 
cades they found everything frozen up again. 
A few days later, however, a steamer took them 
to Portland, the trip having occupied six we^ks. 
When they reached Portland, news came that 
the steamer " Sierra Nevada," which was to take 
them to San Francisco, liad gone on the rocks, 
and they had to wait two weeks for the steamer 
" Pacific." The voyage lasted eight or nine 
days, and Mr. Knauer got to San Francisco with 
just fifteen cents out of the .$600 with which he 
had started. He remained idle for a time, tak- 
ing a much-needed rest, then he and his father 
bought the property in Oakland known as the 
Oakland Brewery, corner of Ninth and Broad- 
way, on the 20th of April, 1867. They carried 
on the business there until May 20, 1869, when 
they sold the real estate to Black & Mofi^xtt, and 
j the furniture, fixtures good will, etc., to Charles 
Clinn, Mangerts & Bode. On the 17tli of June, 
1869, they bought the Pacific Brewery in Sacra- 
mento. This brewery was started in 1858 by 
J. B. Kohler, George Ochs, and a Mr. Lorenz. 
The original buildings are still standing on the 
; premises. J. B. Kohler died in 1859, and 
j Lorenz died in 1862. Thereafter Mr. Ochs car- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



ried on tlie business until it was purchased by 
L. Knauer & Son. Since bis lather's death, in 
1881, F. C. Knauer has conducted the trade 
alone. He has built up an extensive business, 
and employs improved machinery and compe- 
tent workmen in every department oi' his busi- 
ness. Mr. Knauer was married in this city, 
December 15, 1870, to Miss Charlotte Berger, 
a native of Louisiana. Siie died in Saci'amento, 
leaving two children, viz.: Fred Charles, Jr., 
and William. Mr. Knauer married his present 
wife October 2, 1880. She was ibrmerly Miss 
A. P. S. Gardner, a native of New York. Mr. 
Knauer is a member of Union Lodge, No. 21, 
A. F. & A. M.; of Union Lodge, A. O. U. W.; 
of Sacramento Turn-Verein, and of Sacramento 
Stamm No. 121, Red men. He is a pushing 
business man, and lias a host of friends in trade 
and society. 

'^^^^ ■ 

fOHN MILLER, present representative of 
the undertaking firm of Fritz & Miller, 
holds a high rank in his line in Sacra- 
mento. He is a native of Du Page County, 
Illinois, born a few miles north of Wheaton, 
December 19, 1848, his parents being Jacob 
and Julia (Schultz) Miller, both of whom were 
natives of Germany. He was reared in Illinois, 
and came to California in 1869, just after the 
e.vcursion of the Pioneers, celebrating the com- 
pletion of the Pacific Railroad. H3 spent a 
year in looking over the country, then engaged 
with R. K. Wick, undertaker, with whom he 
remained about five years, then returned to the 
East. In September, 1879, Mr. Miller bought 
out the interest of the partner of Joseph Fritz, 
in the undertaking business, the lirm of Fritz 
& Miller then being formed. Mr. Fritz died 
June 23, 1887, and Mr. Miller has since con 
ducted the business alone He has a hand- 
somely fitted establishment, and being a man of 
taste and excellent business qualities, has re- 
ceived an extensive jiatronage from among the 
best people. Mr. Miller was married in this 



city in 1877, to Miss Barbara Snyder, a native 
of France, who came to America when a child. 
They have had four children, of whom one, 
Frank, died at the age of seven years and three 
months. Those living are: Georgie, Nina and 
Gertrude. Mr. Miller is a member of Colum- 
bia Lodge, K. of P.; of Walhalla Grove, A. 0. 
D.; of the Y. M. I.; of the Verein-Eintracht; 
uf the Chosen Friends, and of the Sacramento 
Hussars. He takes an active interest in mili- 
tary affairs, especially in the department of 
marksmanship, and has been Inspector of Rifle 
Practice of the Fourth Brigade since 1884. Mr. 
Miller is up with the times in everything per- 
taining to his business, and enjoys the respect 
and confidence of the people. 



fSCHINDLER, one of the well-known 
long resident men of business of Sacra- 
** mento, is a native of Germany, born at 
Baden-Baden, April 14, 1835, his parents being 
John and Fraucisca (Schider) Schindler, the 
father a farmer. When he was five years of 
age the family emigrated to America, sailing 
from Havre on the French merchant ship Eliza- 
beth, and landed at New York. Tliey located 
on u farm twenty-five miles east of Bufialo, on 
the Lake Erie shore. When the subject of this 
sketch had reached the age of eleven years, he 
went to Buffalo, and after serving two years as 
waiter in a fashionable boarding-house, went to 
work in the sash, door and blind factory of A. 
C. Sangster & Husted, to learn that business 
and the carpenter trade. He worked for them 
four years, then took the contract to build a 
cooper shop for N. D. Clark, of Bufialo, and 
made money out of the job. He also mortgaged 
a lot for $300, and in March, 1852, he started 
for California with A. C. Sangster. Arriving 
at Panama, he found no vessel to take him to 
San Francis-co, so went to work at the carpenter 
trade for '-$6 a day and found." He next went 
to sea on the little two-masted schooner B 
Allen, engaging at first as table waiter, and 



UISTOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



beinw promoted steward. He was 100 days on 
the voyage to San Francisco, and on arriving 
there took a steamer for Sacramento. lie found 
Mr. Sangster, who was already in the sash, door 
and blind business, and went to work for him. 
Three months later the factory was burned down 
in the great fire of November, 1852. It was 
rebuilt on K street, between Fifth and Sixth. 
Two years afterward it was burned down again, 
and Mr. Schindler purchased what was left, and 
started in business himself, he having brought 
$2,000 with him, and having sent back the 
Tnoney to pay off the mortgage on his Bufi'alo 
lot in 1853. Four or live years after he com- 
menced business, Mr. Scliindler's factory was 
destroyed by fire, and he rebuilt with brick. 
He sold that place and bought again at 708 and 
710 K street. The big floods of 1861-'62 
caused considerable loss to him here, and 40,000 
feet of sugar-pitie lumber belonging to him, to- 
gether with a wagon and other property, floated 
away. Considerable glass which he had in 
stock was also damaged. Besides this he lost 
about $2,000 which was owing to him, on ac- 
count of the high water. These floods showed 
the people where the grade must be established, 
and he raised his place eight feet. He next 
built the house of Mr. Uhl, on M street, for 
$3,500, and then erected over his uwn buildings 
the Central Hall. The fire-fiend again came 
and burned him out, with the loss of his ma- 
chinery, again without insurance. He has been 
engaged in contracting ever since. The sash, 
door and blind business was a good one in the 
early days. Before the Eastern manufactured 
goods came in he could sometimes make as high 
as $150 in a day. Then the Eastern goods com- 
menced to be bought here, Eastern lumber sold 
at $100 per 1,000 feet, and in order to compete 
with the articles of Eastern manufacture Mr. 
Schindler hunted out the sugar-pine, with which 
he did a good business. Some of his workmen 
went back on him, however, and advised people 
to buy at the lumber-yards, and he had to com- 
pete against the whole Eastern trade. But he 
made money on odd sizes and lengths, which 



were iiot handled in the yards. In May, 1890, 
Mr. SoJiindler will 'assume complete possession 
of his building, and will then embark in the 
furniture business. In politics Mr. Schindler 
is a Republican. He has one son, L. C, who 
is book-keeper for Gregory Bros. Mr. Schind- 
ler has been in Sacramento since the early days, 
and has man}' interesting reminiscences of the 
early times in this city. 

— '^■m-^ — 



fOHN C. SCHADEN, one of the young 
business men of Sacramento, is a native of 
Burg Lesum, near Bremen, in Hamburg, 
Germany, born May 3, 1857, and a son of 
Henry and Annie (Winters) Schaden. He re- 
ceived his education between the years of six 
and fourteen, and then obtained employment in 
a cigar-box factory for a year and a half. He 
then came to America, and after a year and a 
quarter in New York city, came to California in 
1874. Coming to Sacramento, he first went to 
work for his brother Arend, but soon engaged 
in business for himself in partnership with A. 
Rodegerdts. This firm continued for nearly 
four years, when Mr. Kodegerdts retired from 
the partnei-ship. One year later Mr. Schaden 
took in his present partner, Frederick Schnei- 
der, and the firm became J. C. Schaden & Co. 
They moved to their present location March 19, 
1886. Mr. Schaden was married in Sacramento 
to Miss Meta Feldhusen, a native of Germany, 
born at Mayenburg, near Bremen. They have 
two children, viz.: Bertha and Charlotte. Mr. 
Schaden is a member of the Sacramento Turn- 
Verein, and was chosen its secretary at the last 
general election, but resigned in order to take 
a trip to Europe. He is a member of the I. O. 
R. M., and also resigned the office of Junior 
Sachem in that organization when he went to 
Europe. He also belongs to California Lodge, 
K. of H., in which he was a charter member. 
He has also been associated with the National 
Guard as a private in Company B, First Artil- 
lery Regiment, Fourth l^rigade. Mr. Schaden 



UIHTOUY OF tiAGHAMENTO COUNTY. 



is an active and influential young business man, 
and has built up a large trade lor his tirni. 

^-^r^ 

fEORGE S. FISHER, one of the bestknown 
men in the employ of the railroad com- 
pany at Sacramento, is a native of New 
York State, born August 27, 1843, his parents 
being Rev. C. L. and Almira Teresa (Kinsey) 
Fisher. His mother came of one of the old 
families of central New York. A brother of 
her lather served on the staif of General Gates, 
and her father was, for many years preceding 
his death, manager of the great Eagle Mills, at 
Utica. Rev. C. L. Fisher, father of the subject 
of this sketch, was born in Norwich, England, 
and came to America with his parents when 
nine years old. They located at Utica, New 
York, and there he was reared and educated. 
In that city he was ordained a minister of the 
Baptist faith in 1847. He was married there, 
and after his marriage he removed to Whitehall, 
New York. From there he removed to Wis- 
consin, when much of that State was wild, and 
Indians and wild game plentiful. He located 
at Shields, Marquette County, and afterward re- 
moved to Dtl Prairie, Adams County. From 
there thej removed in 1857 to Minnesota, set- 
tling in Money Creek Valley, eighteen miles 
west of La Crescent. In March, 1860, they 
joined a large wagon train bound for Oregon. 
Starting with ibur yoke of oxen, they reached 
Oregon City after a journey of si.\ months lack- 
ing five days, with three oxen and the rear 
wheels of one wagon, which was hauled as a 
cart. While on the North Platte they had a 
little trouble with the Sioux. The horse train 
and ox teams were encamped some distance 
apart, and there were not a great number of 
men in the latter party. A band of Sioux In- 
dians rode up, and one of them, drawing a sabre, 
playfully took oft' the hat of an old man named 
Allen. Allen returned the compliment by 
throwing a stone at the Indian, who then hit 
Allen on the back with the flat side of his sabre. 



youii^ 



lan then drew a bead on tiie Indian 



with his rifle, but Mr. Fisher stopped him al- 
most in the act of shooting. When they reached 
Fort Hall, they met the commanding officer of 
the department, who gave them a company of 
soldiers to escort them through a country filled 
with savage Indians, where a whole train had 
been massacred the year before. Every night 
they could see the Indian signal fires burning 
brightly on the hills. They proceeded to Ore- 
gon by Lander's cut-off", which had not been 
used for two or three years, and they had to cut 
and clear away trees that had fallen across the 
road. One of the party died on this road, and 
was buried in a beautiful valley. The Meyers 
family, refugees from a train wiiich was at- 
tacked and dispersed by the Indians, were only 
a few days behind them, and were picked uji by 
the Government escort. On reaching Oregon 
City, they remained there until 1861, when 
they went to Salem, and were located there eight 
years, during which time the Rev. Mr. Fisher 
built the first and only Baptist Church there, 
and served as pastor of the congregation for 
some years. He helped on its construction also 
as a carpenter. In 1868 he brought his family 
to Columbia, Tuolumne County, California, 
where he served as pastor of the church there 
until removing to Santa Clara. There he was 
pastor for three years, then at Marysville for a 
time, next at Santa Clara again, and from there 
went to Virginia City, Nevada. He built a 
church at Virginia City and one at Carson, and 
officiated as pastor at both. He next went to 
Reno, thence to Santa Cruz, from there to Red 
Bluff, and then back to Reno, where he is now 
pastor of the First Baptist Church. He is at this 
writing in his seventy-third year, having been 
born at Norwich, England, December 26, 1817. 
She was married June 13, 1841, by Rev. C. P. 
Sheldon, pastor of the Baptist Church at Whites- 
borough, Oneida County, New York, to Miss 
A. T. Kinsey, who was born in Otsego County, 
NewYork, November 16, 1821. George S. 
P'isher, subject of this sketch, received his first 
schooling at Dell Prairie, Wisconsin, afterward 



lIlSTOUy OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



received instruction at different plates where the 
family resided, and from his father, who is a 
fine classical scholar. When a boy he learned 
the painters' trade. On the 12tii of December, 
1864, he enlisted at Salem. Oregon, in Company 
C, FirstOregon Volunteer Regiment. He went 
to Fort Vancouver, thence by the steamer Pa- 
cific to Fort Steilacoom, on Puget Sound. He 
was there appointed Corporal of the company, 
which was commanded by Captain Paul Clark 
Crandall, who is now in the department of jus- 
tice, Washington, District of Columbia. He 
was stationed there until the 1st of July, 1865, 
when he was appointed to the hospital of the 
First Oregon Infantry Regiment, and went to 
J^ort Stephens, at the month of the Columbia 
River, on the Oregon side. He remained in 
charge there until mustered out of the service, 
having been honorably discharged on the 31st 
of October, 1865. He rejoined tlie family at 
Salem, and then he and his father kept hotel, at 
two houses, for two years. Alter that they were 
in the wholesale and retail grocery and crockery 
business for about a year. After that he studied 
dentistry. At Sonora, three miles south of Co- 
lumbia, Tuolumne County, he finished the ac- 
quirement of the profession of dentistry under 
Doctor Monendez. He rejoined his father's 
family at Santa Clara, and practiced his profes- 
sion tiiere a short time. He clerked and drove 
on long trips for John Woodney, who had the 
telegraph and Wells-Fargo offices. Leaving 
there he came to Sacramento, and thence pro- 
ceeded to Marysville, where the family then 
were. He remained there about a year, clerk- 
ing for Mr. Cooley, in the crockery business. 
His ne.\t employment was with Tiiomas Don- 
gall, and after that with Mr. Walsh, both of 
whom were in the dry-goods business. Tiring 
of indoor employment, he applied for a situation 
to Superintendent Bowen, of the Oregon Di- 
vision of the Central Pacific Railroad, and on 
March 20. 1870, he went to work as a brake- 
man for a time, next as freight conductor and 
extra on passenger, and finally as conductor on 
regular passenger train for seven years, for the 



past five yeaas of which he lias been on the 
short run from Sacramento to Knight's Land- 
ing. While on this run he was collector fcJr the 
Southern Pacific Company's steamers, and dep- 
uty constable, but gave that up to take a better 
position as deputy sheriff under Moses Drew. 
He holds that position by re-appointment under 
Siieriff McMnllen, and is Southern Pacific Com- 
pany's officer at the depot and vicinity. Mr. 
Fisher was married in Sacramento, September 
2, 1874, to Miss Alice M. Powell, a native of 
South Adams, Massachusetts, and daughter of 
George L. and Lydia R. (Burlingaine) Powell, 
who are now residents of San Francisco. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fisher have three children, viz.: Low- 
rena L., Georgie A. and Willie A. Mr. Fisher 
is a member of Industrial Lodge, No. 157, 1. O. 
O. F.; of Ben Bow Lodge, No. 229, Sons of St. 
George, and of Sierra Nevada Division, No. 195, 
Order of Railway Conductors. Politically he is 
an active Republican. Under Governor Gibbs' 
administration in Oregon, he was enrolling and 
engrossing clerk in the State Legislature, his 
father being at the same time sergeant-at-arms. 
For the past four years he has been aide to grand 
marshal in the Fourth of July and memorial day 
parades. In tlie memorial parade day of 1889, 
he was chief aide to Grand Marsiial George W. 
Railton, and on July 4, 1889, he was aide to 
Grand Marshal R. D. Stephens. 



^ENRY L. ECKMAN, one of tlie promi. 
IB) "^'^'' .y^""." business men of Sacramento 
^sll who has made his start in this city, is a 
native of Germany, born at Hamburg on the 
15th of November, 1857, his parents being 
Henry L., Sr., and Katie (Deden) Eckman, the 
father a business man. The subject of this 
sketch was reared and educated at his native 
place, and there took his first lessons in the 
handling of business. In 1881 he came to the 
United States and located in Sacramento, Cali- 
fornia, where he engaged as clerk for '\\v. 
Steinmeyer, on the corner of Fourth and P 



niSTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Streets. On the 1st of January, 1884, Mr. 
Ecknian succeeded to the proprietorship of the 
store,- and has built up a very large trade by 
fair and honest dealing, and tiie exercise of 
judicious business principles. The store was 
started by John Schoeness, who put up the 
building for the purpose, lie was succeeded 
by F. W. Steinineyer (who formerly kept across 
the street), and as before stated Mr. Steinnieyer 
was succeeded by Mr. Eckman in 1884. Mr. 
Eckman was married in this city December 19, 
1887, to Miss Annie Dressier, a native of Ger- 
many. Mr. Eckuian is a member of Friendship 
Council, jN^o. 65, Chosen Friends, and of the 
Verein-Eintracht. Mr. Eckman belongs to the 
younger class of business men in Sacramento, 
who are now becoming such an important factor 
in commercial circles here, as elsewhere. He 
is ail active, enterprising man, and enjoys the 
conlideiice and esteem of his friends and patrons. 



fX. EBNER, of the firm of Ebner Bros., 
wholesale liquor dealers, ranks among the 
"* most active business men of Sacramento. 
He is a native of Baden, Germany, born Octo- 
ber 28, 1829. His father, Charles Ebner, was 
a lumber dealer and butcher, also carrying on 
general mercantile business. His mother's 
maiden name was Schmidt. He was reared at 
his native place (Waldshut-bei Freiburg), where 
he spent the years between the ages of six and 
fourteen attending the Government schools, and 
afterward at a business institute. He was 
drafted into the army in 1849, and served 
through the Involution in an artillery regi- 
ment. He went to Switzerland after leaving 
the army, and from there came to America, 
sailing from Havre to New York. He pro- 
ceeded to Chicago, thence to St. Louis, and a 
year later to New Orleans, where he followed 
various pursuits until 1853. About the 5th of 
March of that year he left New Orleans and 
came to California by steamer via Panama, 
landing at San Francisco about the 1st of A[)ril. 



He came to Sacramento and obtained employ- 
ment on the first water works of the city, then 
building. The following year he and his brother 
Charles assumed charge of the Sierra Nevada 
Hotel, on Ninth and J streets. In 1857 they 
built the Ebner House, and ran it about six 
years, since which time they have given their 
principal attention to their extensive business, 
which extends throughout northern California 
and Nevada. Mr. Ebner was one of the organ- 
izers of the Sacramento Hussars, and was Cap- 
tain when the compauy entered the State militia 
during the Rebellion, serving eight years in that 
capacity. He is one of the long-time members 
of the Sacramento Turn-Verein. Mr. Ebner is 
an active and enterprising man, and has hosts 
of friends in Sacramento and throughdut the 
country where he is known. 

--hS.^^^-*^-- 



to N. JOHN WEI L.— Among the well- 
known Californians resident and doing 
business in Sacramento, is the gentleman 
whose name this sketch commences. He is a 
native of Germany, born in the Duchy of Nassau, 
near Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the small town 
of Hattersheim, on the 12th day of April, 
1834. His parents were John Adam and Mar- 
garetha Weil, the father a miller. The motlier 
died when the subject of this sketch was but 
two years of age. He received his education 
in the public schools between the ages of six 
and fourteen years, and after that was thrown 
u])on his own resources. He obtained employ- 
ment as an errand-boy at Franktbrt-on-the-Main, 
and was thus engaged for a year and a half. He 
then became a merchants' apprentice at May- 
ence, and was thus employed until nineteen 
years of age. In 1853 he came to America, 
sailing from Liverpool on the clipper ship Hus- 
sar. He had engaged passage on a sleamer, 
but it sank, and he came by the clipper in pref- 
erence to waiting for another steamer. He ar- 
rived at New York in Aj)ril after a voyage of 
twenty-seven dajs. He then pmcceded to St 



UISrORT.OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Louis, and thence to Belleville, Illinois, where 
he remained until the following year. In 1854 
he came to Calitbrnia with his sister, taking a 
steamer to Havana, thence to Aspinwall, then 
across the Isthmus, and on the John L. Stephens 
to San Francisco, where he landed, and soon 
came to Sacramento. His brotiier, Mr. C. Weil, 
liad come to Sacramento in 1852, and was in 
business on the corner of Eleventh and J streets, 
and had a vinegar factory on L street, and our 
subject was employed in the business. A year 
later he became a partner in the vinegar factory, 
and so continued until 1857, when he sold out 
and went to Monte Christo, Sierra County, to 
engage in mining. He bought an interest in a 
mine, and a year later started a store. One day 
in the fall of 1859, while he was in Sacramento 
purchasing goods, he received word that his 
store iiad burned down. He went back at once, 
but as the mines were giving out and the town 
going down, he concluded to leave there. He 
went down to Downieville, and there carried on 
business until 1876. While there, in February, 
1865, he was again burned out, losing $15,000, 
with no insurance, and then offered to sell every- 
thing he had left for $1,000. But he persevered 
and prospered. In the fall of 1876 he closed 
out his business there, and came to Sacramento 
to rest up. He had always been an active fac- 
tor in the organization of the Republican party, 
and in 1879, much to his surprise, he was nom- 
inated for the office of State Treasurer by the 
Republican convention of that year, and was 
chosen to that important position by the suf- 
frages of the citizens of the State at the ensu- 
ing election. At the expiration of his term of 
office in 1882, he lived retired from active pur- 
suits for some time, but in 1884 the real-estate 
firm of Weil & Johnson was formed. In 1886 
he was instrumental in the organization of the 
Sacramento Glass & Crockery Com pan 3% and 
was elected its president. He became more and 
more interested in the business financially, and 
now gives his principal attention to the business, 
and is the heaviest stockholder. He has lately 
disposed of his interest in the firm of AYeil & 



Johnson. Mr. Weil was married in Sacramento 
(while a resident of Downieville) on the 6th of 
June, 1866, to Miss Anna M. Hickman. They 
have three children, all born in Downieville, 
viz.: Louis J., Robert and Marguerite. Mr. 
Weil has been a Republican since the orgajiiza- 
tion of the party. In the fall of 1869 he was 
elected a supevisor of Sierra County, and served 
two terms of three years each. He declined a 
re-election, urged upon him by both Republi- 
cans and Democrats. He has taken an active 
interest in the public affairs in Sacramento, 
and is now one of the Board of Fire Commis- 
sioners. He has been offered the Republican 
nomination for mayor upon one occasion, feel- 
ing compelled to refuse it, when the convention 
took a recess to wait upon him with the tender 
of the first place on the city ticket. He is a 
member of Sierra Lodge, No. 24, I. O. O. F., 
and has passed its chairs, as also those of the 
encampment at Downieville, Blue Range, No. 
8. He is a member of the Canton at Sacramento, 
and is a charter member of the Veteran Odd 
Fellows of Sacramento. He is a member of 
Mountain Shade Lodge, No. 18, Downieville, 
and holds membership in the Sacramento Turn- 
Verein. Mr. Weil is looked upon as one of the 
foremost citizens of the State, and in his public 
and private career has won the respect and con- 
fidence of the entire community. 



^•^^- 



P. McCREARY, deceased. Among 
those who made honored names for them- 
the early business annals of 
Sacramento, none were more enterprising than 
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. 
He was a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and a 
member of one of the pioneer families of that 
region. In fact his father, in conjunction with 
Seth Reed, did the first surveying in that 
county. When quite young W. P. McCreary 
left his native place, and went to Mansfield, 
Ohio, where he commenced a mercantile career, 
for which he had laid a solid foundation by a 



746 



miSTORY OF SACRAMENTO OOUNTY. 



good education, acquired at Rochester, New 
York. He afterward removed to Sandusky, 
Ohio, and was engaged in the forwarding busi- 
ness, and in grain operations. He was an ex- 
tensive vessel owner, and did his shipping un 
the lakes in his own vessel. The discovery of 
gold in California, with the consequent rush of 
emigration in that direction, caused him tu turn 
his attention to the Pacific slope, and finally, 
having formed his determination to cast his 
fortunes there, the year 1852 found him and his 
family among the passengers of one of the 
many steamers bound for California via Panama. 
Arriving in San Francisco he soon became in- 
terested in the flour business. He was in Sac- 
ramento in 1852, on business connected with a 
speculation in flour, and having been stricken 
with sickness, was a sufferer by the flood and 
fire. In 1854 he removed his family to Sacra- 
mento permanently, and having purchased the 
Phcenix mill property, set about improving it in 
such a way as to virtually amount to rebuilding, 
and on a far more extensive scale. He built up 
a fine reputation for the mills, and was enjoying 
a high degree of prosperity when the flood of 
1862 came on, with such telling effect on the 
mill property as to almost totally destroy its 
value. The plant had been valued at between 
$40,000 and $50,000, but after the waters had 
receded he could not have obtained more than 
$2,500 for the property. He was not behind 
the other business men of Sacramento, however, 
in rebuilding and re-fitting. He continued in 
the mill business until the time of his death, 
but in the latter days of his life was interested 
in other matters, having purchased the Shasta 
ditch. He was a Republican after the organi- 
zation of that party, but in the days of the old- 
line Whig party he was prominently identified 
wh:h the organization, and was a delegate to the 
Baltimore convention of the Whig party, that 
nominated Henry Clay for President. He was 
killed in 1866, while a passenger on the steamer 
" Yosemite," by the explosion of her boilers. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Sophronia 
Iloadley, was a native of Ohio, and daughter of 



Colonel Hoadley. She was of the famous Hnad- 
ley family of Connecticut and Ohio, and cousin 
of Governor Hoadley. She preceded her hus- 
baf.d to the grave, her death having occurred in 
1865. To Mr. and Mrs. W. P. McCreary three 
children were born; of these, one, Henry, is 
deceased. He studied law with Judge Clark, 
and was admitted to practice before the Su- 
preme Court of California. His education was 
of the highest order, having been commenced in 
Sacramento, and finished at Yale College, where 
he was the class orator in 1865. He was gener- 
ally conceded to have been one of the brightest 
young men in the history of tlie Sacramento 
bar, and his untimely taking off, which oc- 
curred in 1869, was a sad blow to his family, 
and to the profession. Of the two living chil- 
dren of W. P. McCreary, the older is Charles 
McCreary. He is a native of Sandusky, Ohio, 
born October 6, 18B8, and was but twelve 3'ears 
of age when he came to California, and here he 
finished his education under private tutors. 
He went upon a ranch in Yolo County, which he 
conducted, in conjunction with his brother 
Byron, for four years. They returned at the 
expiration of that time, to Sacramento, and be- 
came associated with their father in the mill, 
succeeding to the business at his death. Mr. 
McCreary was married in this city, April 26, 
1865, to Miss Leora, daughter of Judge Clark. 
They have two children: Robert Clark and 
Henry Clay. The younger living son of W. 
P. McCreary is also connected with the Sacra- 
mento mills; Byron McCreary is a native of 
Plymouth, Ohio, and was educated in the 
schools of his native State, at Sandusky and at 
Cincinnati. He did not accompany the family 
to California, but remained East, completing his 
education, so that when he came to the coast he 
joined the family in Sacramento. He and his 
brother Charles conducted the Yolo County 
farm until becoming interested in the Phoenix 
mill, and they have been partners since that 
time, with the exception of an unimportant in- 
terval. The McCreary Bros, are among the 
cnter|)rising firms of Sacramento, and the pro- 



Ill STORY OF SACllAMENTO COUNTY. 



duct of their Sacramento mill is one of the lead- 
ing articles in the export business of the city. 



fSIEBEXTHALER, one af the well-known 
long-resident citizens of Sacramento, is a 
** native of Bavaria, Germany, born on 
Christinas day, 1829, his parents being P., Sr., 
and Elizabeth (Marshall) Siebenthaler. In 1830 
the family came to America, locating at Cincin- 
nati, where the father followed the profession 
of music. They afterward removed to Indiana, 
and settled in Highland Township, Franklin 
County. In 1844 the subject of this sketch 
left home, and, goii.-g to St. Louis, learned the 
cigar-making trade, in a factory on the corner 
of Second street and Washington avenue. In 
1850, in company with John Gates (who had 
been to California in 1849), Mr.* Siebenthaler 
started for the new El Dorado. They left St. 
Louis on the 15th of April, and proceeded to 
California via Fort Hall. They had rather a 
severe experience on the trip, running short of 
provisions, etc., but bringing up safely at 
Flacerville on the 19th of August. Mr. Sieben- 
thaler halted at Flacerville, and remained there 
until 1855, engaged in mining and butchering. 
He next went to Volcano, Amador County, 
where he conducted a boarding-house and en- 
gaged in quartz mining. On the 2d of March, 
1870, a cave-in occurred in the mine in w*ich 
he was at the time, and he was severely injured 
in the right arm, for which he came to Sacra- 
mento to receive medical assistance. He con- 
cluded to remain here, and started in business 
on the corner of Eighth and K streets, remov- 
ing to his present location on Twentieth and H 
streets, in 1881. At this location he has made 
the building improvements, which are of a 
handsome and substantial character. Mr. Sieben- 
thaler was married at Flacerville, December 31, 
1853, to Miss Elizabeth Ileddinger. They have 
two children, viz.: John F. and Isabella (widow 
of W. Ft. Claypool, who died May 20, 1888. 
Mr. Siebenthaler is a member of Sacramento 



Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, and takes an active interest in public 
affairs. In 18(57 he was elected to the office of 
recorder and auditor of Amador County, and 
sei ved two years in that capacity. 



fOHN RUEDY, proprietor of the Fifth 
Street Hotel, is a native of Switzerland, born 
at the village of Gachlingen, Canton SchafF- 
hausen, on the 15th day of August, 1860, his 
parents being Andrew and Lizzie (Hepp) 
Ruedy. He was reared and spent his early boy- 
hood days at the place of his birth, and there 
received his education. At the early age of 
seventeen years he started out to make his own 
way in the world, leaving home and coming to 
America. In this country he located at Ft. 
Wayne, Indiana, where he worked at any em- 
ployment he could find, and was part of the 
time engaged as butcher, as cook, or as farmer, 
etc. He next went to St. Faul, Minnesota, 
thence to Chicago, from there to St. Louis, and 
then back to Ft. Wayne, Indiana. In 1882 he 
crossed the continent to California, locating at 
Oakland. In 1883 he came to Sacramento, and 
became engaged as clerk in the Mechanics' Ex- 
change Hotel, which position he held until Au- 
gust 15, 1885, when he became the proprietor 
of the Fifth Street Hotel. This hotel was started 
under the name of the Helvetia House, with 
John Korn as the first landlord, about 1876. 
In 1884 Frank Schuler became proprietor, and 
another story was added to the building. John 
Tackney came next as landlord, and he was fol- 
lowed by the present proprietor. Mr. Ruedy 
has ample accommodations for seventy-five peo- 
ple, and his house has a favorable reputation as 
a home hotel. Mr. Ruedy was married in this 
city on the 14th of August, 1885, to Miss A[ary 
Kuechler, a native of Switzerland. They have 
two children, viz.: George and Chris. Mr. 
Ruedy is a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 105, 
I. 0. O. F. In closing this sketch of Mr. Ruedy 
it is well to state that his life offers a lesson to 



HISTORY OF SAGBAMENTO COUNTY. 



many young men of to-day. Having to battle 
with the world for himself from the time he 
was a mere boy, and that, too, in a strange 
country, having a language new to him, he is 
already in his fourth j'ear of business for him- 
self, and is in a prosperous condition. He has 
made his real start right in Sacramento. 



fACOB FREES.— Among the popular hotel 
men of Sacramento is the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketcli. He is a native of 
Freimesheim, Germany, born February 4, 1845, 
his parents being Bernard and Barbara (Arm) 
Frees, flis father was a master mason in the 
building trade, who died in 1858, but his 
mother lived until 1871. Jacob Frees was edu- 
cated at his native place from his sixth year 
until he was fourteen, and in 1859 came to 
America, sailing from Havre to New York. 
He remained in the latter city until 1863, then 
came to California via Panama. Landing at 
San Francisco, he came to Sacramento, and en- 
gaged at the butchering business with Charles 
Mahrt, on Sixth street, between J and K. He 
was so employed until 1866, when he went to 
Idaho, and was for the next year located at a 
place called Hogham, near Idaho City. He 
then returned to Sacramento, and after working 
awhile at his old job, bought the California 
Market, on J street, between Eighth and Ninth. 
He ran it a year, then went to Virginia City. 
After butchering there for two years, he re- 
turned to Sacramento and entered the employ 
of his father-in-law, J. B. Kohl, witii whom he 
remained until February, 1874. Since that 
time he has been the proprietor of the Bevidere 
Hotel, which, though not a large house, enjoys 
an excellent reputation under his able manage- 
ment. Mr. Frees was married in this city to 
Miss Lena Kohl, a native of St. Louis, who 
came here with her parents in 1852. They have 
two children, viz.: John B. and Jacob. Mr. 
Frees is a member of Schiller Lodge, I. O. O. F., 
and of Sacramento Lodge, A. O. U. W. He is 



a Democrat politically. He is a man of liigh 
standing in the community, and enjoys a large 
circle of friends. 



fGABRIELLL proprietor of the Garibaldi 
Hotel, Sacramento, is a native of Italy, 
® born at Lucca, Tuscany, April 15, 1849, 
his parents being Joseph and Astunta (Barto- 
lanni) Gabrielli, the father a farmer. He was 
reared and educated at his native place, and 
when a young man decided to come to America. 
He sailed from Laverno for New York on the 
ship " Leonet," and then came to California via 
Panama, arriving at San Francisco on the 12th 
of April, 1868. He came to Sacramento and 
soon obtained employment for himself on a 
ranch near Sutterville, where he worked about 
six years. He then sold out, bought property 
in Sacramento and built the Garibaldi House, 
which he has made a great success, and where 
he accommodates from twenty to fifty boarders. 
He was married in Sacramento September 11, 
1882, to Miss Teresa Gardens, a native of Italy, 
born in the mountainous country near Genoa. 
They have five children, viz.: Astunta, Fran- 
cesco, Maria, Lena, and an infant unnamed. 
Mr. Gabrielli has been vice-president of the 
Society Bersaglieri, and is now its treasurer, as 
well as a prominent member of the military 
company. He is a member of Eureka Lodge, 
No. 4, L O. O. F., and of Owosso Tribe, No. 
49, Red Men. In politics he is a Democrat. 
Mr. Gabrielli is deserving of much credit for 
the success he has made here. He landed at 
San Francisco with only $22, and he has risen 
to his present position by his own efforts. 

— ^-m-^ — 

fACOB GEBERT, proprietor of the Union 
Brewery, Sacramento, is a native of Alsace, 
now a portion of the Empire of Germany, 
born on tlie 3d of May, 1847, his parents being 
Jacob, Si'., and Louisa Mary (Dewald) Gebert. 



UlsroRY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



He was reared at his native place, and tliere 
commenced the. brewer's trade. In 1858, in 
company with an uncle, Paul Gebert, he came 
to America and soon came to California, locat- 
ing in Sacramento, where he attended school, 
making his liome with his uncle. He also 
worked for a time in the Columbus Brewery. 
In 1863 he accompanied his uncle back to the 
old country, and there again attended school. 
In 1865 he again came to America, and located 
in San Francisco, where he drove a bakery 
wagon for a time. He next came to Sacramento, 
and again obtained employment at the Colum- 
bus Brewery, at iirst washing barrels, afterward 
making malt, and iinally driving a wagon. 
After about a week at the last mentioned occu- 
pation, he went to San Jose, and obtained work 
in the Almaden Brewery. While there he got 
a letter from Mr. Gruhler, who wanted him to 
come back and work in the Columbus Brewery, 
which proposition he accepted, and remained 
with the Gruhlers for ten months. He then 
engaged with the St. Louis Brewery, where he 
remained about two years. He next went with 
Mr. Oswald, who offered him $40 per month 
additional salary. He was employed there until 
1875, when he moved upon a ranch near Florin, 
and in the meantime formed his plans for going 
into business in Sacramento for himself. He 
commenced building operations, and in May, 
1880, established the Union Brewery, corner of 
Twentieth and O streets. He put a two-story 
brick building, 30 x 70 feet in area, the ma- 
chinery bein^ operated by horse-power. After 
a year he put in a steam engine of eight- horse 
power, and the capacity of the brewery was then 
about twelve barrels per day. On the 18th of 
December, 1887, the property was destroyed by 
lire, making an almost total loss of buildings 
and fixtures, the tire cjtchiug by the overheat- 
ing of a shaft. Mr. Gebert was not discouraged 
by the great catastrophe, however, for the ashes 
had hardly cooled before he was planning for a 
new outfit. So rapidly was the rebuilding ac- 
coujplished that on the 6th of May, 1888, he 
was again ready for business, but on a far more 



extensive scale. The new building is 70 x 140 
feet in ground area, but in an L shape, and is 
four stories and basement in part, and the re- 
mainder three stories and basement, while the 
capacity has been increased to twenty-four bar- 
rels per day. He has a large and growing trade, 
which reaches as far as Mill City, Nevada. The 
product of the Union Brewery, it is unneces- 
sary to say, enjoys a high reputation under Mr. 
Gebert's able management. Mr. Gebert was 
married December 1, 1875, to Miss Mary Gutli, 
a native of Sacramento County, born at Elk 
Grove, and daugiiter of Joseph and Mary (Ken- 
ney) Guth, who came to California in 1850, and 
are now living retired from active business in 
Sacramento. Mr. and Mrs. Gebert have one 
child, Charles, born January 6, 1879. Mr. 
Gebert is a of member Schiller Lodge, No. 105, 
I. O. O. F., and also of the Druids. Mr. Geb- 
ert's rise in business has been quite remarkable. 
He started on a small capital, and his first 
year's experience was perfectly successful. He 
lost $17,000 by the fire of 1887, but did not let 
that bother him. To him belongs the credit of 
building up that portion of Sacramento. There 
were no streets graded in that vicinity when he 
commenced: now there are first-class improve- 
ments. Lots that he bought for §400 could not 
be purchased now for §4,000. He is certainly 
an enterprising man. 

— ^«@:ii)»'.^ — 

fA. GALGANI, merchant, Sacramento, is a 
native of Tuscany, Italy, born ten miles 
** from Lucca, June 20, 1847, his parents 
being V. and Cleopha (Bartholome) Galgani. 
The father was a farmer and land owner. P. 
A. Galgani was the sixth in order of age of a 
family of nine children. He was reared at his 
native place, and finished his education at Lucca, 
where he attended college three years. In 1869 
he sailed from Laverno to Corsica, then went 
from Bastierne to Marseilles, and thence to 
Paris. He decided to go to America, and pro- 
ceeded to Havre, took passage on the " Ballona," 



HISTORY OF SAOIiAMBNTO COUNTY. 



reaching New York after a rough voyage. He 
then started for California via Panama. AVhen 
he arrived at San Francisco he found a brother 
waiting to receive liim. He engaged in farm- 
ing near the city, and was so engaged until 
1871, when he came to Sacramento. He secured 
a place near Sutterville, where he farmed for a 
time. He next kept the Garibaldi House, in 
Sacramento, for three years, then went to farm- 
ing again, in Brighton Township. He quit 
farming in 1887, and in April of that year em- 
barked in the mercantile business on the corner 
of Twenty-first and O streets, Sacramento. In 
November, 1888, he removed to his present 
location, on the northeast corner of Eighteenth 
and M streets, where he has built up a good 
business. Mr. Galgani was married in Sacra- 
mento November 26, 1874, to Miss Mary Fer- 
retti, a native of Philadelphia. They have six 
children, viz.: Cleopha, John Batiste, Alba, 
Helena, Oeesar and Louis. Mr. Galgani is 
president of the Sacramento Society of Bersag- 
lieri, and is third lieutenant of the company of 
sharpshooters connected with the society. Mr. 
Galgani takes an active interest in everything 
})ertaining to the welfare of the people of his 
native land, as also of his adopted country, and 
is an influential, active man. 

fHRISTIAN KLENK, one of the old-time 
Californians now resident in Sacramento, 
was born in Wurtemborg, Germany, on 
the 6th day of January, 1823, his parents being 
Jacob and Dora (Wieland) Klenk, the father a 
tailor by trade. The subject of this sketch 
spent his early boyhood days at his native place, 
and was there educated from the age of six to 
fourteen years. He was very useful about horses, 
and after leaving school was engaged in that 
capacity by Herr vou Schlimbach, a very prom- 
inent man, who had been with Napoleon on his 
Russian campaign, and belonged to the court of 
Xing William of Wurtemberg. Mr. Klenk 
held that position about one year, then went 



with the governor of the district in a similar 
capacity. He was with him about a year, and 
was then engaged by Prince Hohenlohe, with 
whom he remained until he was twenty-one 
years of age. He then served two years in the 
army, and after the expiration of his term went 
back to his old vocation, this time with a noble- 
man, with whom he remained three years. He 
then came to America, on a sailing vessel from 
Amsterdam to New York. That was in 1849. 
He proceeded to Philadelphia by water, and re- 
mained there some time. In 1850 a party of 
sixteen (Mr. Klenk among them) organized on 
Vine street to go to California. They proceeded 
by railroad to Pittsburg, and thence by steamer 
to St. Louis. After a week there, purchasing 
provisions, wagons, etc., they went to St. Joseph, 
thence by Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie to 
Salt Lake, where they traded off their cattle and 
wagons and got horses to cross the desert. This 
was a terrible task, and they came near dying 
on the desert. As it was, half the party lost 
their lives. They proceeded by the Carson 
route to Hangtown, and Mr. Klenk arrived 
there nearly starved, very sick, and unable to 
walk or talk. As soon as he was able he went 
tu work splitting wood, which almost killed 
him. Two weeks later he came to Sacramento, 
and remained here two or three months. Though 
still sick and feeble, he went to work at the Em- 
pire House. From here he went to Coloma, 
and rained there a year and a half. He then 
came back to Sacramento, but finding that there 
was nothing for him to do here he went to 
Redding. He was also disappointed there, and 
again returned to Sacramento, and from here, 
soon afterward, went to Wisconsin Hill, thence 
to Iowa Hill, where he put up a log cabin, and 
mined two years. He then went back to Phila- 
delpbia by water, but in 1854 returned to Cali- 
fornia over the plains, accompanied by his wife. 
This time he took a different route, going to 
Council Bluff's and joining a party there. Two 
days later they were attacked by Indians, with 
whom they had a big fight. Mr. Klenk took 
an active part in the melee, and, altiiough he 



HISTORY Of SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



lost some cows at first, got them back all right. 
The next night he kept watch all night, and 
next morning they started on their way. They 
came to a crossing where the Indians showed 
fight again. The wagons were parked in double 
lines, and a battle ensued. The Indians lost 
one of their number killed, and concluded to 
draw ofl'. This was the last time they gave any 
trouble. They proceeded by Sublette's cnt-ofF 
and down the Humboldt, and on to Sacramento, 
and the journey, except the Indian fighting, 
was a very pleasant one. He afterward went to 
Coloma and mined a year on the Middle Fork, 
and later bought a ranch on the river and fol- 
lowed cattle-raising there a number of years. 
He had a dairy also, and got as high as $1.25 
per pound for butter. Before the flood he had 
240 head of cattle, and after had but thirty-five 
left. lie remained on the ranch some time 
after the flood, then sold out to Cox & Clarke. 
He purchased his present property in Sacra- 
mento in 1881. Mr. Klenk has been twice 
married, the first time in Philadelphia, to Miss 
Jennie Schmidt, a native of Waldenburg, Ger- 
many, who died in Sacramento. By this mar- 
riage there were four children, of whom two — 
Louisa and Charles — died crossing the plains. 
Those living are: Alexander and Reinhold. Mr. 
Klenk's present wife was formerly Mrs. Uhl, 
and her maiden name was Strauss. Mr. Klenk 
has passed through all the vicissitudes of pio- 
neer life, and has lived to see California advance 
from a uiere collection of mining camps to her 
present proud position among the States. 

^■^-^^- 

F. PETERSON, manufacturer, and 
wholesale and retail dealer in candies 
* and confections, Sacramento, is a native 
of Germany, born at Bremen, July 8, 1850, his 
parents being W. F., Sr. (a shoe manufacturer), 
and Geoiene (Wischusen) Peterson. Wiien he 
was an infant his mother died, and when he was 
eleven years old he came to the United States 
to live with liis mother's sister, in New York. 



He finished his education commenced at Bre- 
men, at Martin S. Payne's College, corner of 
Canal and Bowery, and under Prof. Daniel Sul- 
livan. At the age of fifteen years, having 
finished his schooling, he engaged with the 
wholesale shipchandling house of W. F. Hart- 
kopl'. He was engaged in that business until 
18(36, when he came to California via Nicara- 
gua, leaving New York on the Santiago de 
Cuba, and landing at San Francisco from the 
steamer of that name, on the 23d of August, 
1860. He engaged with Meyer Bros,, corner of 
Folsom and Freeman, with whom he remained 
until 1868. He was then taken sick, and his 
case given up as hopeless. He went back to 
New York, and when fully recovered went into 
business on the corner of Broome and Werrick 
streets, in the firm of H. Stelling & Peterson, 
grocers. The firm had continued one year, 
when Mr. Peterson sold out and went to Idaho. 
There he tried his luck mining at Placerville, 
but three months later went to Portland*, Ore- 
gon. He found things dull there, and pro- 
ceeded to San Fi'aneisco, where he went to work 
for Fred Carson, corner of Bush and Dupont 
streets. Eleven months later he came to Sacra- 
mento and went to work with P. H. Russell, 
with whom he remained nearly four months. 
He next engaged with H. Fisher. On the 3d 
of May, 1876, Mr. Peterson started in business 
for himself, with a retail candy factory and 
restaurant, at the present location on J street, 
between Sixth and Seventh. From that time 
his business has been steadily and rapidly in- 
creasing, until it has assumed vast proportions. 
He employs thirty-one people, and his trade ex- 
tends throughout California, Nevada, Oregon, 
Montana and Arizona, and is gradually but 
surely extending its limits. The products of 
his factory are strictly pure, and have a splendid 
reputation. Mr. Peterson was married in Sacra- 
mento, August 29, 1875, to Miss Annie E. 
Bryte, a native of Yolo County, and daughter 
of Mike Bryte, deceased. They have four chil- 
dren, viz.: W. F., Jr., Bryte M., Allen E. and 
Mabel. They lost one child by death — Edward 



HISTORY OF 



SACRAMENTO 



Bryte Peterson. Mr. Peterson is a member of 
Capital Lodge, I. 0. O. F.; of Union Lodge, 
A. F. & A. M.; of Sacramento Cliapter, Sacra- 
mento Council, and Sacramento Comniandery. 
Mr. Peterson is a pushing, vigorous man of 
business, and a successful manager, yet at all 
times genial and courteous in his manner. He 
ie one of those men whom success has not 
spoiled. 



tOUIS NICOLAUS, one of the leading busi- 
ness men of Sacramento, and proprietor of 
the brewery corner Twelfth and I streets, is a 
native of Germany, born at Heugelheim, Bavariai 
January 5, 1829, his parents being William and 
Margaretha Nicolaus, the father a farmer by oc- 
cupation. Louis Nicolaus was reared and edu- 
cated at his native place, and in 1846 came to 
America, sailing from Havre to New York, be- 
ing fifty-five days on the voyage. He proceeded 
to Buffalo, and there entered on an apprentice 
ship at the cooper's trade with Conrad Antrose. 
He served one year at the trade, then worked 
for his employer as a journeyman. In 1848 he 
went to Canada, but returned after one month, 
to Buffalo. He then went to Cleveland, where 
he was employed for a time, and then worked 
on the canal to Dresden for a few months. He 
then went to Cincinnati, where he spent the 
winter of 1848-'49. He next went to St. Louis, 
and from there to Lexington, Missouri. He 
worked out in the woods near that place that 
summer, splitting staves for Waddle & Co. In 
the fall he again went to St. Louis, and in the 
spring of 1850 returned to Lexington, Missouri, 
There a company of forty-three was organized, 
under Captain Joe Waddle (a Mexican war vet- 
eran), for the purpose of going to California, and 
Mr. Nicolaus was one of the number. They 
proceeded to California via Ft. Kearney, Ft. Lar- 
amie, Sublette's cut-off and the Truckee route, 
Mr. Nicolaus being sick most of the way. He 
and those with his wagon, four in all, stopped 
at Nevada City, and engaged at mining, contin- 



uing about two months. They went to Grass 
Valley next, but, getting no rain there, went up 
to the Little Yuba, and mined at Hess's Cross- 
ing, in the middle of the river, until the fall of 
1851. Mr. Nicolaus then came to Sacramento, 
and from here went up to Amador County. He 
mined awhile there, then started in the butcher 
business with a man named Broaddus. He was 
in business there until the fall of 1868, when he 
again came to Sacramento, and bought some 
stock, which lie afterward sold. He bought an 
interest in the brewery at Twelfth and I streets, 
in October, 1869, from Martin Arenz, and re- 
mained in partnership with him until 1873, 
when Wendell Kertli bought the interest of Mr. 
Arenz. Mr. Nicolaus has carried on the busi- 
ness ever since, and has practically rebuilt the 
entire plant. Since 1884 he has been making a 
beer which many people consider superior to 
any lager. The capacity of the brewery is fifty 
barrels per day, and a ready market is found in 
Sacramento and tributary territory. Mr. Nic- 
olaus was married in this county to Miss Susan- 
nah Kerth, a native of Germany. They have 
had six children, of whom four are living, viz.: 
Louis, Edward, Emma and Julia. The two 
deceased children are: Willie and Wendell. 
Mr. Nicolaus is a member of Schiller Lodge, No. 
105, I. O. O. F., and of the Sacramento Hus- 
sars. He is a popular man, and counts his 
friends by the score. 

^-3--^^ — - 

«QRIS NIELSEN, carriage and wagon 
manufacturer, Sacramento, is a native of 
Denmark, born at Gudbjerg, the Island of 
Fyen, in the heart of Denmark, on the 26th of 
July, 1851, his parents being Niels Nicolaisen 
and Hedwig Albertine Cortitz Datter. He was 
reared at his native ]ilace, and educated there 
between the age of seven and fourteen years. 
He then commenced the trade of wagon and car- 
riage maker with his father, and served an ap. 
prenticeship of five years. He then traveled to 
improve himself at his trade, and worked some 



HISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



time at the large city of Odense. When he was 
twenty-one years of age he entered tlie army, 
and served in the Nineteenth Infantry Battalion 
for six months steadily, and after that at inter- 
vals, working at his trade in the meantime. In 
1878 he came to the United States, and located 
at Sacramento, and went into the employ of A. 
Meister. He remained with him until May, 
1880, when, in partnership with his brother, J. 
M., he started in business for himself at his 
present location. They were in partnerohip for 
two and a half years, since which time he has 
conducted the wagon and carriage making busi- 
ness alone. At that time he put up the large 
and substantial building at 1013 and 1015 
Tenth street. This building stands three stories 
high, with its large basement, and covers an area 
thirty-three by eighty feet in dimensions. He 
has built up an extensive trade, and manufact- 
ures for tiie trade and to order. He has many 
good customers, who will have their work done 
at no other place, and when he gets a customer 
he always retains his trade. That is the nat- 
ural consequence of his method of turning out 
nothing but honest work, of the best materia^ 
and workmanship. He gets trade from points 
as far away as Nevada, and even has business 
from San Francisco, and now employs five first- 
class workmen. Mr. Nielsen was married in 
Sacramento, September 4, 1885, to Miss Louisa 
Ericson, a native of Sweden. Mr. Nielsen is an 
upright, honest, business man, pushing and 
active in his methods. Such men are a credit 
to Sacramento. 



^r-^t-tf*^ 



fREDERICK LOTHHAMMER, one of the 
well-known citizens of Sacramento, is a na- 
tive of Germany, born at Wimpffen, Hesse- 
Darmstadt, December 31, 1830, his parents 
being Gottlieb and Frederika (Minsch) Lothhain- 
nier. The father was a sash manufaclurer by 
occupation. The subject of this sketch was 
reared at liis native place, and there attended 
the public schools from the age of six years 



until he was fourteen. For the next year and a 
halt he gave his attention to the profession of 
music. He then learned the turning trade. 
In March, 1850, he departed from Rotterdam in 
a sailiog vessel for the United States, and landed 
at New York July 4. He remained there and 
at Hobokcn for six years, learning the carpen- 
ters' trade at the latter place, and in January, 
1856, he went to Watertown, Wisconsin. There 
he worked as a carpenter a year, then went into 
the country and followed farming until 1869, 
when he came to California, locating in Sacra- 
mento in October. He followed the building 
trade here for many years, but is now retired 
from active business. Mr. Lothhammer was 
married in Wisconsin, April 6, 1856, to Miss 
Charlotte Borchart, a native of Prussia, who 
came to this country with her parents early in 
the 40's, locating in Wisconsin. She died in 
Sacramento in 1877. Mr. Lothhammer was 
again married in Sacramento, to a widow lady 
named Schacht, whose maiden name was Catha- 
rina Winder. By this marriage there was one 
child, viz.: Emma, who died at the age of four 
and a half years. Mr. Lothhammer was again 
bereaved by the death of his wife, in March, 
1889. Mr. Lothhammer is a prominent mem- 
ber and trustee of the German Lutheran Church. 
He has a wide acquaintance and a large circle 
of personal friends, whose full sympathy he has 
had in the hours of bereavement. 

'^■^■^ 

tOUIS LOCH, of the firm of Rohr & Loch, 
proprietors of the Pioneer Bakery, Sacra- 
mento, is a native of Germany, born in the 
Province of Bergenfeld, Duchy of Oldenberg, 
on the 5th of September, 1842, his parents be- 
ing Christian and Julia (Bumgard) Loch, the 
father a baker. He was reared at his native 
place, and then attended school from the age of 
six to fourteen. He learned the baker's trade, 
and then traveled throughout Germany. He 
entered the army at the age of twenty-one, in 
the Oldenberg Infantry Regiment, and served 



HISTORY OF SAC RAM Eli TO COUNTY. 



two years. He came to tlie United States in 
1869, and after two months in New York, came 
to California, arriving in Sacramento on the 5th 
of September. He went to San Francisco, and 
thence to San Jose, where he worked in tj^e New 
York Bakery for Mr. Derr. He next went to 
Virginia City, Nevada, where he worked two 
and a half years, and in 1881 again came 
to Sacramento, and went to work for Messrs. 
Vogel and Meyers, where he was employed for 
four years. He then went to work in tlie Pio- 
neer Bakery, finally becoming a partner, as 
elsewhere stated. Mr. Loch was married in 
Sacramentd, February 14, 1888, to Miss Ella 
Cotter. He is a member of the Hermann Sons, 
of the Druids, and of tiie Bakers' Verein, San 
Francisco. Mr. Loch is an active man, and well 
deserves the success with which he is meeting 
in business. 



tOUIS CAFFARO, proprietor Hotel Roma, 
Sacramento, is a native of Italy, born at 
Lessolo, County of Torino, on the 19th of 
.luly, 1854, his parents being Giulio and Maria 
(Boschis) Catfaro, the father a dealer in horses, 
etc. He spent his boyhood days at his native 



lice, and had finished his schooliny; at the ajre 



of fourteen years. He then commenced n. ining 
on the borders of France and Italy. He then 
traveled throughout France, Africa, Italy, Egypt, 
Germany, Greece and Turkey. Having decided 
to come to America, lie took passage at Con- 
stantinople on a vessel bound fur New Y'ork. 
After his arrival there he proceeded "westward, 
and brought up in Clear Creek County, Colorado. 
He mined there two years, then proceeded to 
Amador County, California, and after mining 
there five years, came to Sacramento on the 8th 
of F'ebruary, 1886. He commenced the manu- 
facturer of wine the same year, and in this line 
he has built up a reputation second to none. 
His seven large tanks range in capacity from 
1,500 to 2,000 gallons each, and he has on hand 
from 8,000 to 9,000 gallons of good wines. He 



makes clarets, white wines and ports, and ships 
the product of his winery direct to the trade at 
Chicago, and throughout Colorado, Utah, Ari- 
zona, New Me.xico, Dakota, etc. He gives his 
personal attention to the details of manufacture, 
and takes care that every thing is done in a 
proper manner. Besides his outtide business, 
he has a large local trade, which keeps a horse 
and wagon busy, delivering to customers. An 
idea of the increase of his business may be 
formed frotn his purchases of grapes. In 1880 
he bought only about twenty-four tons, in 1887 
he bought furty-one tons; and in 1888 he bought 
over lorty-seven tons of selected grapes. Of his 
stock now on hand he has about 3,000 gallons 
of old white wines and clarets, and he stocked 
up about $2,000 worth of wines last harvest. 
He also buys and ships brandies. On the 27th 
of March, 1889, he opened the Roma Hotel, 
having a partner the first three months. He 
has built up a large patronage, and while his 
hotel has accommodations really for only thirty 
boarders, he has to take care of from that num- 
ber to fifty constantly. Mr. Cafl'aro i^a mem- 
ber of Eureka Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F.; of 
Unity Lodge, A. O. D., No. 66; of the Chosen 
Friends, and of the Bersaglieri. Politically he 
is a Republican. Mr. Caflaro is an enterpris- 
ing man, and well deserves the success he has 
met with. 



fiUGUST RODEGERDTS, corner of Third 
I and M streets, is one of the most progres- 
s^ sive of Sacramento's young business men. 
He is a native of Germany, borti at Otterndorf, 
tianover, on the 26th of June, 1856, his parents 
being Henry and Franda (Frank) Rodegerdts. 
When the subject of this sketch was but nine 
montl.s old, his father tlied, and his mother was 
afterward married toGeorgeSchoenicke. August 
R >degerdts was reared at his native place, and 
attended the Government schools from six to tour- 
teen years of age. He then went to Hamburg, 
and learned the business of waiting, in a hotel. 



IITSTOlii' OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



In the fall of 1872 he came ta America, sailino; 
from Hamburg to New York on tlie steamer 
" Silesia." He worked as waiter in a New York 
hotel for six months, then went to work in a gro- 
cery store on the corner of Serenty-fourth street 
and Second avenue. He remained there quite 
a while, then went to work in a store on tlie 
corner of Ninth and Broadway, Williamsburg. 
In 1875 he came to California, and locating at 
Sacramento went to work for Chris. Eiiinann, 
corner of Second and M streets. In 1879 he 
entered business for himself in partnership with 
John C. Schaden. Mr. Rodegerdts sold out to 
his partner in 1884, and buying out John Mc- 
Mony the following August, removed to his 
present location. He has built up an extensive 
trade, which is every year growing larger, and 
Mr. Kodegerdt's store is as busy as a bee-hive. 
In 1882 he bought his first real estate, just 
across the street from his present location, and 
in December, 1888, purchased his present loca- 
tion. He was married in this city, February 
17, 1886, to Miss Katie Hergett, a native of 
California, born in Yolo County, where her par- 
ents now reside. They have one child — a boy — 
Ciiristian August. Mr. Rodegerdts belongs to 
the I. O. R. M., and is a member of the Lu- 
theran Church. He is a self-made man, and 
judging from iiis past record, a brilliant future 
may be predicted for him. 

tF. BASSETT, City Surveyor of Sacra- 
mento, is a native of Seneca County, 
^ New York, born October 4, 1851, his 
parents being Pierrepont and Roxy (Cole) Eas- 
sett. He was reared and educated" there, but 
when eighteen years of age went to Des Moines. 
There he became assistant to chief city engineer 
J. B. Bosman, and occupied tiiat position until 
the spring of 1873, when he engaged in rail- 
road surveying work, first in Nebraska, after- 
ward in Utah. In September, 1874, lie came 
to Sacramento, and wa^ for a few months con- 
nected with the county surveyor. He then en- 



tered the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad, 
in the engineering department, and so contin- 
ued two and one-half years. After that, he was 
for six months engaged in swamp land surveys, 
in connection with Lisbon district, Yolo County. 
Since 1888 he has been city surveyor of Sacra- 
mento, having been chosen as his own successor 
at each succeeding election. Mr. Bassett was 
married to Miss Ella Genevieve Jackson, a na- 
tive of Indiana. Her father died in Yolo 
County, but her mother still resides there. 
Mr. Bassett is a member of Industrial Lodge, 
No. 157, I. O. O. F., and Unity Lodge, Knights 
of Honor. He is also a member of the Tech- 
nical Society of the Pacific coast. 



fllRIS AYEISEL, one of the prominent 
figures in business circles of Sacramento, 
was born in the district of Solms Lauback, 
Hesse-Darmstadt, now in the empire of Ger- 
many, March 3, 1834. His father, John Henry 
Weisel, was a butcher by occupation, and for 
800 years (as far back as the family tradition 
goes) that has been the family business. His 
mother's maiden naine was Annie Elizabeth 
Schoner. Chris W'eisel was reared at his native 
place, a town of 2,000 inhabitants named Freien- 
seen, whose citizens had always enjoyed the dis- 
tinction of being all free, with no serfs. Heat- 
tended scliool from the ageof six to fourteen 3'ears 
and for five years of that time received instruc- 
tions from a private tutor. After completing 
his schooling he commenced the butchers' trade 
with his father. In 1852 he came to America, 
via Rotterdam and Liverpool, taking passage 
from the last named port May 9, on the sailship 
Cumberland for New York, where he arrived 
after a voyage of forty-nine days. They were 
glad to reach land, as water had run short, and 
but one quait per day was meted out to each 
person. After three days in New York city, 
Mr. Weisel went by steamer to Albany, thence 
to Bufi'alo by rail, from there to Sandusky, Ohio, 
by steamer, thence to Cincinnati by rail, and 



jirsTonr of sachamento county. 



next to St. Lonis by steamer. Tlie cholera broke 
out on the vessel, and lie helped to bury twenty- 
live persons. After lying in quarantine eight 
days, he landed at St. Louis, and met his brother, 
who had come to this country in 1846, and was 
in business there. In 1854 he left St. Lonis, 
going to New Orleans by river steamer, then 
taking the steamer Pampero to Greytown, which 
had just been bombarded by the English. Pro- 
ceeding up the St. John River to the falls of 
Castilion, and passing over a half mile by land, 
he took another steamer to Port St. Carlos, on 
Nicaragua Lake. lie crossed the lake at night, 
witnessing the finest sight of his life— that of 
volcanoes in action at night. Tlie remainder of 
the Journey to San Juan del Coeur was made by 
mule-back, and he then took the steamer Sierra 
Nevada for San Francisco, arriving there on the 
2d of April, 1854. lie remained there till June 
29, then went by the steamer New World to 
Sacramento, and soon went to work at the city 
market for Haywood, Fratt & McNnlty. On 
the 3d of NTovember of the same year he started 
in business for liimself at his present location, 
Nos. 726-728 L street. His present building 
was erected in 1857. During the floods of 1861 
-'62 he lost 1,500 iiead of sheep which he had on 
a ranch on Cache Slough, in "Solano County, and 
he and L. \j. Mohrlost about 1,000 hogs. The 
water-mark of that year is still visible inside 
his building — five feet eight inches above the 
floor. Mr. Weisel has built up a big trade, and 
does an extensive wholesale and packing busi- 
ness. Mr. Weisel was married, August 16, 
1860, to Miss Minnie Jurgens, a native of the 
Island of Heligoland, a possession of England in 
the North Sea. She sailed to California from 
Hamburg via Cape Horn in 1852, on the brig 
Emma (Captain Robin), landing at San Fran- 
cisco April 11, 1853. She came with lier fatiier, 
Jasper Jurgens, and her brothers, Jasper, Chris- 
tian, Peter and Martin, and sisters Dora and 
Gondola. She departed this life May 12, 1888, 
in her forty-ninth year, leaving five living chil- 
dren, two iiaving preceded her in death. Tiiose 
living are: Theodore Jasper, Martha, Minnie, 



Theresa and Christian. Mr. Weisel was one of 
tiie original members and ofiicers of tiie Sacra- 
mento Sliarpshooters, and he and Jacob Nathan 
were the originators of the Germania Building 
and Loan Association. He was its first vice- 
president, served the first term as acting presi- 
dent, and held the otiice of president for 
thirteen consecutive years. He is Grand Past 
Chief of the order of Red Men for the Pacific 
coast. He has been twice president of the Sac- 
ramento Turn-Verein, and served three succes- 
sive terms in that capacity, from 1860 to 1862 
inclusive. Mr. Weisel has taken an active part 
in the Democratic party organization, has been 
chaii-man of the city central committee, member 
of the county committee, and delegate to State 
and other conventions, having been a member 
of the Greeley convention at San Francisco in 
1872. Mr, Weisel had $2.50 when he came to 
Sacramento; now he ranks among her solid 
men. He has two fine ranches in Sacramento 
County, and one in Colusa County. He has 
good mining interests at Co.'oma, the patent 
having been issued by President Grant, Mr. 
Weisel holding two-thirds interest, and J.Nico- 
lansen the remainder. As high as $22,000 has 
been taken out of the mine in three numths, 
and in 1888 $12,000 was extracted in two 
months. 



-^•^ 



fll. GREEN, proprietor of the American 
Laundry, Sacramento, is a native of Con- 
* necticut, born at Norwalk, Fairfield 
County, May 5, 1831, his parents being Will- 
iam and Eunice (Barnum) Green. Both parents 
were members of old Connecticut families, and 
his father was extensively engaged in tiie 
manufacture of hats. When E. H. Green was 
eleven years of age the family removed to 
Henderson County, Illinois, and started a settle- 
ment five miles from the Mississippi River, 
which took the name of Greenville. There the 
father engaged in farming. The second year 
after the family came to Illinois, E. H. Green, 



niSTOllY OF SACnAMUNTU COUNTY. 



the subject of this sketch, went to Oquawka, 
and there learned the bhicksmith and wagon- 
making trade with George Muck (who afterward 
came to California, and was one of the early 
settlers of Wheatland). While he Was at Oquawa- 
ka, Colonel Finlay, who had been to Califor- 
nia, returned, and his accounts of the "Golden 
West" created great excitement, and many 
started for the new El Dorado. Mr. Green 
was one of a pifty of lii'ty-two organized at 
Oquawka, of whom over forty were under twenty- 
two years of age, and they organized by electing 
Robert Pence as captain. All materials for 
this outfit were gotten together there, including 
provisions for eight months. Their route took 
tiiem by Council Bluffs, Laramie, Salt Lake, 
Ogden, and the Carsou route, into California. 
They arrived at Placerville, August 12, 1850. 
This party was in some respects a remarkable 
one. Though nearly all Were young men and 
even boys, the best of order prevailed through- 
out, and they strictly kept a rule they made, 
never to travel on Sunday. There were 
none of those quarrels that were of too frequent 
occurrence with so many trains that made that 
weary journey, and, in fact, they were said to 
have been the jolliest party that ever crossed 
the plains. They did not lose a man or a wagou 
all the way from Illinois to Placerville. There 
tlie ^larfy disbanded. Mr. Green and Jackson 
and John Pence remained together, and bought 
a mining outfit. They remained at Placerville 
that fall and winter, and a couple of months of 
that time, while not mining, Mr. Green ran a 
team between Sacramento, Gold Springs and 
I'lacerville. The next spring he went to the 
Middle Fork of the American River, and en- 
gaged in mining there, in 1852 a company of 
fifteen was organized to flume the American 
River there, called the "Eagle Bar River Claim.?' 
The river was flnmed, and the company did' 
well. Jackson Pence died in the fall of 1852, 
and the next year John Pence went back to 
Illinois. They disbanded that fall, and Mr. 
Green proceeded to a point twenty-eight mjles 
from Sacramento, on Carson Creek, where he 



spent the winter. In the spring of 1853 Mr. 
Green and others went back to the Middle 
Fork of tlie American River, and mined there 
until the spring of 1854. lie then went to 
Downieville, and was soon engaged in mining 
at Monte Cristo, live miles up the hills from 
there. He remained there and in that vicinity 
until 1860, having mines at Monte Cristo and 
Morristovva, and then vvent to Virginia City. 
Nevada, where he was employed by the Gould 
and Curry Company as foreman, about four 
years. In thj spring of 1861 he resigned his 
position, and took a trip to Idaho, where he had 
some interests; but not finding them profitable 
he returned to Virginia City. The following 
summer he bought a ranch two miles from Car- 
son, and resided there until 1866. He then 
caine to Sacramento, and became connected with 
the American laundry, and in partnership with 
its proprietor, S. B. Cjoley, he engaged in the 
manufacture of the Crandall spritig bad. In 
1869 they opened a house on the site of the 
present Baldwin Hotel, at San Francisco, and 
Mr. Green had charge there until 1872. He 
then returned to Sacramento, to their business 
here, located on Front street. In the fall of 
1873 the establishment was destroyed by fire, 
with a loss of $20,000. The partnership was 
dissolved, and in the spring of 1874 Mr. Green 
went to Connecticut. He remained but a short 
time, then returned to Sacramento, and has been 
connected with the laundry ever since. This 
laundry was established by J. R. Webster, on 
Slater's addition, near the present depot site. 
In 1866 S. E. Cooley (brother-in-law of Mr. 
Green) bought Webster out. In 1880 the new 
building on J street was built, and the laundry 
removed into it. Mr. Green, the present pro- 
prietor, became sole owner in 1885. He does a 
very extensive business, and has forty-five em- 
ploy(^s. Mr. Green was married at Carson 
City, Nevada, July 11, 1863, to Miss Mary A. 
Cooley, a native of Connecticut. She died in 
this city, October 21, 1873. By this marriage 
there were two children, of whom one, Ellen, is 
liviiiir. Mr. Green was acjain married, in 1875, 



UlHTOllY OF HACRAUEMTO COUNTY. 



to Elizabeth Calvyn, of Brooklyn, New York. 
By this marriage there are tiiree children, viz.: 
Charles W. A., Henry E. and Amy. Mr. Green 
is a member of Industrial Lodge, JS'o. 157, I. 
(). O. F. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. 
Green is an upright, honorable man of business, 
genial and courteous always in demeanor, and 
his success in life is a source of pleasure to his 
many friends. 



C. GKAFF, plumber, gas-fitter, etc, 
Sacramento, has in a few years built 



up 



business which has already at- 



tained large proportions. He is a native of St. 
Louis, born December 20, 1851, his parents 
being Andrew and Anna (Plattner) Graff. An- 
drew Graff, father of the subject of this sketch, 
was a native of Switzerland, who came to the 
United States when he was a young man. When 
the California gold fever broke out, his attention 
was turned, like so many others, to the New 
El Dorado, and he decided to try his fortune. 
Accordingly he joined the vast caravan that 
traversed the plains, mountains and deserts be- 
tween the civilization of the East and the new- 
found gold fields of the West, and in 1849 he 
reached California, and was soon engaged in 
mining. He returned east, however, and lo- 
cated at St. Louis, in the butcher business. In 
1852 he again came out to California, this time 
bringing his family along, and once more safely 
accomplished the tedious journey across the 
plains. On arriving at Sacramento, he first en- 
gaged in the brick- making business, afterward 
at butchering, and later entered the employ of 
Mr. Locher, the wholesale liquor man. After 
this he again engaged in the butcher business, 
which he then followed until the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1879. His widow yet 
lives in Sacramento, at the family residence on 
Tenth street, between Q and K streets. Their 
children are seven in number, as follows: Will- 
iam C, with whose name this sketch commences; 
Mary, wife of Joseph Dariotb; Emma, wife of 



Willard Lee; Sophia (Roeder); Emil, Henry, 
and Louisa, wife of A. Menke. William C. 
Graft; the oldest of the children of Andrew 
Graff", deceased, and the subject of this sketch, 
was reared and received his education in Sacra- 
mento. He learned the cigar-making trade in 
the factory of R. H. Pettit, where he worked 
three years and a half, then went with David 
Busli in the plumbing and gas-fitting business. 
After two years with him he spent four years 
on the road, and traveled and worked through- 
out the Pacific coast, from Salt Lake City to 
San Diego. He then started in business for 
himself in Sacramento, and by his thorough 
knowledge of the business, and close attention 
to all the details, he has made for himself a 
reputation second to none. He does general 
work in his lines, and contracts for plumbing, 
gas-fitting and sewer work. Mr. Graff" was mar- 
ried in this city, February 19, 1883, to Miss 
Sophia Schniedwind, a native of Elgin, Illinois. 
Mr. Graff is a pushing, enterprising young busi- 
ness man, and is meeting with well-deserved 
success. 



,^LIAS GRUHLER, of Sacramento, is a 
fpL native o*' Aldingen, Spaidingen, Wui-tem- 
W^' berg, born October 24, 1855, his ijarents 
being Fred and Christina Maria (Glazer) Gruh- 
ler. He was reared at his native place, and 
attended the government schools between the 
ages of si.x and fourteen years. At the age of 
twenty years he entered the German army in 
the Twelfth Company, Seventh Regiment, 
Thirteenth Army Corps, and served with honor 
and credit until 1880. During that time his 
stations were Stuttgart, Ulm, Freidenstadt and 
Ludwigsburg. The first year he was a subaltern, 
having charge for eight or ten years; the ne.xt 
two years his authority was enlarged, and during 
the last two years he served as sergeant. After 
1880 he was in the government civil service, 
with headquarters at Stuttgart. In 1884 he 
cam'e to New York, and from there to Sacra- 



niSroRT OP SACRAMBNTO OUNTY. 



mento. On the 9th of February. 1884, lie 
opened tlie Postoffice Exchange, and in October, 
1888, removed to liis present location, at No. 
924 Second street. Mr. Gruhler was married 
October 29, 1884, to iVIiss Mary R. Bolaz, a 
native of Wiirtemberg. They have two cliildren, 
viz.: Othelia and Ada. Mr. Gruhler has been 
president and secretary of the local lodge of 
Hermann's Sons, and is also a member of the 
Verein-Eintracht, in which he has held the office 
of secretary. Mr. Gruhler is an affable and 
courteous gentleman, and shows by his bearing 
tlie results of his training in tiie magnificent 
German army organization. 



-|->^- 



fAUL GRAF, manufacturer and dealer in 
harness, saddles, etc., Sacramento, is a na- 
tive of Germany, born at Muhlhausen, 
Baden, January 10, 1846, his parents being 
John and Helena (Rehm) Graf, the father a 
farmer and paper-maker. Paul Graf was the 
youngest of a family of nine children. He at- 
tended the public schools from the age of si.x 
until he was fourteen, and afterward at private 
schools. He then engaged i'l farm work. In 
1867 he came to America, taking the steamer 
Hansen from Bremen to New York. He re- 
mained in the latter city for some time, then 
came to California via Panama. He took the 
steamer Rising Star on the Atlantic side, and 
on this side the steamer Golden Age, landing 
at San Francisco in October, 1868, and coming 
from there to Sacramento. His lirst employ- 
ment here was with Mr. Eiser, harness manu- 
facturer, and six months later he went with 
John T. Stoli. On tlie 5th of February, 1886, 
he commenced business for himself on K street, 
between Eighth and Ninth, and in March, 1887, 
he removed to his present location, No. 1128^ J 
street. Here he carries on the manufacture of 
iiarness, and handles saddles, collars, and in fact 
everything pertainin'.^ to a well-regulated store in 
his line. Mr. Graf was married in Sacramento, 
in February, 1877, to Miss Louisa Dresch. 



They have two cliildren, viz.: Mina and Mabel. 
Mr. Graf is a member of ScliilTer Lodge, No. 
105, L O. O. F.; Lodge No. 42, Knights of 
Pythias, and of the Sacramento Turn-Verein. 
He taught athletics in the gymnasium for years. 
Mr. Graf has got his business well under way, 
and is making a first-class reputation as a busi- 
ness man. 



J. AZEVEDO, proprietor of the Eagle 
'Vffll^ Winery, Sacramento, is a native of the 
'' Azores. Islands, born February 21, 
1837, his parents being J. A. and Orsa Marrianna 
Azevedo. He attended school there, and was 
reared to farm life. In 1854, at the age of sev- 
enteen, he came to California around Cape Horn 
and landed at San Francisco, January 20, 1854, 
He went to Butte County, and mined success- 
fully on Butte Creek. In 1861 he came to the 
Sacramento Valley, and located on a farm op. 
posite Freeport, where he engaged in ranching 
until 1872. He then went back to the old conn- 
try, and remained there until 1888, when he re- 
turned to Sacramento. The firm of Azevedo & 
Co. was organized in April, 1889, and pur. 
chased the Eagle Winery. This winery is an 
extensive one, and has a distillery in connection. 
The finest of wines and brandies are turned out 
here, and the product of the winery has a high 
reputation. It is the only retail winery in Sac- 
ramento. Mr. Azevedo was married while in 
the old country, to Miss Marie Adelaide Azevedo, 
They have four children, viz.: John M., Mary A., 
Frank A. and John A. Mr. Azevedo is an 
active, enterprising man, genial and courteous 
in disposition, and just the kind of a man to 
push the Eagle Winery to the front rank. 



MARY DICKINSON, a ranch- 

Cosumnes Township, was born 

in Ireland in 1840, her parents being 

Henry and Nancy (Rooney) Doyle. She came 




Ul STORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



America in 1858, and settled in Wisconsin, 
where she married early, in 1863 at Janesville, 
John Hilton, the son of an English father 
and Irish mother, but born dnring the tempo- 
rary sojourn of his parents in France, in 1825. 
Mr. Hilton was a mason l)y trade and came to 
California with his wife and child in May, 1864. 
and died in Sacramento in 1869, leaving two 
sons: Thomas Jefferson, horn near Janesville, 
Wisconsin, February 28, 1864, and John, born 
in this State, June 26, 1867. In 1871 Mrs. 
(Doyle) Hilton was married in Sacramento 
to Mr. Peter Dickinson, born in England, 
April 11, 1830. His mother is known to have 
been eighty when she died in England in 1870. 
When the father died is not known. The son 
went to sea at the age of eleven and followed 
that kind of life for nine years, visiting China, 
India, Australia and nearly all parts of the 
world. Coming to California in 1850 he quit 
a seafaring life and went to mining, wliich he 
followed many years. He secured title to 197 
acres, half a mile east of Michigan Ear, well 
adapted to fruit culture and farming. Mr. 
Dickinson died November 15, 1885, leaving 
three children: Rose Alice, born August, 1872; 
James Peter, May 19, 1874, and Mary Ellen, 
June 16,.1878. 



fHOMAS McANALLY, deceased. The 
subject of this sketch was born in the 
County of Armagh, Ireland, about 1840. 
He emigrated to America at eighteen, and came to 
California before he was tM'enty-one. Arriving 
in this county in 1861 or 1862, he worked for 
eight or nine years at general farming, dairying 
and fruit-raising in Franklin Township. He 
was known by his employers and their neigh- 
bors as an upright, industrious and kindly man, 
straightforward in his relations with all classes 
?nd conditions of men, an excellent type of the 
better class of Iri.sh workmen. Having saved 
his earnings for several years of steady work, 
he bought, in 1870, the fruit ranch of seventy- 



one acres about one mile above Courtland, where 
his family still resides. Mr. McAnally was 
married in April, 1876, to Mis^s Catherine 
O'Flaherty, also a native of Ireland, horn in the 
County of Galway in 1852, daughter of Patrick 
and Mary (Folan) O'Flaherty. She came to 
this county in 1875. By the early death of her 
husband, in May, 1887, she was left a widow 
with two children: Mary Agnes, born August 
22, 1878, and Edward Thomas, liorn February 
6, 1880. 



f AN FORD DICKEY was born in Bar- 
tholomew County, Indiana, February 27, 
1832, his parents being Thomas and Eu- 
nice (Starke) Dickey. The father, a native of 
Randolph County, North Carolina, lived to be 
ninety-two, and the mother, born in Monon- 
gahela County, Kentucky, died at seventy-eight. 
Grandfather William Dickey was over eighty 
when he died in Randolph County, North Caro- 
lina. Thomas Dickey was married to Eunice 
Starke, in Clark County, Indiana, about 1815, 
after the close of the war of 1812, in which he 
had served. They were the parents of tive sons 
and five daughters, all of whom lived to matu- 
rity. In 1847 they moved to Marion County 
Iowa, where'they bought a farm of 220 acres. 
The subject of this sketch received the usual 
district-school education and learned farming on 
his father's place. In 1854 Sanford Dickey re- 
ceived a forty-acre farm from his father, and in 
September of that year was married to Miss 
Cynthia Billups, a native of Iowa, daugiiter of 
Edward and Theodosia (Barrett) Billups. In 
1857 they came to California, accompanied by a 
nephew, Thomas Dickey, now living one and a 
half miles below Isleton. They left Council 
Bluffs May 10, and reached Placerville Septem- 
ber 27. Coming down to Sacramento County, 
Sanford Dickey worked a few months for 
ranchers on the lower Stockton road near 
Franklin. He then entered KiO acres of Gov- 
ernment land about two and a half miles south- 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



east of Franklin, which he kept and worked nn- 
til 1867, when he sold it to Walters, whose family 
now own it. In 1867 he bought the dairy bus- 
iness of the Jacobs ranch, half a mile west of 
Franklin, consisting of about forty cows. 
After one year he moved his dairy to the Tib- 
bets ranch, about two miles below Richland. 
In the autumn of 1869 he moved to Ro.ss' 
ranch about midway between Franklin and 
Richland. About 1875 he quit the dairy busi- 
ness and moved to Miller's ranch about two 
miles below Freeport, where he remained about 
three years, engaged chiefly in peddling meat. 
Then moving a mile further south on the river 
load, he was engaged for about two years in gen- 
eral farming and fruit-growing on the Xeu- 
baner ranch. October 6, 1880, he moved into 
the Isleton Hotel as renter, bought it in 
August, 1881, including lot, 80 .\ 120 feet, and 
still conducts it. He also rents the Cole ranch 
of 819 acres on the Georgiana Slough, devoted 
chiefly to raising natural hay and alfalfa. Be- 
sides quietly and kindly caring for the welfare 
of his guests, and actively superintending the 
hotel and ranch work, Mr. Dickey is road 
overseer of a large territory, including Grand 
Island and Georgiana Township. Mrs. Dickey 
died in March, 1867, leaving si.\ children, the 
two oldest being natives of Iowa and the others 
of California: Delilah, born March 5, 1855, 
now Mrs. James Aikens, of Sacramento; Homer 
Lawrence, born February 19, 1857, married to 
Miss Margaret Drone, a native of Canada, who 
came to California in 1885: they reside in Isle- 
ton and have one child, Cynthia Marie, born 
July 27, 1888; Naomi, born October 9, 1859, 
now Mrs. Louis Wagner, of Sacramento, has 
one daughter; Cynthia, born May 3, 1861, now 
Mrs. Charles Shipley, of Philadelphia, has one 
son; Iva, born January 14, 1863, now Mrs. 
George Hignett, of Sacramento; Sanford, Jr., 
born October 14, 1865, still unmarried, assists 
his father especially as road overseer. October 
9, 1868, Mr. Dickey was married to Mrs. 
Melinda (Harutf ) Funk, a widow with one child, 
Frances, born September 7, 1865, now Mrs. 



Arthur Dulioii, of Sacramento. Mrs. Melinda 
Dickey was born in Arkansas, January 28, 1843, 
her parents being Peter and Margaret (Hinton) 
Ilaruff". With her mother and step-father she 
came to California in 1849, and with them went 
back in 1852, and returned to California in 
1866. Her mother, now Mrs. Margaret Gor- 
don, born in Ohio. June 14, 1812, is living in 
San Jose, (Jalifornia. Grandfather Hinton was 
also a native of Ohio, and grandmother (Filson) 
Hinton was a native of South Carolina. She 
was over seventy' when she died. By this 
second marriage Mr. Dickey has two children: 
Angeline, born December 23, 1869; Hiram 
Joseph, born. July 5, 1879. 



|RS. ISABELLA W. MISER, a ranch- 
owner of Cosnmnes Township, about 
twenty- seven miles from Sacramento, 
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 8, 
1826, her parents being Edward A. and Mary 
Ann (Ryder) Hughes. The father was a native 
of Nova Scotia, and the mother of New Bruns- 
wick. The latter died of cholera in 1849, in St. 
Louis, Missouri, where they had settled in 1841, 
the father being a dealer in boots and shoes in 
both cities. He came to California in 1854, 
and lived with his children, already settled here, 
and died some years later at the age of seventy- 
seven. The subject of this sketch was married 
in St. Louis, February 2, 1848, to Solomon 
Miser. In 184!) Mr. Miser came to California, 
and was engaged in mining on the Cosumnes, 
and afterward ii cattle-raising near Redwoods, 
until he went back for his wife and child in 
1851. After a weary journey of five months 
across the plains, they arrived on the Cosumnes 
and soon afterward squatted on the place still 
occupied by Mrs. Miser. By purchase from 
the Government and others he became ])ossessed 
of 680 acres of land before 1865, to which Mrs. 
Miser has added 320 acres since his death. Mr. 
Miser came to his death in 1876, by being run 
over by his own heavily-loaded wagon. The 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



children of Mr. and Mrs. Miser, living in 1889, 
are: Spencer A., born in St. Louis, Missouri, 
November 11, 1848, and married in 1879 to 
Miss M. E. Hale, born in this State, a daughter 
of William Hale, of Kelsey; has two boys. 
Delia, born in California in 1852, now Mrs. 
Frank Jones, of Walsh's Station, in this county; 
has two boys and five girls. Joseph E., born 
in 1854, owns a small ranch and rents a large 
adjoining one in this township, using both for 
a sheep range. Laura, born in 1856, now the 
wife of William Russell, blacksmith on the 
Jackson road, ten miles from Sacramento; has 
three children — Charles, Joseph and Annie. 
Dawson A., born in 1860; Edwin A., born in 
1863; Howard A., born in 1866. 

■-^€@"@^'^^ — 

fRTHUR WILLIAM STUART, orehardist 
on Grand Island, was born in Maine, May 
2, 1857, his parents being Daniel S. and 
Lydia (Philpot) Stuart. The family came to 
California in 1860 and settled on Grand Island, 
on what is now the Mclntyre ranch of 120 
acres. The flood of 1862 overflowed his place 
and he moved to Solano County, near Dixon, 
where he now owns 240 acres. The father had 
come to California in 1850, and did some min- 
ing for a year or more, when he returned to 
farming in Maine. He was born about 1827, 
and Mrs. Stuart about 1829, and they have 
eight living children, of whom three are natives 
of this State. A. W. Stuart was educated in 
Dixon, and took a course in the Napa Collegi- 
ate Institute. Has done farm work since he 
has been of an age to labor. Mr. Stuart was 
married in Sacramento March 10, 1883, to Mrs. 
(). P. (Phillips) Wood, the widow of Monroe 
AVood, who died in 1879, leaving one child, 
Lillie, born in 1875, and accidentally drowned 
in 1888 while crossing the river near her home. 
Mrs. Stuart is a native of Illinois, where her 
mother is still living, near Troy, aged sixty. 
The father died in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Stuart 
have one child, Daniel Everett, born on* Cr rand 



Island September 15, 1884. They own 210 
acres on Steamboat Slough, ot which sixty-flve 
are in orchard. Mr. Stuart also owns jointly 
with his mother 200 acres in Stanislaus County, 
near Hopedale, purchased in 1887. It is all 
fruit-bearing land and twenty-tive acres are 
already in orchard. 

'^■&-^ 

fAMES JORDAN, owner of the Eagle Ditch 
at Michigan Bar, was born in England, 
April 18, 1827, iiis parents being John and 
Louise (Brooker) Jordan. The mother died 
about 1884, and in 1836 the father came to 
America with eight children. He settled on a 
farm in the State of New York, and in 1840 
moved to Michigan, where six of his children 
are still living, five being married. They are: 
Caleb, with one son; Stephen married a Miss 
Perry, and has four or five children; William 
is unmarried; Mary, now Mrs. William Loburn, 
has a large family; Louise, now Mrs. Tyler, has 
some children; Annie, now Mrs. Carpenter, is 
also the mother of some children. All are set- 
tled on farms in Davison Township, Monroe 
County, Michigan. The father died there about 
1879, aged eighty- three. The grandparents 
Jordan and grandmother Brooker were also 
long-lived folks. The subject of this sketch 
left Grand Blanc, Genesee County, Michigan, 
where his father then resided, in November, 
1850, for California. He came by the Panama 
route, and took the Panama fever, which nearly 
proved fatal. He was unconscious for fourteen 
days on the voyage to San Francisco by the An- 
telope, and on his arrival was sent to the hospi- 
tal. When discharged he was scarcely able to 
woj-k, and did cooking for his board, and after 
ward was paid $25 a month. In July, 1851, 
he came to Coloma in El Dorado County, and 
was quite successful in mining, in which he has 
been engaged directly, or as owner of mineral 
lands and water privileges, with little interrup- 
tion ever since. He conducted a hotel at Colo- 
ma about eighteen months in 1853-'54, which 



lIISTOUr OF SACll.UIENTO COUNTY. 



he afterward rented to others for seven or eight 
years, aud tinally sold. In 1854: lie benight a 
mining claim, and in 1855 went into the 
mining and ditcliing bnsinuss, with good snc- 
cess right along, l^iit the usual fortune of 
miners was near at hand, lie engaged with 
others in running a tunnel at Kentucky Flats, 
near Mount Gregory, in El Dorado County, 
with an aggregate loss of $18,000, of which his 
share was about $2,500 and eighteen months' 
labor. This was in 1856-57. He'theu went 
to Gold Hill and invested in a big bed-rock 
flume, which scarcely returned any net gain. 
Meanwhile he was engaged in river mining in 
the summer months from 1856 to 1860, which 
he quit in 1861. In the high water of 1861-62 
his mining enterprises paid well. In 1862 he 
again went to Coloina, where he bought a bar 
claim on the South Fork of the American River, 
for $90, out of which he made $B,000 in live 
months. In the spring of 1863 he came to 
Michigan Bar, on the Cosumnes, where he 
loaned money on stock of the Eagle Ditch, the 
original cost of which, with the repairs, amount- 
ing some years to $3,000, is estimated at over 
$60,000. He has been owner of the property 
for several years, and leases water fur mining 
and irrigating purposes, besides supplying power 
for his grist-mill. He also owns 200 acres of 
mineral land, from which he gets varying re- 
turns. In 1871 and 1872 he prospected in Ne- 
vada, but without striking anything of value. 
He was, however, let into some good enterprises, 
only to find that the sellers were not the owners. 
Mr. James Jordan is a member of the Masonic 
order, and was Senior Deacon in Nebraska 
Lodge, No. 71, which used to meet in Michigan 
Bar, but died out some years ago, when Mr. 
Jordan joined the lodge at lone. 



kEUBEN WALLACE TOOKER, a rancher 



of Cosumnes Townshi 



born 



^vi York June 21, 1829, his parents being 
Daniel and Maria (Dubois) Tooker. The father, 



a native of the same State, was sixty-eight at 
liis death in 1868, and the mother seventy-four 
when she died in 1875. Grandfather Charles 
Tooker, also a native of New York, reached the 
age of eighty-eight, and his wife, originally a 
Miss Carpenter, was ninety-two. The Dubois 
family, of French origin, has been settled in 
this countiy for several generations. Daniel 
Tooker was a farmer. R. W. Tooker received a 
district-school education and in his twenty-lirst 
year, in 1849, he accompanied a missionary of 
the Dutch Reformed Church, named Sheffield, to 
South Bend, Indiana, where he worked for him 
until 1852. In that year he crossed the plains, 
being one of a company of about fifty men. 
They had an encounter with hostile Indians of 
whom nine were killed, the emigrants having 
two men slightly wounded. The fight occurred 
on the north of the Platte, between Mud Creek 
and Shell Creek. R. W. Tooker arrived in Sac- 
ramento August 10, 1852. and first went to 
work on a dairy farm lor wages. He owned 160 
acres on the old Jackson road for many years, and 
followed the business of teaming as well as 
dairying for several years. In October, 1884, he 
bought his present ranch of 160 acres, situated 
about twenty-six miles from Sacramento and 
two and one-half miles from Michigan Bar. He 
raises hay and stock, and makes a specialty of 
raising turkeys, of which he usually has a flock 
of between two and three hundred. 

— ^^m^^^ — 

tLEXANDER SCROGGS, Sr., a pioneer 
of marked character and a capitalist, was 
born in Trumbull (now Mahoning) County, 
Ohio, April 22, 1818; was brought up on the 
farm of liis father, Aaron Scroggs, a native of 
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. In 1840 
he emigrated to Quincy, Illinois; was in Mon- 
mouth, that State, in 1840-'41, and then in 
Whiteside County, same State, until 1849, en- 
gaged as a carpenter. In March of the latter 
year he left for California, in company wdth 
Captain Woodburn and a Mr Miller, in a party 



UISTOllY OF SACIIAMENTO COUNrY. 



made up at St. Joseph, Missouri, which had 
t'ourteeu wagons. Coining by way of Fort Hall 
and tlie Tnickee route, and the scene of the 
great disaster of the Donner party, they arrived 
on Deer Creek September 6. They followed 
.gold mining on Bear River until the rain sea- 
son set in, when they came to Sacramento. At 
that time Mr. Callahan, the builder and pro- 
prietor of the (xoldeii Eagle Hotel, was keeping 
a canvas boarding-house on the corner of Sev- 
enth and L streets, adjoining a horse market, 
wliich was then conducted by Captain Smith & 
Co. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Scroggs fol- 
lowed Captain Whitehead and his company to 
the mines at the head-waters of the Calaveras 
liiver, and afterward to Downieville and the 
Gold Lake mining region. He returned to Sac- 
ramento during the cholera siege here. Sub- 
sequently he followed mining on Bear River and 
at Johnson's Crossing. I^ext he engaged in 
carpentering, at which he made $10 a day. In 
the spring of 1852 he was in the mines again, 
and soon cleared $1,000. Then he resumed ais 
trade in Sacramento and followed it for many 
years. In 1854 he married Miss Jane Elwell, 
a native of the State of New York, who came 
to California in 1850 on the steamer Eudora. 
Since then she has made three trips to the East, 
one time on the vessel named Yankee Blade, 
which was wrecked at Point Euquella, and she 
was obliged to return. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Scroggs own considerable real estate in this 
city. Their children are: Alexander, Jr.; Sarah 
Irene, now Mrs. Worneth; Almira Jane, now 
the wife of T. E. Reikart, of Dixon, and John, 
the youngest son. 



^ l.KXANDER MONROE WARNOCK, 

( \ lu-iner, of Lee Township, was born in 
~,i~ i'utnam County, Illinois, April 10, 1830, 
his parents being James A. and Elizabeth (Mc- 
Cord) Warnock. The father, a native of South 
Carolina, died in Putnam County, Illinois, in 
1862, aged seventy-two; the mother a native of 



Pennsylvania, died in 1852, aged tifty-two. 
They had moved to Illinois in 1828, soon after 
their marriage in Ohio, whither grandfather 
McCord had moved fi-om Pennsylvania some 
years before. Grandfather Joseph AVarnock 
was the son of an Irish emig'-ant, Michael, who 
settled in Pendleton County, South Carolina, in 
1768. Joseph moved with his family to Brown 
County, Ohio, thence to Indiana, and finally 
settled in Putnam County, Illinois, where he 
died about 1840, aged seventy-seven. Grand- 
mother Margaret (Sumter) Warnock died sev- 
eral years earlier, at the age of sixty. Grand 
parents William and Elizabeth McCord also 
settled in Putnam County, Illinois, and died 
there, the latter about 1845, aged seventy-six, 
and the former in 1855, at the age of eighty- 
six. A. M. Warnock received a district-school 
education and was brought up on his father's 
farm, helping on the same until he was twenty. 
In 1850 he bought in partnership with his 
brother a Mexican-war land warrant and located 
160 acres in Grundy County, Illinois. In 1853 
he sold his eighty, and set out for California, 
March 24, 1853, arriving at Placerville Sep- 
tember 10. He mined in that section eight 
years during the mining season, usually coining 
down into the plains in summer, and working 
more or less in various lines as opportunity 
offered. In March, 1861, he was married in 
Placerville to Emeline Johnson, and moved 
into Douglas County, Nevada, where he carried 
on teaming for twelve years. In 1873 he moved 
into Sacramento County, settling at Franklin. 
He bought a hay-press and followed that line ef 
business until 1880. He then rented a ranch 
of 240 acres about three miles north of Frank- 
lin, which he held three years. In 1883 he 
rented 525 acres, five miles above Routier, which 
he still holds. In 1885 he rented a part of the 
Davis place, in Lee Township, and in 1888 the 
whole 1,200 acres. On both places he does 
general farming, raising grain of all kinds be- 
sides horses, cattle and hogs. The children of 
Mrs. Warnock — the first three being by a for- 
mer husband named Alcock, but entirely iden- 



IIISTOnr OF tiACRAMENTO COUMTT. 



tified with the new family and bearing its name — 
are: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Silas Grant, residing 
in Canada; Walter E., born in 1855, and Sam- 
uel M., in 1857, both interested in the working 
of the two farms occupied and worked by tli^ 
AVarnock family and their hired help. James 
Archibald Warnock, born in Nevada in 1863, is 
married to Ella, a daughter of Milton Sherwood, 
of Sacramento, is the father of two boys and is 
farming near Elk Grove; Isabel, born in 1865; 
Ella, in 1868; Gertrude, in 1870; Alexander 
Victor, in 1872; Arlie Etta, in 1874, the last 
named being a native of California and the 
others of Nevada. 



tEV. GEORGE WATKINS HEATH, a 
retired minister and rancher of Cosumnes 
Township, was born in Montgomery 
County, Ohio, January 11, 1817, his parents 
being William and Amy (Watkins) Heath. In 
1832 the family moved to Adams County, Indi- 
ana, where the father died in 1840, and the 
mother in 1850, both at about the age of sixty. 



Grandfather William Heath died 



rgini 



aged ninety-two; and grandfather Watkins, 
also named William, died at seventy, but his 
wife reached the age of ninety -six. George AV. 
Heath received but little schooling in his youth, 
but by special industry in private study made 
up the deficiency in his formal education, and 
was authorized to preach by tlie Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 1841. He was married in 
1837, being not quite twenty-one. He came to 
California in 1852, and mined four years, preach- 
ing as opportunity was given. In 1854 he 
brought out his family; and in 1856 was form- 
ally set apart for the work of the ministry, serv- 
ing first in El Dorado County. In 1858 he was 
ordained deacon; and in 1859 was placed in 
charge of the Cosumnes circuit. In 1861 he 
filed pre-emption papers on the 160 acres he 
still owns, about one mile southeast of Michi- 
gan Bar, and the title was in time perfected. 
He has since been a farmer as well as preacher, 



with his time fully occupied in the discharge 
of manifold duty, including the proper care, 
moral, intellectual, and industrial, of a large 
family. He has been a justice of the peace 
eight, and roadinaster fifteen years. He was 
married in Ohio, December 3, 1837, to Miss 
Eachel Jane Roebuck, born in Ohio, February 
29, 1820, her parents being John and Rachel 
(Russell) Roebuck. After fifty j'ears of wedded 
life in Christian harmony and fellowship she 
died, February 25, 1888, leaving lier life-part- 
ner, whose health has been broken for some 
time, to mourn her loss, but not as one without 
hope. The children of Mr. and Mrs. George 
W. Heath are: Ebenezer Goddard, now living 
in Portland, Oregon; Hattie, now Mrs. George 
B. Walker, of Covelo, California; John W. 
(see sketch); Deliah Jane, now Mrs. Edwin 
W. Joseph, of Lake County, Oregon. James 
White Heath, born in Adams County, Indiana, 
January 25, 1851, came to California in 1854. 
Received the education attainable in this section 
thirty years ago, and was brought up to farming. 
He was married September 1, 1886, to Miss 
Daisy Hurley, born at Cook's Bar, in this 
Township, November 25, 1867, her parents 
being John Pinckney and Elizabeth (Yorke) 
Hurley. Her fatlier was born in Tennessee, 
March 22, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. James W. Heath 
have one child, Winnie, born November 29, 
1887. The other children of George W. Heath 
are: Warwick Petomy, born in this State in 
1857, and now of Shasta County; Edwin Bar- 
ber, born at Michigan Bar in 1860, now (1889) 
deputy assessor of tliis county. 



fllARLES M. CAMPBELL, dealer in fur- 
niture and carpets, 409 K street, Sacra- 
mento, is a native of California, having 
been born in Sacramento, May 28, 1860, where 
his early life was spent. He is the son of 
Fanny and the late John Campljell, the former 
being a native of Etigland, and the latter of 
Scotland. John Campljell, his father, came to 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Canada with his parents when nine years old, 
and remained with them till he was twent3'-one, 
when he went to New York and learned the 
trade of stair-builder, removing thence to New 
Orleans, where he branched out as a contractor. 
In 1849 he determined to seek his fortune in 
California, taking passage by way of the Isth- 
mus. Owing, however, to detention, he did not 
arrive in San Francisco till January, 1850. 
Coming immediately to Sacramento he com- 
menced the manufacture of furniture, and was 
the pioneer in that business in the city. lie 
continued in this business up to the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1881, when Charles M. 
succeeded him, being then nearly twenty-one 
years old. lie had been with his father as an 
assistant for six years; consequently was well 
qualified to carry on the business, which he has 
done with uninterrupted success to the present 
time. His business career has been marked by 
the strictest integrity. To this, as well as his 
affable manners and prompt attention to busi- 
ness, is due his constantly increasing trade. Mr. 
Campbell is an active member of the Presby- 
terian Church, and of the Toung Men's Chris- 
tian Association, being president of the latter 
organization, whicii position he has held four 
years. In this connection it may be said that to 
his energy, together with that of a few others, 
is due the fact that the Young Men's Christian 
Association is a living institution at this time, 
and in successful operation. In 1879-80 he took 
charge of a branch business for his father in 
Virginia City, J^evada, and while there organ- 
ized a juvenile temperance society of over 100 
members, which still exists. In the cause of 
temperance Mr. Campbell is an ardent worker, 
and in politics a Prohibitionist. Mr. Campbell 
uses his means to good advantage, enlarging liis 
views of the world by travel. To this end he 
has twice visited Europe. In April, 1889, ha 
was honored by the Governor of Californie 
with appointment as one of the commissioners 
to represent the State at the World's Exhibition 
in Paris. This appointment, while compli- 
mentary to him, reflects much credit on the 



judgment of the Governor in making the 
selection, his business qualifications and gentle- 
manly bearing rendering him a fit representa- 
tive of the Golden State. Being possessed of 
• much push and energy, he is destined to be- 
come at no distant day one of the most promi- 
nent business men of Sacramento. 



§0N. J. li. McKUNE, one of the oldest and 
most eminent members of the bar of 
Sacramento County, was born in Sullivan 
County, New York, March 22, 1819. From 
1839 to 1844 he read law in the office of Bent- 
ley & Richards, at Montrose, Susquehanna 
County, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the 
bar at that place in 1844. He practiced law at 
Montrose until 1848, when he removed to Illi- 
nois and resumed the practice of his profession 
at Lee Center, Lee County. In 1849 he came 
overland to California, starting from Independ- 
ence, Missouri, May 7, and crossing the Sierra 
Nevada September 1, at a point near where the 
present railroad crosses. First, he mined for 
gold at Nevada City, and hunted deer in the fall 
of 1849 until some time in January following, 
and then came to Sacramento, where he has ever 
since resided. At the election April 5, 1850, 
he was chosen county attorney, and he held 
that office two years. In March, 1854, the 
President of the United States appointed him 
agent for the United States Land Commission, 
and he held this office also two years. At the 
general election of 1856 he was elected on the 
Democratic ticket to the Legislature, and dur- 
ing the session of 1857 he took a prominent 
part, acting as chairman of the committee ap- 
})ointed to conluct the impeachment of State 
Treasurer Bates. He was elected District Judge 
of the Sixth Judicial District, at the regular 
election of 1858, having been a candidate of the 
Douglas Democrats, and to the same office as a 
Republican in 1868; he held that office until 
December 31, 1869. In company with John C. 
Burch and Creed Ilaymond, he was appointed 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



767 



by Governor Booth as Code Commissioner to 
compile the statutes that were ratified by the 
Legislature in'1871-'72. Judge McKune lias 
probably been connected with more celebrated 
lawsuits than any other attorney in Sacramento; 
and he also compiled all the ordinances of the 
city of Sacramento except a few touching fran- 
chises, into one ordinance numbered 17, and that 
number is still preserved among the ordinances of 
the city. February 26, 1855, Judge McKune 
mariied Mary G. Bennett^ at San Francisco, 
and they have had two children: Florence A. 
and Charles Ralph. The latter, who clerked 
for Baker & Hamilton for a time, and also 
worked upon a farm, died in August, 1889, in 
Sacramento, at the age of thirty-one years. 



-^^m 



^•^- 



tA. VAN VOORHIES, manufacturer of 
and wholesale dealer in harness. Sacra - 
® mento. The name of the gentleman 
who forms the subject of this biographical 
notice is well and honorably known in Sacra- 
mento and throughout this portion ot the State 
as the head of one of the most extensive manu- 
facturing firms on the coast; and it is pleasing 
to note that his ))resent high position has come 
to him as the reward for faithful attention to 
business and business principles. Tiie history 
of his ancestry can be traced back to a period as 
early as 17G0, when four brotheis emigrated 
from Holland to the JN^ew World. One of 
these, the ancestor of our subject, settled in 
what is now Bergen County, New Jersey, near the 
present manufacturing city of Paterson; and it is 
a fact worthy of note that the grandfather, also 
the father, John Van Voorhies, and the subject 
himself were all born in the same house. While 
the latter was yet a child, his father, and his 
mother, nee Sarah Storms — who descended from 
an old Holland family — removed to Ann Arbor, 
Michigan, wiiere he was educated in the element- 
ary schools. At the age of seventeen he returned 
to New York and served an apprenticeship as 
saddle and harnecS maker, under the instruc- 



tions of a Mr. Volland, and continued bis trade 
in that city until 1853. California, at that time 
and since, the land of golden promise to so many 
young men of energy and spirit, became the 
Mecca of his hopes, and he started for tiie far 
West. Coming by the way of the Isthmus, he 
arrived in San Francisco in November, 1853. 
There he almost immediately obtained employ- 
ment as a clerk in the harness establishment of 
Mr. I. Madison, at that time the leading harness 
manufacturer on the coast. Continuing there 
for two years, he went in 1855 to Placerville, 
El Dorado County, then called Hangtown, and 
established a wholesale and retail house. It was 
during the Washoe mining excitement, and this, 
his first business venture, proving to be a suc- 
cess, he remained at this field until January 1, 
1869, when he came to Sacramento and bought 
an interest in the harness business of R. Stone 
& Co. In 1880 they removed to No. 322 
and 324 J Street, their present location. In 
1882 Mr. Van Voorhies purchased the interest 
of Mr. Stone, and the present firm of A. A. Van 
Voorhies & Co. was established, the other 
members being L. C. Montford, R. C. Irvine 
and George A. Phinney. Mr. Van Voorhies 
has been twice married. For his first wife be 
wedded Miss Harriet Wadsworth, a native of 
Connecticut. By that marriage there was one 
daughter, Harriet, now the wife of George A. 
Phinney, of this city. His second wife, whom 
he married in 1873, is a daughter of the late 
Harry Montford, an old resident of this State. 
By this marriage there he has been born one 
son, Ralph Henry. During his residence in El 
Dorado County, Mr. Van Voorhies was active 
in political matters; but the increasing cares of 
his extensive business since coming here have 
made it impracticable for him to engage in party 
work. Still, he takes an active interest in all 
things pertaining to the prosperity and advance- 
ment of the city. In the Masonic fraternity 
he has been for many years treasurer of Sacra- 
mento Commandery, No. 2; is a member of 
Union Lodge, No. 58, and of Sacramento Chap- 
ter, No. 3; and is also a warden of St. Paul's 



BISTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



Protestant Episcopal Cluu-ch. His aim is tlie 
elevation of mankind through Christian influ- 
ences, while ills liberality has been unostenta- 
tious, but heartfelt and real. This, the merest 
outline of the life of one of the representative 
business men of the Capital City, will be recog- 
nized by his friends as in keeping with his innate 
modesty; without it no historical volume of the 
county would be complete. 



fEORGE FREDERICK BRONNER.— 
Lying north of Switzerland, and including 
the eastern halt of the far-famed valley of 
the Rhine and the mountains which form its 
northern boundary, lies the Duchy of Baden. 
Here we have the beautiful Lake of Constance, 
and a portion of the Black Forests, so renowned 
in sentimental story, and the River Rhine; and 
here, too, is Baden-Baden, the great confer of 
sporting life in Europe; the great "Spa," the 
resort indeed of Eastern civilization; and here 
in February, 1833, the subject of this sketch 
was born, the son of George F. Bronncr and 
Sophia Siillerlin. His father was a wine mer- 
chant, and was killed in the Revolution of 1848. 
George's schooling was had in Baden, and to 
escape the cnfoi'ced service in the Landwehr, 
through the influence of friends he obtained a 
pass, and at the age of sixteen escaped to Paris 
and thence came to the United States, landing 
in New York in 1850. During that winter he 
remained in Buffalo, New York, doing anything 
which came to hand, and in the following spring 
went to Norwalk, Ohio, where he had an uncle 
living. He remained there, however, but a 
short time, when he went to Fremont in that 
State, at that time only a small village, where 
he remained for two or three years as a clerk in 
a general store. He there become acquainted 
p. F. Fabing, since become one of the 



with 



)ing. 



wealthiest and most influential men of Fre- 
mont, and owner of the gas works in that city; 
and together they came to California vi.a tlic 
Nicaragua route, and landed at San Francisco, 



coming almost immediately to Sacramento, and 
later on going to Mormon Island, where Mr. 
Fabing had a sister living. To 'illustrate more 
fully tiie willingness and independent spirit of 
young Bronner, it is worthy of note that when 
he landed in Sacramento on January 5, 1854, 
he, having no money, rather than be dependent 
or under obligations to his friend Fabing, at 
once accepted a position as dish-washer in the 
Stanford House, on I street, a hotel at that time 
kept by a man by the name of Stanford. This 
spirit has followed Mr. Bronner through life, 
it being his motto to do whatever came in his 
way, and to do it well. It was not long, how- 
ever, before his friend Fabing insisted that he 
should join him, and they worked together in 
Blue Ravine, also at the Western Diggings, on 
the Ameriean River, where they had an interest 
in a tunnel, until the spring of 1855, when he 
came to Sacramento and entered the employ of 
Dr. J. F. Morse, a prominent physician, and 
editor of the old Daily Union. After Ave or 
six years Dr. Morse removed to San Francisco, 
and Mr. Bronner engaged with Dr. Cluness, 
who had at that time recently come to Sacra- 
mento from Petaluma. In 1862 he entered the 
employ of Wells, Fargo &, Co., the ofBce being 
at that time under the management of Alexan- 
der Hayden, who afterward committed suicide 
and was succeeded by Felix Tracy, Mr. G. G. 
Clark taking charge of the office until Mr. 
Tracy was installed as agent of tiie company 
there. At the time of Hayden's trouble and 
death, Bronner and the janitor were tlie only 
employes who were retained. Bronner con- 
tinued his position for some time under Tracy, 
resigning in 1870 to engage in business for 
himself. He always was interested in politics, 
and has held many positions of trust in his 
party, being peculiarly fltted by nature to con- 
trol men and to assist in party councils. In 
187(5 he was elected public administrator, and 
re-elected in 1879, filling this important ofBce 
with marked ability. A prominent member of 
the Masonic fraternity, a Knight Templar, a 
member of Tehama Lodge, No. 3, Sacramento 



II [STOUT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



7(i9 



Chapter, H^o. 3, Council No. 1, and Cominand- 
ery No. 2, he has held offices of trust in these 
organizations, in which he tai^es great interest. 
He is also a member of Union Lodge, No. 21, 
A. O. U. W., and of the Knights of Honor. 
He married a Uoston lady in 1866, and with his 
family resides at Fifteenth and L streets, occu- 
pying property' of his own, of 120 feet front- 
age. They have nine children, six sons and 
three daughters; they lost three. 



^[EORGE BLAKE COSBY, late Adjntant- 
flw ^'^'''S''^' of California, is a resident of 
wl- Sacramento cit}'. A brief mention of his 
antecedents, a brief glance of the story of an 
unusually eventful life, cannot but be gratify- 
ing to his many friends, in connection with the 
historical volume of a county which has become 
his home. In the person of the General we see 
the harmonious blending of the characteristics 
of the old-time Southern chivalry, with the en- 
ergy and business qualifications of the New 
Englander. Born in the city of Louisville, 
Kentucky, in 1831, his father, Fortunatus 
Cosby, Esq., was a gentleman of leisure, a 
student of belles-lettres, the son of Fortunatus 
Cosby (1st), one of the early settlers of that 
portion of Kentucky; while his mother, Ellen 
Blake, was a native of Boston, Massachnsetts, 
being of English descent. Young Cosby re- 
ceived his preliminary education in the schools 
of his native city, and with the energy born of 
Ills New England mother, entered a clerkshij>. 
fully determined to become a merchant. He 
was at that time seventeen years old. When 
tlie appointment of a cadetship to the United 
States Military Academy at West Point was 
within the gift of Hon. Garnet Duncan, Repre- 
sentative of the Louisville District, a life-long 
friend of the Cosby family, it was but natural 
that this gratifying selection should fall to him. 
He passed the requisite e.xamination, donned 
the uniform of a cadet, entered the academy, 
and after a four years' course was graduated 



with honor in 1852, and assigned as Second 
Lieutenant in the United States Mounted Rifles, 
stationed at Fort Ewell, a frontier station at the 



crossing of the Indian trail mid 



way 



betv 



the 



Nueces River and the Rio Grande, in Western 
Texas. He vividly recalls the hardships of that 
time on the Texan frontier. In 1857 he was 
assigned as Lieutenant in the Second United 
States Cavalry, on duty in the Southwest, where 
he was at the breaking out of the sectional war 
in 1861. True to his principles and belief as 
to the calls of duty, he resigned his position on 
the 12th of May, 1861, and hastened to Mont- 
gomery, Alabama, at that time the seat of Con- 
federate government, and tendered his services 
to President Jefferson Davis, being accompanied 
in this departure by George B. Anderson and 
John B. Hood, also of the regular army. He 
remained in the Confederate service until the 
capitulation of General Lee, in April, 1865. 
The stirring events of these years need not be 
chronicled here, indeed could not be, within 
the limits of this sketch. Suffice to say that lie 
did his duty, — at Bethel Church, his first battle; 
at Fort Donelson, where he was captured by the 
enemy; at Perryville, etc. He served ^v1th dis- 
tinction en the staffs of Generals Magrudor and 
Buckiier, being chief of staff, and Brigadier- 
General under Van Dorn at the time of the 
latter's death, engaged in skirmishing duty and 
guarding the flanks of the army of General 
Bragg. Later on, toward the close of the war, 
he was with General Jubal A. Early as Briga- 
dier-Commander in his memorable Virginia 
campaign. Siiortly after the failure of the Con- 
federate movement, and in consequence of the 
demoralized condition of affairs in the South, 
the General emigrated to California, and be- 
came, as he tersely expresses it, a "bread winner 
for his family." For two years he had charge 
of a stage line from Chico to Silver City, and 
later on was a rancher in Butte County. ' In 
1876 he came to Sacramento and was appointed 
clerk of the State Senate in the session of that 
year, and was reappointed and served in the 
session of 1878. Subsequently he was appointed 



HISTORY OF SACMA3I£]VT0 COUNTY. 



by Governor Irwin Secretary of tlie State Engi- 
neering Department, holding tlie posititm until 
1883, when he was appointed Adjutant-General 
by Governor Stoneman, and rea])pointed to the 
same office by Governor Bartlett in 1887, an 
office which by his early education and his ex- 
perience as a soldier he was so eminently quali- 
lied to fill. Upon the death of Governor 
Bartlett in 1887, and upon the accession of the 
present incuinbetit, he was removed for political 
reasons consequent upon the change of adminis- 
tration. The General is a most affable gentle- 
man, and notwithstanding the cares, dangers and 
disappointments which were crowded into the 
early years of his life, he is still in his prime. 
His wife, also a Kentuckian, is a daughter of 
Dr. John M. Johnson, an eminent physician, a 
State Senator, and a Medical Director on the 
staff of General Hardee during the war. The 
family residence and home, situated in the 
southern portion of this city, is a model of old- 
time hospitality, and here, surrounded by his 
interesting family, the General is at present 
Kecording Clerk in the office of the Secretary 
of State. 



tlRAM EMMET BARTON, a rancher of 
Natonia Township, was born in Cattarau- 
gus County, New York, November 6, 
1833, his parents being Hiram and Almira 
(Guy) Barton. The family moved to Iowa in 
1837, settling on a farm eleven miles from Bur- 
lington. In 1859 the parents went back to 
New York and there bought a farm on which 
they lived until 1865, when they came to Cali- 
fornia, arriving at White liock. El Dorado 
County, by the train that brought the news of 
the assassination of President Lincoln. After 
a visit of two years with the subject of this 
sketch, they settled at Uavisville, Yolo County, 
where the father died in 1872, aged about 
seventy-four. The mother survived him nine 
years, dying in 1881, at the home of her daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Isaac Baylis, near lied Bluffs, Cali- 



fornia. They had nine children who grew to 
maturity, of whom four are residents of this 
coast: H. E., the subject of this sketch; Tim- 
othy, who lives a few miles further east, in El 
Dorado County; Henry, at the Willows, in Co- 
lusa County, and Jane, Mrs. Is-aac Bayiis, now 
of Maxwell, Colusa County. II. E. Barton left 
Iowa, in 1853, as driver of a ten-ox team for 
Rev. John "W. Short, who settled in Oregon. 
Mr. Barton worked in a saw-mill eight miles 
east of Albany until April, 1854, when he came 
to San Francisco by steamer from Portland He 
then struck out for the mines at Mud Springs, 
El Dorado County, where he mined with some 
success for two years. In 1856 he came down 
on Deer Creek and went into the business of 
raising cattle on the free ranges between Clarks- 
ville and Latrobe. On March 4, 1859, he was 
married to Miss Margaret Skiffington, born in 
New York city, in April, 1844, and there reared, 
but living with an aunt at Mud Springs, Cali- 
fornia, since 1856. After his marriage, Mr. 
Barton made a trip to the East, visiting his 
relatives in Iowa and New Y^ork and returned 
in 1860. He resumed his business of cattle- 
raising, and in 1862 went into dairying, hauling 
the product from the mountain range to Nevada 
in summer, and from the plains to Sacramento 
in winter. In 1866 he bought 400 acres ten 
miles from Folsoni on the Michigan Bar road, 
•which he has since increased to 3,040; all this 
is in Sacramento County. Besides, he has 580 
acres in Lake Valley, El Dorado County, and 
320 in Alpine County, used mostly as a stock 
range. He, however, larms between 300 and 
400 acres, raising hay and grain for home con- 
sumption. He usually keeps a herd of 3,000 
sheep, 300 head of cattle (of which about 125 
are milch cows for dairy products), and seventy- 
five horses, some of them a superior breed. He 
was deputy sheriff of EI Dorado County two 
terms under W. II. Biown and is deputy sheriif 
of Sacramento County at the present time under 
George C. McMullen. He has also been school 
trustee in the district in which he lives for the 
last seven years. Mrs. Barton died October 21, 



UISTOBT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTT. 



1884, leaving eight children: Henry Claj, born 
August 17, 1859; Rjbert Guy, July 6, 1860; 
John Quincj, July 6, 1862; Nettie, July 10, 
1865; Hiram Emmet, April 5, 1867; William 
Delos, April 10, 1868; Isabel May, September 
4, 1869, and died November 9, 1883; David 
Lester, born October 4, 1870; and George H., 
December 4, 1871, all born in California. 
John Q. was married May 15, 1888, to Miss 
Belle Phillips, born in Oregon of American 
parentage, and has one boy, John Harris, born 
February 15, 1889. Nettie was married May 
10, 1887, to John L., son of Hon. J. H. and 
Eliza Miller, formerly of Latrobe, now of 
Sacramento. 



^^v^f^ 



tNWYL O. GREGORY.— Photography! 
Sun printing! How little we of to-day 
realize the importance of the art, and that 
its discovery lies within the present century, 
that indeed its development to the stage of a 
practical utility lies witliin the space of half that 
time! To England belongs the honor of tirst 
producing a pliotograph, by one AYedgwood, in 
1802. This was followed in 1814 by the ex- 
periments of Nicephore de Niepce, who died in 
1833. His son, Isadore de Niepce, together 
with Daguerre, made furtlier improvements in 
the process. These pictures were taken upon 
silver-plated copper, and were called Daguerreo- 
types; and from that day to the present there 
has been a steady advancement in tJiis art of 
"sun printing." Today, in the best galleries, 
we find artists of merit who are making the 
study and improvements of this art their life- 
work, and accomplishing results which would 
have l)een deemed impossible only a few years 
ago. Sacramento has been fortunate in secur- 
ing for herself such a one in the person of 
Anwyi O. Gregory, whose studio is on J street, 
and who although a young man, has had a prac- 
tical experience of over twenty-eight years in 
his chosen profession. A siiort sketch of Ins 
life cannot but i)e interesting to his many friends, 



in connection with the historical volume of the 
county and city of his adoption. Mr. Gregory, 
born in the city of New York, is the only son of 
Joseph W. Gregory, a pioneer who came to the 
coast to establish the western branch of the 
great Atlantic & Pacific Express Company, the 
rival of Adams. This company, from its office 
on Montgomery street, San Francisco, did an 
immense business in pioneer times. The senior 
Gregory returned East, and died in New Y^ork 
city in 1870. Anwyl was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of that city, and, early evincing a 
strong liking for all forms of picture work, he 
determined to become a pliotographer, a branch 
of art then just coming into vogue. He first 
entered the Kimball Gallery, corner of Broad- 
way and Broom street, and later on was with 
Gurney, who for years was the leading photog- 
rapher in the Empire City, and indeed in the 
whole United States. His gallery on Fifth 
avenue will be remembered as one of the sights 
of the metropolis, the rendezvous of theatrical 
and society people of the great city. Gurney 
enjoyed an immense prosperity, and deservedly 
too, for he kept well abreast with the rapidly 
developing science of photography, and made 
practical application of all the newest methods, 
supplemented by his own vast and valuable ex- 
perience. Such was the training-school which 
fitted the subject of this sketch for his life- 
work; and wlien in 1879 he concluded to emi- 
grate to the '• land of golden promise," — of 
which he had so often heard his father speak in 
terms of highest praise, — it was with a knowl- 
edge of his profession which materially assisted 
him in securing a responsible position within 
the Golden Gate, in the city of San Francisco. 
It was about this time that Mr. Leftwich, a 
skilled photographer and an artist of merit, fore- 
seeing the advantages of a really first-class gal- 
lery in the Capital City, had Iwuglit and fitted up 
his elegant studio on J street, which was in- 
tended to excel anything on the coast. He 
died, however, and Mr. Gregory was fortunate 
in securing the place, which he at once did; 
and, bringing his family to Sacramento, began 



773 



HISTORY OF SAVUAMENrO COUNTY. 



a work which year by year has grown, and, un- 
der his fostering care has opened up new possi- 
bilities in the way of art photography. Helirsf 
introduced the 20x24 camera for taking life- 
size portraits. He introduced Grecian statuai^ 
and Kembrandt styles, and adopted tlie plan of 
having on hand costumes and draperies of suit- 
able color and texture, to produce the most art- 
istic effect; and in the matter of artistic 
" poking" alone he has secured an immense 
success. Indeed, in this and other particulars 
he has revolutionized the old methods and pro- 
duced results most gratifying to himself and to 
his patrons. He has taken silver medals three 
years in succession. That which was taken at 
the State Exposition in 1889, was a special 
medal for quality pictu.-es. His display and art 
rooms at the State Exposition building on the 
Capitol grounds in 1887-'88-'89, were the most 
elaborate ever seen on the coast; and he was 
awarded the silver medal for highest merit; and 
not only this, but he has also established an 
enviable reputation as a conscientious, pains- 
taking artist. 



tESTAURANT De FRANCE, Faure & 
Becker, proprietors. This institution, hav- 
ing the greatest prestige of all in Sacra- 
mento, was established in pioneer times by A. 
Mouton, a Frenchman who was widely known 
as a restaurateur and baker for many years. It 
was afterward kept by Louis Payne, who for 
fifteen years was the popular proprietor of the 
French Hotel on Second street; and it came 
into the hands of the present management in 
1888, Mr. Payne having transferred his interest 
to tiiem in March of that year. Its location, 
on the northwest corner of P''itth and K streets, 
in the Metropolitan building, is at once central 
and desirable. The main dining-hall comfort- 
ably seats eighty persons, while in addition 
there are two private dining-rooms, each having 
a seating capacity of twenty-four guests, and 
four smaller ones, suited to smaller parties, be- 



sides of course the kitchen and other rooms, all 
on one floor. A genuine French chef de cuis- 
ine is employed. Julien Faure, the senior mem- 
ber of the firm, was born in Hautes Pyrenees, 
Southern France, September 11, 1852. His 
father, Alexander Faure, was a farmer; his 
mother's maiden name was Madaline Pene. At 
the tender age of eleven years young Julien 
began to learn the trade of pastry cook, at Pau. 
On hearing the accounts of his friend La Louche, 
who had made a fortune at the Bay here in Cal- 
ifornia, he determined to emigrate to the Golden 
State, Arriving at San Francisco from Bor- 
deaux, he was first employed at the Sanford 
House. Eight or ten months afterward he went 
to Salinas, this State, and was employed in a 
French restaurant there a little more than a 
year and a half. Returning to San Francisco, 
he was chef z.i the Occidental two years, but he 
soon lost some time on account of impaired 
health. In March, 1876, he came to the Capi- 
tal City, about the time Louis Payne took 
charge of the French Hotel, and was chef at 
the Arcade in 1878, and furnished the dinner 
for the Press banquet in the presence of King 
Kalakaua and his suite, who were at that time 
making a tour of this country. Subsequently 
fur eight years he was chief at the Western 
Hotel in this city, which position he left to be- 
come a member of the present firm, in 1888. 
Mr. Faure was married in October, 1884, to 
Miss Emma Trope, daughter of Alexander 
Trope, who came from France and settled in 
Sacramento in 1852. She is a native of this 
city. Their children are three sons. Mr. Faure 
has been a member of the A. O. U. W., the 
Druids and the Red Men. In the latter organ- 
ization he is Past Grand Sachem, and he has 
represented his lodge in the grand council of 
the order at San Francisco, in August, 1889. 
A. Becker, the other member of the above firm, 
was born in Calaveras County, this State, De- 
cember 15, 1862. His father, John Becker, a 
brewer, came to California in 1852, and estab- 
lished the Altaville Brewery. His mother, nee 
Elizabeth Myeis, was a native of I'aden, Ger- 



UISTORT OF SACRAMENTO OUNTT. 



many. He was next to tlie youngest in a fam- 
ily of five sons. His first station after arriving 
at tlie years of responsibility was in a Stockton 
brewery, and tiie ne.xt at the San Joaqnin House 
in that city. In 1883 lie was employed by Louis 
Payne at the French Hotel in Sacramento, and 
there he had charge of the dining-rooms until 
lie formed his present partnership relation. 



fT. BURKE was horn in tlie city of New 
York, September 14, 1827, at which place 
** he lived (with the exception of five years 
when he lived on his father's farm in New Jer- 
sey), until he came to California, November 23, 
1849. He sailed from New York for California 
on the ship St. Mary (Captain Hill, com- 
mander), and arrived in San Francisco on Sun- 
day, April 27, 1850, after a pleasant voyage of 
153 days, including one week's stop at Rio de 
Janeiro and two days at the Island of Juan Fer- 
nandez. He came uj) the Sacramento River on 
the brig General Cobb, and arrived at Sacra- 
mento May 6, 1850 After going to the mines 



he returned to Sacramento, where he en 



gag' 



ed 



in the brick-making business. In the8])ringof 
1853, after the big lire of 1852, he went to San 
Francisco and engaged in the brick business on 
Mission Creek. His brick-yard was situated 
where Center street crosses Mission Creek. In 
1854 he returned to Sacramento, and in the fall 
of 1859 he was elected an officer of the police 
force. He sustained this relation until 1864, 
when he was elected Chief of Police to fill an 
unexpired term. He was afterward elected 
Chief of Police four years in succession. June 
1, 1868, he entered the employ of the Central 
Pacific Railroad (now the Southern Pacific 
Company), as detective, and has remained in 
their employ ever since, — nearly twenty-three 
years. He has remained true to Sacramento 
through all her vicissitudes of fire and water. 
He took an active part in capturing the Verdi 
train robbers in Nevada in 1870; also in the 
capture of tiie Cape Horn train roiibers in 



1883; the Popago train robbers near Mountain 
Springs, Arizona, in 1887, and the gang of in-- 
cendiaries in Sacramento in 1860. Chief Burke 
belongs to the Exempt Firemen's Association. 
Ho was a member of Eureka Engine Company, 
No. 4, and a delegate to the Board of Delegates 
of the Old Volunteer Firemen's Association, 
and was vice-president of the board, Hon. Grove 
L. Johnson being president. At the last meet- 
ing of the board, before it adjourned sine die^ 
in the absence of the president, Mr. Burke oc- 
cupied the chair at the final adjournment. 



PUFFALO BREWING COMPANY.— 
That the bevei'age known as lager bier 
(from the peculiar method of its brewing 
and storage prior to use) has become firmly 
established in the mind and appetite of the 
American people, a glance at the statistics 
showing the immense demand for this com- 
modity, and the vast sums invested in its pro- 
duction, is sufiicient proof. A brief outline of 
an establishment of this kind, together with a 
mention of its founder, Mr. Herman H. Graw, 
will be found to be of interest in connection 
with the historical volume of the county with 
which he has recently become identified. The 
splendid pressed-brick, iron and granite fire- 
proof structure, which for the past year has been 
in course of ccmstruction on the block bounded 
by Twenty-first and Twenty-second, and Q and 
R streets, in the city of Sacramento will, when 
completed, be unexcelled by any in this or any 
other country. The main building, or brewery 
proper, 40 x 40 feet, is five stories high, to which 
is attached the ice-house, a four-story building 
100 x 50 feet, and the boiler house, 40 x 60, con- 
densing-room, coal-sheds, wash-house, etc., in 
the rear. The malt-house, built upon the "Sala- 
dine Pneumatic System," is 45 x 100 feet, with 
a capacity to make and store 70,000 to 80,000 
bushels of malt. The ofiiee building, a two- 
story structure 32x32, comprising the com- 
pany's business oflices, are on the first floor and 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUHTY. 



diieetorB' and stockholders' rooms abo\c. It is 
conveniently located, on the corner of Twenty- 
first street and the alley, while immediately in 
the rear is the spacious malt kiln, and just op- 
posite — across the railroad track — are tlie bot- 
tling works 40x60 feet. In the rear of this, 
fronting on Twenty-second street, are tlie tine 
stables, etc., 30 x 50 feet. Back of the ice-house, 
facing the switch, is the packing-room, 25 x 40, 
where the product is received on the cars and 
wagons for shipment, and opposite and to the 
south of the packing-room is located the artiti- 
cial ice plant, having a daily capacity of thirty 
to forty tons of ice, made by the latest and most 
improved methods known to this important 
branch of industry. The ice is made by con- 
densing steam, and the water thus produced is 
filtered and deodorized, and thence goes into ice 
cans where it is frozen, thereby ensuring the 
highest degree of purity. The present capacity 
of the brewery is 60,000 barrels, and can be 
easily augmented to any desired extent, ample 
provision having been made for such increase 
of capacity at a minimum of cost. The archi- 
tectural designs and plans for these works we're 
made by Mr. Otto C. Wolf, of Philadelphia. 
The general contract was awarded (February 28, 
1889) to A. McElroy, of San Francisco, for 
brewery, ice-house, store-rooms and boiler 
sheds, to Mr. Schneider; to N. Ilar\'ie, the con- 
tractor of this city, the malt-house, bottling 
works and stables. The work has been carried 
out under the immediate pert^onal supervision 
of Mr. Graw, together with a representative of 
the architect's superintendent, Patrick O'Meara. 
It has been the aim of the company to secure, 
as far as possible, both in material and construc- 
tion, the services of local business firms. To 
Lucas Kreuzberger was sub-let the contract for 
brick work for office, malt-house, kilns, etc.; for 
plumbing and steam-fitting, to Messrs. Cronch 
& Lyman; the boilers, tanks, bins, etc., were 
furnished by Cunningham & Co.; cooperage, 
by Ochsner & Co., and David Woerner, of San 
Francisco, — all local firms. The copper work 
is from theGoetz & Brada Manufacturing Com- 



pany, Chicago, while the ice machine and re- 
frigerator came from the De La Vergne 
Refrigerator Machine Company, ot New Yoi'k. 
The electric plant was furnished by the Electric 
Improvement Company, of San Francisco; plas- 
tering by D. J. Mannix, Sacramento; ice plant 
building and store-room, Mr. Schneider. The 
brewery engine, 150-horse-power, was built by 
Winkly, Spears & Hayes, San Francisco; the 
deep well pump was furnished by the Dow 
Steam Pump Works, of San Francisco. The 
millwright machinery is the most modern and 
complete, superintended by a representative of 
Mr. H. England, also a superintendent for the 
architect in that particular bi-anch of scietiee. 
The erection of the building was under the 
direction of a building comn)ittee, consisting 
of Herman H. Graw, chairman, Louis Nicholas 
and Frank Ruhstaller, the former giving it his 
active supervision. The entire outlay for build- 
ings, machinery, and the entire equipment is 
$400,000. The officers of the company for the 
first year are: Adolph Heilbron, president; I. 
R. Watson, vice-president; Fred. Cox, treas- 
urer; William E. Gerber, secretary. The pres- 
ent officers are: Adolph Heilbron, president; 
Frank Ruhstaller, vice-president; Fred. Cox, 
treasurer; William E. Gerber, secretary. Mr. 
Herman II. Graw, the master spirit, founder, 
general manager, and one of the largest stock- 
holders of the Bufi'alo Brewing Company, is a 
native of Germany, born April 29, 184G. He 
received his preliminary education in the coun- 
try of his nativity, but came to America at the 
age of seventeen. For a number of years he 
traveled in the interests of a large commercial 
house in New York city, and when, in 1871, he 
was united in marriage to Miss J. F. Bertha 
Liegele, daughter of Albert Liegele, the well- 
known brewer of Buffalo, New York, he became 
identified with the largest enterprise of that 
kind in that city, soon becoming a member of 
the firm, and later on he and the two sons of 
Mr. Liegele conducted the business successfully 
for twelve years. In May, 1887, having dis- 
posed of his business in P>uffaIo, he came to 



inST'JliV OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



775 



California witli a view of pennanently locating 
here. He soon realized the oppoi'tunity which 
tiie rapid development of the far West offers for 
an enterprise of the character mentioned above, 
and selecting the Capital City as the most 
favorable location, lie, in connection with Mr. 
(rarber, of the California State Bank, organized 
a stock compiny, which, it is believed, will be- 
come not only one of the " institutions " of tlie 
Pacific Coast lint one of the most extensive in 
the country, for, to use his own words, " We 
shall use only the best material. Our beer will 
be of the highest standard of excellence and 
equal in quality to that made in this or any 
other country." He brings to this enterprise a 
large, practical and successful experience. Xot 
only will the experience of Mr. Graw conduce 
to this result, but the head brewer, Mr. Bap- 
tiste Xierendorf, brings with him an experience 
of many yeirs, his profession having been ac- 
quired at the C3lel)rated Brewers' Academies in 
Germany, where he received his diplomas. 



^> WACHHORST. One of the familiar 
|MJ landmarks of the Capital City is the 
^ll® jewelry establishment of H. Wachhorst, 
on lower J street, at the sign of the town clock. 
Not only is this the leading house in this line, 
but it is also the pioneer jewelry establishment, 
as well as the most complete in all its details, 
in the trade. A brief outline of the well-known 
founder of this house and of his antecedents 
will be read with interest, in connection with 
this, the historical volume of Sacramento County. 
Born in Hanover, Germany, in May, 1827, he 
early in life acquired the trade of his father and 
grandfather, both of whom were celebrated 
watchmakers and dealers in precious stones. 
In 1843 he came to the United States and spent 
a year in acquiring a thorough mastery of the 
language of what was to be his adopted country. 
He then became an employe in the house of 
Hyde & Goodrich, the " Tiffany " of the " Cres- 
cent City," justly celebrated as one of the most 



extensive dealers in the United States. He re- 
mained with this firm five years, becoming an 
expert in stones, to which branch ot the trade 
he devoted much time and attention. When 
the excitement incident to the discovery of gold 
in the valley of the Sacramento attracted the 
attention of the world to this locality, he, like 
so many other ambitious young men, deter- 
mined to seek his fortunes in the far West; 
and, taking passage on the bark " Mary Water- 
man," Captain James fliggins, commander, — a 
vessel of 300 tons, 175 passengers, — he started 
out on one of the roughest voyages known to 
history, around the Horn, stopping at Rio de 
Janeiro, through Magellan Straits, stopping at 
Valparaiso and Chili, and up the Pacific coast 
to the Golden Gate, and thence after a short 
rest at San Francisco, to Sacramento and the 
mines at Mormon Island. Six months of the 
rough life of the miners' camp was quite 
enough for him, and returning to Sacramento 
in December, 1850, he opened a small shop in 
a room about eight feet wide on J street, be- 
tween Front and Second, for which he agreed 
to pay §500 per month rent in advance; but 
money came easy in those pioneer days, and, 
possessing a general and practical knowledge of 
the business, he made money rapidly during the 
next three or four years. In 1854 he sold out, 
thinking he had a sufficient income, $800 i)er 
month, and removed to San Francisco, where he 
lived a life of elegant leisure, following his 
tastes and giving much attention to music, both 
vocal and instrumental. Having acquired a 
competence, he traveled extensively abroad, 
throughout Europe, England, France and Italy 
for two years, and having satisfied his ambi- 
tions in this respect, he returned once more, in 
1859, to the land of sunshine and gold. In 
1859 he purchased the business of Messrs. Hel- 
ler & Andrews, now the proprietors of the Dia- 
mond Palace, Montgomery street, San Fran- 
cisco. This firm continued until after the floods 
of 1861; and Mr. Wachhorst has been in busi- 



ness in Sacramento since that tim 



e. ga 



enviable reputation, particularly in diamonds, 



UISTOliT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



which branch of the business he hsis made a 
specialty, and gathering together one of the 
iiiiest selected stocks to be found anywhere in 
the country; not this alone, but sucii has been 
the probity of his business life that the name 
of '• Wachhorst " has become a synonym of the 
highest standard of honor and fair dealing in 
the line of his chosen profession. Truly tlie 
mantle of his ancestors has fallen upon his 
shoulders, and his name perpetuates the mem- 
ory of those who have gone before him. Early 
in life Mr. Wachhorst became identified with 
the Matonic fraternity and he is a Royal Arch 
Mason in good standing. His sixty years of i 
life rests lightly upon him, and he retains to a 
really remarkable degree, that energy, enter- 
prise and business acumen for which he was 
noted in early life, — characteristics which 
brought him to the front rank among the rep- 
resentative men of the Golden State of Cali- 
fornia. He has given mi.ch time and attention 
to the study of music and is prominently iden- 
tified with musical interests in the city and 
throughout the State. He has an excellent 
voice and is passionately fond of music. 



-5*-^' 



fEORGE WISNER HANCOCK, Secretary 
of the Sacramento Crockery Company and 
an enterprising member of several business 
circles, is a descendant of the John Hancock 
whose bold chirography heads the list of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence, and 
who M'as secretary of the celebrated convention 
that drew up that remarkable document. Our 
subject is also* descendant of the Lee family of 
Maryland, as was also the late General Robert 
E. Lee, the most liberal scholar among the Con- 
federate generals of the late civil war. George's 
father, Nathan Hancock, in the early days of 
Massachusetts, owned and operated a stage line 
from I>ari-e, Worcester County, to Petersham 
and Boston. This line was afterward sold out 
to a Mr. Twitchell, for many years a leading 
railroad man of New England. Mr. Hancock 



was born at I'arre, Massachusetts, in 183B, the 
eleventh child in a family of twelve children, 
seven of whom are still living. He was edu- 
cated at the high school of his native town, 
which afterward became widely known as the 
seat of the first State Normal School of the 
commonwealth of Massachusetts. At the early 
age of sixteen years he took charge (jf a farm, 
previously occupied by his older brother, who 
had just come to California. At that time (1852) 
he had three brothers in this State: John, Henry 
and William. John had come in 1849. In 1857, 
his brother Henry having returned to look 
after the farm, George came to this State, laud- 
ing at San Francisco in February, 1858. First 
he joined his brother, Williatn, then on a farm 
on the Monroe ranch, on the Sacramento liiver. 
Remaining there until 1863, he went to the 
State of Nevada to reside, but soon returned to 
Sacramento. In 1866 he engaged in the live- 
stock business, on a ranch on the Cosu nines 
River, sixteen miles from Sacramento, which 
was successively in Placer, Sutter and Sacra- 
mento counties. From the first until the pres- 
ent timg has Mr. Hancock been enthusiastically 
interested in this vocation, at that point. He 
has some very tine blooded stock. In 1885 his 
filly Daisy, a yearling, made the fastest time in 
the world, passing a mile in 2:38J. His colts, 
by Guy Wilkes Sterling, Antevoio and others, 
are very promising. On his ranch he also has 
fifty acres in fruit, — Bartlett pears and French 
prunes, — in which he takes special interest. 
But Mr. Hancock has also been prominent in 
commercial circles. In 1857 he organized the 
Grangers' Co-operative Business Association of 
Sacramento. In pursuit of information regard- 
ing enterprises of this kind, he visited San Jose; 
San Francisco, Stockton and other cities, and the 
plans submitted to the association and adopted 
by it were the result of this investigation of the 
subject. He was the first president of the 
association and continued actively engaged in 
the enterprise until tiie close of 1888. In 1882 
he bought the "Dollar Store" at 627 J street, 
and from this has grown the present great whole- 




HVi, .to, Kc^NCOcJ^ , 



UI STORY OF SACRAMENTO GOUNTT. 



777 



sale aud retail house known as that of the Sac- 
ramento Crockery Company, of whicli Mr. 
Hancock is the secretary, Julm JN'eil being the 
president. In this line tliis is the foremost 
house north of the Bay. Of course Mr. Han- 
cock is a member of the order of Patrons of 
Husbandry. He is also prominently connected 
with Capital Lodge, I. O. O. F., and for the 
past twelve years a director of the State Agri- 
cultural Society. For two terms he has been 
superintendent of the society's grounds and of 
their race track. Yet still more conspicuous 
has Mr. Hancock been in bringing about useful 
legislation. While the Constitutional Conven- 
tion was in session, the State Grange held its 
annual session in Sacramento. A committee 
was appointed by that body to formulate arti- 
cles in the interest of the farmers and of the 
producing classes generally. Mr. Hancock was 
a secretary of that committee, and it devolved 
upon him, after discussion, to put into form the 
ideas desired to be engrafted into what ultimately 
became the organic law of the State. Twenty- 
seven articles were formed and adopted by the 
committee, and placed in the hands of members 
of the convention; nineteen of those articles 
were adopted in the exact language in which 
they were | resented. At a meeting of the 
Sacramento Grange Mr. Hancock was appointed 
on a committee to examine and report upon a 
set of te-\t-books for the public schools, and- 
after a thorough investigation of the matter re- 
ported in favor of the plan that the State should 
compile and print the text-books. He formu- 
lated the very plan that was afterward adopted 
and put into operation, and that now furnishes 
the text-books to the pupils of the whole State at 
forty per cent, of their former cost. He car- 
ried the matter up to the State Grange, and from 
it to the Legislature, where he was an active 
member of the " third house " until it became a 
law. Thus California became the first State in 
the Union to adopt this wise measure, which 
other States are now taking into a favorable 
consideration. Mr. Hancock was on a com- 
mittee appointed by the State Grange at the 



annual session held at Oakland, to examine the 
manufacture of jute bags, with a view to car- 
rying their manufacture into the State prison; 
and from the report made the matter was 
pushed into the Legislature and became a law, 
which when put into successful operation broke 
the iron sack ring that had been held over the 
farmers for so many years. Mr. Hancock was 
also the first to suggest a citrus fair being hold 
in northern California, which had resulted in 
developing the vast citrus resources of this 
section of the State. When a new pavilion 
was wanted for the State Agricultural Society, 
and many of the directors feared to undertake 
the job, Mr. Hancock with characteristic cour- 
age said it could be accomplished, and was act- 
ive in the circulation of the petition which 
secured the requisite amount of subscription to 
warrant the Legislature in passing a bill to pay 
$40,000 from the State treasury for the erection 
of the present building. Mr. Hancock was 
first married in 1868, to Miss Julianna Folger, 
whose ancestry were well-known families in 
Nantucket, Massachusetts. By his marriage 
there was one son: Benjamin Franklin Hancock, 
now of Sacramento. In November, 1882, Mr. 
Hancock married Miss Edith Southworth, a 
niece of Judge A. L. Rhoads of San Jose and a 
descendant of Parson Southard (as the name 
was then pronounced), who was a prominent 
Presbyterian minister, celebrated for his scholar- 
ship, especially for his knowledge of the classi- 
cal languages and the German. He established 
the First Presbyterian Church in Oneida County, 
New York. The son by this marriage, named 
Raymond Southworth Hancock, exhibits the 
sturdy qualities of his long-lived and prom- 
inent ancestry. 

,e^. C^^i •^* - 

fOSEF SCHNEIDER, contractor and 
buildef, was born in Weimar, Austria, in 
1848. After attending school during boj'- 
iiood, he entered a building college, where he ac- 
quired his trade. Upon reaching manhood he 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



emigrated to America in 1867, and went to 
Milwaukee, where he was successfully engaged 
in contracting and building tor twelve years. 
In 1880 he went to New Mexico and was a 
member of tlie tirm of Burke, Dane & Schneider. 
They carried on a large business for several 
years. Then he came to the Pacific coast. He 
spent one year in Los Angeles and then came to 
San Francisco, where he remained one year, and 
in 1885 came to Sacramento, wliere for three 
years he worked in the machine shops, and 
since then has been engaged in contracting and 
building, and by his ability and good manage- 
ment is building up a nice business. He has 
the contract for erecting the ice plant buildings 
and store rooms for the Buffalo Brewing Com- 
pany. He owns the lots on the corner of eight- 
eenth and E streets in this citj'; he also owns 
property in the city of Milwaukee. He is a 
member of the A. O. U. W. and American 
Legion of Honor. In 1878 he married Annie 
Schlerp, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They have 
two children: Lulu and Annie. 



^^^-- 



II. KINROSS, professor of voice cul- 
ture and vocal music, was born in 
i * Stirling, Scotland, December 21, 1846. 
His father, Henry Kinross, was precentor in tlie 
ErskineU.P. church, Stirling. The subject of tliis 
sketch attended the schools of his native town. 
His uncle urged him to enter his bank and re- 
ceive a practical business education, but young 
Kinross wanted to see the world, and came to 
Canada. It was during the civil war, and after 
a short time he came to Rochester, New York, 
where he enlisted in the First New York Cav- 
alry, he was under age and the major of the 
regiment had to sign his enlistment as guard- 
ian before he could be accepted. He partici- 
pated in the battle of Gettysburg, and in the 
campaign through Shenandoah Valley, Win- 
chester, Cedar Creek, and others. He was 
wounded three times. He served as "liigh 
private" three years and four months and after 



the close of the war he returned home. Hav- 
ing a taste for music and having a good voice, 
he was persuaded to cultivate it, and pursued 
his musical studies two years in Lf>ndon under 
" Randegger." He returned to America and 
came to Washington expecting to get a position 
in one of the departments, and while there ac 
cepted an engagement wit!i the Riching Eng- 
lish Opera troupe in 1867. He continued in 
English opera as chorus singer, prom])ter, sec- 
ond baritone and principal baritone eleven 
years, and sang with Parepa Rosa, Kellogg, and 
other leading prima donnas. He came to the 
Pacitic coast in 1878 and was assistant conduc- 
tor of the great May festival in San Francisco. 
He conducted all the chorus rehearsals there 
and at other places throughout the State and at 
Portland. While in the latter city he received 
flattering offers to locate there, which he ac- 
cepted, and was prominently indentified with 
musical interests there for some years. In 1887 
he came to Oakland and remained there until 
1889, when he was induced to come to the cap- 
ital city and accepted the leadership of the 
McNeill music club, organized for him by the 
late John McNeill, Esq. January 1, 1890, he 
was also appointed director of the Turner Har- 
monic Society, Prof. Kinross was united in 
marriage February 28, 1889, to Miss Addie 
Casedy, a native of Siskiyou County, California. 
She is also a fine musician, both vocal and in- 
strumental. 

^. : : 0^ it^H 



I^ON. E. W. MASLIN.— It is universally 
^ml conceded that there is no study at once so 
TSftfi valuable and so interesting as that of per- 
sonal biography. This is especially true of 
biography in California, for, from the records of 
no other people on the face of the earth can so 
much of instruction and of profit be gleaned 
than from the recital of the lives of the older 
Californians. It is, therefore, with all con- 
fidence tha*^ pen is put to paper in the case of 
such an one. Hon. E. W. Maslin, the secretary 



IIISrOUY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY 



of the State Board of E(jualization, was born in 
Marylanrl, April 1, 1834, the son of Philip 
Tliomas and Harriet (Points) Maslin, both 
natives of tliat State. The father died at the 
age of sixty-live years, and the mother when but 
forty-live years of age. Mr. Maslin received his 
education in his native Slate. He came to 
California by the ship Herman, having a long 
six- months voyage by way of the stormy Cape 
Horn. He reached San Francisco May 1, 1853, 
and started at once for the mines, reaching 
Grass Valley on a Saturday night and going to 
work on the following Monday. Here he con- 
tinued until September, 1855, when he began 
the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 
the spring of 1857. His time at the mines was 
not ill-speni, however, for Mr. Maslin was the 
locator of the celebrated Idaho mine at Grass 
Valley, as also of its eastern extension, the 
Maryland mine, also of great value. He has 
retained his interest in mining, holding inter- 
ests in copper and othor mines. Being ad- 
mitted to practice law he immediately opened 
an office in Grass Valley and succeeded from 
the first. In the fall of 1859 he was elected 
district attorney of Nevada County, holding of- 
fice for two years at Nevada City. He then re- 
moved to Grass Valley and remained there 
until the summer of 1869, when he went to 
Sacramento and was elected secretary of the 
lirst State Board of Equalization. He remained 
in the Capital City until the spring of 1872, 
when he wetit to Santa Rosa, but upon the 
election of Crovernor Irwin he was appointed 
his private secretary, a post he filled until 
January, 1880. He was then elected to his 
present official position as secretary of the State 
Board of Equalization, as then organized under 
the new State constitution. Mr. Maslin has 
been much interested of late years in promoting 
horticulture in the foof-hills of California. He 
has conducted many experiments upon his ranch 
at Loomis, Placer County, achieving most suc- 
cessful results, which have benefited the entire 
State, and has fostered a rapid advancement of 
portions formerly wholly neglected. In 1882 



he planted the Sherry grupe upon his place, and 
in 1885 the Smyrna fig, meeting with abundant 
success and adding largely to the resources of 
the State. Mr. Maslin is a gentleman of pro- 
gressive views, a clear and logical thinker — one 
who has won eminence by merit, and who has 
hosts of ardent friends — in fact, all who know 
him. He is one of California's most valuable 
citizens. He was married at Grass Valley, in 
1859, to Miss Mary A. Underwood, a native of 
Mis"souri. She died in May, 1874, leaving five 
children, four sons and one daughter, the latter 
having some time since been most unfortunately 
drowned. Their names are: Vertner, Sargent 
Prentice, L. W., Mary Maud and Thomas Paul. 
In 1885 he was married, secondly, to Miss 
Alice Way, of Jerseyville, formerly a teacher. 
They have one son. 



fDWARD KLEBITZ, capitalist, is a native 
of Germany, and was born in the Prus- 
sian province of Silesia, January 31, 
1817. His ])arents were Karl G. and Leonora 
Klebitz. His father was a wagon-maker and 
blacksmith, and also carried on a farm. The 
son, Edward, attended school during boyhood, 
and learned the trade of his father. He joined 
the army and served his time, and in the revo- 
lution of 1848 tie took an active part, and on 
account of his pron:iinence was an officer, but 
was tried by court martial and degraded in 
rank to the line, and sentenced to nine years' im- 
prisonment within the fortifications; but was 
only detained until the investigation could be 
reached by the highest tribunal, whicli released 
him. During this time he iieard of the gold 
excitement in California, and he determined to 
emigrate to America. Ho came by a sailing 
vessel, and had a very rough time in doubling 
Cape Horn. After leaving Valparaiso he had a 
pleasant passage, and aftei- being en route six 
months arrived in San Francisco the last of 
February, 1851. A few weeks later he went by 
steamer to Marysville, and thence six of them. 



UlSTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



sliipiiiates together, went to mining at Bidwell's 
Bar: they only remained a sliort time and then 
he returned to San Francisco. Not finding 
work he came up to Sacramento, May 15, 1851, 
and went to woric in Flohr & Harm's saddle 
shop, and remained until the end of 1851. The 
following spring he engaged in merchandising 
at Volcano, in Calaveras County. The lirm was 
Klebitz & Reckman. They carried on the 
business until July. 1853, when the store was 
robbed and his partner murdered. In the spring 
of 1854 Mr. Klebitz closed up the business and 
returned to Sacramento. He and Julius Wetz- 
ler started a swimming bath on Fourth street, 
but he sold out his interest the following year 
to Wetzler, and engaged in business on Fonrth 
street, the firm being Klebitz & Green. They 
also owned a large sheep ranch in Solano 
County, and had several thousand sheep. They 
continued together for twenty-nine years, imtil 
1884, when he sold out and retired from active 
business life. Mr. Klebitz's family consists of 
his wife and two daughters — Leonora, now Mrs 
Fred B. Adams, of the firm of Adams & Co., 
wholesale grocers of this city; and Lizzie, liv- 
ing with her parents in their attractive home. 
No. 417 Eighth street. 



■if^t-^^- 



fEORGE A. PUTNAM, an honored citizen 
and prominent member of the Sacramento 
Society of California Pioneers, is a native 
of Fitchburg, "Worcester County, Massachusetts, 
and was born May 15, 1825. His father, 
George S. Putnam, a native of Danvers, Massa- 
chusetts, was born in 1780 and died in 1840, 
aged sixty years. His mother, Polly C. Put- 
nam, nee Carter, a native of Fitchburg, was 
born in 1785 and her death occurred in 1868, 
aged eighty-three years. The early life of Mr. 
Putnam was spent on a farm, and he attended 
coimtry school. At the time of his father's 
death, at the age of hfteen, he started out to 
make his own way in the world. He went to 
Boston, where he entered a store, and attended 



evening school. He remained there until 1849. 
When the gold excitement was extending over 
the country, he determined to come to the Pa- 
cific coast and sailed from Boston, February 4, 
1849, on the ship Leonore. He came around 
Cape Horn and arrived in San Francisco, July 
5, 1849. He went up in the mines, on the 
Yuba River, and was very successful; he re- 
mained there nntil 185B, when he came to 
Sacramento and was engaged in teaming 
and transportation to the mines, in which 
business he continued several years. In 1857 
he was appointed deputy sheriff and held that 
position until 1863. Upon the breaking out of 
the war he enlisted in the Second California 
Cavalry but was rejected on account of physi- 
cal disability. The following year, 1862, he 
enlisted again and was rejected. Li 1863, he 
received a Major's commissioti and was ap- 
pointed Paymaster in the United States army 
and remained in the service until June 15, 
1865. After being mustered out he went East 
and spent several months. Upon his return in 
December he was appointed box and stamp 
clerk in the Sacramento postofKce. where he re- 
mained five years. In 1871 he was appointed 
Internal Revenue Assessor for the fourth dis- 
trict, and held that position until the office was 
abolished by the Government in 1873. He 
was then appointed Deputy Federal Collector 
of the fourth district and served until June 
1874, when he again became connected with 
the postoffice until March, 1877. He ' was 
then elected city tax collector and has been 
re-elected for seven successive terms; he still 
holds the ofHce, the present term making four- 
teen years. Mr. Putnam is identified practi- 
cally with political affairs, is an active member 
of the Sacramento Society of California Pio- 
neers and is one of the present directors. He 
has held that position for the past twelve years. 
He is a memlier of Sumner Post, G. A. R., at 
Sacramento. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, the oi-der of I. O. O. F., the K. P., 
and also Exempt Firemen's Association. Mr. 
Putnam was married in Sacramento October 5, 



UltiTOliY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



1855, to Miss Phoebe A. Sylvester, a native of 
Plyiuontli, Massacluisetts. They have two sons: 
George P. and Charles II. Mr. J'utnam has 
been a Eepublican since the organization of the 
party. 



-5W^• 



^ALE BEOS. & Co.— Never before in the 
|M^ history of the world has trade and com- 
^Ig nierce exercised so great an influence or 
been productive of such great results. The 
furthering of these have been the cause of almost 
all the progress of the century; on account of 
trade most of the modern wars have been waged, 
and the nations that have been the most active 
traders have led in the race for supremacy: wit- 
ness England and America as examples. It has 
mostly rema,jned, too, for this generation to 
watch the growth of the most signal mark of 
material advancement and public welfare, in the 
establishment of those great mercantile houses 
which, while retail in their character, yet aflTord 
to the purchaser the opportunity to buy at 
wholesale rates, and to select from a stock al- 
most as wide as the markets of the world, on 
account of the magnitude of tiieir purchases and 
the immense variety of their stock. This is 
brought about only when the double advantages 
of ample capital, or credit (which is the same 
thing) and wide commercial experience come 
together. Such an introduction is but fitting 
in presenting a sketch, however meagre, of the 
great mercantile house of Hale Bros. & Co., 
whose large establishment on the corner K and 
Ninth streets in Sacramento is known not alone 
to every lady in the Capital City, but almost 
throughout tlie coast, for a considerable propor- 
tion of tiie firm's business is done by mail 
through the country, customers being drawn 
even from all sections of the Pacific slope. The 
firm really consists of the father, Marshall Hale, 
Sr., the founder of the house, but no longer an 
active member, and of five brothers. Mr. Hale, 
Sr., is a native of Vurnioiit, hut removed to 
New York and carried on hiioiness there for a 



great many years, having also no less than five 
branch houses in the State of Michigan. He 
came to the Pacific coast in 1878 from Michi- 
gan, and in 1876 he and two sons engaged in 
business at San Jose in this State. Business 
grew rapidly, and in 1878 a house was opened 
in Salinas; in 1879 in Petaluma; in 1880 in 
Sacramento and Stockton; in 1883 in Los An- 
geles, and in 1887 in San Diego. In all there 
are seven brothers, one for each store. On 
account of its central position, being, as it were, 
at a radiating point for the whole coast, the 
Sacramento house ma}' be considered in a sense 
as the head of the whole system ; its trade has 
increased the fastest, and consequently the 
greatest improvements and facilities have been 
centered here. It was established in 1880, in 
comparatively a small way, at No. 812 K street; 
but the pressure of increasing business drove it 
to the corner of Ninth and Iv, where it has re- 
mained; but it was then in a quite small build- 
ing. In 1882 they enhu-ged the store by twenty- 
five feet. In 1884 another twenty feet was 
added, while in 1888 twenty feet additional was 
taken in on Ninth street, and the fine architect- 
ural structure three stories in height which now 
graces the corner was erected to satisfy the 
demands o^ their evergrowing trade. But the 
growth is constant, and this enterprising firm 
have purchased another strip, 40 x 160 feet in 
size, on K Streer, upon which they will con- 
struct an addition that will give them a pile 
120x160 feet on the corner. The name of the 
gentleman in charge of the Sacramento house is 
E. W. Hale, its representative head. In New 
York city the firm is represented by M. Hale, 
Jr., and P. C. Hale, who with another are con- 
stantly on the watch in the New York market 
for bargains in every line, and for varieties, new 
styles and fashions, — anything, everything, that 
may go to meet the wants of the public. While 
the house does a wholesale trade to some extent, 
it does not cater to it nor seek for it, aiming 
rather at being the great retail house of Califor- 
nia. The wonderful rapidity of the rise of this 
house to its present position as the leading firm 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



in dry and fancy goods and kindred lines, is 
nothing less than plienoineiial ; and wiiiie typical 
of our State, the development, of the trade of the 
northern end especially, is the most remarkable 
growth of business on the Pacific coast and 
presents one of the most interestiug features of 
the commercial advancement of the State. The 
business is carefully yet liberally managed, tiie 
methods adopted are eminently just and fair, the 
firm is alert to study and meet the peculiar 
needs and wants of this coast, and hence it is 
but right to expect an indefinite farther exten- 
sion of their already great trade and popularity. 



§E. SMITH, of the firm of Weber & Co., 
is a native of New York State and was 
* born in the city of Albany, September, 13, 
1850. His parents, L. T. Smitii and M. L. 
Smith, are both residents of this city. His 
father started for the Pacific coast in 1859, and 
upon reaching Aspinwall found there was no 
connecting line. He returned to New York 
and started again, coming round the Horn. In 
1861 his wife and tamily followed him to the 
Golden State and came to Sacramento. Tlie 
subject of this sketch received his ecjucatiou in 
this city, graduating from the high school in 
1867, Prof. Templeton, principal. He learned 
the trade of plasterer, and after following his 
trade one year, he entered college, where he 
spent a year, and then resumed his trade until 
1874, when he entered the book and stationery 
store of A. S. Hopkins. He was afterward 
clerk for the Reed Quicksilver Mining Com- 
pany on the Coast Range for five years. He 
then returned to Sacramento and entered the 
employ of the old-established firm of W. R. 
Strong & Co., and held the position of salesman 
for five years, wiien he resigned to engage in 
business for himself, and formed a partnership 
with Mr. Weber, under the firm name of Weber 
k. Co. Mr. Smith belongs to the I. O. O. V. and 
tt) the American Legion of Honor. He was 
njarried December 31, 1870, to Miss Emma 



Horner of Terre Haute, Indiana. They have 
five children, viz.: Gertie, Howard, Arthur, 
Clara and Frank. 

— ^€@~®»^¥ — 

fOHN S. MILLER.— This worthy pioneer 
of Sacramento was born in Washington, 
District of Columbia, May 31, 1829, the 
son of Isaac S. and Jane (Sanford) Miller. He 
attended school during his boyhood in the city 
of his nativity, but when fourteen years of age 
went to Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained 
until he set sail for California. The route chosen 
was via Cape Horn, taking passage in the ship 
Jane Parker. The voyage consumed six months 
lacking only four days. They arrived in San 
Francisco July 21, 1849, and Mr. Miller settled 
in Benicia, forming a partnershipt in the mer- 
cantile business in the firm of Webb, Beveridge 
& Miller. Here he remained until 1852, when 
he went to Colusa, engaging in business for two 
years. He then returned to Benicia and was 
there and at Vallejo and Suisun until 1861, 
being employed in the Quartermaster's Depart- 
ment, U. S. A. In that year he was sent to 
Sacramento, holding a position in the Quarter- 
master's Department at General Wright's head- 
quarters. He was in Sacramento when the 
General was informed of the assassination of 
President Lincoln. After two or three years 
in this position, he engaged in the forwarding 
business at Latrobe and Gait, combining the 
agency for the stage lines with it. At this 
business he continued for six years, when in 
1874 he was appointed a gauger in the revenue 
department, a position that he has held since 
that date, which makes him the oldest commis- 
sioned oflicer in continuous service upon the 
Pacific coast. He has held more than one ofiice 
of a public nature, as well, having been deputy 
clerk, and also deputy assessor of Solano County. 
He is a prominent member of the I'ioneer 
Association in Sacramento, being its piefiident 
during 1878-'79, and for the past eiglit years 
its secretary and in charge of its afiair.s. It 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



will be of interest to mention further that he 
was quartermaster's clerk at the time the Sixth 
Infantry were sent down to whip the Mojave 
Indians. Mr. Miller was married in 1856 to 
Miss Esther C. Dean, a native of Massachusetts. 
She died in 1882, leaving two daughters: Ida 
v., who has been teaching in Sacramento for 
many years, and Laura, now the wife of Fred 
Weil, nephew of John Weil, Es(j., of this cit}'. 

|g^,ON. JOHN RYAN.— The domain of his- 
IiM)) ''"''•^' ^* wide, embracing in its scope not 
■^id alone all objects and interests with which 
the attention of mankind is engaged, but as 
well the grandest movements of the greatest 
nation; yet withal, when examined minutely, it 
is found to consist at bottom of nothing what- 
ever else than the actions and attributes of in- 
dividual men. For inasmuch as individuals 
make the nations, so do their individual acts 
make the history of the nations, and hence of 
tiie world. It is, therefore, with no feeling of 
liesitancy or of doubt that pen is taken in hand 
to record in the annals of Sacramento County 
this biographical sketch of one who, while not 
a man of '49, yet came early enough in the 
history of the city to have borne a prominent 
part in our city's upbuilding, as will be clearly 
seen in the following lines. Hon. John Ryan 
was born in Ireland in 1825, and cfnie to 
America in 1843, going tirst to Lowell, Massa- 
cluisetts, where he remained until 1848. In 
that year he went to New Orleans, and after a 
short time came up the Mississippi River to 
Memphis and St. Louis. Finally, in the spring 
of 1852 he set out for the long and tedious 
journey across the plains to California by ox 
team. They met plenty of Indians on the way, 
but fortunately experienced no difliculties with 
them of a serious nature. They reached Hang- 
town (now Placerville) August 1, 1852. Mr. 
Ryan went at once to the mines, remaining 
there for two years. At the end of that time 
he came down to Sacraniento and began the 



manufacture of brick, engaging at the same 
time in contracting of all kinds. From that 
time to this, or for a period of thirty-six years, 
he has been successfully and prominently iden- 
tified with the building and progressive inter- 
ests of the city, being now the oldest of the 
more prominent contractors and brick manu- 
facturers of the capital. His brick-yards are 
situated just outside the city limits, south of Y 
street. Like so many others of our older citi- 
zens, he has known times of trial and hardship 
as well as times of prosperity, bearing his full 
share of misfortunes, — misfortunes, however, 
which he rose above, refusing to be daunted by 
them. During the flood, at one time, he w;ts 
forced to break a hole through the roof of his 
cottage, by means of W'hich he was enabled to 
pass his family into a boat, and thence remove 
them to a place of safety. Mr. Ryan has held 
public office on more than one occasion. We 
may instance the facts of his being street com- 
missioner, second trustee, superintendent of 
streets, etc. He was married in June, 1856, to 
Miss Maria Lyons, a native of Ireland. They 
have three sons and five daughters, bearing the 
following names respectively: Frank D., Henry 
L. and J. L., and Mary, Agnes, Blanche, Rosa 
and Celia. Mr. Ryan has been honored in his 
children, as will be seen in the biography of his 
eldest son, Hon. I-'rank D. Ryan, which appears 
elsewhere. 



TLLIAM H. HAMILTON, although a 
resident here but a comparatively short 
time, having come only in 1879, has 
already attained a leading position among the 
architects of the Pacific Coast, by skill, talents 
and attainments, as is evidenced by the elegant, 
tasteful and appropriate structures which have 
been erected from his plans and under his direc- 
tions. It should be stated, however, that he 
did not come to the coast as a new man, but as 
one having already wide experience and an estaii- 
lished reputation which followed him from his 



HfSTORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Eastern home. Mr. Hamilton is a native of 
Virginia, where he was horn September 4, 1838, 
the son of Jaines and Mary A. (Morrow) Ham- 
ilton. His mother is a native of Glasgow, 
Scotland, but came to this country when very 
young. She is still living at Washington, Dis- 
trict of Columbia, hearty and in good health. 
His father was a native of Virginia. He died 
in 1838. Soon after this event the widowed 
mother removed to Philadelphia, taking her 
young family with her. In that city young 
Hamilton received his scholastic education, and 
began the study of medicine. One term of tliis 
pursuit, however, decided him that it was not 
liis vocation, and he was drawn by natural apti- 
tude and a taste in that direction to enter tiie 
office of S. D. Britton, one of the most promi- 
nent architects in the country. Here he re- 
mained for four or five years. After fitting 
himself for his profession, he went to Washing- 
ton, just at the time of the outbreak of the war 
of the Rebellion. He entered the army and was 
instrumental in raising one of the first volun- 
teer companies for the defense of the Govern- 
ment, drawing largely upon his own means for 
this purpose, and making many sacrifices. After 
the conclusion of the war hel-eturued to Phila- 
delphia and resumed his professional working, 
designing many fine buildings in that city and 
vicinity. His health had become seriously im- 
paired, however, during the war, and he was 
obliged to seek change of scene. Accordingly, 
he went to Utica, New York, and remained in 
that State for twelve or thirteen years, design- 
ing many of the finest buildings throiigliout 
Central New York, and being kept busily occu- 
pied by the calls upon his powers. Among his 
works may be mentioned the fine Opera House 
in Utica, an arcade of thirty-two stores, two 
large halls, and other erections. Owing to ill- 
health in his family, however, Mr. Hamilton 
was led, in 1879, to remove to California. His 
first work was the handsome Flail of Records in 
Sacramento, since the construction of which 
building he has had his office and headquarters 
in the Capital City, although his business ex- 



tends throughout the State. He has made an 
especially careful and exhaustive study of the 
subject of ventilation, being regarded as an au- 
thority in the matter, and has frequently been 
invited to address large audiences upon the sub- 
ject, as well as delegations appointed to call 
upon him and obtain his views. Mr. Hamilton 
was married in 1867 to Miss Frances E. Bailey, 
a native of the State of New York. They have 
one son, named R. Morrow Hamilton. 

fR. WATSON, deceased, was one of the 
early settlers of the Pacific Coast and an 
® honored citizen of Sacramento, and a na- 
tive of England. He was born in London, Feb- 
ruary 12, 1821. During his boyhood he attended 
school, and upon reaching early manhood came 
to the United States in 1840. After reaching 
New York he went to Charleston, South Caro- 
lina, where he remained nine years. He came 
to the Pacific Coast in 1850. After spending a 
short time in San Francisco he went up to 
Placer County and engaged in mining. He next 
went to Folsom where he remained for a time, 
and afterward engaged in railroading. He was 
connected with the construction of the Central 
Pacific, and was on the first train that ran over 
the line. He was conductor on the road and 
train dispatcher, and foi' many years was pur- 
chasin|> ugent. He was prominently identified 
with the establishment of the Railroad Hospital 
— one of the first established in the country. 
He was superintendent of the hospital, and was 
actively interested in its efliiciency during his 
life. He was connected with the railroad for 
twenty-two years, and resigned January, 188(3. 
He was elected president of the Gas Company 
and was actively identified with its management 
for many years. In 1860 he was elected repre- 
sentative to the State Legislature. In June, 
1877, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to 
Miss Martha M. Gardner. She is a native of 
Massachusetts and received her education in 
New England and came to California in 1869. 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Mr. Watson's death occurred September 11, 
1889, and in his death the city and State lost 
one of its most estimable and honored citizens. 
Mrs. Watson occupies their attractive home, 
corner of Eighth and D streets. 

— ^€®nt'»^¥ — 

fH. POND, Principal of the Sacramento 
High School, was born at Downieville, 
* Sierra County, California, November 1, 
1862. His parents, William C. and Helen W. 
Pond, came to the Pacific coast at an early day, 
his fnther arriving here in 1852. Professor 
Pond received his education in this State, gradu- 
ating as A. B. at the University of California 
in 1884. He engaged in teaching at Hopkins' 
Academy, Oakland, until 1886, when he came 
to Sacramento, and since then has been con- 
nected with the high school as teacher and vice- 
principal. In 1888 lie was elected principal of 
the High School, and since then has filled that 
position with credit to himself and the satisfac- 
tion to the Board of Education. He is actively 
identified with educational interests here and 
throughout the State. Professor Pond was 
united in marriage March 12, 1887, with Miss 
Grace Hamilton, daughter of Judge Noble 
Hamilton, of Oakland, California. 

— ^->3-^ 

fAMES B. DIVINE, a native of our Golden 
State of California, while but a compara- 
tively young man, has already been worth- 
ily entrusted with official position, holding the 
responsible ofKce of justice of the peace for the 
city of Sacratnento for now two terms. He was 
born in the city of Sacramento, April 1, 1861, 
his parents being P. J. and Ellen Y. Divine. 
His father, P. J. Divine, was one of the well- 
known citizens of the city, and a man of unu- 
sual talent in his profession, and widely known 
on the Pacific Coast. He came to California in 
1856 from New York, where he had mastered tiie 
art of sculpture, and was one of the pioneer mar- 



ble workers of the Pacific Coast. Specimens of 
his work will be seen in the beautifully designed 
marble work upon the State capitol, which is 
much admired, and at once established his repu- 
tation as a sculptor. We may instance, also, the 
bust of Senator Broderick upon his monument 
in San Francisco; the bust of Senator W. R. 
Ferguson; 'of Governor Weller; of Thomas 
Starr King, and others. He died January 1, 
1870, leaving three children surviving, two sons 
and one daughter, all in this city. Mr. James 
B. Divine received his education in Sacramento, 
studying law in the office of Judge McFarland 
and of A. C. Freeman, and he was admitted to 
practice at the bar May 31, 1882. and immedi- 
ately began to practice his profession in this 
city. For some years lie was court commis- 
sioner. In January, 1887, he was elected jus- 
tice of the peace, and was again re-elected in 
January, 1889. Mr. Justice Divine is a member 
of the Native Sons of the Golden West. 

f|LBEKT HART, superintendent of Sacra- 
I inentocity schools, was born in Barbadoes, 
^ West Indies, May 18, 1830. His parents, 
Joseph and Hannah Hart, were natives of Eng- 
land, who came to America in 1838 and went 
to Cincinnati, and from there to New Orleans, 
and afterward returned to the West Indies, 
where the father died. His mother returned to 

I New Orleans. Mr. Hart received his education 
in Cincinnati and New Orleans. When the 
gold excit inent in California attracted the 
attention of young men in nearly all parts of 
the world, he came to the Pacific Coast via the 
Isthmus, arriving in San Francisco in March, 

j 1850. He engaged in mining in Placer County, 

1 and also in teaching, being one of the earliest 
teachers in the State now engaged in educa- 
tional work. He tauglit from 1854 to 1857 at 
Yankee Jim's, Iowa Hill, and Dutch Flat. In 
1861 he came to Sacramento and for several 

j years was in the State Library. He was the first 
librarian of the San Francisco Law Library, as 



BISTORT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



well as the San Francisco Free Public Library. 
He was appointed private secietary to Governor 
Eootli, and also served in the same capacity for 
Governors Faclit(o and Perkins. lie held the 
oifice of United States Pension Agent under 
President Hayes, and was appointed Superin- 
tendent of the money order department in the 
San Francisco postotfice under General S. W. 
Backus. In the fall of 1889 he was elected to 
his present position of superintendent of Sacra- 
mento city schools, lie is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity; of the I. 0. O. F., and of 
the Knights of Honor. In 1859 Mr. Hart mar- 
ried Miss Harriet N. Latferty, of Iowa, and they 
have six children, four sons and two daughters. 

— ^€®"i)>'^^" 

^ATT. KARCHEIi, an old settler and 
Captain of the Police of Sacramento 
^M^ City, was born in Baden, Germany, 
October 15, 1832. At the age of fourteen he 
started out in tlie world for himself, emigrated 
to this counti'y and stopped in Boston, Massa- 
chusetts, where he had a brother, and there 
learned the bakery trade. He remained there 
five years, and on October 18, 1851, sailed from 
New York, and coming by way of the Isthmus, 
arrived in San Francisco November 18, making 
a very quick jiass-age. The following day he 
came to Sacramento. Alter working a short 
time in a restaurant, he went to work in the 
Star Bakery at $200 per month, remaining there 
one and a half years, and saved $1,100, and then 
Ijegaii business for himself on Sixth street, be- 
tween I and J. In 1855 he married Frances 
Flaberstroh, from New Orleans. She is of 
Swiss parentage. After carrying on the busi- 
ness for fourteen years, sufferitig from the ad- 
verses of fire and flood, he sold out. He could 
only collect $33 out of $3,000 which was due 
him. Having a wife and five children to sup- 
port, he was offered a position on the police 
force and accepted it, and served on street and 
office duty seven years. After serving five 
years he was offered the position of Chief of 



Police, but he declined it. In Marcli, 1872, 
after the regular nominations of both parties 
were made, only five days bei'ore the election, 
he announced himself as an independent candi- 
cate and was elected by 687 majority, and 156 
majority over the entire vote of both the other 
candidates. In 1874 he ran as an independent 
candidate and was elected by a majority of 714. 
In 1876 he ran independent again with in- 
dorsements of the Democrats, and was defeated 
by a small majority. For four years he was 
engaged in business, and in 1880 he again ran 
as an independent candidate, and was elected 
Chief of Police. In 1882 be was nominated by 
the Republicans, and was elected and served two 
years. After this term had expired he served 
as deputy sheriff under Sherifi" Wilson, and was 
appointed to his present position, and for the 
past four years has served as Captain of Police. 
He has eight children, five sons and three daugh- 
ters. In 1886 he lost one daughter, sixteen 
years of age, and in 1888 a son, twenty-five 
years old. 

fHARVIE, contractor, is a native of Nova 
Scotia, and was born December 28, 1851. 
® His father, Nicholas Harvie, was of 
Scotch descent, and his mother, Elizabeth Ettin- 
ger, was "a native of Pennsylvania. Young 
Nicholas attended school during boyhood and 
served an apprenticeship to the trade of carpen- 
ter and joiner. In 1870 he went to Bos on and 
remained there and in Providence until 1878, 
when he came to the Pacific Coast, and passed 
the first nine months in Alpine County, and 
then went to Virginia C'ity, Nevada, where he 
remained tour years. After spending one year 
in Santa Cruz, he came to Sacramento in 1878, 
and engaged in contracting, and by his energy 
and ability has become one of the responsible 
contractors of the Capital City. He received 
the contract for building the winery on Eight- 
eenth street, anil also the New Eagle Winery, 
on Twentieth street and the railroad, and was 



HISTOnr OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



a-vvardei the oiitract tor tlie eivction of the 
inalt-honse, kiln, bottling works, office, stables, 
etc.. of the Baffalo Brewing Company. He has 
had a large practical e.xperience as a contractor 
and builder. Mr. Harvie is prominently iden- 
tified with the order of Foresters, being P. C. 
R. of Conrt Sacramento, No. 6861, A. O. F., 
and P. C. of Sacramento Conclave, No. 12, K. 
S. F.; delegate to S. H. C, A. O. F., Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota, in 1889; delegate to the Su- 
preme Conclave, K. S. F., at Minneapolis; 
Junior Past Arch of Union Grove, No. 61, U. 
A. 0. D.; representative to Grand Grove of 
California in 1889; delegate to the organiza- 
tion of the Grand Grove of the State of Cali- 
fornia, and delegate to the Supreme Conclave 
of the K. S. D. of the world, and was honored 
with the position of chairman of Supreme Au- 
ditors. In 1876 Mr. Harvie married Miss Mary 
A. Cochran, a native of Sacramento. Her par- 
ents, Eobert and Mary (Williamson) Cochran, 
were from New York State, and came to Cali- 
fornia in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Harvie have two 
children, Ada R. and G. Edwin. 



F. ODELL, senior member of the 
known firm of Odell & Herzog, 
native of Indiana, being born in 



January 10, 1853. His father. 



dian 

M. Odell, came to the Pacific coast in 1855. 
After remaining here several years he returned 
to his Eastern home, and in 1861 brought his 
family overland to California, reaching here in 
the fall of that year. He engaged in the cattle 
trade in tliis valley, and prominently identified 
himself with the business for many years. The 
subject of this sketch had an early practical 
tiaining, was brought up in the business, and 
after reaching manhood engaged in trade near 
the corner of K street in 1875, and carried it on 
until 1886, when Mr. Herzog was admitted as 
partner, and the firm became Odell & Herzog. 
Their place of business, Nos. 1020 and 1022 K 
street, known as the New York Market, is large 



and commodious, the leading and most attract- 
ive retail market in the Capital City. They 
have a large wholesale trade and supply many 
retail shops. They have their own slauo-hter- 
houses, •south of the city on the Riverside road, 
where their meats are dressed to supply their 
extensive trade. They also buy and feed a 
large amount of stock, thus giving their trade 
the advantage of the bsst selections. The firm 
is widely and favorably known as one of the 
most responsible in this section of the State. 
Mr. Odell is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
and of the order of Knights of Pythias. He was 
married June 7, 1883, to Miss Myrtie Under- 
hill, a native of California, and daughter of Jo- 
seph Underbill, formerly surveyor of Sacramento. 
Mr. and Mrs. Oiell have threa children, Haz&l 
A., Edna B. and Merrill M. 



fL. SILLER, of the firm of Siller Brothers, 
real-estate owners and contractors, was 
* born in Hancock County, Illinois, May 
23, 1859. In 1872 his parents came to Cali- 
fornia. Soon after reaching Sacramento the 
family settled on a farm near Florin, and re- 
mained there some years. In 1880 he came 
into the city, and the following year began to 
learn the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 
1884 he and his brother engaged in contractino- 
and building, and since then the firm of Siller 
Brothers has carried on a large and successful 
business. Besides, they have been constant 
buyers of real estate, and making improve- 
ments, the rental of which already brings tliem 
a good income. During the past year their real 
estate sales amounted to between $15,000 and 
$20,000. Their success is due to their own ef- 
forts, ability and good management. Mr. Sil- 
ler was married November 10, 1886, to -Miss 
Mary Eckman, a native of Germany. They 
have one son, Edward L. They have an attract- 
ive home at 1822 P street. 

L. G. Siller, of the firm of Siller Brothers, 
contractors, is a son of John and Catharine Sil- 



UltSTOBT OF HAGHAMENTO COUNTY. 



ler, and was born in Hancock County, Illinois, 
December 13, 1863. His parents, with the 
family, came to the Pacitic Coast in 1872. Af- 
ter reaching Sacramento they located on a farm 
a few miles from the city, near Florin, .and here 
he attended school and remained there until 
1880, and then came to the city and learned the 
trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1884 he and 
his brother engaged in contracting and build- 
ing, and since then, for the past six years, the 
firm of Siller Brothers have built up a large and 
suicessful business in contracting and real es- 
tate. Among the buildings erected by them 
are the new William Tell House, the Orphan 
Asylum, the State Printing Office, and building 
corner of Seventh and 1 streets, the large apart- 
ment house corner of Ninth and L streets, and 
many others. They have built seven houses on 
their own property, corner of Seventeenth and 
Q streets. They also own and operate a large 
planing-mill. They are young men of energy 
and ability, and among the most responsible 
contractors in the Capital City. Mr. Siller be- 
longs to the I. O. O. F. He was married Oc- 
tober 5, 1882, to Miss Mary C. EUer, a native 
of Germany. They have three children — Ma- 
bel, Laura and Rnbie. 



-<^♦"^,v^ - , 



fAMES STAFF()UI>, i-ctirr.l, is a native of 
the north of Ireland, and was born near 
Belfast, May 15, 1815. He grew up and 
attended school there, and after reaching man- 
hood emigrated to this country and worked in 
New York State. Was at West Point during 
the memorable log-cabin campaign, when Gen- 
eral William Henry Harrison was elected Presi- 
dent. After several years, on account of his 
health, Mr. Stafford returned to his native 
countrj and remained there until 1847, when 
the whole family — his parents and ten chil- 
dren — came over to this country and settled at 
Aurora, Indiana. Here he engaged in merchan- 
dising, and built up a lai-ge trade; also engaged 
in packing pork and in buying and selling cattle 



and hogs throughout the country; and for 
thirty-five years carried on the most extensive 
business in that section of the State, and ex- 
tending through the adjoining States, and en- 
joyed an enviable reputation for his honor and 
integrity. The l.amily came to the Pacific 
coast in 1874, Mr. Stafford remaining to attend 
to his business interests. Since coming here 
he has not engaged in active business. His at- 
tractive home is at 1316 Seventh street. Mr. 
Stafford was married May 10, 1850, to Maria 
Hueston, wlio also is a native of the north of 
Ireland, her home being near the city of Bel- 
fast. The death of this estimable lady occurred 
in June, 1886. They have had fourteen children, 
only four of whom survive. James, Robert and 
Mary are living at home in this city, and Jennie 
is married and living at Gait, in this county. 



fF. CALDERWOOD, one of the oldest 
and best known men in the service of the 
® Southern Pacific Railroad Company, is a 
native of Maine, and was born in Waldo County, 
April 27, 1837, and is a son of Levi and Lydia 
Calderwood. He attended school during boy- 
hood, and upon reaching manhood he deter- 
mined to come to the Pacific coast, and sailed 
in the ''Star of the West," and came via the 
Isthmus, and on the Pacitic side came in the 
steamer "John L. Stephens," and arrived in San 
Francisco, October 16, 1858. Like all who 
came here in the early days, he went to the 
mines in El Dorado and Placer counties, and 
continued for nine years in hydraulic mining. 
In the early part of 1868 he engaged in rail- 
roading. Upon the construction of the Central 
Pacific he was on the first regular train that 
went acro.-s the summit into Truckee. He was 
conductor on the Mountain division twelve 
yeai's, and has been in the service of the com- 
pany as conductor for twenty-two years. In 
June, 1876, he brought the noted CentLunial 
train of Jarrett & Palmer, over the Mountain 
Division. The time made across the continent, 



HISTORY OF SACliAMSNTO COUNTY. 



from New York to Sail Francisco, was eighty- 
four hours, less four tninutes. Mr. Calderwood 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a 
member of Capitol Lodge, 1. O. O. F., for the 
past twenty years: He is past chief of O. 11. C, 
and served three years as chief. He was ac- 
tively identitied in establishing the order and 
building 't up. Mr. Calderwood was married 
by the Rev. Fred Charlton, November 25, 1862, 
to Miss Sarah J. Fuller, of Sacramento. Her 
parents, Jacob N. and Jane E. Fuller, came to 
California in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Calderwood 
have three sons, viz.: Wiliam T., Samuel II. 
and George E. The}' have lost two sons and 
two daughters. 



fOHN MEISTER. The pioneer dairyman 
of the Capital City, is a native of Switzer- 
land, and was born April 17, 1820. He 
attended the common schools and was brought 
up on a farm. In 1852 he emigrated to the 
United States. After reaching this country, he 
found a friend who wanted to come to the 
Pacific coast, and three of them came together. 
They were 140 daj's on the way and arrived in 
California in September, 1852. He went to the 
mines for a short time and then came to Sacra- 
mento and began work in a dairy. After two 
years he became a partner and afterwards 
bought his pirtner's interest. In 1852 his 
brother arrived here and became a partner with 
him and they carried on the business together 
successfully for twenty years, and since that 
time Mr. Meister has carried it on alone. His 
son, George A., takes an active part in the 
management of the business. Mr. Meister's 
first dairy was located at Sutter's Fort. He 
suffered large loss by the flood of 1862. He 
has about 150 cows and twentj'-five horses and 
is the oldest dairyman now engaged in business 
in the Capital City. He owns large dairy and 
fruit farms east of the city, including the well- 
known Smith's Gardens. He began life with- 
out anything and his success is owing to his 



own efforts. Mr. Meister has been twice mar- 
ried, his first wife being Pauline llerr; siie left 
four children: Annie, now married and living in 
San Francisco; Pauline, Louise and George Al- 
bert. Mr. Meister married Arelia Wirth, his 
present wife, in 1876. 



►*-^ 



.. COOK, architect, one of the oldest 
and most prominent of his profession in 
the Capital City, is a native of Chenango 
County, New York, born April 20, 1832. His 
parents, Aaron and Lydia Cook, were natives of 
New York State. His father was ninety-eight 
years old at the time of his death. His grand- 
father lived to be over 100 years of age, and 
Grandmother Cook was ninety-one years old at 
the time of her death. The parents of our sub- 
ject removed to Albany in 1832 and he grew up 
and attended school there. He served three 
years' apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter 
and joiner, during the time taking lessons in 
architectural drawing, and upon reaching early 
manhood he came West to Michigan, locating 
at Kalamazoo, where he engaged in contracting 
and building, preparing all of his own plans. 
After a time he gave up contracting, devoting 
his whole time to architectural work. He re- 
mained there ten years. In 1861 he went to St. 
Louis and thence to Chicago, where he followed 
his profession, and thence to Council J31uffs and 
Omaha. On account of his health, he came to 
California in 1870 and located in Sacramento, 
where for the past twenty years he has taken a 
leading position in his profession in this section 
of the State. He superintended the construc- 
tion of the Western Hotel, Hale's Block, and 
several churches, also the State Prison at Fol- 
som, the Nevada State Asylum, the court 
house at Redding, the county hospitals at Men- 
docino, Tehama and Colusa, Cone & Kimball's 
Block, and Odd Fellows' Hall at Red Bluff; 
also Odd Fellows' Building and churches at 
Wheatland and Redding, and churches in Stock- 
ton and in other cities ami towns. He has pre- 



lIISTOliY OF H AC MAM UN TO COUNTY. 



pared tlie plans for man y of tlio finest buildings 
in this section of the State. In 1870 Mr. Cook 
married Miss M. Midler, of Chicago. They 
have four children, viz.: Christopher, Eva, Amy 
and Irwin Paul. Mr. Cook belongs to I. O. O. 
F., El Dorado Lodge, No. 8. 

— '^m^w^-^ — 

fllOMAS II. COOK is a native of North 
Shields, England, and was born October 
2, 1824. His parents, John and Sarah 
M. Cook, were also natives of England. He 
grew up with liis father, and during his early 
boyhood attended scliool and went to sea, which 
he followed for some years, and then came to 
Quebec in 1847, and thence by canal to Buffalo. 
Next he followed the Lakes for a time. When 
the discovery of gold was attracting the atten- 
tion of the civilized world he determined to come 
to the Pacific coast, and started from Chicago 
in March, 1849, and after braving the dangers 
of the trip overland across the continent, ar- 
rived in Sacramento in August of the same 
yeai'. Soon after coming here he engaged in 
draying, in which business he c-jutiuued for 
several years. He returned to England in the 
fall of 1851, and soon after, while there, in 
March, 1852, married Miss Hannah Skelton, 
also a native of England. They came to Cali- 
fornia in the fall of the same year, and reached 
here a few days before the fire. He engaged in 
draying for five or six years, and then engaged 
in the wood business, which he carried on suc- 
cessfully for some years, until 1867, when he 
made another visit to his native country with 
his wife and two children. This journey was 
filled with sorrow. He lost one of his children, 
a son, in New York; the death of his wife and 
remaining child, a little girl, occurred in Eng- 
land. He also lost two children here. After 
coming back here and remaining about two years 
he returned again to England, and while there 
married Helen Drydon, a native of Scotland. 
He remained in England seven years, and in 
1875 came again lu ('alifornia, and engaged in 



mercantile business in Sacramento, on the cor- 
ner of Eighth and J streets, and continued there 
fifteen years and built up a large and successful 
wholesale and retail trade. In January, 1890, he 
removed to the large and commodious store on 
the corner of Tenth and K streets, to accommo- 
date his large and constantly inci'easing trade. 
Mr. Cook is still in the prime of life, and has 
established an enviable reputation for integrity 
and fair dealing. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have four 
children, three of whom survive, — George N., 
William H. and Thomas H. One son, Herbert 
.!., was drowned. 



^-♦|-^>->^-|>*— 

fIDNEY ELDRED is a native o\' Ohio and 
was born January 30, 1830. His parents 
were Daniel and Hannah Eldred. They 
removed to Michigan in 1884, and there Sidney 
was reared and attended school during boyhood. 
Upon reaching early manhood he determined to 
come to the Pacific coast. He came by water 
and sailed in the " Star of the West," via the 
Isthmus, and on this side by the Brotlier Jona- 
than, and after a rough voyage of fifty days, ar- 
rived in San Francisco in March, 1854. A few 
days later he came up to Sacramento and went 
to draying. In tlie spring of '56, he opened the 
National Hotel on J street, between Tenth and 
Eleventh. After running this house two years 
he opened the Noyes House on Tenth and 1 
streets, and continued there until 1860, when 
he sold out, and during the same year went East 
and remained until the spring of 1861. He 
then left there with a drove of horses and came 
across the plains, bringing them to this State. 
He afterward built the Eldred House, on K 
street, above Tenth. He owned a farm six 
miles out of the city and engaged in farming 
for some years, but on account of poor health 
he came to thiscity and retired from active bus- 
iness life. Mr. Eldred has never sought politi- 
cal preferment. He has been twice married. 
In October, 1856, he married Miss Sarah White, 
IVum Michiiran. Her death occurred in Am-Mist, 



IIISTOIIY OF SACHAMENTO COUNTY. 



1880. Tliej hail four chililren, only two of 
whom siiivive — a son an 1 danghtor: Frank, 
now living ia Washington State, and May, 
now Mrs. Dr. Root, of this city. In 1881 Mr. 
Eldred married Mrs. May Gilman, a native of 
Xew Hampshire. Mr. Eldred is a mm of gen- 
erous impulses and one of the best known citi- 
zen in the Capital City. 

— ^4ii:iD#'^~ 

fEORUE HAi'TON, capitalist, is a native 
of England and of English parentage. His 
father, Aaron Hayton, died in England, 
and his mother, Elizabetii Hayton, died in Strat- 
ford, Canada, in 1885. The boyhood of Mr. 
Hayton was spent in his native country, where 
lie served an apprenticeship in manufacturing 
boots and shoes. In 1841 lie came to this 
country and lived in Canada until 1850, when 
he went to New York State, and two years later 
determined to come to the Pacific coast. He 
sailed from New York February 28, in the 
barque Kremlin, Captain Davis. They had a 
rough voyage, and were six weeks doubling 
Cape Ht)rn; were five months on the voyage, 
and arrived in San Francisco August 2, 1852. 
He came up to Sacramento and then went to 
Marysville, to the mines; was there only a short 
time and returned to Sacramento to work at his 
trade. He rented a place the first of the month 
and paid his rent in advance, and the following 
day the big fire came and the building was 
burned, and he was out the rent he had paid for 
the first month. The following year he went to 
the mines in Trinity County; was only there a 
few months and returned to Sacramento. After 
working at his trade about nine months he 
started in business for himself, the firm being 
Hayton & Donohue, — The " Eagle Boot & Shoe 
Store," — and this firm continued for six years, 
when the latter retired, and Mr. Hayton be- 
came sole proprietor of the business, and carried 
it on successfully until 1878. Having acquired 
a competency, he retired from active business, 
and is enj-.ying his well-earned nsposo. In lS7t) 



Mr. Hayton was married in Sacramento to Mrs. 
Mary Taylor, a native of England, who came to 
this country in 1853 and to California in 1858. 
Her parents died in Canada. In 1869 she re- 
turned to England on a visit. Mr. Hayton has 
made several visits East since coming here. The 
first time he went by water, in 1857, and twice 
across the continent since the railroad was built. 
He has eaten thirty-eight Christmas dinners in 
Sacramento. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and also of the order of Odd Fellows. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hayton have an attractive home 
corner of Sixteenth and K streets. 



fOHN BELLMER, an old and honored citi- 
zen, corner Eighth and L streets, Sacra- 
mento, was born near Bremen, Germany, 
May 11, 1833. At the age of fifteen years he 
emigrated to the United States, landing in New 
York, remained there until October, 1852, 
when, intending to go to Australia, he sailed in 
the barque Catharine Augusta. The vessel 
stopped at Rio Janeiro, but the yellow fever 
prevailed to such an extent that half the pas- 
sengers died and those that could get away 
were glad to go anywhere; and Mr. Bellmer 
sailed in the clipper ship High Flyer around 
Cape Horn to California, arriving in San Fran- 
cisco in September, 1858. Like all others who 
came liere seeking their fortunes at that early 
day, he went to raining, at Michigan, Bluff and 
Last Chance, and remained there four years 
and then came to Sacramento and started busi- 
ness here in 1857, and since then, for the past 
thirty-three years, he has been successfully en- 
gaged in his vocation here, and has passed 
through fire and flood and borne his share of 
misfortune. In the fall of 1871 Mr. Bellmer 
was elected county treasurer, and after holding 
the office two years was re-elected in the fall of 
1873, and held that office until 1876. He has 
been an active, prominent member of the Ger- 
men Turn-Verein, in which body he has held 
the othcc nf presiijent and secretary. He is 



UllSTVHY OF HAUHAMENTU (JOUNTT. 



also a proniiiient member. uf I. O. O. F., being 
now past grand of that order. Mr. Bellmer 
was married January 18, 1860 to Miss Maria 
Gradj, of JVew London, Connecticut. Tliey 
have liad twelve children, gix of whom are 
living: three sons— William F., Frank R. and 
Edgar H. ; and three daughters — Sarah E., Carrie 
L. and Alice E. 

tS. EEALS, photographer, 415 J street, the 
veteran photograph artist of the Pacific 
® Coast, was born December 2, 1823, in 
Hartford, Connecticut. He received his educa- 
tion there and at Wt-therslield until the age of 
eighteen, when he went to JS'ew York and en- 
gaged in merchant tailoring at 156 liroadway, 
and continued there about six years. While 
there he cut the uniform for Stevenson's regi- 
ment, which came to California for the Mexican 
war. He was engaged in the same business at 
Babylon, Long Island, two years; then here- 
turned to New York and opened a daguerreo- 
type gallery at 175 Broadway, and continued 
there until 1853, when he sold out and sailed 
from New York, and came to California via the 
Isthmus. From Panama he came on the steamer 
Uncle Sam, and landed in Sacramento in Octo- 
ber, 1853. He came direct to Sacramento and 
opened a piiotograph gallery on Third and J 
streets, with R. H. Vance. After the big lire, 
the following year, he opened a gallery at 87 J 
street, where he conducted the business four or 
live years, and then removed to 415 J street, 
and remained there until after the flood of 1861. 
During that time and for years he was usher 
and assistant manager of the old Sacrimento 
Theatre, for Thomas Maguire; was also manager 
of the Forrest Theatre, between Second and 
Third streets. After the latter was burned, he 
acted as manager of the old Metropolitan Thea- 
tre, on K street, between Fou'rth and Fifth, 
being manager of both theatres at the same 
time, and was manager for Maguire until the 
latter retired from the business. lie conducted 



his photographic business as well, for over 
twenty-tive years in the present location, 415 J 
street, and he is the uldest photographic artist 
now engaged in business on the Pacilic Coast. 
He has been successful, and accumulated a val- 
uable property on Twelfth and F streets, his 
homestead being one of the land-marks. He is 
a lover of line horses, and usually has one or 
more in his possession. Mr. Beals is a veteran 
Odd Fellow, having been a member of the fra- 
ternity fifty-eight years. He was a member, 
with P. T. Barnum, of Island City Lodge, New 
York; is now connected with Eureka Lodge, 
No. 4, and is one of the oldest members of the 
order in the United States. Mr. Beals has been 
twice married. His first wife was Rosalia Fow- 
ler, of New York State. She died in 1879, 
leaving two daughters — Mrs. Josephine Ingalls, 
of Sacramento city, and Mrs. Sarah Campion. 
The latter inherited a talent for painting, and 
went abroad to pursue her studies in France, 
and achieved an enviable position in the pro- 
fession. She died in 1887, leaving one son, 
who is cashier for the prominent commercial 
house of Williams, Dimond & Co., San Fran- 
cisco. In 1886 Mr. Beals married Mrs. J. E. 
Dodge, a native of New York, and by this 
marriage there is one son. 



fHILIP WOLF, one of the most extensive 
contractors of the Capital City, was born 
in Keokuk, Iowa, April 10, 1859. His 
father, Philip Wolf, came to the Pacific coast 
in the spring of 1861, and the motner and chil- 
dren arrived here in December of the same year, 
just before the noted flood. In 1863 they re- 
moved to Sheldon, this county, then a flourish- 
ing place, and four years afterward returned to 
this city. Philip attended school during boy- 
hood, and served an apprenticeship to the trade 
of carpenter and joiner. After working at his 
trade several years, he engaged in merchandis- 
ing; this not proving successful, he returned 
to his trade and after a time engaged in con 



IIISTURY OF SAGltAMENTO GOUNTT. 



tracting and building. The first year he built 
three houses, and his business has since steadily 
increased from. year to year, and during the 
past year he built thirty- six houses, among them 
some of the most attractive in the city. He 
has given much attention to agricultural draw- 
ing and draws the plans for all of his own work, 
thus saving the expense of an architect. D.ur- 
ing the past year he has done a larger contract- 
ing business than any firm in Sacramento, 
employing twenty men. He has by his ability 
and integrity built up a successlul business, and 
enjoys an enviable reputation as a contractor. 
He owns his attractive home on N street, 
besides three houses and lots on J street, and 
other city property. He belongs tu the order 
of Foresters. Mr. Wolf was marled April 
20, 1884, to Miss Minnie C. Gerber, a native of 
Sacramento, whose father came to the Pacific 
coast in 1849. 

^^m-^ 

fA. CUNNINGHAM, the well-known pro- 
prietor of the Sacramento Boiler and Iron 
® Works, was born in the Empire State, in 
Schenectady, February 4, 1843, and is a son of 
Thomas N. and Mary Cunningham. He learned 
his trade in Philadelphia, and followed it there_ 
and in Albany and Schenectady. In 1868 he 
came to the Pacific Coast, and located in Sacra- 
mento and entered the employ of the railroad 
compan3\ After remaining in the shops two 
years, he established his present business in the 
railroad company's building, and remained there 
until 1873, when he removed to his present loca- 
tion on I street, between Front and Second 
streets. Since then, for the past seventeen 
years, he has- built up a large and successful 
business. Such is his reputation for standard 
work, that he was awarded the contract for 
manufacturing the large boilers, tanks, bins, 
etc., for the BuflFalo Brewing Company, for their 
immense brewery in this city. He also held the 
position of engineer of the water-works six 
years. lie is a member of the Masonic fra- 



ternity and the Knights of Honor. He was 
married in May, 1882, to Miss Sarah W. Shields, 
of Portland, Maine, and they have three chil- 
dren — Addie, Myra and May. 



fHPvISTIAN GRUHLER, deceased, was a 
native of Wittenberg, Germany, and was 
born September 12, 1830. He attended 
school during his early boyhood, and in 1845, 
at the age of fifteen, emigrated to the United 
States. He went to Cincinnati and remained 
there six years. After the discovery of gold in 
California, he determined to come to the Pacific 
coast, and he, with his brother and others, eight 
wagons in all and ox teams, came the overland 
route across the continent. They were 105 days 
on the way, and arrived here in 1852. He 
worked in San Francisco until the following 
year, when he engaged in the grocery trade, and 
the following year engaged in the brewing busi- 
ness in Sacramento. He and his brother estab- 
lished the Columbus Brewery, and built up a 
large and successful business. He went East in 
1861, and on the 6th of May of that year was 
married, in Cincinnati, to Miss Catharine Gruh- 
ler, a native of Germany, who came to Cincin- 
nati in 1853, and lived there until she was 
married. Mr. Gruhler was a member of the 
Turn-Verein and the E.xempt Firemen's Asso- 
ciation. He was actively engaged in business 
until his death, which occurred October 11, 
1878. He left four children, viz.: Albert E., 
Emma, Hermann A. and Clara A. He left a 
large estate. Mrs. Gruhler occupies the attract- 
ive home corner of Fifteenth and L streets. 



--^€ 



fOHN M. MILLIKIN, formerly one of the 
prominent business men of Sacramento, 
is now engaged in the real -estate and in- 
surance business at No. 110 Fourth street, in 
this city. For the sake of convenience let us 
begin with his early life, his ancestors, etc. On 



UISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



his mother's side liis forefathers were of the sea- 
faring class, being ship- builders, sailors, etc. 
On his father's side his ancestors were mer- 
chants, lumberraeii. etc. His mother's maiden 
name was Jemima Skolfield. His uncle Josiah 
Millikin was a tanner in Oxford (Jounty, 
Maine, and afterward engaged in lumbering 
in Portland. His five sons soon after entei'ed 
the commercial world, and they were highly 
spoken of in the Lewiston Journal and other 
papers. They are all still in tlie East, are 
wealthy and still prominent in business circles. 
Charles Millikin is now managing the famous 
Glenn House in the White Mountains; Seth is 
now engaged e.xtensively in New York; Wes- 
ton is engaged on a large scale in lumbering 
in Maine and Canada, making shipments to all 
parts of the world. He is also president of the 
Cumberland Hank in Portland, is a member 
of the company of Loan Commissioners; George 
and Henry are in the wholesale grocery busi- 
ness in Portland. The subject of this biographi- 
cal outline was itorn February 28, 1821, at 
Lubeck, "Washington County, Maine. A¥hcn 
he was four years old he turned West, moving 
to the village of Gray, Cumberland County, 
Maine, where his early schooling was obtained. 
At the age of sixteen years he went to Portland, 
and began to clerk for Burbank & Furbish, 
general wholesale grocers; and it \^as here that 
he obtained that real practical business educa- 
tion that enabled him in subsequent life to be- 
come one of the most prominent merchants of 
this country. On account of his failing health, 
however, he had at the end of about three years 
retired from business pursuits for about two 
years. He was emplo^'ed by Philip Shaw, al- 
though nominally clerk only, yet he actually 
had independent control of all the business, and 
sustained this relation there for about ten years. 
May 12, 1850, Mr. Millikin left home for Cali- 
fornia, in company with S. B. Leavitt, subse- 
quently his brother-in-law, and M. L. Witham; 
they sailed on the steamer Georgia to the Isth- 
mus, where they were long delayed, — John M. 
having come imnu'diatelv to San Francisco, ar- 



riving August 14 following, and the remainder 
came afterwards. On arriving at the city of the 
Golden Gate, Mr. Millikin engaged for the tirst 
year in watering and ballasting ships, and in 
purchasing the lighters, water-boats, etc. At 
iirst this business was exceedingly profitable, but 
the cheapening of materials aad the springing 
up of competion materially reduced the profits. 
He'was fortunate in making the acquaintance 
of Frank Blake, of the firm of Blake, Robinson 
& Co., and also of Charles L. Taylor, both of 
whom gave good advice and encouragement. 
Then for two years, in company with Mr. 
Leavitt, he was engaged in mining and trading 
in Kanaka Valley, a mining district on the 
American River in tiie mountains in El Do- 
rado County. They then purchased the Tremont 
House in Sacramento, Mr. Leavitt transacting 
the business. Mr. Millikin came down about 
six months afterward to assist in running the 
hotel; but finding that in so doing he had to 
tend bar, which was disagreeable to him, he 
packed up and went to McDowell Hill, and es- 
tablished a trading post there and also engaged 
in mining. He continued there probably about 
a year. Closing out, he came again to Sacra- 
mento and bought of Andrew Hall, southeast 
corner of I and Sixth streets, an interest in a 
hay-yard. The management of a hay-yard was 
at that time probably the most important busi- 
ness in the city. He sold out this business, at 
a profit of $2,000. Then his brother. Theodore 
J., came from the East, and they together pur- 
chased a yard on the southwest corner, directly 
across the street from the former place. They 
conducted business there until the summer of 
1854, when the great tire burned them out. 
Soon Mr. John M. Millikin purchased another 
hay-yard, on the corner of Seventh and I streets, 
where he and his brother did the largest busi- 
ness in that line in the city during the three 
years they were engaged there. Theodore went 
east and brought out his wife, and also the wife 
of John M. The latter had just sold out his 
interest in this business on account of failing 
health, and on the return of his brother they 



Hisrour OP sacbamento county. 



began dealing in wheat, barley, flour, and also 
speculating, etc.; after continuing tiuis on J 
street, between Sixth and Seventh, tliey entered 
the general grocery business near that point on 
the same street. The great floods of 1861-'62 
utterly destroyed their stock; but witii charac- 
teristic pluck they renewed their supplies and 
continued trade there. John M. went to San 
Francisco and became purchasing agent, not only 
for his own house but also for others, especially 
Adams, McNeill & Co., and Mr. Elwell, of 
Marjsville. During that period, namely, about 
1867, they removed their busiuesi to tlie corner 
of Third and K streets, wliere they carried on 
the more extensive trade in their line, their 
sales amounting to about $750,000 a year for 
several years. Theodore died in the fall of 
1874. In the spring of 1877 John M., again 
on account of failing health, sold out his busi- 
ness to Hall, Luhrs & Co., and retired from 
mercantile pursuits. Ilall and Luhrs had been 
in business in his employ and learned the trade 
of him. In 1883 he engaged as manager for 
several companies in real estate and insurance. 
The insurance companies which lie has since 
represented are the Sun, the Franklin, Williams- 
burg, City of New York, State and the American 
of Boston. In this line he is now conducting 
his business at No. 1010 Fourth street. Mr. 
Millikin has been one of the principal operators 
in mercantile pursuits in the city of Sacramento, 
has made immense amounts of money and lost 
also a great deal, by the disasters mentioned. 
He lost also about $40,000 in the experiment of 
a beet sugar manufactory, and $8,000 in a street 
railway enterprise. The various houses with 
which he has been connected have always had 
the highest reputation for fair dealing and 
prompt fiilfillnieiit of all engagements. Notii- 
ing was ever heard against them, and never in 
the whole State of California was a mercantile 
firm of higher reputation. Mr. Millikin has 
never aspired to political situations, but in his 
principles he has always been a man of Arm 
convictions. Ho was a Republican at a period 
60 early that it co.st something to be one, as the 



few who had the nerve to espouse the cause of 
liberty -were known only as " Black Republi- 
cans, thieves and miscegenators." He was 
therefore among the flrst to organize the Re- 
pul)lican party in this county, along with the 
Crockers, Stanford, Hopkins, Huntington, Cole 
and a few others. As to religion Mr. Millikin 
is a member of the Congregational Church, in 
wiiich body lie is a trustee of the property. In 
the spring of 1856, Mr. Millikin returned to his 
eastern home and married Sarah A. Leavitt, a 
sister of his friend and business associate, and 
daughter of Brackett Leavitt, a farmer of Limer- 
ick, Maine. They have three sons and two 
daughters, who have grown up a credit to their 
parents. Three are married. 



1 l.LIAM O. BOWERS.— The hotel 



j)ai 



T-fTH.LIAiy 
l/\/') > -icellence of the Capital City is the 

l^=eJSri "Golden Eagle," corner of Seventh and 
K streets, a location which has always been 
prominent in the annals of the city, and inde€d 
has been the site of an hotel from the earliest 
period. Here in 1851 Dan Callahan erected 
his frame lodging-house (which he had pur- 
chased for one span of horses), with its canvas 
"annex," upon the flaps of which the jocose 
Wriglitmire, with a piece of charcoal, drew tiie 
figure. of an eagle with outspread wings and 
serious mien, and dubbed tiie place the " Golden 
Eagle Hotel," a name which through all the ups 
and downs of pioneer days clung to it with the 
tenacity of a happy thought; but it remained 
for the present proprietor to bring it up to the 
high standard of excellence for which it is so 
widely known to-day. It lias been said by an 
eminent authority that " hotel men are born, 
not made;" and certainly, to conduct a large 
hotel successfully, requires both social and busi- 
ness qnalitications of the highest order. That 
tiiese qualities are possessed to an eminent de- 
gree by the subject of this biographical men- 
tion is shown both by his past record and by the 
most casual visit to this, the leading flrst-class 



UIST0R7 OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



house ill the city. It contains about 100 rooms 
and accuniMiodates comfortably about250 people; 
but Mr. Bowers not infrequently finds it neces- 
sary to secure outside room accommodations for 
his guests, who iiave upon occasions numbered 
as high as 1,000 in a single day. The parlors, 
reading-room, office and diuing-hall are all 
liu-ge, light, airy and commodious, excellently 
kept, and superior to any others in the city, 
while the genial i)roprietor, with a bland cour- 
tesy all his own, gives that personal attention to 
his guests which is the secret of his success. 
Mr. Bowers was born April 26, 1838, a native 
of the State of New Ilampsliire, and son of 
Thomas and Betsey (Conery) Bowers. His 
father'died some years ago, but his mother still 
survives at the advanced age of eighty-nine 
years, in the full enjoyment of her mental facul- 
ties, and in good healtli. The early years of 
Mr. Bowers' life were passed at Nashua, New 
Hampshire, his native place, where he received 
his preliminary education. At the age of six- 
teen he went to Northfield, Verinont, where he 
entered the railroad shops of the Verinont Cen- 
tral as an a])prentice. He served his time and 
then went to "Wilmington, North Carolina 
where he resided and engaged in railroading 
during the war, and after those troublesome 
times were over he was commissioned to go 
abroad, having in charge the supervision of 
steamboat work in Europe for over a year, re- 
turning to New York in 1867. He came to the 
Pacific coast and entered theemploy of theSoutli- 
ern Pacific Railroad Company for a time, and then 
for three years was engaged in steamboating. He 
returned to the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany and continued with them until 1878, when, 
coming to Sacramento, he became the proprietor 
of the " Union House," Second and K streets, 
where his extensive acquaintance and business 
qualities secured him a fair share of patronage. 
After leaving the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany he purchased a one-half interest in the 
Capital Ale Vaults on J street, between Third 
a-.id Fourth streets. He continued the business 
about four years, when he became proprietor of 



the " Union Hotel." After an experience of 
five years at the " Union," he rented the " Gold- 
en Eagle," securing in this way a location and 
accommodations more suited to his abilities as 
a "Boniface." Mr. Bowers belongs to the 
Masonic fraternity, being a member of Union 
Lodge, No. 332, of Glasgow, Scotland. He also 
belongs to the order of Elks, and to the Sacra- 
mento Turn-Verein. In 1859 he was united in 
marriage to Miss Eliza E. Kimball, a native of 
Barton, Vermont. Here, then, in brief outline, 
we have the history of one of the self-made men 
of the Ca})ital City. But to fully appreciate the 
qualities of head and heart which lie at the 
foundation of his po|)uhirity, one must become 
a guest at the ■' Golden Eagle." 

I L LI AM ANDREW FOUNTAIN, 
elder brother of James B. Fountain, and 
senior member of the business firm of 
Fountain Bros., brick-makers, is the oldest liv- 
ing son of Joshua Fountain, a native of the 
State of Delawai-e, born near Milford. in 1811, 
and Prudence Rebecca (Walton) Fountain, who 
©migrated to Beard's Prairie, Michigan, in 1835, 
where the subject of this biography was born in 
March of the following year (1836). As stated 
elsewhere in this volume, the family soon re- 
moved to Van Buren County, Iowa, where 
grandfather Andrew Fountain, who was a 
farmer, died in 1844. In the spring of 1850, 
our subject, at that time just twenty-four years 
of age, his father, his uncle Loyd Rollins, a 
daughter of the latter, and three young men, 
made up a party to cross the plains overland to 
the " land of golden promise." They left home 
on the 9th of April, crossed the Missouri River 
at Council BlufTs on the 29th, the north side of 
the Platte, and via P'ort Hall, arrived safely at 
Grass Valley on the 15th of September follow- 
ing. They wintered there, and in the spring of 
1851 started for Gold Lake mining district. 
Abandoning that project they mined on the 
Feather River during that summer, at liidwell's 



HISTOBi' OF 8AGBAMENT0 COUNTT. 



Ear and at Oregon Gulch until November, 
1852, wlien our subject came to Sacramento and 
worked for his father, who had started a brick- 
yard on Eighth and O streets. (For full ])ar- 
ticulars of locations, which were changed from 
time to time to accommodate the advancing re- 
quirements of a growing city, see sketch of 
Joshua Fountain, the pioneer brick-maker). In 
1859 Mr. Fountain started business on his own 
account, taking a contract to make brick for the 
building of the Hesperian College at Woodland. 
In the summer of 1862 he took a contract to 
make brick for the wine-cellar, residence and 
other buildings, for Mr. Bell, at Gold Hill, 
Placer County, and in 1862 and 1863 had a 
contract, for constructing a portion of the levee 
near Freeport. In 1863 and 1864 he burned a 
kiln of brick at Auburn, and also made the brick 
for the court-house and jail at Woodland that 
year. In 1865 and 1866 he bought h farm ly- 
ing between Elk Grove and Georgetown, and 
was engaged in farming for two years, but in 
the meantime he l)urned a kiln of l)rick at Elk 
Grove. In 1867 the present firm was estab- 
lished. (For full particulars see sketch of J.B. 
Fountain). Mr. Fountain has always taken an 
active interest in local politics since the organi- 
zation of the Republican jiarty, to which he be- 
longs, but has never been willing to accept any 
official position. He is a member of the Sixth 
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and has had 
iiis residence on tiie corner of Fifteenth and P 
stieets for twenty-three years. In 1877 he was 
associated with Hon. John Q. Brown in street 
contracting, cobbling and graveling the princi- 
pal streets, and they continued the business for 
several years. The latter gentleman was after- 
ward mayor of the city for six years, and is now 
president of the San PVancisco Board of Trade. 
July 28, 1859, Mr. Fountain was married to 
Miss Abbie Louise Brewster, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, the daughter of Mr. Charles Bi'ewster. 
a florist. She was a devoted Christian woman. 
Her death occurred September 13, 1879. The 
family consists of six daughters, viz.: Henrietta, 
now Mrs. Charles Lowell; Clara, now Mrs. 



Charles Hockell, Grace, Anne, Lizzie and Abbie. 
In 1881 he was again united in marriage to 
Miss Helen Powers, an earnest Christian woman, 
a native of New York State. Her death occurred 
April 23, 1888. Of their private affairs, the 
home life, of the tender interests which cluster 



ly altar, it is not our province 



around the fam 
to speak, but we must be permitted to say that 
the influence of such homes are far-reaching; 
the influence of such lives will ever remain a 
monument to enduring memory. 



tj. STEVENS, deceased. Thanksgiving 
day, 1889, a large and respectful assem- 
'* bly of the citizens of Sacramento and 
vicinity were present on the plaza to witness 
the unveiling of a magniflcent monument erected 
to the memory of this truly great man, who had 
been master mechanic at the Sacramento rail- 
road shops for many years. Like many others, 
he was greater in merit than in notoriety. In 
fact, he was probably a greater favorite among 
the employes and his fellow laborers tiian any 
noted man could be. The signal traits of his 
character were loyalty to his calling and pro- 
found respect for the man who achieves by vir- 
tue of devotion to the branch of labor in which 
he is engaged. Himself a proliflc inventor, he 
was the counselor and kind adviser of all tlie 
others engaged in mechanical research, and la- 
bored to lighten human toil. He abhorred the 
sluggard and the idle man. By his life and 
example he encouraged Qvery toiler, by his 
genius he evolved and brought to the forge and 
bench and the workshop, the appliances that 
most augment the capacity of the worker to 
produce without increasing the burdens of his 
toil. A governor over thousands of men for a 
long term of years, he commanded from all of 
them the regard that true worth and manliness 
always receive. While it was his duty to con- 
serve every interest of his employers, he never 
lost sight of the human rights of the men em- 
ployed. He held the balance evenly between 



HISrORT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



forces sometimes driven to antagonism in the 
iields of labor, lie was a disciplinarian with- 
out the severity of the exacting master; he was 
a master without the austerity of tlie mere dis- 
ciplinarian. He believed that men are more 
easily led than driven, and that they respect 
the authority that deserves it. All his princi- 
pals and those who served under him mingled 
their mourning in common over his remains, 
and it was they who consistently incurred the 
expense of a $5,000 monument and statue sacred 
to his memory. Mr. Stevens died February 11, 
1888, leaving a widow in this city; and the 
Stevens Statue Association was organized July 
11 following, at a meeting of the employes of 
tlie railroad company held at the old Pavilion. 
The granite work of the monument was done by 
the Carlaw Brothers of Sacramento; the stone 
was from the quarries of Fresno and Rocklin; 
the statue, of bronze and nine feet high, was 
designed by Albert Weiner of San Francisco. At 
the unveiling, tlie statue was presented to the 
city by E. B. Ilussey, president of the associ- 
ation, and was accepted by Hon. E. J. Gregory, 
Mayor, in behalf of the city. Nearly all the 
fraternal orders of the city and most of the em- 
ployes of the railroad company turned out in 
grand parade. Addresses were delivered by 
President Ilussey, lion. Joseph Stefiens, Mayor 
Gregory, Governor Waterman and William II. 
Mills, and a eulogy was read which had been 
composed for the occasion by Ralph Turner. 



-^^^ 



^^•#— 



fE. ALEXANDER.— One of the best 
known lawyers who have practiced at 
' lie Sacramento bar is the gentleman 
with whose name this sketch commences. lie 
is a native of Jackson, Mississippi, born Feb- 
ruary 7, 1845. His mother, whose maiden 
name was Caroline W. Iliveley, was born in 
Tennessee. Benjamin Franklin Alexander, his 
father, was a native of South Carolina, who 
afterward located in Mississippi. He was a car- 
penter by trade. In 1849 he started to Call 



fornia via Panama, but not being fortunate 
enough to secure passage on a steamer on the 
Pacific side, he with others became passengers 
on an old sailing vessel. They became lost on 
the Pacific, but reached San Francisco, eve it- 
ually, in 1850, after a terrible experience with 
hunger, thirst and exposure. Mr. Alexander 
went to the mines, and there had a varied ex- 
perience. He followed mining in Amador and 
Calaveras counties, and was one of the original 
owners of the Woodhouse quartz-inill, at West 
Point, then remote from civilization. In 1858 
he came to Sacramento and engaged at the car- 
penter's trade, and followed contracting in that 
line until 1875. In 1883 he removed to the 
vicinity of Menlo Park, where he has an orchard 
and vineyard. D. E. Alexander, the subject of 
this sketch, came to California in 1854 (with 
the family) to join his father, commencing the 
journey by water on the El Dorado, landing at 
San Francisco from the steamer California on 
the 20th of September, 1854, and proceeding 
at once to Sacramento. He received his edu- 
cation in this city, and was graduated at the 
Sacramento high school in the class of 1865. 
He commenced the study of law with Morris 
M. Estee, and continued his reading with Moore 
& Alexander, and afterward, with Coffroth & 
Spaulding. On the 5th of February 1866, he 
was admitted to practice before the Supreme 
Court of California. He remained in Coffroth 
& Spaulding's office for several months after 
his admission, then went to Nevada City, and 
opened an office. After four or five njonths, he 
returned to Sacramento, and has resided here 
ever since, his practice being in all State courts, 
and in United States land cases, and before the 
Interior Department. Mr. Alexander^was mar- 
ried at Stockton, to Miss Emma Miller, a native 
of Pennsylvania. Her father died in Iowa; her 
mother is a resident of Sacramento. Mr. Alex- 
ander is Past Chief Ranger of Sacramento 
Court, A. O. F., and is Past Grand Represent- 
ative to the subsidiary High Court of the United 
States. He isa Democrat politicall}', takes an act- 
ive part in the ])arty organization, and has done 



HISTORY DP HAOllAMENTO COUNTY 



his share of service on the city central committee. 
Mr. Alexander is an able lawyer, and a popular 
man in his profession. 

^.^1^.^ • 

fUDGEEOBEllT C. CLARK, deceased. In 
the chapter of this work devoted to the 
Bench and Bar of Sacramento County, many 
names appear whose owners have achieved dis- 
tinction and even Xational reputation, but none 
more honored than that of the late Judge Rob- 
ert C. Clark, with whose name this sketch 
commences. He was a native of Kentucky, 
born in 1821, and came of one of the most dis- 
tinguished families in the Blue Grass State. 
His father, John Clark, was among the most 
eminent men the State of Kentucky has pro- 
duced. He rose to the front rank at the bar of 
that State, and as a member of the Supreme 
Court of Kentucky, rendered decisions in some 
important cases, which were at variance with the 
sentiment of a large proportion of the people of 
the State. He was right, ho a ever, and when 
time proved the wisdom and the justice of his 
course, he was as freely vindicated as he had 
been condemned, and the people of the great 
commonwealth of Kentucky elected him as 
their Governor, the last position of public honor 
and trust he ever held, as he died while in the 
chair. He had also represented his district in 
the national Congress. Plis second wife was a 
member of the Washington fatnily, to which 
liad belonged the " Father of his Country." Of 
such stock was Judge Clark, of Sacramento. He 
was educated in Ohio and in Kentucky, and in 
the latter State was prepared for the profession 
of the law. He went to St. Louis to commence 
practice, and there remained until coining to the 
Pacitic coast. In 1852 he came across the plains 
to California, and located in Sacramento, where 
he soon look front rank as a lawyer. In the 
Lincoln- Douglas campaign, he came out as a 
Douglas Democrat, and made the race against 
Bob Robinson forjudge. He received the fa- 
vorable verdict of the people at the ensuing 



election, and so strongly did he endear himself 
to the people of the county by his legal learn- 
ing, his strong sense of justice, and his high 
character for integrity, that for twenty succes- 
sive years he held the ofhce of judge against all 
comers, and at the time of his death had yet 
two years to serve of the term to which he was 
elected. He was married in Kentucky to Miss 
Mary Wilcox, a native of northern Ohio, and a 
sister of Mrs. General Sturgis, of the United 
States army. She preceded him in death by 
several years. Three children survive them, 
viz.: Lora, wife of Charles McCreary; W. C, of 
San Francisco, now the head of the Electric 
Light Company, and Minnie C. Judge Clark 
achieved a splendid reputation while on the 
bench, as well as making a record which has 
hardly been equaled in the history of jurispru- 
dence in this country; i. e., in twenty years he 
had only one case reversed on appeal to the 
Supreme Court. He was the preceptor of many 
lawyers who afterward made distinguished 
names; in fact, it was said that he would not 
take a young man into his office who did not 
give promise of making a successful lawyer. 
Among his pupils were the Hon. M. M. Estee 
and Henry McCreary, whose early death shut 
out a career which gave every promise of a 
brilliant future. 

^4^3i»-^- 

fOHN KING ALEXANDER is one of those 
who, while not now residents of Sacra- 
mento, still have figured prominently as 
members of the bar in the past. He is a 
brother of D. E. Alexander, and was born at 
Brandon, Missouri, October 10, 1839. He was 
educated at Sacramento and is a graduate of the 
High School. He read law with George R. 
Moore, and a year after his admission to prac 
tice in the Supreme Court, he formed a partner- 
ship with that gentleman, which continued 
until the latter's death in 1808. Some years 
later he became associated with John W. Arm- 
strong (now Superior Judge), and afterward 



HTSTORT OP SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



with Add C. Hinkson. This partership con- 
tinued for three years, when it was dissolved, 
and Messrs. Alexander and A. C. Freeman were 
then associated until 1875, when Mr. Alexander 
left Sacramento. While here he held the office 
of district attorney one term. He removed 
to Salinas City, where, although a prominent 
Democrat, he, in 1879, at the lirst convention 
of the Republican party, after the creation of 
the office of Superior Judge, received the nomi- 
nation of the party for that high position, and 
was subsequently indorsed by the Democratic 
convention and elected. He was again chosen 
at the next election, this time on the straight 
Democratic ticket. His term expires in 1890- 
Judge Alexander's reputation as an able jurist 
is among the best, and as an evidence of that 
fact we quote from a decision of the Supreme 
Court of this State in the case of People vs. 
James, which was tried before him in the lower 
court, reported in the 57th California Reports, 
page 130, as follows: "The last point in- 
volves the correctness of the charge of the court, 
and the instructions to the jury: We have 
examined that part of the transcript with great 
care, and are obliged to say, in justice to the 
learned Judge who presided at the trial, that the 
charge to the jury is a very clear and able state- 
ment of the law of homicide. It is a long 
charge, completely covering all the points of 
the case, and is in our opinion entirely correct." 

'^-^^■^ 

fERBY H. CANTRELL, a rancher of San 
Joaquin Townsiiip, was born in Ruther- 
ford County, Tennessee, April 30, 1818, 
the son of Ota and Eleanor (Cummins) Can- 
trelj, natives also of Tennessee, who moved to 
Missouri,, near Kansas City, then called West- 
port, in 1830, and there followed farming. The 
father died there in 1846, aged about forty-six 
or forty-seven years, and the mother lived there 
some eighteen years, and died about 1867. 
They had three sons and three daughters, three 
of whom grew up. Tlieir grandfather, Stephen 



Cantrell, served in the Revolutionary war, and 
their father in the war of 1812. In Stephen's 
family were four sons and three daughters, 
most of whom remained in their native county, 
Stephen and Ota being the only ones to leave 
there. Ota Cantrell went to Missouri in De- 
cember, 183-, with two sons. Shortly afterward 
they returned to Tennessee on horseback, and 
next spring he came by water, bringing the re- 
mainder of the family. Mr. Cantrell was 
brought up near Kansas City. When twelve 
years of age he helped to cut the first brush on 
the site of that town, in preparing to build a 
cabin. He remained with his mother until he 
was twenty-five years of age, during which 
time he made two trips to Mexico, being sent 
as captain of wagon trains with goods. He also 
made one trip to Omaha, at which point his 
uncle, Richard W. Cummins, was Indian agent. 
During the twenty-four or twenty-five years 
residence in Missouri he made frequent trips 
into what is now Kansas. Went once to Coun- 
cil Grove with provisions in 1848, on sleighs, 
passing the Shawnee agency; there were then 
no settlements in that region. They brought 
back some frozen men. In 1853, leaving their 
Missouri home on April 20, with about fifty 
head of cattle, mules and horses, two wagons 
and a family of four daughters, they came to 
California by way of the Platte River, Fort 
Kearney, south side of the North Platte, Fort 
Laramie, Sublette's cut-off, etc. Mrs. Cantrell 
was sick with a fever for a niontli during the 
latter part of the journey. After arrival here 
Mr. Cantrell purchased a squatter's claim to a 
ranch in San Joaquin Township, where he has 
ever since remained. On the claim there was 
only a small adobe house. Here he now has 
about 800 acres of land, where he prosecutes a 
good business in general farming, but more 
especially in stock-raising, having some tine 
horses, cattle and mules. Of cattle he has about 
250 head, of which fifty are graded stock. 
Thoroughbreds he thinks are better left to 
specialists. He has also made some money in 
sheep. In this direction he made his first start 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



in Mexican slieep, but did not keep them lonsj. 
The largest band was 5,000 in number. But 
his laud is now too valuable for sheep-raising. 
Mr. Cantrell has been prominently a frmitiers- 
man. When lie lirst came here wild game was 
plentiful, — antelope and deer could often be 
seen. He is a member of the Methodist Churclii 
although brought up a Presbyterian. In his 
political principles he is a Democrat. He is 
now about seventy years of age. but he can 
mount a horse and ride off apparently as actively 
as ever. His home is a beautiful one, located 
among the native trees on the Cosumnes River- 
He was married in Jackson County, Missouri, 
January 11, 1844, to Miss Hannah Urby, a 
native of Greene County, Tennessee. She died 
May 27, 1888. and her loss is so greatly mourned 
by her husband that he could not remain on the 
old place, but made frequent trips to San Fran- 
cisco and Sacramento. Of his six children, 
four are living: Lutetia, born September 4, 
1845, and is now the wife of Nathan Lipscomb; 
Ann E., born November 2, 1847, married Fred 
Frothingham, and died March 4, 18—; Sarah 
E., born April 7, 1849; Mary, born May 20, 
1851, is now the wife of Philip Oppenheim; 
Henly C, born January, 1855; and Addie E., 
born December, 1859, died August 14, 1867, at 
the ago of seven years, eiglit months and 
one day. 

— ^€(g:i)'^'^ — 

fOHN H. CARROLL was born in Lynn, 
Massachusetts, November 17, 1825. His 
parents, John and Susan (G rammer) Car- 
roil, were also natives of Massachusetts, and of 
New England ancestry. They moved to Wo- 
burn, in that State, where his father continued 
in the shoe trade, which was the business of his 
life, residing there for forty years. His parents 
came to Calift>rnia in 1870, celebrated their 
gulden wedding here and remained during the 
remainder of their life-time in Sacramento. Mr. 
Carroll, when a yonth, was duly apprenticed to 
the shoe trade, anil in time moved to .Albany, 



New York, where he had an extensive patronage. 
On the 25th of January, 1849, he started for 
California, by way of Cape Horn, and arrived in 
San Francisco on July 6th of the same year. 
For a time he mined in El Dorado, Placer and 
Nevada counties. Coming then to Sacramento, 
he entered the grocery business on J street, be- 
tween Second and Third, the firm being Carroll, 
Scudder & Co. for some years. Afterward he 
engaged in the wheat and milling business in 
the Bay State Mills at Folsom, one of the 
earliest and largest flour mills in the State, 
the linn being Carroll, Mowe & Co., which 
continued until 1865, when the mill burned; 
but they went on with the wlieat trade for some 
years longer, when Mr. Mowe died. Then Mr. 
Carroll bought the Pioneer Mills in Sacramento, 
and conducted them for a number of years, un- 
der the firm name of J. H. Carroll & Co. He 
subsequently admitted H. G. Smith as partner, 
when the firm name was changed to Carroll, 
Smith & Co. Several years afterward Mr. Car- 
roil withdrew, and became interested in the 
manufacture of California wines and brandies, 
being at the same time a member of the firm of 
James I. Felter & Co. He organized and 
owned the United States Special Bonded Ware- 
house No. 1. He succeeded Governor Stanford 
and Edgar Mills as President of the Pacific 
Mutual Life Lisurance Company. In 1882 he 
established the Capital Packing Company, one 
of the largest fruit canneries on the coast, with 
which he was iaentified until the time of his 
death. Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1887. 
He was married in New York city in 1854 to 
Miss Hester H. Winans, a native of that city 
and daughter of AVilliam W. Winans, who died 
in January, 1889, in his ninety-eighth year. 
Of Mr. Carroll's six children, five are living, 
namely: Harry W., Edgar B., Flora H., Minnie • 
P. and Leila W., a daughter, Katie W., having 
been lost in childhood. Mr. Carroll was a mem- 
ber of the Society of California Pioneers, and in 
1861-'62 was president; was also an Exempt 
Fireman, and for years a director of the State 
Agricultural Society. In religion he was an 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church; 
in politics Republican; was one of the trustees 
of the Marguerite Home; member of the Sani- 
tary Commission during the war; member of 
the original Sacramento Light Artillery Com- 
pany, and formerly of the Hook and Ladder 
Company, of Sacramento. lie was puldic- 
spirited, charitable and enterprising, and his 
name and influence were a material factor in 
the history and prosperh;y of Sacramento. 



^ARRY W. CARROLL was born in Sacra- 
|ffi\ mento city September 4, 1858. In 1865 
'^ii he entered the Union Free School, went 
through the intermediate grades, thence through 
the Franklin Grammar School; spent two years 
at the St. Augustine Military Academy at 
Benicia, in 1873 '75, after which he entered 
the department of civil engineering (afterward 
changing to the department of mining) at the 
University of California, wliere he graduated 
with the degree of Ph. B. in 1880. He began 
mining in Nevada County, under ground, at the 
Diamond Creek mine; subsequently took charge 
uf the Biigbey Rancho in El Dorado County, 
transferred his services to the Vina ranch in 
Tehama County, making special investigation 
in viticulture on both ranches, resulting in his 
becoming a member of the firm of H. W. Car- 
roll & Co., at Florin, Sacramento Ccninty, in the 
manufacture of wines and brandies until the 
destruction of the cellar ai.d distillery by fire 
in 1884; thence until 1887 he was interested in 
box-making and in the canning business. In 
November, 1886, he was elected Repiesentative 
to the State Assembly on the Republican ticket, 
and served during 1887-'88; was Chairman of 
theCommitteeon Public Ruildingt-and Grounds, 
and member of the Committees on Municipal 
Corporations, Education and Military Affairs. 
At the close of the session he resumed his busi- 
ness connections. He is Past Master of Con- 
cord Lodge, No. 117, F. & A. M., and member 
of Sacramento Chapter, No. 3, R.A.M.; Sacra- 



mento Council, No. 1, R. & S. M., and Sacra- 
mento Conimandery, No. 2, K. T. Li 1880, at 
the commencement of Governor Perkins' ad- 
minisfration, he w-as appointed Engineer Officer 
of the Fourth Brigade N. G. C. on the staff' of 
Brigadier General John F. Sheehan, with the 
rank of Major, which office he held tor a year 
and a half Next he was Brigade Inspector, 
with the same rank on the staff" of Brigadier 
General Tozer until 1883; was then com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel and Aid-de-Camp 
on the staff" of Governor Stoneman, Commander- 
in-Chief, and in 1887 was recom missioned by 
Governor Bartlett, holding the same position 
and rank until the Governor's death. His com- 
mission continued in force after the inauguration 
of Governor Waterman, during whose adminis- 
tration he was placed on the retired list !N. G. 
C. Mr. Carroll is an ardent Republican, and 
thoroughly identified with Sacramento, its wel- 
fare and prosperity. 



fHARLES W. ZIMMERMAN, chief engi- 
neer of the steamer San Joaquin No. 4, 
was born in Ross County, Ohio, Novem- 
ber 10, 1835, and was the son of Aaron and Jane 
(?N'oble) Zimmerman. His mother was a daugh- 
ter of George Noble, who was a native of Ken- 
tucky, and at the age of eighteen years settled 
upon a piece of timber land in Ohio. In his 
family were eleven sons and eleven daughters. 
Aaron Zimmerman removed with his family to 
Iowa in 1845, and at the age of thirteen years 
Charles started out for himself. Going to Pe- 
oria County, Illinois, lie worked on a farm there 
until 1863, when, in company witli two friends, 
— Charles Boyle and John Mooney, — he went to 
New York, and March 11 set sail en the North- 
ern Light for the land of golden promise; from 
the Isthmus he came on the Golden Age, Cap- 
tain Hudson, and on the 6th of April steamed 
through the Golden Gate. The next day he 
landed here in Sacramento, juining his two un- 
cles, Jesse and Andrew Zimmerman, the former 



UISTOHY OF SACRAilENTO COCfNl'T. 



tlie CJaptain of the Cliindewan, and the latter 
the engineer, plying between tliis city and San 
Francisco. July 5, 1803, he began as fireman 
on the steamer Defiance from Sacramento to 
Colnsa, continuing three years; then in the same 
capacity lie went up on the snag-boat Rainbow, 
belonging to the California Steam Navigation 
Company, Captain Woodruff; then he was on 
the steamer Governor Dana, which made daily 
trips to Marysville, under Captain Brewing 
ton. Eighteen months afterward he went on 
the Goodman Castle, of which his uncle, Jesse 
Zimmerman, was the captain, and then on the 
Banner, and next on tlie Gem, running to Chieo, 
Tehama and Red Bluff, and then on the Dover, 
Captain Roger Strickland. In 1871 he went to 
work in the railroad shop; and seven and a half 
months afterward he returned to the river, going 
upon the Chindewan, which was in the grain 
trade, and then he was employed again upon the 
Dover. March 31, 1874, he was engaged by 
the Sacramento Transportation Company, as 
engineer on the steamer Verona, in which po- 
sition he continued three years. The San Joa- 
quin No. 3 being then complete, he took charge 
of her as chief engineer; and in January, 1888, 
he took charge of the San Joaquin No. 4, which 
position he now holds. He was married in 
1870 to Catherine Hoselton, of Ohio, an old 
schoolmate, and they have two children, — Fairie 
May and George. They have a comfoitable and 
happy home on K street, near Sixteenth. 



-^■? 



"^f^ 



fHRIS. M. ZEH, deceased, was born in 1852, 
in January, a son of Godfrey J. Zeh, anid 
emigrated to America in 1857. After a 
six-months sojourn in New York city, he sailed, 
in 1858, from that port to California, byway of 
the Isthmus, and landed in Sacramento after a 
voyage of thirty-two days. He purciiased from 
the Government a quarter-section of good land, 
fifteen miles northeast of Sacramento; after that 
he bought more, until he readied a total of 720 
acres. All the improvements up'jn this land he 



himself made. He died January 10, 1879, 
leaving a wife and seven children. He was mar- 
ried in 1847 to Miss Johanna Rolling, in Ger- 
many. Their children, eight in number, are, 
Fred; Anna, wife of William Lewis, deceased; 

Chris.; Louisa, wife of Charles ; Charles 

L. ; Edward A., decer.sed; Godfrey N. and Jo- 
hanna R. Four of these are natives of Cali- 
fornia. The farm, which is devoted to hay, 
grain, etc., is tinely improved and well stocked 
with suitable buildings. This family are ener- 
getic and industrious, and are such citizens as 
go to make a strong State. 

tEOPOLD ZOLLER.— Among the old-time 
residents and active men of Sacramento is 
Mr. Zoller, a native of Baden, now in the 
Empire of Germany. He was born July 14, 
1831, and his boyhood days were spent in his 
native land. In 1849, in company with his 
brother, he came to the United States, landing 
at New York after a voyage of thirty-four days. 
After a short visit to St. Louis, Missouri, he 
embarked on the steamer Golden Age from New 
York city and came by the Isthmus of Pan.ama 
to this State. His first job was in the butcher 
business for F'rank Keller in this city; but he 
soon went to the diggings at Comptonviile. In 
October he returned to this city and resumed 
his old position until March 28, 1858, on which 
day he was married; then, until October 28 
following he was again at Comptonviile. Re- 
turning to this city again he entered into busi- 
ness for himself, on the northeast corner of 
Eighth and M streets; but he afterward changed 
to the southwest corner, which he has improved 
in a handsome and substantial manner. His 
market has become one of the land-marks of 
that portion of the city. He has been success- 
ful in accumulating a fair share of this world's 
goods, and is interested in the growth of Sacra- 
mento, being proud to see it advance from a 
miners' town of canvas and cheap boards to the 
beautiful and substantial city it now is. Mrs. 



UISTOHT OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



Zoller's maiden name was Josepliine Neidecker. 
She was a native of Germany, and was but two 
j-ears of age when she was brought by her par- 
ents to tliis country. Mr. and Mrs. Zoller have 
MX children, namely: Ciiarles, William, Ilenry, 
Leopold, Amelia and Minna. 



-^^f- 



friRlSTIAN ZIMMERMAN, deceased, for- 
merly a grocer at Twelfth and E streets, 
Sacramento, was born in the canton of 
Berne, Switzerland, near. the French boundary 
line, July 5, 1834, a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Bartche) Zimmerman. While he was yet a 
babe his parents emigrated with him to Amer- 



ettlin. 



what 



now called Hio-hland, 



Madison County, Illinois, about thirty miles 
from St. Louis, Missouri. The first immigrants 
at that point being from Switzerland, it wa« 
named JS'ew Helvetia, from the ancient Latin 
name of Switzerland. This family was a pio- 
neer household there. Mr. Zimmerman kept 
a hotel there known by his name, and he resided 
there until his death, from Asiatic cholera, 
August 6, 1849. Young Christian continued 
in charge of the hotel, keeping the family 
together two years longer. At length his mother 
married again and the children naturally' were 
scattered. He went to the residence of John Mot- 
tel, of whom he learned the blacksmith's trade. 
At tht' age of nineteen years he came acros.* the 
plains, with Jerry Decker, in a train, working 
his way and receiving $50 in cash upon his ar- 
rival at Donner Lake, where the party stopped. 
He soon secured a claim, which he named the 
Town Talk Mines, and engaged in mining. 
Then, after a sliort residence in Virginia City, 
he came to Sacramento, and during 1861-'62 
he followed farming. After the disastrous 
floods of the latter year, he was employed by 
William Pritchard in Idalio for fifteen years, 
and then in Nevada for a time, where he was 
Mr. Pritcliard's trusted foreman on a railroad 
contract. May 7, 1875, is the date of Mr. Zim- 
merman's marriage to Miss Annie Krebs. In 



August following he, in partnership witii Mr. 
Pritchard, engaged in a carriage factory in Sac- 
ramento, at the corner of Eighth and K streets. 
Within three years he was -'dead" broke," and for 
six months he was out of employment. He 
then raised $600 on a life insurance policy, upon 
which he kept his family until he cc.uld obtain 
a start again in business. Borrowing $1,500 
of Wendall Kerth, Fred Stofier becoming his 
security, and borrowing also from Jacob Meister 
without se&urity, he built and stocked a store 
at the corner of Twelfth and E streets, in March, 
1879, naming it the Town Talk Grocery. Here, 
within two years he bought the property and in 
four years had it all free from incumbrance. He 
had good health until about seven months prior 
to his death, which occurred March 9, 1889. 
lie was a man of sterling integrity, who never 



forgot his 



promises or 



friends. He w£ 



prominent in several fraternal organizations, as 
Eureka Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F.; Elko (Nevada) 
Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M.; Sacramento Lodge, 
No. 40, F. & A. M.; Chapter No. 3, Council 
No. 1, Commandery No. 2 and Thirty-second 
degree of Scottish llite Masonry. 

fHARLES ZIMMERMAN, proprietor of 
the New Western Hotel, etc., Folsom, was 
born in Germany, August 14, 1842. From 
1859 to 1666 he worked at the shoemaker's 
trade, and then sailed from Havre and landed 
in New York April 16. Remained in that city 
until 1869 when he went to Greenport, Long 
Island, where he was employed in a shoe store 
a year and four months. Returning to Brook- 
lyn, New York, lie started a shoe shop on the 
corner of Fulton and Adelphia streets, and ran 
it until 1872. In August of this year he came 
to San Francisco, where he engaged in his trade 
live weeks; then he and another gentleman 
came to Folsom, rented a place of Dr. Bates for 
three years, opened out in business, and at the 
expiration of the term of the lease Mr. Zim- 
merman l)ought the property, which is on the 



iimrour of sacrauento count r. 



corner of Sutter and Wool streets; it has ninety- 
five feet frontage. At the time of the purciiase 
this property liad two buildings upon it, and he 
paid for it §2,100. He started a hotel in one 
building and carried on his shop in the other. 
lie borrowed the money with which to pay for 
the place, and paid all his indebtedness at the 
end of four years, from the proceeds of his 
carefully managed business. He improved the 
property to the e.xtent of §800; but August 13, 
1886, the great fire burned him out, along with 
a large portion of the business section of the 
city. He was insured for §2,800, with which 
he immediately rebuilt, at a cost of $7,000, and 
now the city of Folsom is graced with the New 
Western Hotel, "one of the leading hotels in the 
county and one that would be a credit to any 
city. The dimensions of the main building 
are 40x60 feet, and two and three fourths 
stories high. On one side of the main building 
is the saloon, on the corner, and on the other 
side are two stores, occupied as a butcher shop 
and a shoe shop, each one story high. Com- 
mencing here without anything, Mr. Zimmer- 
man has proved himself to be a successful 
business man. He was the first to open a first- 
class §1 a day house in Folsom, while in the 
saloon business he was the first to put ihe price 
of beer down to five cents a glass. In this he 
has made many friends, who appreciate what he 
has done for the good of the place. He was 
married October 21, 1882, to Mrs. Katerina 
Myer, a native of Germany, and at that time a 



widow with three children: August, Louisa and 
Emma; and by the present marriage there is 
one daughter, Barda by natiie. 



M. HUBBARD, father of Mrs. Upson, was 
(u a native of Middleton, Connecticut, and 
* was the son of a sea-captain and ship- 
owner. He was married to Miss Sarah Buck- 
ley Wilco.K, a native of Utica. In 1850 he 
came to California, and soon became prominent 
through his great business abilities. He was 
an early Wells-Fargo representative, and built 
the first telegraph across the continent. In 
connection with his father, he built the first 
railroad bridge across the American River. He 
had charge of the right of way business for 
the Southern Pacific Railroad at the time of his 
death. He was on his way to Merced to sell 
the town site when a fall occurred, and he was 
seriously injured. He was brought back to 
Sacramento on Friday, and on the following 
Sunday, which was February 11, 1871, he died. 
He was one of the most pushing, energetic men 
that have figured in the history of Sacramento. 
He was one of the early chief engineers of the 
tire department, and during flood times took 
charge of the work of pumping out the city. 
He owned the homestead where Mr. Upson and 
family now reside, and commenced its improve- 
ment in 1856. 



HISTORY OP SACBAMBNTU COUNTY. 



ADDENDA 



Chap. II. — During tlie year 1889 a move- 
ment was inaugurated by the Native Sons of the 
Golden West to preserve wliat remains of Sut- 
ter's Fort, and also restore the original. The 
site of the fort has been secured, and Colonel 
C. F. Crocker has addressed a letter to the 
mayor of Sacramento (ivho is also a Native Son), 
offering a guaranty of all the means that may 
be necessary, after all is collected tiiat other- 
wise can be, to complete the work. There is 
no doubt that this most interesting historical 
land-mark should be preserved. 

■ Chap. VI. — General A. M. Winn arrived in 
Sacramento in 18i9. He was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, April 12, 1810. Arriving at a mature 
age, he went to Zanesville, Ohio, where he was 
married. About 1834 he moved with his fam- 
ily to Vicksburg, Mississippi. His family came 
to Sacramento in 1850. By his first wife he 
had three daughters and one son. Two of the 
daughters — Mrs. E. Y. Gillespie and Mrs. Emily 
Ilersberger — are dead. General Winn was 
chosen councilman at the first city election in 
Sacramento, in July, 1849, and soon afterward 
mayor. Being a military man, he was ap- 
pointed Brigadier-General in California, and 
was placed in command of the militia to quell 
the Squatter riots. He presided at the fii'st 
meeting of (3dd Fellows in Sacramento, which 
was called to meet at his oflice, where the 
Record-Union building now stands, and was 
elected president of the Odd Fellows' Associa- 
tion. In 1855 he was president of the Anti- 
Kuow-Nothing Club. In company with others 
he purchased a large tract of land north of the 
American River, and also another south of the 
city, embracing what afterward became the site 



of Sutterville, but afterward disposed of his in- 
terest in these lands. About 1860 he removed 
to San Francisco, and subsequently to Sonoma 
County, where be died, August 26, 1883. It 
was while he was in San Francisco that, as he 
was condncling a public procession, the idea 
entered his mind to have processions also of 
native sons of the Golden State, and this led to 
his establishment of the present vigorous order, 
the " Native Sons of the Golden West." He 
had lost his first wife in 1862, and in Septem- 
ber, 1865, he married the widow of James 
King of Williatn, who had been killed during 
the reign of the San Francisco Vigilantes, in 
1856. 

Chap. VIIL— Dr. A. B. Nixon, State Sena- 
tor in 1862-'63 (page 45), died at Sacramento, 
November 2, 1889. 

William B. Hunt, Assemblyman in 1863-64 
(page 49), died in San Francisco, Novembei' 13, 
1889. 

J. K. Watson, Assemblyman at the same time, 
died at Sacramento. September 11, 1889. 

L. H. Fassett (see sketch page 675). 

Chap. IX. — Henry Meredith was born in 
Virginia, August 14, 1826; graduated at Mis- 
souri State University at Columbia; returned 
to Virginia, studied law, and in the spring of 
1850 came across the plains ta California. Be- 
ing seized with cholera on the route, he saved 
himself by his own heroic efforts. After his 
arrival here he followed mining for awhile with 
success. In 1853 or 1854 he commenced prac- 
ticing law in Nevada, and rapidly rose to the 
front rank of his profession; was posted specially 
in mining and mining laws, and therefore e.x- 
celled in prosecuting mining cases. He was a 



HISTORY OF SACRAilBNTO COUNTY. 



gentleman of many noble qualities, exempt from 
the common vices, intellectual, active, industri- 
ous, honest, etc. 

John C. Bnrch (page 56), a native of Mis- 
souri, was appointed, in 1848, private secretary 
to Governor Edwards, of that State. Two years 
later he arrived in California, settling in Trinity 
County, where he practiced law and engaged in 
politics. He was District Attorney, Assembly- 
man and Senator, and in September, 1859, with 
Charles L. Scott, was elected to Congress on the 
Democratic ticket. During the war he was in 
favor of the " Republic of the Pacitic," and 
thereby obtained the name of "Cactus." Later 
he served as one of the commissiouers to codify 
the laws of this State, and afterward practiced 
law in San Francisco until his death, August 
81, 1885. 

Horace Smith was shot by Captain Johnson, 
in the fall of 1863, and died December 6 fol- 
lowing. The members of the bar in Virginia 
passed resolutions of regard, and Tod Robinson 
delivered a eulogy. He was buried in Lone 
Mountain Cemetery. 

Chap. X. — Drager and Olsen (page 71) were 
executed at Placerville, October 16, 1889. 

Chap. XIIL— James McClatchy (page 87) 
was indirectly instrumental in »aving California 
from the vortex of the Rebellion. The unex- 
pected arrival of Edwin V. Sumner to relieve 
Albert Sidney Johnston, and the exposure of 
their plot to McCiatchy, were reported by the 
latter to Abraham Lincoln, and thus led to a 
thwarting of the schemes of the rebels. 

Ferdinand C. Ewer (referred to on page 81) 
was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, May 22, 
1826; graduated at Harvard in 1848; arrived 
in California in September. 1849; engaged in 
journalism and literary pursuits, and had a 
position in the custom-house when Latham was 
Collector of the port of San Francisco. One of 
Ewer's literary speculations was the publication 
of the Pioneer, a magazine. Although an un- 
believer in spiritualism, he published an article 
on psychic force wiiich deceived even spiritual- 
ists into the belief that he also was a spiritual- 



ist. He afterward took orders in the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, and went to New York, where 
he was rector of St. Ignatius' Church. He had 
a sweet voice, ready utterance, and an aggress- 
ive manner. In his ecclesiastical views he ulti- 
mately became '• Higli Church." He died in 
Montreal, October 10, 1883, leaving a widow in 
San Francisco. 

Chap. XIV. — The City Board of Education 
for 1890 consists of W. li. Sherburn, A. J. 
Senatz, Jerry Payne, Joseph Hopley, Richmond 
Davis, A. C. Tnfts, H. C. Chipman and O. W. 
Eriewine. 

Albert Hart was elected Superintendent of 
the City Schools, December 2, 1889, to succeed 
M. R. Beard, named on page 160. 



James Queen, a native of Philadelphia, came 
around Cape Horn to California, arriving April 
5, 1847. Clerked in the law office of Winans 
& Hyer in Sacramento for a number of years, 
but several years prior to his death he took up 
his residence in San Francisco. In 1853, in 
partneiship with Mr. Pettit, he established the 
tirst brick-yard at Sntterville. At one time he 
was a councilman of Sacramento. In 1859-'60 
he was president of the Pioneer Association; 
was also an active member of the Sutter Rifles, 
and was a man of energy and business capacity. 
He died at Napa, December 7, 1879, at the age 
of sixty-eight years. 

Chap. XllL.— National Bank of D. 0. Mills 
cfe Co. — Among those who came to California 
in 1849 were three brothers: James Mills, D.O. 
Mills and Edgar Mills, natives of New York 
State. James Mills died soon after his arrival 
here. D. O. Mills, having had some banking 
experience in "Western New York, began- gen- 
eral merchandising here, in connection with his 
brother, W. O. Mills, who remained in New 
York city, engaged in the same line; but very 
soon he turned his attention to banking, and a 
record of many of his early transactions is still 
to be seen in the old books at the bank. These 
original entries show that the transition from 
merchandising to banking took place as early 



HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY. 



as 1849, although banking proper was not fully 
and formally established until early in 1850. 
There is still preserved in the office also a bill 
of exchange, the "third," dated January 13, 
1851, and signed "D. O. Mills & Co.," being 
one of a set of three bills on New York city 
sold to a customer, and written by Mr. Mills' 
own hand; and probably the rate was three 
to five per cent., as was customary in those 
days. 

Another interesting relic in the bank is the 
old clock wiiich Mr. Mills set up originally 
here, and which, though it has passed through 
one of the great conflagrations of the city, still 
bears upon its face the magic date, "1850." It 
will therefore be seen that this bank is the 
oldest institution of the kind in the State of 
California. 

The bank building was first located upon the 
south side of J street, between Second and 
Third, about sixty feet from the corner of Third. 
It was a small, one-story frame structure with a 
stone front; and a picture of this front was for 
a long time used upon the checks of the bank, 
— in fact as late as 1865. in which year the in- 
stitution was removed to its present location, 
the southeast corner of J and Second streets. 

The early business of the bank consisted 
largely in selling exchange on New York and 
buying gold dust. The deposits were not large 



as compared with those in the Express and 
other companies; but one after another of those 
failed, and their business naturally fell to this 
bank, according to the law of the "survival of 
the fittest." 

In 1855 the firm consisted of D. O. Mills, 
under the title of " D. O. Mills & Co." That 
year there were admitted to the firm as equal 
partners, Edgar Mills and Henry Miller. This 
relation continued until July 19, 1872, when 
the company was incorporated under the title of 
the " National Gold Bank of D. O. Mills & Co.' 
In September, 1883, by a general law of Con- 
gress, the word "Gold" was dropped. The 
present proprietorship is essentially the sama as 
in 1855. The stockholders and officers are: 

Shares. 

D. O. Mills 1,538 

Edgar Mills, President 1,538 

S. Prentiss Smith, Vice-Pi-esideiit 250 

Frank Miller, Cashier 351 

Charles F. Dillman, Assistant Cashier 135 

Other persons own 1,198 

Capital and surplus, $600,000. In the bank 
there is also a chrome steel safe deposit vault, 
with a time lock. D. O. Mills resides in New 
York city. 

The California State Bank, northwest corner 
of Fourth and J; the People's Bank, on the 
opposite corner, and the Sacramento Bank, Fifth 
and J, are all doing a good business. 



